Lost or Stolen Japanese Driving Licence: Replacement Guide

What to do immediately

1. Search carefully and confirm whether the licence is lost, stolen or retained somewhere.
2. For theft or suspicious loss, make a police report and keep the report details.
3. Do not drive when you do not hold the required valid licence document.
4. Check the reissue locations and hours for your prefecture.
5. Prepare identity, residence and photograph documents requested by the centre.

Who can use the reissue procedure?

Tokyo's published procedure covers residents of Tokyo whose licence remains within its validity period and has been lost, stolen, soiled or damaged. It also covers certain requests to replace the displayed photograph or move updated information to the front of the card.

Apply through the prefecture where your current address is registered. If the licence is already expired, use the expired-licence process instead of ordinary reissue.

Likely documents

• Application and loss/theft statement.
• Identity document accepted by the centre.
• Proof of current address and foreign-resident status where applicable.
• Application photograph meeting the prefecture's dimensions.
• Damaged licence if still available.
• Police report information when stolen.
• Fee and accepted payment method.

Fee and timing

Tokyo's current fee table lists ¥2,600 to reissue a traditional driving licence. A learner-permit reissue is listed separately. A centre may issue the card the same day, but timing depends on the facility, application and identity verification.

If you are already in the normal renewal window, some prefectures allow combined reissue and renewal. This may be more efficient than completing two separate visits.

If the My Number Card was lost

Police facilities do not reissue the My Number Card itself. Contact your municipal office to suspend and replace the card. After the new card is issued, the police can re-record the licence information under the applicable procedure.

If you held both a traditional licence and a My Number licence, the action depends on which document was lost. Review the current fee matrix before choosing whether to keep one or both.

Reduce the damage from identity theft

• Report suspicious theft promptly.
• Monitor bank, mobile and online accounts if a wallet was stolen.
• Do not post a photograph of the licence or its number publicly.
• Update emergency contact and recovery information on important accounts.
• Destroy a damaged licence only after staff instruct you to do so.