You Can Now Use Your My Number Card as a Driver's License in Japan
· GaimenGo Team
Since March 2025, Japan allows drivers to use their My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) as a driving license. Here is what changed, what your options are, and whether it is worth switching.
What Happened in March 2025
On March 24, 2025, Japan's National Police Agency launched the マイナ免許証 (Myna Menkyo) system — a new option that lets drivers use their My Number Card (マイナンバーカード) as their official driver's license.
This is not a replacement for the traditional plastic license card. It is a choice. You decide which format works best for you.
Your Three Options
Under the new system, every driver in Japan can choose one of three setups:
Option 1: Traditional License Only Keep your standard plastic driver's license card exactly as before. Nothing changes in how you use, renew, or carry it.
Option 2: My Number Card (Myna License) Only Your driving license information is stored on your My Number Card. You carry just one card for both identification and driving. Note: you must carry the card itself when driving — the app alone does not count as carrying your license.
Option 3: Both Hold both a traditional license card and a Myna License simultaneously. This is the most flexible option during the transition period, giving you a backup if you forget one.
Why You Might Want the Myna License
Switching to the Myna License comes with a few practical benefits that are genuinely useful:
Address changes become simpler. When you move, updating your My Number Card address automatically carries over to your driving record. No separate visit to the license center just to update your address.
Online renewal lectures are unlocked. Myna License holders can complete their license renewal lectures online rather than attending in person. This saves a trip and lets you complete the requirement at your own pace.
Out-of-area renewal is easier. If you live far from your registered address — common among people who move for work — the renewal process becomes more flexible.
Renewal fees are lower. The administrative cost for renewal is reduced for Myna License holders.
What to Watch Out For
The Myna License is not without friction. A few things to keep in mind:
Your My Number Card needs to be in good condition and regularly updated. If the card expires or becomes damaged, you lose your driving credential along with your ID — a single point of failure that the traditional two-card setup avoids.
Not all traffic stops or car rental counters may be fully set up for Myna License verification yet, particularly outside major cities. Carrying both formats during the early years of the rollout is a reasonable hedge.
Foreign residents with temporary or fixed-period residency status should confirm their eligibility before applying, as My Number Card validity is tied to residence card status.
How to Apply
You can apply for the Myna License through your local driver's license center or test center. Bring your current driver's license and your My Number Card. The process is handled at the counter — it is not yet fully online end-to-end.
Is It Worth Switching?
For most drivers who already have and actively use their My Number Card, the Myna License makes quiet sense. The address change convenience alone removes a common bureaucratic headache, and the online renewal option is a genuine time-saver.
For those who rarely use their My Number Card or who prefer keeping their documents separate, the traditional license remains perfectly valid and there is no pressure or deadline to switch.
Japan is moving toward integrated digital identity, and the Myna License is an early and optional step in that direction. You can take it at your own pace.