Driving in Japan with a Foreign License: IDP or Translation
Short answer
Driving in Japan with a foreign license is possible with an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, or — for licenses from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan — with an official Japanese translation. Other licenses, including those from mainland China, are not valid on their own. Either works for up to one year from arrival.
Three ways a visitor can drive in Japan
Japan's police list exactly which documents let a visitor drive. Everything else — a home license on its own, a private translation, or an international permit in the wrong format — is not accepted, even at the rental counter.
| Your situation | What you need | Bring to the counter |
|---|---|---|
| Your country issues 1949 Geneva Convention permits (for example the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Italy, Spain, Korea, Hong Kong) | International Driving Permit (IDP) | IDP, home license, passport |
| License from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan | Official Japanese translation of your license | Home license with the translation attached, passport |
| You live in Japan and hold a Japanese license | Japanese license | Japanese license |
France, Belgium and Monaco can use either route. Switzerland, Germany and Taiwan do not issue permits that Japan accepts, so the translation is the only way.
International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva Convention)
- It must be the 1949 Geneva Convention format. Permits in the 1968 Vienna Convention format are not valid in Japan.
- Get it in your home country before you travel. It cannot be issued in Japan.
- An IDP is valid for one year from the date it was issued.
- Carry the IDP together with your home license and passport. Rental companies check all three when you pick up the car.
Official Japanese translation (six countries and regions)
If your license is from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan, drive with your original license plus an official Japanese translation. The translation must come from one of these:
- The authority that issued your license, or your country's embassy or consulate in Japan
- JAF (Japan Automobile Federation)
- For Germany: ADAC. For Taiwan: the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association
- Other bodies designated by the police, such as Ziplus Co., Ltd. and the Japan Driver Support Association for Visitors
A translation from a private translator is not accepted. JAF's translation is applied for online, costs ¥6,000 and takes about 2–3 business days for these six countries and regions. You then print it at a convenience store in Japan — only that printed original is valid, not a PDF or a home print-out. Plan it before your pick-up date.
Who cannot drive with their home license
If your country is not in either group above, your license and any permit it issues are not valid for driving in Japan. This includes licenses and "international permits" issued in mainland China, and, among others, Vietnam, Brazil and Indonesia. To drive, you would need a Japanese license.
Hong Kong and Macau licenses are different from mainland China. Check the rules for the place that issued your license.
How long you can drive
You can use an IDP or a translated license for up to one year from the day you enter Japan, or until the document expires, whichever comes first. If you live in Japan, leaving the country for less than three months does not restart that year.
What to bring when you rent a car at Haneda
- Passport
- Your home driving license (the original card, not a copy)
- Your IDP, or the official Japanese translation
At Go on Rent-a-Car you upload these before you arrive, and we check them at Haneda Terminal 3 when you pick up the car. You can check your license in 30 seconds before you book. The minimum driver age is 21.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Bringing a 1968-format international permit (common in some European countries)
- Bringing only the IDP and leaving the home license at home
- Using a translation from a private translation agency
- Bringing a PDF or photocopy of the JAF translation instead of the printed original
- An IDP or license that expires during your trip
FAQ
Can I get an International Driving Permit after I arrive in Japan?
No. An IDP is issued by your home country before you travel. Japan cannot issue one for a foreign license.
Is a 1968 Vienna Convention permit valid in Japan?
No. Japan only accepts International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
My license is from Germany. Can I use an International Driving Permit?
No. German drivers need an official Japanese translation of their license from ADAC, the German embassy or a consulate in Japan, or JAF, and must carry it with the original license.
Can I drive in Japan with a license from mainland China?
No. Licenses and international permits issued in mainland China are not valid for driving in Japan.
How long can I drive in Japan with an IDP?
Up to one year from the day you enter Japan, or until the permit expires, whichever comes first.
Sources
- National Police Agency: For those who have a driving license issued in a foreign country
- JAF: How to apply for a translation
Rules can change. Always check the official sources before you travel.