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Driving License Requirements

picture of car
車の画像

You can't simply use your home country's driver's license to drive in Japan. To hit the road legally, you'll need one of the following:

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  1. A 1949 Geneva Convention International driver's license.

  2. A valid Japanese translation of your home country's driver's license.

OPTION 01

International Driving Permit + Passport + Home Country Driving License

運転免許についての画像。パスポート

If your driver's license is issued by a country on the following list, you can legally drive in Japan using an International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva Convention only) for a maximum duration of one year.

  • Albania

  • Algeria

  • Argentina

  • Australia

  • Austria

  • Bangladesh

  • Barbados

  • Benin

  • Botswana

  • Bulgaria

  • Burkina Faso

  • Cambodia

  • Canada

  • Chili

  • Côte d'Ivoire

  • Cuba

  • Cyprus

  • Czech Republic

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo

  • Denmark

  • Ecuador

  • Egypt​

  • Fiji

  • Finland

  • Ghana

  • Greece

  • Guatemala

  • Haiti

  • Hong-Kong

  • Hungary

  • Iceland

  • India

  • Ireland

  • Israel

  • Italy

  • Jamaica

  • Jordan

  • Kyrgyz Republic

  • Laos

  • Lebanon

  • Lesotho

  • Luxembourg

  • Macau

  • Madagascar

  • Malawi

  • Malaysia

  • Mali

  • Malta

  • Montenegro

  • Morocco

  • Namibia

  • New Zealand

  • Niger

  • Nigeria

  • Norway

  • Oceania

  • Papua New Guinea

  • Paraguay

  • Peru

  • Poland

  • Portugal

  • Romania

  • Russia

  • Rwanda

  • San Marino

  • Senegal

  • South Korea

  • Spain

  • Sri Lanka

  • Sweden

  • Syria

  • Thailand

  • The Dominican Republic

  • The Netherlands

  • The Philippines

  • The Republic of Georgia

  • The United States of America

  • Togo

  • Trinidad and Tobago

  • Tunisia

  • Turkey

  • Uganda

  • United Arab Emirates

  • United Kingdom

  • Vatican

  • Venezuela

  • Zimbabwe

Japan exclusively acknowledges International Driving Permits that adhere to the guidelines of the 1949 Geneva Convention. Permits following the model of the Vienna Convention or other conventions are not considered valid.

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Prior to your arrival in Japan, it's essential to secure your International Driving Permit from the National Automobile Association in the country that issued your license. Unfortunately, it's not possible to obtain an international license once you've arrived in Japan.

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PLEASE TAKE NOTE: International Driving Permits from France, Belgium, Germany, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Taiwan are not recognized in Japan. However, drivers from these countries have the option to obtain a translation of their home license upon arrival, as detailed below.

OPTION 02

Home Country Driving License + Passport + Official Japanese Translation of License

運転免許についての画像

Drivers hailing from France, Belgium, Germany, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Taiwan cannot utilize the International Driving Permits issued by their respective countries. To drive in Japan and rent a car, they must obtain an official Japanese translation of their driving license.

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These translations are facilitated through the JAF (Japan Automobile Association). You can find more information at this link: http://www.jaf.or.jp/inter/translation/index_e.htm

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PLEASE BE AWARE: When you rent your vehicle, you will need to present your original license alongside its translation or your original 1949 Geneva International License, in addition to your passport. Failure to do so will result in the inability to pick up the car, with no refunds provided.

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The translated version of your driving license remains valid for the entire duration of your license's validity, so it's advisable to keep it safe for future visits to Japan.

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If your country neither issues International Driving Permits based on the 1949 Geneva Convention nor holds an agreement with Japan regarding official driving license translations, your license falls outside the scope of the two scenarios mentioned above. Unfortunately, in such cases, you won't be able to rent a car or drive in Japan without obtaining a Japanese driving license.

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