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Required IDs
Driving licenses that can be accepted in Japan

Drivers who hold a foreign driving license must have one of the following in order to drive in Japan: 1) An international driving permit; 2) A valid foreign driver's license AND a Japanese translation of that license (applicable countries and regions only).

International driving permit

International driving permit

This document is issued by signatory countries in a format determined by the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.

1

Size: 148mm (width) x 105 mm (length)

2

Color: Grey

3

Issuing Countries: Signatories to the Geneva Convention

4

Treaty Name: Convention on Road Traffic of 19 September 1949

5

Period of Validity: One year from date of issue

6

Required Information: surname; given name; place of birth; date of birth; address

7

Photo: Passport-style photo of driver

8

License Classes: Permitted vehicle classes are marked with a stamp

International driver's permit license classes

Class

Permitted vehicles

A

Motorcycles, with or without a side-car, invalid carriages and three-wheeled motor vehicles with an unladen weight not exceeding 400 kg (900 lbs).

B

Motor vehicles used for the transport of passengers and comprising, in addition to the driver's seat, at most eight seats, or those used for the transport of goods and having a permissible maximum weight not exceeding 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs). Vehicles in this category may be coupled with a light trailer.

C

Motor vehicles used for the transport of goods and of which the permissible maximum weight exceeds 3,500kg (7,700lbs). Vehicles in this category may be coupled with a light trailer.

D

Motor vehicles used for the transport of passengers and comprising, in addition to the driver's seat, more than eight seats. Vehicles in this category may be coupled with a light trailer.

E

Motor vehicles of category B, C, or D as authorized above, with other than light trailer.

If you are registered in the Basic Resident Register (for foreigners staying in Japan for a medium to long term) and have returned to Japan within 3 months after leaving, you may not be able to drive in Japan even if you have a valid driver’s license.

［Must be able to present your passport at the pick-up site］

Signatory countries to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva Convention / As of March 2019)

List of signatories to the
Geneva Convention on Road Traffic
※
Countries that are signatory to the Geneva Convention, but which do not issue international driving permits according to the convention：France and Belgium (Drivers from these countries are permitted to drive in Japan with their domestic driving license and a Japanese translation)
※
For more information, please see the website of the National Police Agency [https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/multilingual/english/traffic_safety/drivers_licenses/geneva.html]
※
For more information, please see the website of the All Japan Rent a Car Association [https://rental-car-tips.jp/en/rentacar/]

International driving permits issued according to the Paris Convention (1926), Washington Convention (1943) and Vienna Convention (1968) DO NOT permit holders to drive in Japan.

Foreign driving license + Japanese translation

International driving permit

Drivers from the five countries and one region below are permitted to drive in Japan if they hold: a) their passport, and b) their domestic driver's license and a Japanese translation.

  • Switzerland
  • Germany
  • France
  • Belgium
  • Monaco
  • Taiwan

The Japanese translation is only valid if issued by the relevant embassy or consulate in Japan, or by the Japan Automobile Federation. In Taiwan the translation must be issued by the Japan Automobile Federation or the East Asia Relations Commission＊.

Japanese translations has also issued by The German Automobile Federation(ADAC) for German license holders.

※
According to Article 39-5, paragraph (1), item (2)ﾊof the Order for Enforcement of the Road Traffic Act, the East Asia Relations Commission (including branches and offices) is considered a valid organization by the National Public Safety Commission for the purposes of issuing a Japanese translation.

Please take sufficient care regarding the type of license and the period of validity.

If drivers are unsure of the rules, they should contact their local driving license issuing authority.

If you are registered in the Basic Resident Register (for foreigners staying in Japan for a medium to long term) and have returned to Japan within 3 months after leaving, you may not be able to drive in Japan even if you have a valid driver’s license.

［Must be able to present your passport at the pick-up site］

International driving permits that cannot be used to drive in Japan

  • International driving permits issued by countries and regions that have not ratified the Geneva Convention.
  • International driving permits issued by countries and regions that have ratified the Geneva Convention, but that issue international driving permits in a format according to the Vienna Convention.
  • International driving permits issued by authorized bodies in countries and regions that have ratified the Geneva Convention, but when the form of the permit is very different.
  • International driving permits issued by bodies that are not authorized to do so.
※
In the United States, only the AAA and AATA are authorized to issue international driving permits.

If you are registered in the Basic Resident Register (for foreigners staying in Japan for a medium to long term) and have returned to Japan within 3 months after leaving, you may not be able to drive in Japan even if you have a valid driver’s license.

［Must be able to present your passport at the pick-up site］

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