International Driving Permit for Japan: What Is Accepted
Japan accepts only one kind of International Driving Permit: the one issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, used together with your original licence and passport. A few countries can drive with an official Japanese translation instead. Here is the rule for each country we see most often.
Rules by licence country
| Australia | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
|---|---|
| Belgium | Original licence + official Japanese translation (JAF or embassy). No IDP needed. |
| Canada | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| Switzerland | Original licence + official Japanese translation (JAF or embassy). No IDP needed. |
| China mainland | Cannot be used for self-drive rental in Japan. |
| Germany | Original licence + official Japanese translation (JAF or embassy). No IDP needed. |
| France | Original licence + official Japanese translation (JAF or embassy). No IDP needed. |
| United Kingdom | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| Hong Kong | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| Indonesia | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| India | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| South Korea | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| Monaco | Original licence + official Japanese translation (JAF or embassy). No IDP needed. |
| Malaysia | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| New Zealand | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| Philippines | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| Singapore | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| Thailand | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| Taiwan | Original licence + official Japanese translation (JAF or embassy). No IDP needed. |
| United States | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| Vietnam | Original licence + 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. |
| Other | Most countries: 1949 Geneva Convention IDP + original licence. Ask us and we will confirm your country. |
The three documents every driver must carry
- Passport (original).
- Original driving licence from your home country. Photos, copies and expired licences are not accepted.
- 1949 Geneva Convention IDP or, for the translation countries above, an official Japanese translation issued by JAF or your embassy or consulate.
How to recognise a valid IDP
- The cover says "International Driving Permit" and "Convention on Road Traffic of 19 September 1949". Most are grey A6 booklets.
- Issued by the official body of the country that issued your licence. In the United States only AAA and AATA can issue it. In South Korea it is the police (driver's licence examination office). In Australia the state motoring clubs; in the UK, PayPoint outlets.
- Valid for one year from the issue date. In Japan it can also only be used within one year of the date you entered Japan.
- Your name and date of birth must match your passport and licence exactly.
- Not accepted: IDPs under the 1968 Vienna Convention, "international driver's documents" sold by online companies, digital-only IDPs, and mainland China licences with or without translation.
Licence conditions and categories
- A corrective lenses condition on your licence is satisfied by glasses or contact lenses. Please have them with you.
- An ordinary car licence (Geneva category B) covers all our cars, including the 10-seater Hiace Wagon, which is classified as an ordinary passenger vehicle in Japan.
- All drivers must be registered and their documents approved before pick-up. Adding a driver is free; unregistered drivers are not insured.
Not sure about your country?
Use the licence check on our home page or message us on WhatsApp with a photo of the front of your licence. We usually confirm within a few minutes.
Related questions
Yes. You need your original US state licence, your passport, and an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention by AAA or AATA. The IDP is valid for one year from its issue date, and in Japan it must be used within one year of your arrival.
Licence holders from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan can drive with their original licence plus an official Japanese translation (from the JAF or their embassy or consulate). Everyone else needs a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP together with the original licence.
No. Japan only recognises IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. A Vienna-format IDP, a digital IDP, or a mainland China licence cannot be used for self-drive rental in Japan.
Yes. The condition means corrective lenses of any kind, so contact lenses satisfy it. Please have your glasses or contacts with you whenever you drive.
Yes, at no extra charge. Every driver must be registered before pick-up and upload passport, licence and IDP (or translation) in the pre-check-in. Unregistered drivers are not covered by insurance and may not drive the car.
More guides
NOVA Car Rental, Hachioji, Tokyo. Email hachioji@novarentacar.co.jp. All prices include tax; final approval is subject to document verification and vehicle availability.