Which International Driving Permit do I need to drive in Japan?

Learn which type of International Driving Permit Japan accepts, why the wrong convention is refused, and which countries use an official translation instead.

Published October 20, 2026 at 7:08 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Japan accepts only an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Permits issued under the Vienna Convention are not valid, even if your country also signed the 1949 treaty. Drivers from a short list of countries, including Germany, France and Switzerland, can instead carry their own license with an official Japanese translation from JAF or their embassy.

The rule in one sentence

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department states that only an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued by a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Convention, and issued in line with that convention, is valid for driving in Japan. Permits issued under other treaties, including the Vienna Convention, are not valid. This applies even when the issuing country has signed both treaties, so the treaty named on the permit matters, not just the country.

An IDP is not a license by itself. It is a translated companion document that you carry together with your valid home license, and you need both. The permit is normally issued by an authorized motoring organization or government office in your home country, so you must obtain it before you travel. Use only the authorized issuer named by your own government or national motoring club, because a permit from an unofficial seller may not be accepted.

How to check what your permit says

Look at the booklet itself. An IDP is a small booklet, usually with pages of translations into several languages and a mark showing the categories of vehicle you may drive. Check that the vehicle category covers an ordinary car, and that the booklet has not expired. The treaty mentioned on the document or on the issuing body's website tells you which type it is.

If you are not sure, contact the organization that issued the permit or check its website for the convention it follows. Many countries issue the 1949 type for travel to Japan, but this varies, so confirm it for your own country rather than assume. Some countries issue more than one kind of permit, and an official page from the issuing body should say which one is suitable for Japan.

Countries that use a translation instead

A small group of countries is treated differently. The National Police Agency's leaflet states that holders of licenses issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan can drive in Japan with a Japanese translation attached to their license. Official lists can be updated over time, so confirm the current list for your country with the police, the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or your embassy.

The translation must be an official one, so ask JAF or the embassy of the issuing country which translation is accepted. JAF's English page says applications are online only and from within Japan. It lists average processing of about two to three business days for the six places on its page and longer for other countries. As fees and procedures change, use the current JAF page.

How long the permit is valid in Japan

The National Police Agency's leaflet says either an IDP or a foreign license with a translation is valid for up to one year from the date you enter Japan, and also only while the license itself remains valid. If the permit or license expires sooner, the earlier date applies.

Special rules apply to people who live in Japan, and a short trip abroad may not reset the one-year period. These residency rules are different from tourist rules, so residents should speak with the police or a license center.

Who this matters for and special cases

Short-stay visitors from many English-speaking countries typically use a 1949 IDP, though you should confirm this with your own country's issuing body. Travelers from countries on the translation list can use the translation route instead. Visitors whose countries are on neither track should ask the police or their embassy what is possible before booking a car.

Families should note that every driver must carry the documents; a passenger's permit does not help. If two adults plan to share the driving, each needs a valid IDP or translation, and the rental company will usually list each driver on the contract. Older travelers renewing a home license should make sure the license is still valid for the whole stay, since the permit depends on it.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is buying a permit that follows the wrong convention. Another is carrying an IDP without the underlying license, which makes it invalid. Others include an expired permit, a missing vehicle category stamp, and relying on a photo of the booklet, which is unlikely to be accepted in place of the real document. Rental staff may be strict about this, since a car cannot be released to a driver without valid documents.

People also sometimes believe that a home license alone is enough because it is printed in English. The police and JAF pages make clear that, for most countries, an IDP or an official translation is required. If a rental company refuses to hand over the car because of a document problem, there is usually no workaround, so check everything at least a few weeks ahead.

Planning tips and next steps

Start with the official pages. The National Police Agency and the Metropolitan Police Department explain the legal requirements, and JAF explains the translation. Then contact the issuing body in your country to confirm the convention printed on your permit, and ask the rental company what documents it will check. Allow time for issuing, since permits are not always same-day, and ask the rental company to confirm in writing that your document type is acceptable.

Check the expiry dates of both the permit and the home license against the whole trip, because a document that runs out partway through cannot be used for the remaining days. Keep the originals with you in the car, along with your passport, and carry the rental agreement too. If any document is unclear, ask the issuing body now, not at the rental counter. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an IDP be obtained after arriving in Japan?

Generally no. An IDP is issued in the country that issued your license, before you leave. The translation route is different: JAF's English page says its translation applications are made online from within Japan. If you are unsure, check with the issuing body or the police before you travel.

Does the IDP replace a home license?

No. The IDP is a companion document that must be carried with your valid home license. The National Police Agency states that drivers without a Japanese license need either an IDP or a foreign license with a translation, and the validity depends on the underlying license remaining valid.

Can a visitor drive a motorcycle or moped with an IDP?

Only if the vehicle category printed in the permit covers it, and the rules depend on the vehicle class. Check the categories in your permit and confirm with the police or the rental company before you plan to ride.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Building a Life in Japan is available on Amazon.

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