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IDP Driving License Checker for Japan

You’ll see 国際運転免許証 kokusai unten menkyoshō: International Driving Permit, as rental counters call it

Check if you can legally drive in Japan using your home country license. Covers 90+ countries — based on official JAF & NPA pages, checked September 2026.

Quick answer

Most tourists can drive in Japan with an International Driving Permit (IDP) plus their original home-country license. The IDP must be issued in your home country before you travel — Japan does not issue them. In the US, AAA issues IDPs for about $20; in the UK, Post Offices issue them for £5.50.

Six countries are exceptions: Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, France, Belgium, and Monaco cannot use a standard IDP. They require an official JAF translation document (¥6,000, processing averages 2–3 business days). German and Taiwanese residents can apply locally via ADAC or the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association respectively; other countries must apply via JAF before departure.

Japan's drink-driving limit is 0.03% BAC — among the strictest in the world, roughly one small drink for most adults. Always carry both your IDP and original license when driving.

More about driving in Japan

How Japan classifies foreign licenses
A
IDP Valid
1949 Geneva Convention IDP accepted
B1
JAF Translation
JAF translation required (bilateral agreement)
B2
IDP Rejected — JAF
IDP format rejected — JAF translation needed
C
Cannot Drive
No IDP or translation option available
Can I Drive in Japan? IDP Requirements by CountryFirst Time in Japan: 10 Safety Tips

Frequently asked questions

What is an IDP and where do I get one?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official translation of your home country license. It must be obtained in your home country before traveling — you cannot get one in Japan. In the US, AAA issues IDPs for about $20. In the UK, it's available at Post Offices for £5.50.
How long is an IDP valid in Japan?
An IDP is valid for 1 year from its date of issue, and in Japan you may drive on it for up to 1 year from your date of entry. If you stay longer, you will need a Japanese license.
Do I need to carry my original license too?
Yes. The IDP is NOT valid on its own. You must carry both your original home country license AND the IDP at all times. Japanese police check both documents.
What does the JAF translation requirement mean?
Countries in categories B1 and B2 need an official Japanese translation from JAF (Japan Automobile Federation). JAF says processing averages 2–3 business days and costs ¥6,000 for short-term visitors (checked September 2026). German residents can apply domestically via ADAC; Taiwan residents can apply in Taiwan via the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association (台灣日本關係協會). For Switzerland, France, Belgium, and Monaco, apply via JAF online before departure (the site may require a VPN outside Japan) — the final document must be printed at a Japanese convenience store.
What's the drink-driving limit in Japan?
Japan's legal limit is 0.03% BAC — one of the strictest in the world, roughly equivalent to one small drink for most people. Penalties include immediate license confiscation and up to 15 years imprisonment if someone is injured.
Sources · 6 official pages · checked September 24, 2026
  1. Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department — Driving in Japan with an overseas IDP
    Only 1949 Geneva Convention IDPs are valid
  2. Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department — Valid international driving permits (leaflet)
    Driving allowed for up to 1 year from entry into Japan
  3. National Police Agency — International driving permits and foreign licences with translation
    Germany, Switzerland, Taiwan, France, Belgium and Monaco: licence + official translation
  4. JAF — Japanese translation of your driver’s licence
    Fee for short-term visitors from the six countries
  5. JAF — How to apply for a translation
    Processing averages 2–3 business days
  6. JAF — For customers currently overseas
    Applying from abroad, including via ADAC

Fact-checked by the TravelSafe Japan team against these pages; AI helped with drafting. General information, not legal advice. Report an error · How we verify

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