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:
- An international driving permit.
- A valid foreign driver's license and a Japanese Translation of that license (applicable countries and regions only).
International driving permit
- Size: 148mm (width) x 105 mm (length)
- Issuing Countries: Signatories to the Geneva Convention
- Treaty Name: Convention on Road Traffic of 19 September 1949
- Period of Validity: One year from date of issue
- Required Information: surname; given name; place of birth; date of birth; address
- Photo: Passport-style photo of driver
- License Classes: Permitted vehicle classes are marked with a stamp
International driver's permit
license classes
carriages and three-wheeled motor vehicles with an
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.
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.
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.
comprising, in addition to the driver’s seat, more than eight seats.
Vehicles in this category may be coupled with a light
trailer.
with other than light trailer.
Foreign driving license
+ Japanese translation
Drivers from the five
countries and one region
below are permitted to
drive in Japan if they hold:
- Their passport
- Their domestic driver's license and a japanese translation.
- 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.
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.
English 
香港中文