Driving in Japan with a foreign licence
Driving in Japan: IDP required for foreign visitors — driving side, minimum age and how to get your International Driving Permit online.
Do you need an IDP to drive in Japan?
Japan recognises only the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. Carry your home licence and passport too. Drivers from a few countries (France, Germany, Switzerland, etc.) need an official Japanese translation instead of an IDP. An International Driving Permit is an official translation of your national driver's licence into multiple languages — it never replaces your home licence, so always carry both, along with your passport.
What to carry when driving in Japan
- Your valid national driver's licence
- Your International Driving Permit (IDP)
- Your passport and rental documents
How to get your IDP for Japan
You don't need to visit an office. Get your International Driving Permit online with International DL in minutes — we translate your licence into the official UN-convention languages and issue your IDP digitally, ready before you fly.
Driving to Japan soon?
Get your digital International Driving Permit in minutes and drive worry-free.
Get my IDP →Other countries
Read more in our travel guides.
Driving rules change and can vary by region and nationality. Always confirm the current requirements with the official transport authority or embassy of Japan before you travel.