Decide your valid driving qualification in Japan
Check required documents by issuing country (A / B-1 / B-2 / not eligible)
Search the country or region where your license was issued (outside Japan) to see the category and required documents.
- A: Japanese standard license
- B-1: 1949 Geneva-format IDP
- B-2: foreign license + Japanese translation
- Not eligible: overseas path unavailable (Japanese license required)
If you already hold a Japanese standard driver’s license, see Pattern A → A
If you hold a foreign license, confirm Japan-valid eligibility before departure. Categories are A (Japanese license) / B-1 (1949 Geneva IDP) / B-2 (foreign license + Japanese translation) / not eligible. Submit documents in Explorer; AI assesses eligibility in real time. Without verification, insurance cannot apply.
What driver’s license do I need to drive in Japan?
A: Japanese standard license; B-1: 1949 Geneva Convention IDP + passport; or B-2: license from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan with official Japanese translation. Vienna-format permits, international licenses from non-parties such as mainland China, Vietnam, or Indonesia, and IDPs from parties that do not issue the 1949 Geneva format (e.g. Russian Federation) are not valid in Japan (not eligible).
How to decide (A / B-1 / B-2 / not eligible) · Required documents matrix (summary) · Major-country decision list · FAQ
How to decide (A / B-1 / B-2 / not eligible)
- You have a Japanese standard license → A
- You have a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP (and the issuing country issues that format) → B-1
- You have a license from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan → B-2 (translation required)
- None of the above → Major-country decision list
Required documents matrix (summary)
| Market | Required documents | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | Taiwan license + official Japanese translation + passport | B-2 (no IDP) |
| South Korea | 1949 Geneva-format IDP + passport | B-1 |
| Hong Kong / Singapore | Geneva-format IDP + passport (HK is not on the translation route) | B-1 |
| US / Canada / UK / Australia / NZ | Geneva-format IDP + passport | B-1 |
| Germany / France / Switzerland / Belgium / Monaco | Home license + official Japanese translation + passport | B-2 |
| China / Vietnam / Indonesia, etc. | Not eligible (non-parties). Thailand, UAE, Singapore, etc. are B-1 | Not eligible |
A — Japanese standard driver’s license
- A valid Japanese standard-class driver’s license
- Identity verification in Explorer
If you only have a My Number Card–integrated license, upload the license image from the National Police Agency app. How to submit a My Number Card driver’s license
B-1 — International Driving Permit (Geneva Convention)
- Passport (to confirm nationality/residence)
- An IDP issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention by a party that issues that format (non-issuing parties are not eligible)
- Identity verification in Explorer
IDP checklist
- Size: 148 mm high × 105 mm wide
- Issuing country: a Geneva party that issues the 1949 format (non-issuing parties are not eligible)
- Convention name: CONVENTION ON ROAD TRAFFIC OF 19 SEPTEMBER 1949
- Validity: within 1 year from the issue date
- Required details: surname, given name, place of birth, date of birth, address
- Face photo matches the holder
- Category stamp for standard passenger cars: B
IDPs based on the Paris (1926), Washington (1943), or Vienna (1968) conventions are not valid for driving in Japan.
B-2 — Foreign license + Japanese translation (5 countries / 1 region)
- Passport
- Driver’s license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan
- Official Japanese translation (e.g. JAF)
- Identity verification in Explorer
Major countries (B-1 / not eligible)
- IDPs in Vienna Convention (or other non-1949 Geneva) formats
- Driving only with an “international license” from non-parties such as mainland China, Vietnam, or Indonesia
- IDPs from parties that do not issue the 1949 Geneva format (e.g. Russian Federation)
The category at the start of each note (B-1 / not eligible) is the decision. Non-1949 formats are not valid. Confirm the issued format and official sources.
Major-country decisions
| Region | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | China (PRC) | Not eligible. Vienna Convention party, not Geneva. A Chinese license plus translation is not valid. |
| Asia | India | B-1. Geneva Convention party. 1949-format IDP + passport. |
| Asia | Indonesia | Not eligible. Not a Geneva party. ASEAN-format permits are not valid. |
| Asia | Philippines | B-1. Geneva Convention party. 1949-format IDP + passport. |
| Asia | Vietnam | Not eligible. Not a Geneva party. |
| Asia | Thailand | B-1. Geneva Convention party. 1949-format IDP + passport. |
| Asia | Malaysia | B-1. Geneva Convention party. 1949-format IDP + passport. |
| Asia | Singapore | B-1. Geneva Convention party. 1949-format IDP + passport. |
| South America | Brazil | Not eligible. Vienna Convention party, not Geneva. License plus translation is not valid. |
| South America | Argentina | B-1. Geneva Convention party. 1949-format IDP + passport. |
| South America | Colombia | Not eligible. Not a Geneva party. |
| South America | Chile | B-1. Geneva Convention party. 1949-format IDP + passport. |
| Asia | South Korea | B-1. Geneva Convention party (since 2002). 1949-format IDP + passport. |
| Europe / Asia | Russian Federation | Not eligible. Geneva party, but does not issue the 1949-format IDP (B-1/B-2 unavailable). Japanese license (A) required. |
| Europe | Ukraine | Not eligible. Vienna Convention party, not Geneva. |
| Middle East | Saudi Arabia | Not eligible. Not a Geneva party. |
| Middle East | UAE | B-1. Geneva Convention party. 1949-format IDP + passport. |
Treaty differences (reference)
| Convention | Example parties | Valid in Japan? |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva 1949 | Japan, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, etc. | Yes, if the format is correct |
| Vienna 1968 | Mainland China, Brazil, etc. (format alone is not valid in Japan) | No |
| Both | Italy and others (B-1). Germany and Switzerland are B-2. France, Belgium, and Monaco are B-2 only (non-issuing). | Parties that issue the 1949 format are B-1. Non-issuing parties are not eligible, or B-2 if on the translation list. |
Before your ride
After booking, submit photos of your license and required documents as prompted in Explorer so we can confirm eligibility in advance.
If we cannot verify your qualification
If a valid driving qualification in Japan cannot be verified, insurance cannot apply and you cannot use the service. Obtain a valid qualification and resubmit your documents in Explorer.