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Decide your valid driving qualification in Japan
To drive in Japan with a foreign license, you need either an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a foreign driver’s license (five countries and one region only) with an official Japanese translation. You must hold one of the following valid qualifications.
Important — Without a verified valid driving qualification, liability and damage coverage under Tcab may not apply after an accident, and you may face high compensation costs. Confirm your eligibility before departure.
What driver’s license do I need to drive in Japan?
You need a Japanese standard driver’s license, an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format plus your passport, or a foreign license from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan with an official Japanese translation. Vienna Convention permits and international licenses from non-Geneva countries such as mainland China, Thailand, Vietnam, or Indonesia are not valid in Japan.
How to decide
- You have a Japanese standard license → Pattern 1
- You have a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP → Pattern 2
- You have a license from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan → Pattern 3 (official Japanese translation required)
- None of the above → Not valid / non-Geneva country list
Pattern 1 — Japanese standard driver’s license
- A valid Japanese standard-class driver’s license
- Identity verification in Explorer
Pattern 2 — International Driving Permit (Geneva Convention)
- Passport (to confirm nationality/residence)
- An IDP issued by a Geneva Convention country under the 1949 Geneva Convention
- Identity verification in Explorer
References: Geneva Convention countries & format (Tokyo Metropolitan Police)
IDP checklist
- Size: 148 mm high × 105 mm wide
- Issuing country: a Geneva Convention country
- 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.
Pattern 3 — 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 translation application)
- Identity verification in Explorer
Hong Kong / Macau and Taiwan follow different rules.
Taiwan qualifies for Pattern 3 (home license + official Japanese translation). Hong Kong and Macau do not — they need a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP (Pattern 2). One Traditional Chinese page is fine for language, but the required qualification is not the same.
Not valid / major non-Geneva countries
- IDPs in Vienna Convention (or other non-1949 Geneva) formats
- Driving only with an “international license” from non-Geneva countries
Major-country list
| Region | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | China (PRC) | Party to the 1968 Vienna Convention. Chinese license + translation is not valid in Japan. |
| Asia | India | Non-party. Indian IDPs are not valid in Japan. |
| Asia | Indonesia | Non-party. ASEAN-style permits are not valid in Japan. |
| Asia | Philippines | Legal basis for IDP issuance can be unclear. |
| Asia | Vietnam | Non-party. Issued “international licenses” are not usable in Japan. |
| Asia | Thailand | Non-party (also not Vienna). Thai IDPs are not valid in Japan. |
| Asia | Malaysia | Vienna party, Geneva non-party. IDPs not valid in Japan. |
| Asia | Singapore | Vienna party, Geneva non-party. IDPs not valid in Japan. |
| South America | Brazil | Vienna party, Geneva non-party. Brazilian license + translation is not enough. |
| South America | Argentina | Vienna only. |
| South America | Colombia | Same. |
| South America | Chile | Same. |
| Asia | South Korea | Formerly non-party; now a Geneva party (valid from 2002). |
| Europe / Asia | Russia | Vienna party, Geneva non-party. Russian IDPs not valid in Japan. |
| Europe | Ukraine | Vienna party, Geneva non-party. |
| Middle East | Saudi Arabia | Non-party. International attestations not valid in Japan. |
| Middle East | UAE | Vienna party, Geneva non-party. Not valid in Japan. |
Conventions and validity in Japan
| Convention | Example parties | Valid in Japan? |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva 1949 | Japan, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, etc. | Yes, if the format is correct |
| Vienna 1968 | China, Russia, Brazil, India, etc. | No |
| Both | France, Germany, Italy, etc. | Yes with Geneva-format IDP |
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.
- Along with your passport and home-country license: an official Japanese translation (eligible countries only), or a Geneva-format IDP
Driving in Japan（JAF）