International Driving Permit – Japan

Guide to obtaining an International Driving Permit for your trip to Japan

What is an International Driving Permit?

An International Driving Permit, or IDP for short, is a document that allows holders to drive in any country that is a signatory of the Geneva Convention of 1949.
IDPs must be issued in the same country that issued your original driver’s license.

Who needs an IDP?

The requirements for having an IDP or a Driver’s License translated to Japanese depends on your country of domicile. See the tables below to see if you need an IDP or a Japanese translation. If your country is not shown in the tables below, you will not be able to drive in Japan.

Countries requiring an International Driving Permit:

Asia	Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Hong Kong(China), India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand
Europe	Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of San Marino, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, Vatican City (Holy See)
North America	Canada, United States of America
South America	Argentina, Barbados, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Paraguay, Peru, Republic of Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela
Africa/Middle East	Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Israel, Jordan, Kingdom of Lesotho, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Republic of South Africa, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Syria, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Zimbabwe

Countries requiring Driver’s License from country of domicile + Legal Translation:

Asia	Taiwan
Europe	Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Estonia, Monaco

How do I obtain an IDP?

You must obtain your IDP within your country of origin. Applications from overseas are generally not accepted.
Every country designates its own companies or government offices to officially issue IDPs. See list below for official issuers.
There is usually a permit fee that must be payed to receive an IDP. This will go for around $20.00 (USD)
A photocopy of both sides of your original Driver’s License is usually required with the application
Two passport photos (signed on the back) may also be required
Applications can be handled in person at the designated offices. Some countries may offer mail-in applications as well
IDPs may not be issued over 6 months in advance of planned use