This guide explains which international driving permits work in Japan, the documents to carry, the one-year rule, the resident re-entry restriction and the main alternatives.
Which International Driving Permits are valid in Japan?
An IDP must be issued by a country or region that is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention and must follow that Convention’s prescribed format. A permit issued only under the 1968 Vienna Convention is not valid in Japan, even when the issuing country also participates in the Geneva Convention.
Documents you should carry
- The original, valid national driving licence on which the IDP is based.
- The original, valid paper International Driving Permit.
- Your passport or other documents needed to establish the relevant entry date.
- The vehicle, registration and insurance documents required for the vehicle you are driving.
An IDP translates and classifies your driving entitlement; it does not replace the original national licence.
How long can you drive with an IDP?
The usable period is generally the shorter of the IDP’s own validity and one year from the relevant date of landing in Japan. A foreign licence or IDP that expires earlier cannot be used until the end of the one-year period.
For a person recorded in Japan’s Basic Resident Register, a short trip abroad normally does not restart the one-year period. Returning to Japan in less than three months can leave the original clock running.
Common visitor and resident situations
| Situation | Likely route | Important check |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term visitor with a valid Geneva IDP | Carry the original licence and original paper IDP | Confirm vehicle category and the shorter validity limit |
| Resident approaching one year after the relevant landing date | Start foreign-licence conversion early | A pending application does not extend IDP validity |
| Resident who left Japan briefly and returned | Check the Basic Resident Register and three-month re-entry rule | A short trip may not reset the clock |
| Licence from a specially designated country or region | Original foreign licence plus an authorised Japanese translation may be possible | Use the current police list and an authorised translator |
Foreign licence plus Japanese translation
Japan also permits temporary driving with certain designated foreign licences when the original licence is carried together with an authorised Japanese translation. Tokyo police currently lists Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland and Taiwan. Translation providers and conditions differ, so confirm the current police guidance for the licence’s issuing country or region.
When should you convert to a Japanese licence?
Residents should start conversion well before the IDP period ends. Translation processing, proof of residence in the issuing country, appointment availability and practical-test scheduling can take time. You cannot legally continue driving merely because a conversion application has been filed.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Vienna Convention IDP valid in Japan?
No. Japan requires an IDP issued in conformity with the 1949 Geneva Convention.
Can I show a digital IDP on my phone?
No. Carry the original paper IDP together with the original national licence.
Does leaving Japan briefly restart the one-year period?
Not necessarily. For residents recorded in the Basic Resident Register, returning in less than three months can leave the original period running.
Can a 17-year-old drive a normal car with a Category B IDP?
No. Japan’s minimum age to drive an ordinary four-wheel vehicle is 18.
Official sources
- Tokyo Metropolitan Police: valid International Driving Permits
- Tokyo Metropolitan Police: designated foreign licences
- JAF: driving in Japan with a foreign licence or Geneva IDP
- Tokyo Metropolitan Police: minimum age for Category B IDP holders
Information was reviewed on July 25, 2026. Confirm the latest permitted period and documents with the prefectural police responsible for your address or destination before driving.