If you want to drive in Japan, you need a translation of your driving license if you are from France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan.
©alexskopje / 123RF

The license translation will allow you to drive on Japanese roads, to discover new horizons!
©flowertiare / 123RF

You can rent a car from our partner Nissan to explore Japanese cities ...
©Nissan

... and explore the Japanese countryside, or even approach the sea!
©Nissan

The beautiful scenery of Tsunoshima Bridge in Yamaguchi Prefecture, between Hiroshima and Fukuoka
©Sean Pavone/123RF

Driving License Translation

To drive a car in Japan, you will need the following documents

If your license was issued in France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan:

- your passport

- your national license

- the official drivers license translation you can book on this page

If your license was issued in any other country:

- your passport

- your international driving license

Can I drive in Japan with my international driving license?

Only nationals of countries that issue their International Driving Permit following the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic are allowed to drive in Japan with their international Driving Permit. Note that some countries have signed the Geneva Convention, but issue their international licenses on the model of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. That is why, the international driving licenses issued in France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan are not valid in Japan!

If your driving license was issued by one of these countries, you'll need an official Japanese translation of your license from the JAF (Japanese Automobile Association).

To make it easier for you when organizing your trip, we can take care of this process for you! Your driving license translation is taken care of in Japan by the only official accredited service, the Japanese Automobile Association (JAF).

Turnaround time

It takes a minimum of 6 weeks from booking confirmation to delivery.

What we need to translate your driving license

Your address and phone number. You may choose to receive your translation at your personal address at home or at the airport in Japan. Please note that we need your contact details to reach you in the event of any issues with your translation.
The date on which you plan to leave for Japan.
A double-sided color scan of your driving license. You will receive an email once the order has been confirmed, with instructions for where and how to upload it.

Please note the following conditions:

the scan must be a maximum of 1 page for front side and 1 page for back side
it must be of sufficient resolution quality
the entire driving license must be scanned in full
the license must be legible, the photo and the stamp must be clearly visible
the license must be scanned without its plastic cover when possible

Should we be unable to translate your driving license due to an issue with your scans, and if we are unable to contact you after several attempts, we reserve the right to cancel your order up to two weeks before the deadline and issue a refund.

IMPORTANT: Once you receive your translation, please keep the document in a safe place for future use in Japan. We do not keep copies, and cannot issue a second one if you lose it.

The advantages of our driving license translation service

Our bilingual team of specialists on site in Japan will take care of the process.
You will not have to deal with international calls or deliveries.
In the event of a problem, our team will also take care of following up your file with JAF in Japan.
It's quick and easy, all you have to do is provide us with a color photocopy of your driving license and your translation will be sent to your home.

Before placing your order, please read the terms and conditions of the driving license translation service carefully.

Common questions

Please be aware, it is not possible to drive in Japan with just your national driving licence issued in your home country. You will not be allowed to collect a rental car and will be prosecuted if caught driving in Japan.

To drive in Japan you need to have either of the following types of documents:

Case n ° 1: If your driving licence is issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, you can drive in Japan with the international license of your country. This concerns most countries of the world. If you are staying for a period longer than 1 year, you must obtain a Japanese Driving Licence.

To drive in Japan, you must bring: International Driving Permit + Passport + Home Country Driving Licence

Case n ° 2: Nationals holding a driver's licence from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Monaco, or Taiwan can NOT use the International Driving Permits issued in these countries. To be able to drive in Japan you must obtain an official translation in Japanese of your driving licence issued by the JAF (Japan Automobile Association).

Some countries have signed the 1949 Geneva Convention, but issue their international permits on the model of the 1968 Vienna Convention. These international permits are not valid in Japan.

To drive in Japan, you must bring: Home Country Driving Licence + Passport + Official Japanese Translation of Licence

Please note: The regulations for driving in Japan change and do change often so we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information contained herein, not be held responsible for any situation arising from the use of the information contained on this page. If you have any doubts about the requirements to be able to drive in Japan, please consult your local Japanese Embassy.