🪪 International driving permits for car rental in Japan

The most common path for most travelers

A grey booklet issued by your country's transport authority. The cover must state 'Convention on International Road Traffic of 19 September 1949'.

🌍 International Driving Permit (IDP) — countries

USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macao, India, Ireland, Bangladesh, Jamaica, South Africa, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Luxembourg, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium (full list below).

Tokyo MPD — Geneva 1949 reference list ↗

✅ 4-step IDP validity check

1. Issuing country is a Geneva Convention 1949 signatory.
2. The IDP prints 'Convention on International Road Traffic of 19 September 1949' — any other date (1926 or 1968) is invalid in Japan.
3. Issue date is within 12 months from today.
4. Correct class stamp — Category D required for vehicles over 9 seats.

📌 Notes

• IDP is valid up to 1 year from its issue date.
• You may drive for 1 year from your entry date into Japan.
• Long-term Japan residents: if you leave and re-enter within 3 months, a new IDP is still not recognized — switch to a Japanese license.

Use when your country does not issue a Geneva 1949 IDP

Applies to citizens of 7 countries whose IDPs do not meet Geneva 1949. Bring the original license + the translation + your passport at pickup.

🌍 Countries

Taiwan, Germany, Switzerland, France, Monaco, Belgium, Estonia.

📄 Required documents

• Original license from your country (still valid).
• Official Japanese translation.
• Valid passport.

📌 Notes

• The translation must come from one of: (a) your country's licensing authority or embassy/consulate, (b) JAF — Japan Automobile Federation, (c) the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association (for Taiwanese licenses).
• The translation is valid for up to 1 year from your Japan entry date.
• Long-term residents who leave and re-enter within 3 months lose recognition and must convert to a Japanese license.

Israeli citizens

Israel issues a single-type IDP under Geneva 1949. Bring the IDP + original license + passport at pickup.