Driving in Japan with a Foreign Driver’s License
If you have a driver’s license and plan to drive in Japan, you must obtain a specific type of International Driving Permit (IDP) before leaving your country. Please check this list of international driver's licenses that can be used in Japan.
Special Cases: Licenses from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, Estonia, and Taiwan
If your driver’s license was issued in one of these countries, you need to carry:
- A Japanese translation of your original license (must be issued by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or your embassy/consulate-general).
- Your original driver’s license
Note: This translation is valid for up to one year from your date of entry into Japan. Not all embassies or consulates provide this translation service. If you plan to drive immediately after arriving in Okinawa, please consult the Relocation Support Services staff for assistance.
Reference:
- Driving in Japan with a foreign driver’s license / Driving in Taiwan with a Japanese Driver’s license
- Procedures related to Driver’s License
Converting to a Japanese Driver’s License
If you are considering converting your foreign driver's license to a Japanese driver's license, please visit the OIST Resource Center's website to learn more.
Important: One requirement is to prove that you stayed in the license-issuing country for at least 90 days after obtaining the license.
You may need to present documents such as:
- Passport stamps
- Certificate of employment
- Pay stubs
- Graduation certificate
We recommend gathering these documents in advance to make the conversion process smoother.