Home/Drive-in/Burkina Faso/Japan license

Japan licence Burkina Faso

Driving in Burkina Faso with a Japan license

Short answer: to drive in Burkina Faso with a Japan license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva format, carried together with your Japan license.

Bring an IDP

Yes — to drive in Burkina Faso on an Japan licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your Japan licence. Burkina Faso expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Convention basisBurkina Faso uses the format of the 1949 Geneva Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

At the rental deskDesks request an IDP for non-French licences.

CarryCarry BOTH your Japan national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.

Minimum age18+ to drive; rental typically 21+ with a young-driver surcharge under 25

Validity1–3 years (you choose at checkout)

FormatDigital PDF you print yourself, plus a QR-verifiable ID card — accepted alongside printed permits

Last verified June 2026Source: 1949 Geneva Convention

Get my IDP for Burkina Faso Full Burkina Faso guide

Japanese drivers should carry an International Driving Permit (1949 Convention) with their licence when driving abroad. Your International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing licence, prepared in the 1949 Geneva format and carried alongside your national licence.

Driving rules in Burkina Faso

Drive on the right.
Dense moped traffic in cities.
0.08% alcohol limit.
Carry passport, IDP and home licence.

Common questions

Can I drive in Burkina Faso with a Japan license?

to drive in Burkina Faso with a Japan license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva format, carried together with your Japan license. Burkina Faso uses the format of the 1949 Geneva Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

Is my Japan driver's license valid in Burkina Faso?

Yes — to drive in Burkina Faso on an Japan licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your Japan licence. Burkina Faso expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Do I need an International Driving Permit for Burkina Faso?

Yes — to drive in Burkina Faso on an Japan licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your Japan licence. Burkina Faso expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.

Can I rent a car in Burkina Faso with a Japan license?

Desks request an IDP for non-French licences.

What IDP format does Burkina Faso accept?

Burkina Faso uses the format of the 1949 Geneva Convention. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

How do I get an International Driving Permit for Burkina Faso?

An International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing Japan license. You apply online, and it is issued as a printable PDF booklet with a QR-verifiable ID card in the 1949 Geneva format Burkina Faso uses — carried alongside your Japan license.

Do I still carry my Japan license?

Carry BOTH your Japan national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.