●Issued in as fast as 8 minutesInstant digital delivery to your inboxRecognised in 195+ countries
International Driver LicenceOfficial-format IDP booklet service
Home/Iceland/Japan license
Japan licence Iceland

Driving in Iceland with a Japan license

IDP Required

Yes — to drive in Iceland on an Japan licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your Japan licence. Iceland accepts foreign licences, but an IDP is needed because Japan licences are not in the local alphabet.

Convention basisIceland recognises the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. We issue the permit in that exact format.
At the rental deskF-road (highland) driving requires a 4x4 and specific insurance.
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 age17+ 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: Geneva 1949 / Vienna 1968
Get my IDP for Iceland Full Iceland guide

Japanese drivers should carry an International Driving Permit (1949 Convention) with their licence when driving abroad. Your International Driving Permit is the recognised multilingual translation of your existing licence, issued in the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna format and carried alongside your national licence.

Driving rules in Iceland

  • Headlights on 24/7 by law.
  • Off-road driving is illegal and heavily fined.
  • 0.05% alcohol limit.
  • Gravel and single-lane bridges common on Route 1.

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to drive in Iceland with a Japan license?
Yes — to drive in Iceland on an Japan licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your Japan licence. Iceland accepts foreign licences, but an IDP is needed because Japan licences are not in the local alphabet.
02
What IDP format does Iceland accept?
Iceland recognises the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. We issue the permit in that exact format.
03
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.
100% money-back guarantee
Full refund if your permit is ever declined.
Unlimited replacements
Lost or damaged? Re-download or reprint, free.
24/7 support
Help before and during your trip, any hour.