Japan licence Israel

Driving in Israel with a Japan license

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

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

At the rental deskRecommended; requested for some non-Latin scripts.

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: 1949 Geneva Convention

Get my IDP for Israel Full Israel 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 Israel

Headlights on inter-urban roads, Nov–Mar.
0.05% alcohol limit; 0.01% for new/young drivers.
Highway 6 uses automatic plate tolling.
Seatbelts mandatory.

Common questions

Can I drive in Israel with a Japan license?

to drive in Israel with a Japan license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva format, carried together with your Japan license. Israel 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 Israel?

Do I need an International Driving Permit for Israel?

Can I rent a car in Israel with a Japan license?

Recommended; requested for some non-Latin scripts.

What IDP format does Israel accept?

Israel 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 Israel?

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 Israel 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.