Asia travel guide
Driving in Japan with a foreign licence
Bring an IDP
Rental desks and local authorities in Japan commonly ask foreign drivers to carry an IDP alongside their national licence. Japan accepts only the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP issued in your country of residence, and certain nationalities need an official JAF translation instead; our certified translation is not a substitute for the government-issued permit Japan requires.
The essentials
Drives onThe left
IDPStrongly recommended
Minimum age18+
Convention1949 Geneva
On the road
Rules of the road in Japan
- Drive on the left.
- Zero-tolerance alcohol law — severe penalties.
- Stop fully at all railway crossings.
- Expressway tolls via ETC or cash.
At the rental desk
A 1949 Geneva IDP issued in your home country is expected; French, German, Swiss, Belgian, Taiwanese, Monégasque, Slovenian and Estonian licences need a JAF translation.
Common questions
01
Can I drive in Japan with a foreign licence?
Yes, with your national licence plus an International Driving Permit, which Japan requires for foreign drivers.
02
Which side of the road does Japan drive on?
Japan drives on the left.
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