International Driver's License for Japan

To drive a vehicle legally in Japan, you will need an international driving permit (IDP) etc.

The nationality (which country your passport is issued) will not affect the the validity of the license or permit necessary to drive in Japan.

Since Japan is very strict on enforcing the regulations regarding international driver's permits, even though a certain driver's permit was allowed in another country to drive does not necessarily mean it will allow you to drive in Japan.

Also, there has been confirmation on some permits; Japan was listed in the name of countries that are valid to drive in when it really isn't. There has also been confirmation that people were mislead by agents that issue international driver's permits that it was valid to drive in Japan.

This portal website is for foreign travellers and Japanese car rental companies to use to double check weather or not a specific permit or license is valid to drive in Japan. All data is organized by country and region, and also contains picture samples.

The international driver's permit portal website is the world's largest website containing the latest information on valid and non-valid international driver's permit to drive in Japan.

If there is a country or region that is not posted on the web site please contact us.
If there is any new information or picture sample that is not on this web site, we would appreciate if you could contact and inform us.

With the cooperation and information from the National Police Agency Driving License Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Status of U.S. Forces Agreement Division and Specialized Agencies Division, United Nations, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, Various embassies and consulate, Various government departments for motor vehicle and license, various media, we were able to create this site.