International permit or JAF translation: which one do you need for Japan?
· 6 min read
Short answer: if your licence was issued in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco, Germany or Taiwan, an international driving permit does NOT let you drive in Japan. The required document is the official translation of your licence, issued by the JAF. Here is why — and how to be compliant in a few minutes.
The classic confusion
"I have an international driving permit, I'm fine for Japan": this is THE sentence that costs European travellers the most. The international permit issued in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco or Germany is based on the 1968 Vienna Convention… which Japan never ratified. The document is not wrong or faulty — it simply belongs to a treaty that does not apply in Japan. The rental counter will refuse it, and so will the police. And no, there is no "better" international permit to apply for: for these licences, Japan has designed a different route entirely.
What Japanese law actually says
There is not one international driving permit but two systems. Japan recognises international permits under the 1949 Geneva Convention — which is how American or British drivers get along fine with their IDP, and exactly where the widespread confusion comes from. For a small group of countries and territories — France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco, Germany, Taiwan (and Slovenia) — Japan applies a special regime instead: the national licence accompanied by its official Japanese translation, issued by the JAF, the reference body designated by Japanese regulations. Two distinct routes, both perfectly workable; the whole game is identifying which one is yours.
The verdict by country
Licence issued in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco, Germany or Taiwan → official JAF translation required, international permit useless. Licence issued in the United States, the United Kingdom or Canada → Geneva Convention international permit, obtained in the issuing country. When in doubt, check the issuing country printed on your licence — not your nationality, and not your country of residence. Two friends on the same trip can genuinely need different documents if their licences come from different countries. Travellers' reports from other countries are therefore of limited help: what is true for a British licence can be wrong for your French or German one.
Your official translation in a few clicks — PDF within 72h.
Order my translationWhat applies instead: the official translation trio
For the countries under the special regime, the rule is a trio: your original licence, its official JAF translation, and your passport, which proves your entry date. A sworn translation made in Europe or the work of a standard translation agency does not fulfil this role — the document's value comes from who issues it. With the trio in the glovebox, you are on the safe side with the police as well as at every rental counter, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Country specifics are on our dedicated pages for France, Switzerland, Belgium and Germany.
How long you can drive with it
With the licence, translation and passport together, you may drive in Japan for up to one year from each entry — ample for tourists and business travellers, and a later trip restarts the clock at the new entry. One nuance worth knowing if you live in Japan: under the rules published by the Japanese police, for people registered as residents a re-entry does not restart the one-year period unless the stay abroad lasted at least three consecutive months. A short trip home therefore does not "renew" a resident's right to drive — after a year of residence, converting to a Japanese licence is the intended path.
Already in Japan or leaving very soon? Here's how
Ordering works from anywhere — including a hotel room in Japan. You fill in the form in about 5 minutes and upload photos of the front and back of your licence; our team personally checks your file and contacts you if anything is unclear. On the Priority plan you receive your translation as a PDF within 72 hours, printable in any Japanese konbini — 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson are on virtually every corner, around the clock. If your rental car is already waiting, simply push the pick-up back by a few days: the major Japanese rental companies know this situation well and usually rebook without fuss.
With a little lead time: order calmly before departure
If your departure is still a few weeks away, the Standard plan at €59.90 is all you need: your translation is ready within 4 to 7 days. If time is shorter, the Priority plan at €79.90 delivers the PDF within 72 hours — both options are compared on the pricing page. After that, only the pleasant part of the preparation remains: booking the car with an ETC card, planning the route and getting used to the idea of left-hand traffic. Practical tips are in our guides how to drive in Japan and renting a car in Japan — and itinerary inspiration in our road trip ideas.
On the day: what you present in Japan
Whatever your regime, the gesture in Japan is the same: three documents together. With a Geneva Convention licence: original licence, international permit and passport. With a French, Swiss, Belgian, Monegasque or German licence: original licence, official JAF translation and passport. The rental counter staff compare the documents line by line before handing over the keys, and the same trio is what proves your right to drive in a police check. From there, only the pleasant particularities of the country remain: driving on the left, the ETC card for tolls, and Japan's remarkable expressway rest areas. Any doubt about your case? Contact us — our team answers 7 days a week.
Your questions on this topic
I already paid for an international permit — is it wasted?+
Not entirely: it remains valid in the many countries that recognise the Vienna Convention. In Japan, however, it has no value — there, for the licences concerned, the official JAF translation presented with your original licence and passport is what counts.
Is the international permit enough if I carry my original licence too?+
No. Even combined with the original licence, the Vienna Convention international permit is not recognised in Japan. What is required is the original licence, its official JAF translation and your passport.
A booking site asks me for an "IDP" — what should I do?+
International platforms often display an "International Driving Permit" field by default. At the counter in Japan, for French, Swiss, Belgian, Monegasque and German licences, the JAF translation is what is checked — that is the document you actually need.
What about an American, British or Canadian licence?+
Those countries fall under the 1949 Geneva Convention: their drivers use the classic international permit issued in their own country. The JAF translation does not concern them.
I fly in a few days — can I still make it?+
In most cases, yes: on the Priority plan you receive your translation as a PDF within 72 hours, to print at home or in any Japanese konbini. Order as early as you can, and make sure your licence photos are sharp so validation goes through first time.
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