Driving in Japan with a German licence
The German international permit is not recognised in Japan. The recognised option: the official JAF translation. We obtain it for you — website and support fully available in German.
Order my translationWhat you need to know
- All German licences (Führerschein) are eligible for the official JAF translation, including old paper models.
- The international permit (Vienna Convention) is NOT valid in Japan: the JAF translation is the only recognised document.
- Driving allowed for 1 year from your entry into Japan, with licence + translation + passport.
- Website, order form and customer support fully available in German.
Grey or pink paper Führerschein, no-limit autobahns: what changes for German drivers
Germany drives with several generations of licences: the EU-format card, but also the old grey or pink paper models, still translatable exactly as they are — photograph them fully unfolded, front and back. The official translation reflects every class on your document, motorcycle included. A useful reminder before departure: the habit of speed-limit-free autobahns will not follow you to Japan, where expressways are capped at 100 km/h — 120 km/h on a few recent stretches — with frequent speed checks. Finally, for German speakers, the entire journey — website, order form and support — is available in German.
Payment methods
Pay in euros, with no exchange fees, by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Visa / Mastercard
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
Our plans
Standard
For planned departures
€59.90per licence
- Official JAF translation
- Printed at a Japanese konbini
- 4 to 7 days turnaround
Priority
If your departure is coming up soon
€79.90per licence
- Priority processing of your file
- PDF received within 72 hours
- Official JAF translation
Swiss residents are billed in Swiss francs (CHF 59.90 / CHF 79.90), with TWINT available.