International Driving Permit (IDP) for driving in Japan

To drive a car on the road in Japan you need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to accompany your local country driving license.

 

International Driver's permit based on "Geneva Convention of Road Traffic 1949" should be presented at the time of pick up.     
It is the only International driver's permit acceptable in order to drive in Japan. Except, presenting Japanese translation  of your domestic driver's license that you can get the Japanese embassy is permitted if you have the domestic driver's     
license issued in Swiss, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and Taiwan. NO other exception is allowed.  You also need to present your original driving license with these international permit or translations.     

The IDP validation lasts for 12 months from the date of issue and, according to the IDP Vienna Convention, can remain valid for 3 years. The IDP cannot be used in a country where the holder has his or her official residence (residence of record).

People moving to Japan should ensure that they obtain a local Japanese driving license within 12 months of arriving in the country.