Free · Japan · 国際免許 · 外免切替 · rules as of 2026-10-27
Can I drive in Japan on my license?
It depends on the country that issued your license: some need a 1949 Geneva IDP, six need a Japanese translation, and many (China, Vietnam, Brazil…) can't drive at all. Either way the limit is 1 year from landing, and residents must then convert, which got much harder on 2025-10-01. Pick your country to see your route, your last driving day and your conversion path.
Examples: California tourist with an IDP · Chinese license, living in Japan
Your license and your stay
United States · アメリカ合衆国 · 短期滞在（観光など）
Valid once you land
From 2026-11-01 you can drive until 2027-06-14
Counting from your landing on 2026-11-01, your last driving day is 2027-06-14 (limited by IDP validity (1 year from issue)).
How a United States license drives in Japan: 1949 Geneva-format International Driving Permit (IDP) + your home license
- 1 year from landing: 2027-10-31
- IDP validity (1 year from issue): 2027-06-14
Convert to a Japanese license (外免切替): not yet / not possible
Knowledge check (50 questions, 45 to pass) + driving check
- Since 2025-10-01 you need a 住民票 (resident record): tourists and other short-term visitors can't convert.
Fees (Tokyo, ordinary car): ¥2,500 application + ¥2,350 issuance = ¥4,850, translation extra.
What to do
- Rental companies check the document at pickup: bring the original license, the IDP or translation, and your passport.
Documents to convert
- Application form (at the license center)
- Photo 3.0 × 2.4 cm, taken within 6 months
- 住民票の写し with nationality etc. (特定事項) shown, issued within 6 months (required since 2025-10-01)
- Your valid foreign license (original; an IDP is not accepted)
- Japanese translation of the license (JAF, embassy, or other approved body)
- Passport(s) covering the time you got the license and the 3+ months in that country
- Residence card or other ID
Good to know
- Since 2025-10-01 the knowledge check is 50 written questions and you need 45 (90%); illustration questions were dropped. The driving check got stricter (crosswalks, railroad crossings, more scoring).
- Reported pass rates after the change (Oct–Dec 2025, NPA figures via NTV 2026-03-05): knowledge 42.8%, driving 13.1% (2024: 92.5% and 30.4%).
- Vision: both eyes 0.7+, each eye 0.3+ (ordinary).
- The new license has the green band and you must show the beginner mark (初心者マーク) for your first year.
- Apply in person at the license center for your address (Tokyo: book online for Fuchu, Samezu or Koto). No proxies.
- Only 1949 Geneva-format IDPs are valid. Vienna-format (1968) IDPs, online "international license" booklets and IDPs from a different country than your license are not.
- US IDPs are issued only by AAA (and AATA). Get one before you fly; you can't get one in Japan.
Which license works in Japan
| License from | What you need to drive | How long |
|---|---|---|
| US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Korea, India, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, most of the EU… | 1949 Geneva IDP + home license | 1 year from landing, ≤ IDP validity |
| Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Monaco, Taiwan | Home license + Japanese translation (JAF etc.) | 1 year from landing |
| Russia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, Ghana, Cuba… (no Geneva-format IDP) | No route | Japanese license only |
| China, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, Nepal, Mexico, Ukraine… (not on the list) | No route | Japanese license only |
| Nigeria, Morocco, Jamaica, Venezuela, Uganda… (NPA inquiry open) | Unclear | Ask the police first |
Country list: NPA data as of May 2026 (Keishicho page updated 2026-07-02). UAE and Bangladesh issue two kinds of IDP and only the Geneva-format one works. NPA notes other places may also be covered, so check with the police if yours isn't listed.
Official pages: npa.go.jp/policies/application/license_renewal/have_DL_issed · keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/menkyo/kokugai/kokugai04. · keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/menkyo/kokugai/gaikokumen · keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/menkyo/kokugai/kokusaimen · keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/menkyo/kokugai/kokugai05.
For AI agents and developers
Keyless JSON, CORS open, GET or POST: /api/check?country=US&usState=CA&document=idp&entryDate=2026-11-01&idpIssueDate=2026-06-15. Rules: /api/rules. Docs: OpenAPI, llms.txt, MCP tool japan_driving_check on free-agent-tools.
Driving in Japan: questions
Can I drive in Japan with an International Driving Permit?
Only with a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP issued by a country that issues that format (for example the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Korea, India, Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong). Japan does not accept Vienna-format (1968) IDPs or online 'international license' booklets. Carry the IDP together with your home license and passport.
My country doesn't issue Geneva IDPs. What then?
Licenses from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan are valid with an official Japanese translation from the issuing authority or embassy, JAF, the Japan Visitor Driving Support Association (訪日運転者支援協会), ADAC for Germany, or the Taiwan–Japan Relations Association / ZIPLUS for Taiwan. Licenses from China, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, Nepal, Mexico and other places not on NPA's list can't be used: you need a Japanese license.
How long can I drive in Japan on an IDP?
Up to 1 year counted from the day you land, but never past the IDP's own validity (1 year from issue) or your home license's expiry. Tourists start a new period with each landing. People on the resident register who leave and return within less than 3 months don't restart the count; 3 months or more away restarts it.
What is the 3-month rule?
Road Traffic Act art. 107-2: if you are recorded in Japan's Basic Resident Register (a mid- to long-term resident) and you leave with a re-entry permit and come back in less than 3 months, that return is not a new 'landing' for driving purposes, so your 1 year keeps counting from the original date. It stops residents from extending an IDP forever with short trips home.
What changed for converting a foreign license (外免切替) on October 1, 2025?
Applicants now need a 住民票 (resident record) copy issued within 6 months, so tourists and short-term visitors can no longer convert. The knowledge check became 50 written questions with 45 needed to pass (no more illustrated questions), and the driving check got stricter. Reported pass rates for Oct–Dec 2025 fell to 42.8% (knowledge) and 13.1% (driving).
Which countries skip the tests when converting?
Paperwork and an eye test only for licenses from Iceland, Ireland, the UK, Italy, Australia, Austria, the Netherlands, Canada, Korea, Greece, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Hungary, Finland, France, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Monaco, Luxembourg, Taiwan and the US states of Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland and Washington. Indiana skips the driving check only. Everyone else takes both checks.
What do I need to convert my license?
A valid foreign license (expired ones can't be converted), proof you spent 3+ months in the issuing country after getting it (passport stamps), a Japanese translation, your 住民票, passport, residence card, a 3.0×2.4 cm photo and the fee (Tokyo ordinary: ¥2,500 + ¥2,350). Apply in person at the license center for your address; Tokyo requires an online booking.
Can I rent a car in Japan with my US license?
Not with the US license alone. Get a Geneva IDP from AAA (or AATA) before you fly; it is valid for 1 year from issue and you can't get one in Japan. Bring the IDP, your US license and your passport to the rental counter.
Is there a free API for AI agents?
Yes. GET or POST https://japan-driving-check.vercel.app/api/check?country=US&usState=CA&document=idp&entryDate=2026-11-01&idpIssueDate=2026-06-15 (keyless, CORS open), rules at /api/rules, OpenAPI at /openapi.json, llms.txt, and the MCP tool japan_driving_check on free-agent-tools.vercel.app/mcp. Every response carries rulesAsOf, sources and a disclaimer.
国際運転免許証で日本で運転できるのはいつまでですか？
日本に上陸した日から1年間、または国際運転免許証の有効期間（発給から1年）のいずれか短い期間です。住民基本台帳に記録されている方が出国し、3か月未満で再入国した場合は、その帰国日から数え直しにはなりません（3か月ルール）。ジュネーブ条約様式の国際免許証のみ有効です。
外免切替は観光客でもできますか？
2025年10月1日から、申請には住民票の写し（国籍等の記載があるもの、6か月以内）が必要になり、短期滞在の方は原則として申請できません。知識確認は50問中45問以上の正解が必要になり、技能確認も厳格化されました。