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International Driving Permit


Foreign visitors can rent a vehicle and drive in Japan with an International Driving Permit (IDP) for a maximum of one year from the date of entry into Japan even if the IDP is valid for a longer period. 
It is not possible to extend this period (1 year) unless you return to your home country for at least three consecutive months in between.

International Driving Permits for foreign visitors are not issued in Japan and must be obtained in your home country in advance. They are usually issued through your country's national automobile association for a small fee. 

Japan recognizes International Driving Permits based on the 1949 Geneva Road Convention only, which are issued by a large number of countries. See table below.

A digital version of an international driving license is not acceptable!

Please Note !
Unfortunately some countries have signed the 1968 Vienna Road Convention also, and they have stopped issuing IDPs based on the Geneva Road Convention. Drivers from these countries cannot legally drive in Japan. Please check in your country if you can obtain an IDP based on the 1949 Geneva Convention.

Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland and Taiwan do not issue permits based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, but instead have a separate agreement that allows drivers from these countries to drive in Japan for up to one year with an official Japanese translation of their driver's license. We provide a driving licence translation service (please see details below).

A translation can be obtained from your country embassy or consulate in Japan or from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).

People from other countries whose International Driving Permits are not recognized by Japan and people who stay in Japan for more than one year, must obtain a Japanese driver's license.

Parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention:
ASIA Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore,
Sri Lanka, South Korea, Thailand, The Philippines
AFRICA Algeria, Burkina Faso, Benin, Botswana, Cote d'Ivoire,
Congo, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Lesotho, Morocco, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe
AMERICAS Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela,
The Dominican Republic, The United States of America,
EUROPE Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kyrgyz Republic, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia and the former Republics, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, The Republic of Georgia, United Kingdom, Vatican
MIDDLE EAST Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
OCEANIA Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea
OTHERS Hong Kong, Macau

DRIVER'S LICENCE TRANSLATION SERVICE


Licence holders of one of the following countries : France, Switzerland, Germany, Monaco, Slovenia, Belgium and Taiwan will have to request a Japanese translation of your licence in order to rent a car from Japan Campers. You will then be able to drive in Japan with your original driver's licence and the translation.

To make organizing your trip easier we can take care of these formalities for you.

WHAT WE NEED:
All you need to give us to request the translation are:
- A colour copy of both sides of your licence.
- The date on which you plan to travel to Japan.

PRICES AND DELIVERY TIME:
It takes about 3 weeks to get a driver's licence translation for the price of ¥7,000 (approx.  50 Euro or $70 USD).

THE BENEFITS OF OUR SERVICE:
 Our bilingual team of specialists in Japan will take care of all formalities and you will not have to make calls or take care of international mail. Our team will take care of everything. Just give us a colour copy of your driving licence and your translation will be waiting for you at our office.

Please contact us at  office@JapanCampers.com   if you need a translation.
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