Driving in Japan: licences and expressways
Before you rent a car in Japan, check whether your licence is accepted, which documents to bring and how expressway tolls work.
Which licence you need
To drive in Japan you need either a Japanese licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. IDPs in the format of other conventions, such as the 1968 Vienna Convention, are not accepted.
Exception: licences from Taiwan, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium and Monaco are used with an official Japanese translation instead of an IDP. Licences from anywhere else, including Hong Kong and South Korea, need the 1949 IDP.
Taiwan licences
Taiwanese licence holders get a Japanese translation from any Taiwan motor vehicle office (監理所) in person or online via the MVDIS site; the fee is NT$100. An expired licence must be renewed first.
Carry your passport, the original Taiwanese licence and the original translation together. A Taiwan-issued IDP is not valid in Japan.
If you are already in Japan, Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (Osaka: ¥400, about 5 working days) or JAF online (¥6,000, average 2–3 business days, printed once at a convenience store) can issue it. Translations by sworn translators abroad are not accepted; only the bodies above may issue it.
Hong Kong licences
Hong Kong is not on the translation list, so apply to the Transport Department for an International Driving Permit. It is issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, is valid for one year from issue and costs HK$80; you need a valid Hong Kong full driving licence.
Apply at a Licensing Office counter (issued the same day), a self-service kiosk, online with iAM Smart+, or by post (mailed within about 10 working days).
South Korean licences
Korean licence holders need an IDP from the Korea Road Traffic Authority (licence test centres, police stations, Incheon/Gimhae airport centres or online; ₩9,000; valid one year from issue).
Carry the IDP, your Korean licence and your passport together; without all three you may be treated as driving unlicensed.
US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and others
Licences from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and most other countries need a 1949-Convention IDP obtained in your home country before you travel.
UK: Japan requires the 1949-type IDP, issued in person at selected PayPoint shops (£5.50). Canada: carry the IDP together with your Canadian licence and buy Japanese insurance. Traffic drives on the left.
How long it is valid
You may drive for one year from the day you enter Japan, or until your licence expires if that is sooner. The IDP itself is valid for one year from issue.
The period is checked against the entry stamp in your passport. Automated gates do not stamp passports, so if you plan to rent a car use a staffed counter. Police may ask to see your passport.
(Applies only to registered residents of Japan: re-entering after less than three months abroad does not restart the period.)
Rule changes in 2025–2026
Since October 2025 Japan has tightened conversion of foreign licences into Japanese ones: proof of address is required and the knowledge test went from 10 to 50 questions with a 45-correct pass mark. This applies to people converting a licence, not to visitors driving on an IDP or translation.
ETC cards and toll gates
If you will use expressways, rent an ETC card from the rental company and settle the tolls when you return the car.
Central Japan (NEXCO Central) has many ETC-only toll gates and is adding more (five on the Hokuriku Expressway in Nov–Dec 2026). If you enter one without ETC, do not reverse: take the lane marked 「ETC/サポート」 or 「サポート」, stop and follow staff instructions.
Expressway passes for visitors
The nationwide Japan Expressway Pass (JEP) stopped selling in December 2023, and the Central Nippon Expressway Pass closed to new bookings in October 2024.
Kyushu KEP: 2–10 days, ¥6,200–23,800, unlimited Kyushu expressways (city expressways excluded), bookable only through participating rental companies. Sales end on 31 March 2027.