Valid Driving License

Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) accepts and publishes Japanese translations of foreign licenses at its branches nationwide, as designated by the National Public Safety Commission.

Online Application for Japanese Translation here.

Please check this information, if you are applying for a translation online.

For individuals with driver's licenses issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan

For individuals who wish to switch their foreign driver's license to a Japanese license

JAF is not in a position to decide whether or not you can drive using an International Driving Permit (IDP). Please contact the Driver's License Center of your area's prefectural police department for further information.

If you have any of the following licenses, you may drive in Japan.

• International Driving Permit (IDP) issued based on the Geneva Convention▼
• Driver's license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan▼
  Note: A Japanese translation prepared by an entity specified by law must be carried along with the original license.
• Japanese driver's license▼

Those not having one of the abovementioned licenses are not allowed to drive in Japan.

A driver's license issued by a foreign administrative office can be switched to a Japanese license (hereinafter referred to as "Gaimen Kirikae") by applying to the Driver's License Center of your area's prefectural police department.

To apply for Gaimen Kirikae, applicants must fulfill the following two conditions:
1) The applicant's foreign driver's license must be valid (expired licenses cannot be transferred)
2) The applicant must be able to prove that he or she stayed in the issuing country for at least three months in total after obtaining the license

The following documents and items are required for the application procedure:
1) Application form
2) Applicant's photograph for application form
3) An official copy of your "jumin-hyo" indicating your "honseki" (or your passport if not registered under the Resident Register System)
4) National health insurance card, My Number card, residence card (to be presented)
5) Driver's license issued by a foreign administrative office (not possible with an IDP alone)
6) Japanese translation of foreign license (can be prepared at JAF branches nationwide)
7) Documents such as a passports with entry and exit date stamps that can establish that you have stayed the country issuing the license for more three months or longer after acquiring the license
8) Processing fee
Please contact the Driver's License Center of your area's prefectural police department for further information.

The "Japanese translation of a foreign license" is one of the documents necessary to apply for Gaimen Kirikae. JAF accepts and publishes Japanese translations of foreign licenses at its branches nationwide. Provision of the translation does not guarantee a successful Gaimen Kirikae process.
If you have any questions regarding Gaimen Kirikae, please contact your local Driver's License Center directly.

Learn more about "Japanese translation of a foreign license" here.

• 1.With Japanese driver's license: While valid
• 2.With International Driving Permit or foreign driver's license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan: One year from the day when you entered Japan, or the validity period of the license, which ever is shorter (however, if a person recorded in the Resident Register System leaves Japan after receiving permission for departure or re-entry and returning to Japan in less than 3 months, the day of the return (re-entry) will not be regarded as the start date of the drivability period of the International Driving Permit, etc.)
  For further details, visit https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/smph/multilingual/english/traffic_safety/drivers_licenses/index.html(Metropolitan Police Department).