Decide your valid driving qualification in Japan
If you hold a foreign license, confirm a Japan-valid qualification before departure. Without verification, insurance cannot apply and you cannot use the service.
What driver’s license do I need to drive in Japan?
You need a Japanese standard driver’s license, an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format plus your passport, or a foreign license from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan with an official Japanese translation. Vienna Convention permits and international licenses from non-Geneva countries such as mainland China, Thailand, Vietnam, or Indonesia are not valid in Japan.
How to decide · Required documents matrix (summary) · Not valid / non-Geneva list · FAQ
How to decide
- You have a Japanese standard license → Pattern 1
- You have a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP → Pattern 2
- You have a license from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan → Pattern 3 (translation required)
- None of the above → Not valid / non-Geneva list
Required documents matrix (summary)
| Market | Required documents | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | Taiwan license + official Japanese translation + passport | 3 (no IDP) |
| South Korea | 1949 Geneva-format IDP + passport | 2 |
| Hong Kong / Singapore | Geneva-format IDP + passport (HK is not on the translation route) | 2 |
| US / Canada / UK / Australia / NZ | Geneva-format IDP + passport | 2 |
| Germany / France / Switzerland / Belgium / Monaco | Home license + official Japanese translation + passport | 3 |
| China / Thailand / Vietnam / Indonesia, etc. | Generally not allowed (non-Geneva / wrong format) | N/A |
Pattern 1 — Japanese standard driver’s license
- A valid Japanese standard-class driver’s license
- Identity verification in Explorer
Pattern 2 — International Driving Permit (Geneva Convention)
- Passport (to confirm nationality/residence)
- An IDP issued by a Geneva Convention country under the 1949 Geneva Convention
- Identity verification in Explorer
IDP checklist
- Size: 148 mm high × 105 mm wide
- Issuing country: a Geneva Convention country
- Convention name: CONVENTION ON ROAD TRAFFIC OF 19 SEPTEMBER 1949
- Validity: within 1 year from the issue date
- Required details: surname, given name, place of birth, date of birth, address
- Face photo matches the holder
- Category stamp for standard passenger cars: B
IDPs based on the Paris (1926), Washington (1943), or Vienna (1968) conventions are not valid for driving in Japan.
Pattern 3 — Foreign license + Japanese translation (5 countries / 1 region)
- Passport
- Driver’s license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan
- Official Japanese translation (e.g. JAF)
- Identity verification in Explorer
Not valid / major non-Geneva countries
- IDPs in Vienna Convention (or other non-1949 Geneva) formats
- Driving only with an “international license” from non-Geneva countries such as mainland China, Thailand, Vietnam, or Indonesia
Guidance list only. Treaty membership can change; always confirm the 1949 Geneva format and official sources.
Major-country list
| Region | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | China (PRC) | 1968 Vienna party. Chinese license + translation is not valid in Japan. |
| Asia | India | Non-party. Indian IDPs are not valid in Japan. |
| Asia | Indonesia | Non-party. ASEAN-style permits are not valid in Japan. |
| Asia | Philippines | Legal basis for IDP issuance can be unclear. |
| Asia | Vietnam | Non-party. Issued “international licenses” are not usable in Japan. |
| Asia | Thailand | Non-party. Thai IDPs are not valid in Japan. |
| Asia | Malaysia | Vienna party, Geneva non-party. Not valid in Japan. |
| Asia | Singapore | Vienna party, Geneva non-party. Not valid in Japan. |
| South America | Brazil | Vienna party, Geneva non-party. License + translation is not enough. |
| South America | Argentina | Vienna only. |
| South America | Colombia | Same. |
| South America | Chile | Same. |
| Asia | South Korea | Formerly non-party; now a Geneva party (valid from 2002). |
| Europe / Asia | Russia | Vienna party, Geneva non-party. Not valid in Japan. |
| Europe | Ukraine | Vienna party, Geneva non-party. |
| Middle East | Saudi Arabia | Non-party. Not valid in Japan. |
| Middle East | UAE | Vienna party, Geneva non-party. Not valid in Japan. |
Treaty differences (reference)
| Convention | Example parties | Valid in Japan? |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva 1949 | Japan, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, etc. | Yes, if the format is correct |
| Vienna 1968 | China, Russia, Brazil, India, etc. | No |
| Both | France, Germany, Italy, etc. | Yes with Geneva-format IDP |
Before your ride
After booking, submit photos of your license and required documents as prompted in Explorer so we can confirm eligibility in advance.
If we cannot verify your qualification
If a valid driving qualification in Japan cannot be verified, insurance cannot apply and you cannot use the service. Obtain a valid qualification and resubmit your documents in Explorer.