faq-category: Driver's License

You need to have a valid International Driving Permit under Geneva Convention 1949 or Japanese license to drive in Japan.

The type of valid international driver’s license and necessary documents may vary according to your nationality.

Please refer to the page below to find what is necessary for you to drive in Japan.

International Driving Permit

 PR   Official Japanese Driving Licence Translation

ONLY drivers from Taiwan, Germany, Switzerland, France, Monaco, Belgium must bring an authorized translation document in Japanese and the domestic driver’s license.

A translation can be obtained through Driving-Japan (use voucher code “ToCoo22” for a 5 EUR discount), which can be delivered directly to your home outside of Japan and hotel address in Japan or printed in a 7-Eleven shop in Japan.

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No, your home country driver’s license can NOT be used to drive in Japan.

To drive in Japan, you must bring a valid International Driving Permit in accordance with the 1949 Geneva Convention as well as your domestic driver’s license.

ONLY drivers from Taiwan, Germany, Switzerland, France, Monaco, Belgium must bring an authorized translation document in Japanese and the domestic driver’s license.

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If you have a valid International Driving Permit license 1949 and domestic license, you can drive in Japan.

However, if the nationality is different, you need to be checked your passport with your travel history to the International Driving Permit license issuing country.

If the travel history cannot be proven, car rental may be refused.

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You need to present the following documents:

your domestic driving license, and an authorized Japanese translation of your national license by your country’s embassy/consulate in Japan or Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).

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You must check whether you can drive in Japan or not with your original documents on your responsibility before your rental.

Your rental car outlet has the right to judge finally whether you can drive in Japan or not.

In case staff of your outlet judges you are not eligible to drive a car in Japan upon arrival, car rental is refused.

Even in this case, cancellation charge is incurred and the paid ToCoo! option fee is not refunded.

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Yes, you can make a reservation.

Please make sure to obtain an International Driving Permit after booking is completed and bring it to Japan when you pick up the car.

If you don’t have an appropriate International Driving Permit, the car rental contract can not be completed, the reservation will be canceled.

In this case, you will be charged the cancellation fee and paid ToCoo option fee is not refunded.

For German, Swiss, French, Monaco, Taiwanese, and Belgian drivers please be sure to present a Japanese translation of your driver’s license and your original license when you pick up the car.

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You are only allowed to drive up to 9 seater car.

If you have a D section 1949 International Driving Permit, you can have up to 10 seater or more (including the driver).

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To drive a 10-passenger car, your International Driving Permit must be stamped with a permission stamp in the drivable vehicle classification D column of the International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention.

The license stamped with permission stamp in B column can only drive up to a 9-passenger car.

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If you are over 18 years old and have a valid International Driving Permit 1949, you can drive in Japan.

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You are legally not allowed to drive in Japan without a valid International Driving Permit 1949 or Japanese license.

Rental will be refused on arrival.

Even in this case, the cancellation charge on the day of use is incurred, and there is no refund of the paid ToCoo! option fee.

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