An Overview of Foreign Driver's License Conversion: A Comprehensive Guide to Foreign Driver's License Conversion, Conditions, Required Documents, Costs, and Timeframe
First, the conclusion
You cannot drive with only a foreign driver's license. There are three ways to do so.
You can drive in Japan using an international driving permit and its translation for a maximum of one year after arriving in the country. If you plan to drive in Japan for more than one year, you will need to convert your license to a Japanese license. Which method is applicable depends on the country/region where you obtained your license and how you plan to stay in Japan.
Source: National Police Agency, "For those holding a foreign driver's license"; Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, "How to drive in Japan with an international driver's license obtained abroad" (Accessed October 7, 2026)
Whether you're renting a car for a trip, starting work in Japan and needing a car for commuting, or bringing your family over, the best method depends on your purpose. This article summarizes the conditions for three different methods, the period you can drive, the methods available in each country/region, and points to note when your stay exceeds one year, based on information from the National Police Agency and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
First, check
Find out which method is right for you in 30 seconds
- 1I live in Japan and have been driving for more than a year.
I will obtain a Japanese driver's license by converting my foreign license. Since you can only drive with an international driving permit or its translation for a maximum of one year after arriving in Japan, it is safest to start preparing early.
- 2Driving during short stays such as vacations or business trips.
I will obtain an International Driving Permit under the Geneva Convention in the country where I obtained my license before coming to Japan. If you have a license from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan, you can also drive by attaching a Japanese translation of your license.
- 3Licenses from countries/regions where neither is valid.
You cannot drive in Japan with only a driver's license from a country or region that does not issue an internationally valid driving permit in Japan, such as China or Vietnam. Those residing in Japan should consider converting their foreign license, while those staying for short periods should consider alternative means of transportation.
Method 1
International Driving Permit: Obtained before coming to Japan, in the format of the Geneva Convention.
In Japan, only international driving permits (ICDs) issued by signatory countries to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, in the format prescribed by that convention, are valid. These must be obtained from the issuing authority of the country where you originally obtained your license, before coming to Japan. Japan cannot issue ICDs based on foreign licenses.
Even in countries that are signatories to the Geneva Convention, you cannot drive in Japan with an International Driving Permit issued in the format of another convention, such as the 1968 Vienna Convention. When obtaining your permit, be sure to specify the "1949 Geneva Convention format."
Things to carry when driving
- International driver's license (valid within the expiration date)
- Your original country's driver's license (rental car companies may request to see it).
- Passport (used to verify the date of entry)
Method 2
Foreign driver's license + Japanese translation: Only licenses from 6 countries/regions are accepted.
Even in countries and regions that do not issue international driving permits, you can drive if you have a license from a country or region designated by government ordinance as having a licensing system equivalent to that of Japan, provided you attach a Japanese translation of the license.
- Switzerland
- Germany
- France
- Belgium
- Monaco
- Taiwan
Translations must be from legally designated sources, such as the administrative authority of the country or region that issued the license, the embassy or consulate in Japan, or a corporation designated by the National Public Safety Commission. You cannot drive with a translation you created yourself or from a general translation company. When driving, you must carry both your foreign driver's license and its translation.
The purpose of translation documents for driving is different from the purpose of translation documents for converting foreign driver's licenses.
The translation used in this method is for "driving in Japan." The translation attached to the application for converting a foreign driver's license is a separate procedure and covers a wider range of countries and regions. Please confirm which translation you will be using before obtaining it.
How to count a period of time
You can drive for the shorter of either "one year from arrival in the country" or "the expiration date of your driver's license".
Both an international driving permit and a foreign license plus a translation allow you to drive in Japan for one year from the date of entry into Japan, or for the validity period of your license, whichever is shorter.
For travelers and short-term visitors
Once you leave Japan and re-enter the country, the one-year period starts again from that day. However, you cannot drive once the validity period of your international driving permit itself has expired.
People who are registered as residents in Japan
If you return to Japan less than three months after leaving the country, the date of your return will not be considered a new starting date. Even if you make repeated temporary returns to Japan, the one-year period will not be extended.
Driving with an expired international driver's license may result in penalties for driving without a license. If you plan to continue living in Japan, please start preparing to convert your international license before the one-year period expires.
By country/region
Quick reference guide to major countries and regions
This guide summarizes useful methods for those coming to Japan from countries and regions with a high number of visitors. You can also check whether the knowledge and skills tests for converting to a foreign driver's license are waived.
| Country/region where the license was obtained | How to drive during a short stay | Foreign driver's license conversion test |
|---|---|---|
| America | International driver's license obtained in the United States | Seven states offer exemptions for both knowledge and skills, Indiana offers an exemption for skills only, and the other states offer both. |
| South Korea | International driver's license obtained in South Korea | Exemption from both knowledge and skills requirements. |
| Taiwan | Taiwanese driver's license + Japanese translation | Exemption from both knowledge and skills requirements. |
| Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco | License + Japanese translation | Exemption from both knowledge and skills requirements. |
| China | Unable to drive (cannot obtain an international driving permit valid in Japan) | Both knowledge and skills are necessary. |
| Vietnam | Cannot drive (due to the format of the Vienna Convention) | Both knowledge and skills are necessary. |
There are 29 countries where both knowledge and skills assessments are waived. The complete list can be found in the list of exemptions in the knowledge assessment article.
Method 3
Foreign license conversion: If you plan to continue driving in Japan, convert your license to a Japanese one.
The foreign driver's license conversion system allows individuals holding a valid foreign driver's license to obtain a Japanese license by applying at a driver's license center in their place of residence. However, since October 1, 2025, the system has become stricter, and a copy of the resident registration certificate is now generally required. Therefore, those on short-term stays, such as tourists, cannot apply.
- 1Check the conditions
You must possess a valid foreign driver's license and have resided in that country or region for a total of three months or more after obtaining the license. The application must be submitted in person to the driver's license center or similar facility that has jurisdiction over your Japanese address.
- 2Prepare the documents and their Japanese translations.
In addition to your foreign driver's license, passport, copy of your residence certificate, and photograph, you will also need to attach a Japanese translation prepared by the legally designated author.
- 3Document screening and aptitude test
Your driver's license and residency status will be checked, and you will take aptitude tests, including vision tests.
- 4Knowledge and skills assessment
The knowledge test consists of 50 written questions to be completed in 30 minutes, with a minimum of 45 correct answers required to pass. The skills test is scored using a point deduction system from 100, with a minimum of 70 points required. Some countries and regions offer exemptions.
- 5Issuance of driver's license
You will be issued a Japanese driver's license. The initial license is valid until one month after your third birthday from the date of issuance.
Let's take a detailed look at the process of converting to a foreign driver's license in 8 steps.
FAQ
Q&A for foreigners driving in Japan
Can I drive in Japan with only a US driver's license?
No, you cannot. If you obtain an International Driving Permit in the United States and bring it with you, you can drive for up to one year from the date of arrival (within the validity period of the International Driving Permit). If you want to continue driving while living in Japan, you will need to convert your license to a foreign license.
Can I obtain an international driver's license after arriving in Japan?
In Japan, it is not possible to issue an International Driving Permit based on a foreign driver's license. Please obtain one from the issuing authority of the country where you obtained your license before coming to Japan.
Can I drive in Japan with a Chinese driver's license?
You cannot drive with a Chinese driver's license or an international driver's license issued in China. Those living in Japan must obtain a Japanese driver's license through a foreign license conversion process.
If I return to Japan temporarily, will I be able to drive for another year?
If you are registered as a resident in Japan, you cannot reset the one-year period if you return to Japan less than three months after leaving the country. If you are traveling or otherwise not registered as a resident, you will be counting one year each time you land in Japan, but you cannot drive beyond the validity period of your international driver's license.
Can I get my foreign driver's license converted while I'm here on vacation?
Starting in October 2025, a copy of your resident registration certificate will be required as a general rule, so those on short-term stays such as tourists will not be able to go through the procedure to convert their foreign driver's license.
What do I need when renting a car?
In addition to your International Driving Permit (or your license from the relevant country and a translation), you will often be asked to present your original license and passport. Please check with the rental car company before making a reservation.
