If you are visiting Japan from the Czech Republic and plan to drive a car, rent a vehicle, or join a street-legal go-kart experience, you will need the correct International Driving Permit (IDP). Japan only recognizes IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, and it does not accept IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention. 

This guide explains exactly what Czech travelers must prepare before departure, how to obtain the correct IDP in the Czech Republic, and how the validity period works once you land in Japan.

Can Czech travelers drive in Japan with an IDP?

Yes, Czech travelers can drive in Japan if they carry all required documents and their IDP is issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. The Embassy of Japan in the Czech Republic states that holders of a Czech driver’s license may drive in Japan only with a valid international license in accordance with the 1949 Geneva Convention, and Japan does not recognize international licenses issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention. 

Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) also lists the Czech Republic as a contracting state to the 1949 Geneva Convention, which supports that a properly issued 1949 IDP from the Czech Republic is accepted in Japan. 

Important: Japan does not accept the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP

This is the most common reason travelers get turned away at rental counters. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police clearly state that only IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention are recognized as valid for driving in Japan. IDPs issued under other conventions, including the 1968 Vienna Convention, are invalid, even if your IDP is valid in other European countries.

When you apply in the Czech Republic, you must explicitly request the 1949 Geneva model specifically for Japan.

For further confirmation, you can refer to official guidance from the Czech Ministry of Transport (Ministerstvo dopravy):

・Issue of international driving licence (Ministry of Transport)(This official page states that IDPs are issued according to both Vienna 1968 and Geneva 1949 conventions, and the applicant must state the country of destination to receive the correct one.)

Additionally, please be aware that the Embassy of Japan in the Czech Republic also strictly warns that driving with a Vienna Convention IDP or just a translation is not legal in Japan.

Can I drive in Japan with a Czech license plus a translation?

No. The Embassy of Japan in the Czech Republic explicitly notes it is not possible to drive in Japan with a Czech driver’s license and its official translation, and you must obtain an international driver’s license before traveling. 

What you must carry while driving in Japan

For typical short-term visitors, you should carry:

・Your original Czech driver’s license

・Your International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention

・Your passport (entry date matters for validity rules)

These requirements align with Japan’s official guidance that driving with an IDP is time-limited and tied to the date of landing in Japan, and the IDP alone is not sufficient without the underlying license. 

IDP validity in Japan: the rules that matter

Two different clocks apply:

First, the IDP itself is valid for one year from its date of issue. Second, in Japan you are generally allowed to drive for up to one year from the date you enter Japan, but only while your IDP remains valid, so the practical driving period is whichever ends sooner. 

The “three-month rule” for residents and re-entry

If you become a registered resident in Japan (mid- to long-term stay) and leave Japan, you must spend more than three consecutive months overseas before re-entering for the re-entry date to reset the one-year driving allowance with an IDP. Tokyo Metropolitan Police explains that re-entering within less than three months means you cannot drive with an IDP even if you obtained a new one during that time abroad. 

Most tourists do not face this issue, but it is critical for people who switch from short stay to residency.

How to get a Japan-valid IDP in the Czech Republic (1949 Geneva)

The Czech Ministry of Transport explains that international driving licences in the Czech Republic are issued according to the Road Traffic Conventions (Vienna 1968 and Geneva 1949) depending on the country you plan to visit, and the destination country must be stated in the application. 

Where to apply

You can apply at any municipal authority with extended powers in the Czech Republic. 

What to bring

According to the Czech Ministry of Transport, you should bring:

・A valid identity card

・A valid driving licence

・One passport photograph (printed)

・A completed application form MD

Fee and processing time

The administrative fee is CZK 50, and the IDP is usually issued immediately. 

A practical tip for avoiding mistakes

When you apply, clearly state that you are traveling to Japan and that you need the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. Japan will not accept the 1968 Vienna IDP.

If you forgot to get the IDP before arriving in Japan

For Czech licenses, Japan’s embassy guidance indicates you must obtain the international driver’s license before traveling, and the embassy does not issue translations or certifications for this document. 

If you are staying long-term, you may consider converting to a Japanese driver’s license (the embassy notes this as an option for long stays), but that is a separate process and not a quick solution for short trips. 

Using your IDP for car rentals and street-legal go-kart activities in Japan

Rental companies and activity operators typically check the same core points:

1.Is your IDP issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention?

2.Are you within the allowed driving period based on your Japan entry date?

3.Do you have your original Czech license and passport with you?

Because Japan recognizes only the 1949-format IDP, presenting the wrong IDP (for example, Vienna 1968) can result in denial even if your IDP is valid in other countries.