If your driver’s license was issued in most parts of the world, you can drive in Japan on an International Driving Permit (IDP) — including taking a street go-kart through the streets of Tokyo. But there’s an important catch about which kind of IDP Japan accepts. Here’s everything you need to know.

Which guide do you need?

・Drive with an IDP — this page

・Drive with your license + a Japanese translation (Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, Taiwan)

・No IDP route — license conversion required (China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, and more)

The one rule that catches travelers out: Geneva vs. Vienna

There are two international road-traffic treaties: the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention. Japan recognizes only the Geneva version.

This matters because many countries issue IDPs based on the Vienna Convention. Those permits look official, but in Japan they are treated as if you have no license at all. Always check that your IDP cites the September 19, 1949 convention on its cover.

You also cannot obtain an IDP inside Japan — you must get it in your home country before you travel, usually from your national automobile association.

Countries and regions whose IDP is valid in Japan

If your license was issued by one of the following, you can drive in Japan on a 1949 Geneva-format IDP, carried together with your original license and passport. This covers most of Japan’s inbound visitor markets.

Asia & Middle East

India, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Israel, Jordan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates*, Turkey, Georgia, Hong Kong, Macau

Europe

United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Greece, Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Lithuania, Estonia, Cyprus, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino, Vatican City, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Gibraltar

North & South America

United States, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago

Oceania

Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea

Africa

South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal, Uganda, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali

*United Arab Emirates issues more than one type of IDP; only the Geneva-format version is accepted in Japan.

This list is not exhaustive — additional Geneva-member countries exist. If your country isn’t listed, check the official Metropolitan Police Department list in Sources, and see our guides for translation-route countries and countries that need license conversion.

Rules every IDP driver should know

・Get your IDP before you arrive: IDPs cannot be issued inside Japan. Obtain one from the authorized automobile association in your home country (for example, AAA in the United States).

・Carry three documents while driving: your IDP, your original home-country license, and your passport.

・One-year limit: You may drive for up to one year from your date of entry, or until your IDP expires, whichever is sooner.

・The 3-month re-entry rule: Leaving Japan briefly to “reset” the one-year clock does not work: if you re-enter within three months, the clock is not reset.

・Japan drives on the left: steering wheel on the right. Minimum driving age is 18, and drink-driving carries severe penalties.

Driving a street go-kart in Tokyo

A street go-kart on public roads is a road vehicle, so the same rules apply: bring your Geneva-format IDP, your original license, and your passport to your booking. If your country uses a translation instead of an IDP, see the translation guide; if it’s not covered at all, see the conversion guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is a US driver’s license valid in Japan?

Not on its own. US visitors need a Geneva Convention IDP issued in the US (by AAA or AATA) alongside their state license.

Can I get an International Driving Permit after I arrive in Japan?

No. IDPs are only issued in your home country, so arrange one before you travel.

My country uses the Vienna Convention. Is my IDP valid?

No. Japan accepts only the 1949 Geneva Convention format.

How long can I drive on my IDP?

Up to one year from your date of entry into Japan, or until the permit expires, whichever comes first.

Sources

・Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) — Driving in Japan (English): ※

・Chiba Prefectural Police — Driving in Japan with an IDP (English): ※

・National Police Agency (NPA) — Driving in Japan with a foreign license (Japanese): ※

・Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) — Geneva Convention contracting states (Japanese):※

Last updated: June 2026. General information, not legal advice. Driving rules can change; verify your eligibility with the official sources above or your nearest Japanese embassy before driving in Japan.