Not every license lets you drive in Japan on an international permit. If your license is from certain countries, an IDP simply isn’t valid here — you’ll need to convert to a Japanese license instead. Here’s who that affects and what to do.

Which guide do you need?

・Drive with an IDP (most countries)

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

・No IDP route — license conversion required — this page

Countries whose IDP is not valid in Japan

Japan recognizes only 1949 Geneva Convention IDPs. If your license is from a country that is not a Geneva member and is not in the six-place translation group, you cannot drive in Japan on an international permit at all. This includes several major travel markets:

・China (mainland) — Hong Kong and Macau are separate and are covered by an IDP

・Vietnam

・Indonesia

・Brazil

・Mexico

Many of these countries issue Vienna Convention IDPs, which look official but are not accepted in Japan.

What you can do instead: license conversion

To drive, you must convert your foreign license to a Japanese one through a process called gaimen kirikae (外免切替), or obtain a Japanese license from scratch. Conversion typically involves:

1.A document check (your license, a Japanese translation of it, passport, proof you held the license while staying in the issuing country for 3+ months, and residency documents).

2.An eyesight and aptitude test.

3.A written test on Japanese traffic rules.

4.A practical driving test.

Because it requires residency documentation and in-person testing, conversion is realistic for residents, not short-term visitors. Application is made at the driver’s license center for your prefecture of residence.

Countries to verify before you travel

A small number of countries are Geneva Convention members but currently do not issue a Geneva-format IDP — which means their permits are not valid in Japan as things stand. The status of some of these changes over time, and rental sites and blogs sometimes list them incorrectly.

If your license is from any of the following, confirm directly with the Metropolitan Police Department list or your embassy before you rely on driving in Japan:

Russia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Liechtenstein, Bangladesh, Botswana, Ghana, Cuba, Albania, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe.

The same “verify first” caution applies to countries whose status is listed as under review by Japanese authorities — this currently includes the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, and Venezuela. If you hold a license from one of these, do not assume an IDP will let you drive; confirm with the Metropolitan Police Department list or your embassy first.

Driving a street go-kart in Tokyo

A street go-kart on public roads needs a license valid for driving in Japan. If your country is on this page, you cannot drive a kart on public roads without first converting your license. If you think your country may actually qualify, check the IDP guide or the translation guide.

Frequently asked questions

I’m from China — can I drive in Japan as a tourist?

No. Mainland China is not a Geneva Convention member, so a Chinese-issued IDP is not valid. You would need to convert to a Japanese license, which is only practical for residents. (Hong Kong and Macau licenses are treated separately and can use an IDP.)

My country issues an International Driving Permit. Why isn’t it valid?

Japan accepts only 1949 Geneva-format IDPs. Permits issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention are not accepted, even though much of the world recognizes them.

How hard is the license conversion driving test?

It is known to be strict, and many applicants need more than one attempt. Exemption from the practical test depends on the country/region that issued your original license.

Can a visitor do gaimen kirikae?

In practice, no — it requires residency documentation, so it’s intended for people living in Japan.

Sources

・Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) — Switching to a Japanese license / Gaimen Kirikae (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.