If you hold a Chilean driver’s licence and want to drive in Japan, whether renting a car, riding a motorcycle, or joining a street go-kart tour, you must obtain the correct International Driving Permit, known in Chile as the Permiso Internacional de Conducir (PIC). This guide uses official Chilean and Japanese sources to explain what you need.

Why Japan Only Accepts the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP

Japanese traffic authorities state that they only recognize IDPs issued by contracting states of the 1949 Geneva Convention and that comply with the convention’s booklet format. Permits issued only under other conventions, or in non-standard formats, are not valid for driving in Japan.

The JAF list of contracting states confirms that Chile is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention, so Chile can issue PICs that are accepted in Japan when they follow the 1949 format.

How Chile Issues the PIC

The Chilean government’s citizen service portal, ChileAtiende, explains that the Permiso Internacional de Conducir (PIC) is required for driving abroad in countries where Chile does not have a specific bilateral agreement, and that the procedure is handled through Automóvil Club de Chile.

Automóvil Club de Chile describes the PIC as a document issued exclusively by the club under current regulations, intended for tourists who want to drive in many countries for tourism purposes and based on international road traffic norms.

Typical requirements include:

・holding a valid Chilean driver’s licence

・applying in person at an Automóvil Club de Chile office

・presenting your licence and identification, providing a passport-style photograph, and paying the required fee

Validity and Use in Japan

ChileAtiende notes that the PIC is generally valid for one year, or until your Chilean licence expires, whichever comes first.

In Japan, the PIC must be treated as a translation of your domestic licence. You must carry both documents together, because the PIC does not replace your Chilean licence.

Japanese rules further specify that a 1949-format IDP can be used for up to one year from your date of entry into Japan, regardless of any longer printed validity, as long as the permit has not expired.

Documents Required to Drive in Japan

Chilean licence holders who want to drive or join a go-kart tour in Japan should bring:

・Chilean driver’s licence (original)

・PIC or IDP issued by Automóvil Club de Chile in a format suitable for 1949-Convention countries

・Passport with your Japanese entry record

・Rental car or tour booking confirmation and any additional forms required by the operator

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Common issues include:

・Assuming that any PIC is valid in all countries without checking the applicable convention

・Failing to carry the original Chilean licence together with the PIC

・Using an expired PIC, or a PIC tied to an expired Chilean licence

・Relying on photos or scans of the PIC instead of the physical booklet

Final Checklist

Before driving in Japan, confirm that:

・your PIC is intended for use in 1949-Convention countries such as Japan

・you will drive within one year of your entry date and within the PIC’s validity period

・you always carry your Chilean licence, PIC, and passport together

・any rental or go-kart operator you use is willing to accept your documents