Complete Guide to Drive in Japan: Traffic Rules and Essential Information for Driving in Japan with a Foreign License

To drive in Japan legally as a foreigner, you must hold one of the following license types to drive around this beautiful country:

Japanese Driver's License: A valid Japanese-issued licence that allows you to drive a vehicle anywhere in Japan.

International Driving Permit (IDP): Must be issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (many countries issue this). Note: Japan does not recognize IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention alone. This permit is essential for any international driver planning to rent a car in Japan.

Foreign License + Official Japanese Translation: If you have a licence from certain countries (currently Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan), you can drive around Japan without an IDP by carrying an official Japanese translation of your license obtained in your home country.

Validity Period: You can use an IDP or foreign license to drive a vehicle for up to 1 year from the date of your entry into Japan (or until the license/IDP expires, whichever is sooner). This one-year period resets if you leave Japan for at least 3 consecutive months; short trips abroad won't extend your driving eligibility. In practice, this means foreign residents can only rely on an IDP/foreign license for their first year – after that, those who reside in Japan must obtain a Japanese license. Always carry your passport (to verify your entry date) along with your IDP or translated license when you drive around. Remember, the IDP must be obtained in your home country before coming to Japan – it cannot be issued in Japan.

Requirements: When you drive in Japan, you must have the permit/licence (and required translation if applicable) on you at all times. For those using a foreign license with translation, Japan driving laws require carrying both the original license and the official Japanese translation together. Failure to carry the proper permit can result in fines or other penalties from the Japanese police. In summary, short-term visitors with a valid IDP or citizens of the above-mentioned countries with a translated license can easily drive in Japan for up to 12 months. Long-term residents beyond one year will need to obtain a Japanese licence for continued driving experience in Japan.

License Translation Process: Working with the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)

If you have a driver's licence from one of the countries eligible for use in Japan via translation (Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan), you'll need to obtain an official translation of your license through the Japan Automobile Federation or other recognized translators. Here's what you need to know about this essential step in your guide to driving in Japan:

Where to Get a Translation: JAF offers a comprehensive driver's license translation service for foreign licenses. As of 2025, this service is available via online application (in-person and mail requests were phased out). You can apply on JAF's online portal, pay the fee, and then receive a PDF to print at a convenience store or have the paper mailed within Japan.

Cost: The translation of your license issuance fee is typically around ¥4,000 for a Japanese translation. For example, JAF charges ¥4,000 for a Japanese translation document (plus a ¥20 printing fee if you print it at a convenience store). Expect roughly one week for processing. Each translation is valid for one year as long as your original license is valid, but remember the driving privilege in Japan still expires 1 year after entry as noted.

Eligible Licenses/Countries: The simple translation method (without any driving test) is only valid for licenses from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan. These countries' licensing systems are recognized by Japan as equivalent, so Japan allows their license holders to drive around with just a translation. Note that a translation is not a licence by itself – it's a companion document to your original license. You must carry both the original license and the official translation together when you drive in Japan. Licenses from any other country must be accompanied by an IDP to be valid for automobile use in Japan.

How to Apply: For a JAF translation, you will typically need to upload/send a copy of your foreign license (front and back) and provide your personal details. JAF can translate licenses from many languages into Japanese. The issued translation will list the vehicle categories you're allowed to drive, license expiration, and any conditions, translated into Japanese as required by Japanese police. Always use an authorized translator (JAF or an embassy/consulate in Japan); self-translations are not accepted.

If your country's license is not eligible for the translation method, you must obtain an international driving permit for the first year and then proceed to obtain a Japanese license. But for those from the six eligible jurisdictions, the translation process with JAF is straightforward and lets you drive in Japan immediately upon arrival with no further tests.

Converting to a Japanese Driver's License (外免切替): Essential for Long-term Residents

If you plan on living in Japan long-term or your one-year foreign license period is ending, you'll need to convert your foreign license to a japanese license. This procedure is called "gaikoku menkyo kirikae" (外免切替) – converting a foreign license. Here's an overview for those who must obtain a japanese driving permit:

Eligibility: You can apply for conversion if you possess a valid foreign driver's licence. A key requirement is that you must have obtained your license overseas and lived in that issuing country for at least 3 months total after getting the licence. This is to prevent people from obtaining licenses abroad with a quick visit. You will need to prove this residency period with your passport entry/exit stamps during the application. You also must have a valid Japanese status of residence (e.g. resident card) or otherwise prove an address in Japan, since you'll register the license to a Japanese address.

Where to Apply: License conversion is done at designated Prefectural Driver's License Centers (運転免許センター). You must apply in person (no proxies allowed) at the center that covers the area of your residence. In big cities like Tokyo, certain centers handle foreign license conversions; for example, in Tokyo the Koto, Fuchu, and Samezu centers process these applications for people driving in japan.

Required Documents: When you go for conversion, prepare the following documents:

• Application form and questionnaire (provided at the center) – includes a simple medical self-report.
• One ID photo (3.0×2.4 cm, taken within the last 6 months, full face, no hat).
• Residence Certificate (住民票) – with your registered address (and nationality if not Japanese) or your passport if you are not registered in the resident system.
• Residence Card or other ID (for non-Japanese, you must show your Residence Card, MyNumber card, health insurance card, etc. as identity proof).
• Original foreign driver's licence – the actual license card. (Note: An IDP alone is not sufficient; you must present the actual license from your home country).
• Japanese Translation of the foreign license – issued by JAF or another authorized body (or your embassy/consulates in japan). This official translation must clearly indicate the license categories, expiration date, and any restrictions.
• Passport – to verify your stay of 3+ months in the license-issuing country after obtaining the licence. The immigration stamps will be checked.
• Application Fees – in cash. This consists of an examination fee and a license issuance fee.

Process & Tests: The conversion involves a review of your documents and typically two checks: a knowledge test (written exam) and a skill test (practical driving test). However, Japan exempts these tests for certain countries deemed to have equivalent road safety standards. As of now, 29 countries/regions are exempt from the exams (meaning if you have a license from these places, you only do paperwork, an eyesight test, and get your japanese license without a road test). This list includes most EU countries, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, etc., and even specific U.S. states (e.g. Ohio, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland, Washington, etc.) that have reciprocity. If you are from one of these countries, the knowledge and driving tests are waived – you will still go to the center for an interview/verification, but no road exam is needed for your japanese driving permit.

If your country is not on the exemption list, you will have to take a written test and a practical driving test. The written test for conversion is a short multiple-choice test on basic japanese traffic rules and road signs in japan. It is usually 10 questions, and you must answer at least 7 correctly to pass. The test is available in English and a few other languages at many centers, and the content covers simple rules (right-of-way, speed limits, road markings, etc.), so with some study most people pass the written portion easily.

After the written test, the final hurdle is the practical road test. This is done on a closed driving course at the license center (not on public roads). An examiner will observe as you drive a predetermined route through the course, which includes tasks like navigating intersections, turns, lane changes, stopping at signals/stop lines, backing into a parking space, and possibly special maneuvers like an S-curve or crank turn. The exam standards are strict – many experienced drivers from abroad fail on the first try due to minor mistakes (e.g. not checking mirrors enough, incorrect lane positioning, hitting a curb, etc.). It's recommended to familiarize yourself with japanese driving etiquette (like exaggerated head checks for blind spots, and strictly stopping before the line at "止まれ" stop signs) to pass the test. You can take the test multiple times if you fail (usually you reschedule for another day). Some driving schools offer one-day practice lessons on the course, which can be very helpful for your driving experience.

Costs: Converting a license is much cheaper than taking the full Japanese driving course. The fees are roughly in the range of a few thousand yen. For example, Tokyo's license center charges an application/exam fee of ¥2,500 for a regular car license (different vehicle classes have slightly different fees), and then a license issuance fee of ¥2,350 when you succeed. In total, you can expect about ¥4,000–¥5,000 in official fees for the conversion process (not including any costs for getting your documents translated or travel to the center). If you need to retake the practical test, a re-test fee (around ¥2,500) will apply each time. Compared to starting fresh (which can cost hundreds of thousands of yen for driving school), the conversion is quick and inexpensive. Just be prepared for the process: bring all required documents, and consider observing a test or taking a lesson to acquaint yourself with the test course if you're in the non-exempt group.

Once you pass, you'll receive a japanese license on the spot. The license will usually be valid for one year initially (or 5 years, depending on your age and timing) and can be renewed just like any Japanese license. Your new license will also note that it was obtained by foreign license conversion. Congratulations – you are now legal to drive around Japan without restrictions!

Cost of Owning a Car in Japan: Understanding Automobile Expenses

Owning a car in Japan involves several types of costs – some upfront taxes and fees when acquiring the vehicle, and ongoing annual expenses for maintenance, taxes, and mandatory inspections. It's important to understand these costs as they can be quite high compared to some other countries when you drive in japan regularly. Below is a breakdown of the main costs of automobile ownership in Japan:

Vehicle Acquisition Tax (環境性能割): When you purchase a car in japan (new or used from a dealer), you pay an acquisition tax. Since 2019, Japan revamped this tax into an environmental performance tax, which varies based on the car's fuel efficiency and emissions. For a standard passenger automobile, the tax rate is up to 3% of the car's purchase price (efficient eco-friendly cars are taxed less or exempt). For example, a typical gasoline car with average fuel economy might incur a 2–3% tax, whereas a very low-emission vehicle could be 0–1%. This tax is usually included in the automobile's invoice price at purchase. (Kei cars – the 660cc minicars – have a slightly lower rate, max ~2%.) In addition, you'll also pay the 10% consumption tax on the vehicle price, but that's like any goods purchase.

Compulsory Insurance & Weight Tax (Shaken Fees): All cars in japan must undergo a "shaken" (車検) inspection every 2 years (new cars get a 3-year grace for the first inspection, then every 2 years thereafter). The shaken is essentially a roadworthiness inspection combined with the renewal of mandatory insurance and taxes. The cost of shaken can be significant for any automobile. It includes:

• Compulsory Liability Insurance (自賠責保険) fee – about ¥20,000 for two years for a regular car (this insurance is renewed at each shaken).
• Vehicle Weight Tax (自動車重量税) – a tax based on your car's weight, paid at inspection. For an average automobile this might be on the order of ¥8,000–¥20,000 (lighter cars and eco-cars less, heavier vehicles more) each cycle.
• Inspection fee and handling fees – if you do shaken through a dealer or shop, they charge for the inspection service, paperwork, etc. The government's own inspection fee is around ¥1,300–¥1,800, but garages add labor charges.
• Repairs or maintenance – during shaken, if any parts (brakes, tires, etc.) need fixing to meet standards, you'll pay for those.

Total shaken costs for a typical automobile often run around ¥100,000 (¥10万) or more each time. For example, a compact car might be ¥70,000–¥120,000, and a larger sedan or SUV can be ¥100,000–¥150,000 depending on what needs to be done. You can save by using discount shaken shops or doing a "user shaken" (inspecting the car yourself at a transport bureau), but either way, every two years you must budget several thousand yen for this inspection and associated taxes. This is a major ongoing cost of ownership in Japan meant to ensure vehicles are well-maintained for safe driving.

Annual Vehicle Tax (自動車税): Every May, owners must pay an annual road tax based on their vehicle's engine size (or category). For regular passenger cars, the tax ranges from about ¥30,000 to ¥50,000 (or more) per year depending on engine displacement. For instance, a 1500cc compact car is about ¥30,000 per year, a 2.0L car around ¥36,000, a 3.0L luxury car about ¥50,000, and so on. (There was a slight tax reduction for newer eco-friendly cars in recent years; e.g. a new 1.5L car might be ¥30,500 vs an older one ¥34,500.) Kei cars are much cheaper – their annual tax is only about ¥10,000. This automobile tax is a mandatory expense every year and is separate from the shaken weight tax. If you don't pay it, you can't renew your shaken or sell the automobile, so it's essentially like an annual car property tax.

Parking Space & Parking Fees: In most areas across japan, you cannot register a car unless you have proof of a parking space (a 車庫証明, or parking certificate). This law, known as the Garage Act, applies to virtually all areas except some very rural districts and for kei cars in certain rural towns. Practically, this means if you live in a city or suburb, you must either own or rent a parking spot to drive in japan legally. Parking in urban areas is expensive. For example, in Tokyo's 23 wards, a monthly parking spot can easily cost ¥20,000–¥30,000 (and much more in prime areas). Even in smaller cities, expect perhaps ¥5,000–¥15,000 monthly for a parking space. So over a year, parking rent might be another ¥60,000–¥300,000 depending on location. If you have your own house with a car port, you save on monthly fees, but you still need to get the parking space certified by the police for registration. The one-time application for a parking certificate might cost a few thousand yen in fees/stamps. Bottom line: budget for parking – either in your rent or as a separate expense – as it's legally required and often costly when you drive in japan.

Optional Insurance (任意保険): The compulsory liability insurance (Jibaiseki) that you pay with shaken is very basic and only covers injury to other parties with low limits. Almost all drivers in japan also carry optional car insurance for broader coverage (collision, property damage, passenger injury, etc.). The cost of optional insurance varies by driver age, driving history, and vehicle, but an example might be ¥50,000–¥100,000 per year for a middle-aged driver with a standard automobile. Younger drivers or sports cars can be higher. While "任意" means optional, it's highly recommended for safe driving – without it, you'd face huge out-of-pocket costs in an accident. This is another annual cost to consider (often paid monthly or annually).

Fuel and Maintenance: Gasoline in Japan is currently around ¥160–¥170 per liter (for regular petrol) in 2025. If you drive around regularly, fuel will be a notable expense. For instance, 10,000 km of driving in a year with a car that gets 12 km/L would cost about ¥135,000 in fuel. Maintenance like oil changes, tires, brakes, etc., also adds up. Many people service their automobile at shaken time or once a year. Maintenance costs might average ¥10,000–¥30,000 a year depending on the car's age.

Putting it all together, the average annual cost of owning a car in japan can be quite high. One estimate (MUFG Bank) found that in total, a kei car costs about ¥370,000–¥440,000 per year to own, a small regular car ~¥440,000–¥530,000, and a mid-size regular car ~¥520,000–¥610,000 per year when you factor in taxes, insurance, shaken, fuel, parking, etc. These figures align with the idea that owning even a modest automobile will easily cost ¥30,000–¥50,000 per month all-in. Be prepared for these costs. Many urban residents actually opt not to own cars, relying on public transport, because of the expense of parking and upkeep. But if you do need a car (e.g. living in japan countryside or for work), now you know where the money goes: purchase taxes, shaken inspection costs every two years, annual taxes, insurance, parking, fuel, and maintenance.

Renting a Car in Japan: What Foreign Drivers Should Know

If you're only staying temporarily or want flexibility, renting a car is a practical way to drive in Japan. Here's what you need to know.

Rental Requirements for Foreigners

To rent a car in Japan, you must have:

• A valid international driving permit (IDP) based on the 1949 Geneva Convention, or
• A license from an approved country plus an official Japanese translation, and
• Your passport and a credit card in the name of the driver.

The minimum age to rent a car in Japan is 18, but many car rental companies may charge extra or limit options for drivers under 25.

Recommended Car Rental Companies in Japan

Well-known options include:

• Toyota Rent a Car
• Nippon Rent-A-Car
• Times Car Rental
• Orix Rent-A-Car
• Nissan Rent-A-Car

These companies offer English support at airports and major cities, and many provide cars equipped with English-language car navigation systems. Most vehicles are automatic.

Optional Add-Ons

• ETC card (Electronic Toll Collection) for expressways
• Non-Operation Charge (NOC) waiver for accidents
• Child seats, which are required by law for under-6s
• Snow tires or chains if driving in winter regions

Fuel and Return

You’ll usually need to return the car with a full tank. Japan uses self-service and full-service stations. Gas prices vary but expect around ¥160–¥170 per liter.

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Japanese Road Rules and Driving Etiquette

Knowing the rules of the road is critical to driving safely in Japan. Here’s a quick guide:

Driving Side

Japan drives on the left side of the road. The driver’s seat is on the right side of the car. When turning or merging, always remember to keep to the left unless overtaking.

Traffic Lights in Japan

• Red = stop, green = go, yellow = caution
• No right turn on red
• Arrows may appear indicating allowed turns
• Flashing yellow at night = proceed with caution
• Wait for green even if the way is clear

Road Signs in Japan

Road signs in Japan may be written in Japanese or English. Important signs include:

• 止まれ (tomare) = stop
• 徐行 (jokō) = slow
• 一方通行 = one-way
• No entry, speed limits, and warning signs are often universal in shape

Study traffic signs ahead of time to avoid confusion when you drive in Japan.

Speed Limits

• Urban areas: 30–50 km/h
• Rural roads: 60 km/h
• Expressways: 80–100 km/h

Speed cameras are common, especially on highways. Speeding fines are steep and can result in points on your license or worse.

Pedestrians and Cyclists

Pedestrians always have the right of way. Be especially careful when turning left or right at intersections, as cyclists may be crossing.

Cyclists often ride on sidewalks or roads, and accidents involving them are taken seriously.

Phone Use While Driving

It is illegal to use a phone while driving unless hands-free. Fines and license penalties apply. Japan’s zero-tolerance policy is enforced strictly.

Drinking and Driving in Japan

Never drink and drive.

• Legal blood alcohol limit is effectively zero.
• Punishment includes:
  • Up to 5 years imprisonment or
  • Up to ¥1,000,000 in fines
• Passengers and businesses serving intoxicated drivers may also be punished

Always plan to use taxis, public transport, or designated drivers if drinking.

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Expressways and Long-Distance Driving in Japan

Japan’s expressways are smooth, fast, and toll-based. For long-distance drives (like Tokyo to Osaka or driving in Okinawa), highways are the fastest option.

• Tolls can be paid with ETC cards or cash.
• Typical Tokyo to Kyoto trip costs ¥10,000–¥13,000 in tolls.
• Rest areas (SA/PA) offer bathrooms, food, and fuel.

Use your car navigation system or smartphone apps for driving routes across Japan.

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Conclusion: Is It Worth Driving in Japan?

Whether you're visiting Japan, living in Japan, or just passing through the countryside, driving opens up access to rural areas and hidden gems unreachable by train. Just remember:

• Get the correct license or permit
• Study Japanese road signs and traffic rules
• Follow etiquette: keep to the left, drive carefully, and respect pedestrians
• Understand the cost of owning a car if you're staying long-term

Driving in Japan is a safe and efficient option when done legally and responsibly. Be a smart, informed driver – and enjoy your drive across Japan!