Home ／ Countries
Find your country below to see exactly what to bring. This is the full reference list — if you'd rather just answer one question and get your result, use the quick check on the licence page instead.
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Type a country name, or use the tags below to filter by what you'd need to bring. You can combine both.
We classify each country by whether it currently issues an International Driving Permit in the 1949 format that Japan accepts. This follows Japan's National Police Agency's IDP-format reference (as of 29 June 2026) together with Article 39-3 of the Order for Enforcement of the Road Traffic Act. Being a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Convention is not enough on its own — some signatory countries only issue the 1968 Vienna-format permit, and Japan does not accept that format. Where we could not confirm which format a country issues, the row is marked “Being verified”; please check with us directly rather than assume either way. The same list feeds our online check and booking form, so what you see here will not drift from what we ask for later. If your country is not listed here, contact us before you book and send us a photo of your licence — we will check it and reply.
Showing 119 of 119 countries.
Country List
Sorted A–Z. Every country and region we hold a ruling for is listed here — the same data the licence page and the booking form use, so the three cannot disagree. A row marked Being verified has not been checked against the enforcement order yet, so please contact us before booking rather than rely on it.
| Country | What you need | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Albania | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Algeria | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Argentina | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Australia | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Austria | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Bahrain | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Bangladesh | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Barbados | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Belgium | Translation Original licence + designated Japanese translation (paper original) + passport | JAF is online-only (filed from inside Japan, 2-3 business days, longer when busy). ALADDIN in Shiba, Tokyo issues over the counter by the next business day |
| Benin | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Botswana | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Brazil | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Brunei | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Bulgaria | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Burkina Faso | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Cambodia | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Canada | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Central African Republic | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Chile | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| China | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Congo (Brazzaville) | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Côte d’Ivoire | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Croatia | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Cuba | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Cyprus | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Czechia | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Denmark | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Dominican Republic | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Ecuador | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Egypt | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Estonia | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Fiji | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Finland | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| France | Translation Original licence + designated Japanese translation (paper original) + passport | JAF is online-only (filed from inside Japan, 2-3 business days, longer when busy). ALADDIN in Shiba, Tokyo issues over the counter by the next business day |
| Georgia | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Germany | Translation Original licence + designated Japanese translation (paper original) + passport | JAF is online-only (filed from inside Japan, 2-3 business days, longer when busy). ALADDIN in Shiba, Tokyo issues over the counter by the next business day |
| Ghana | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Gibraltar | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Greece | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Guatemala | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Guernsey | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Haiti | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Hong Kong | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Hungary | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Iceland | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| India | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Indonesia | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Ireland | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Isle of Man | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Israel | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Italy | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Jamaica | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Japan | JP licence Japanese driving licence (運転免許証) | Holders of a valid Japanese driving licence — no residency or nationality requirement |
| Jersey | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Jordan | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Kyrgyzstan | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Laos | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Lebanon | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Lesotho | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Liechtenstein | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Lithuania | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Luxembourg | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Macau | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Madagascar | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Malawi | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Malaysia | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Mali | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Malta | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Mexico | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Monaco | Translation Original licence + designated Japanese translation (paper original) + passport | JAF is online-only (filed from inside Japan, 2-3 business days, longer when busy). ALADDIN in Shiba, Tokyo issues over the counter by the next business day |
| Montenegro | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Morocco | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Myanmar (Burma) | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Namibia | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Nepal | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Netherlands | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| New Zealand | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Niger | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Nigeria | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Norway | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Papua New Guinea | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Paraguay | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Peru | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Philippines | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Poland | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Portugal | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Romania | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Russia | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Rwanda | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| San Marino | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Senegal | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Serbia | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Sierra Leone | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Singapore | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Slovakia | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Slovenia | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| South Africa | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| South Korea | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Spain | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Sri Lanka | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Sweden | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Switzerland | Translation Original licence + designated Japanese translation (paper original) + passport | JAF is online-only (filed from inside Japan, 2-3 business days, longer when busy). ALADDIN in Shiba, Tokyo issues over the counter by the next business day |
| Syria | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Taiwan | Translation Original licence + designated Japanese translation (paper original) + passport | JAF is online-only (filed from inside Japan, 2-3 business days, longer when busy). ALADDIN in Shiba, Tokyo issues over the counter by the next business day |
| Thailand | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Togo | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Trinidad & Tobago | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Tunisia | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Türkiye | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Uganda | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| United Arab Emirates | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| United Kingdom | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| United States | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Vatican City | IDP IDP + original licence + passport | Booklet only, issued before travel — cannot be obtained in Japan |
| Venezuela | Being verified Not yet confirmed — please check with us before booking | Not yet listed in the National Police Agency’s IDP-format reference. Contact us before you book, or bring your home licence, any international permit you hold, and your passport so we can check together on the day. |
| Vietnam | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| Zimbabwe | Cannot drive No document lets you drive here | No passenger option — you would not be able to join |
| U.S. Forces Japan (SOFA status) | SOFA SOFA licence + military ID + passport | USFJ status holders only — a narrow case, not one of the four main categories |
No country matches your search. Contact us and we will check for you.
Help
Tell us the country and the exact wording printed on your permit — we would rather check now than at the counter.
Pick a date and time — you can upload your documents right after you book.
