Driving in Japan with an International Driving Permit (IDP)
To drive in Japan with an IDP, you must have an IDP issued by a Contracting State to the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and in the format as prescribed by Annex 9 or 10 of the Convention. You may drive with your IDP for up to one year from the date of your entry or re-entry into Japan as long as your IDP, which expires in one year from the date of issue, is valid.
Note: If you are a Japanese or non-Japanese mid- to long-term resident recorded in the Basic Resident Register and fail to fulfill the so-called “Three-Month Rule” by Article 107-2 of the Road Traffic Act, you may not drive. The following is to help you understand whether you may or may not drive in Japan.
1. In case short-term visitors not recorded in the Basic Resident Register enter Japan
You may drive with an IDP for up to one year from the date of issue or for up to one year from the date of entry into Japan, whichever is shorter.
(1) Entering Japan for the first time after obtaining an IDP (as is often the case with short-term visitors)
(2) Obtaining an IDP while in Japan by mail or other methods after your first entry
2. In case those recorded in the Basic Resident Register leave and re-enter Japan
If you are a Japanese or non-Japanese mid- to long-term resident recorded in the Basic Resident Register, you may not drive in Japan with an IDP obtained while staying overseas for less than three months after leaving Japan with confirmation of departure or re-entry permission. This is because the date of entry after staying overseas for less than three months is not counted as the start date of the period during which the IDP holder may drive.
(1) Entering after staying overseas for less than three months (as is often the case with non-Japanese residents)
(2) Entering after staying overseas for less than three months (as is often the case with Japanese nationals)
(3) Entering after staying overseas for three months or longer
PDFファイルをご覧になるにはAdobe Readerが必要です。
