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Driving — Japan

What travelers need to know about driving in Japan. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.

Short answer

Driving in Japan: allowed only under specific conditions.

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CONDITIONAL

You may drive in Japan only with an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention — IDPs issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention are not accepted here.

Driving without a valid permit is unlicensed driving (fines, possible arrest).

§ Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department

Verified Jul 26, 2026

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LawLert is an independent app and is not affiliated with any government. It summarizes laws from official government and U.S. State Department sources for general information only. This is not legal advice, and laws change. Always confirm with official sources and local authorities before you travel.