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Driving licenceJapan

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Japan. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Japan

44. Driving licence

A driving licence is an official document authorising a person to drive one or more specified categories of motor vehicle. It may contain conditions, restrictions, category codes and expiry dates that determine which vehicles the holder may drive.

Drivers must hold a licence that is valid for the vehicle category and jurisdiction concerned. A licence may be provisional, full, restricted, suspended or withdrawn, and additional qualifications may be required for professional driving.

Driving licence
Front of a Japanese driving licence.
Wikimedia.org • 321keiHIKARI • CC0
Which driving-licence entitlement is needed for an ordinary car in Japan?

In Japan, an ordinary car requires the appropriate ordinary motor-vehicle licence or a legally recognised equivalent. A different entitlement may be needed for motorcycles, heavy vehicles, trailers or passenger transport.

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • Japan Road Traffic Act — Articles 84–85 and 107-2

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • e-Gov — current enforced Road Traffic Act, revision metadata and full text

🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — 2026 foreign driving licence and IDP guidance

🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — accepted foreign driving documents, authorised translations and validity conditions

Can a visitor drive in Japan using a driving licence issued abroad?

Japan recognises a Japanese licence, a qualifying 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit, or certain specifically listed foreign licences with an authorised Japanese translation. A 1968-only IDP is not sufficient. Time limits and residency restrictions apply.

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • Japan Road Traffic Act — Articles 84–85 and 107-2

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • e-Gov — current enforced Road Traffic Act, revision metadata and full text

🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — 2026 foreign driving licence and IDP guidance

🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — accepted foreign driving documents, authorised translations and validity conditions

Does an International Driving Permit replace the original licence in Japan?

Japan recognises a qualifying 1949 Geneva Convention IDP as one of the documents that can authorise driving, subject to its validity and Japan’s entry conditions. A permit issued only under the 1968 Convention does not qualify. Applying to convert a foreign licence is a different procedure: the NPA says an IDP alone does not replace the original foreign licence for that application.

🔗 npa.go.jp • Japanese National Police Agency, permitted foreign driving licences and IDPs

🔗 keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp • Tokyo Metropolitan Police, foreign-issued IDPs recognised in Japan

1 Japan 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Zone 5 Speed limit 6 Minimum speed 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Tunnel 11 Toll road 12 One-way traffic 13 Quay 14 Slope 15 Bus lane 16 Bus stop 17 Stop sign 18 Give way 19 Roundabout 20 Road narrowing 21 Pedestrian crossing 22 Railway crossing 23 Mandatory direction 24 Turn prohibition 25 School area 26 Overtaking 27 Crossing animals 28 Slippery road 29 Rockfall 30 Curve 31 Wrong-way driving 32 Roadworks 33 Crosswind 34 Height limit 35 Width limit 36 Weight limit 37 Radar speed sign 38 Selective barriers 39 Intersection direction sign 40 Traffic lights 41 Traffic lights warning 42 Pedestrian lights 43 Road markings 44 Driving licence 45 Location marker 46 Traffic mirror 47 Emergency telephone 48 Cycling route 49 Parking 50 No parking 51 No stopping 52 Disabled parking 53 Traffic management 54 Reversing 55 U-turn 56 Uncontrolled crossroad 57 Road surface 58 Provisional licence 59 Emergency exit 60 City limit 61 Horn 62 Licence plate 63 Charging station 64 Dangers 65 Pedestrian 66 Cyclist 67 Moped 68 Motorcycle 69 Car 70 Truck 71 Bus 72 Police 73 Ambulance 74 Pothole 75 Path 76 Particulates 77 Air pollution 78 Rush hour 79 Road code 80 Two-way traffic 81 Street gutter 82 Cargo bike 83 Forestry vehicle 84 Construction vehicle 85 Semi-trailer truck 86 Trolleybus 87 Speed pedelec 88 Delivery vehicle 89 Idling 90 Tow truck 91 Four-wheel drive 92 No vehicles 93 Bicycle 94 Motorcycle equipment 95 Tram 96 Rail track 97 Caravan 98 Trailer 99 Tow hitch 100 Fire truck ...