Japan via JAF translation: the workaround for Swiss, German, French, Italian, Belgian, Monégasque, Taiwanese drivers

Japan is a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic but NOT the 1968 Vienna Convention. This causes a problem for visitors from countries that have issued only Vienna Convention IDPs since the 1970s — including Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and most of continental Europe. A German tourist arriving in Tokyo with a Vienna IDP from ADAC will be told at the rental counter that the IDP is not valid in Japan.

For a specific subset of these countries — Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Monaco — plus Taiwan, the workaround is the JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) translation. JAF issues an official Japanese-language translation of your foreign driver licence which, when carried together with the original licence, legally permits you to drive in Japan. Slovenia, Estonia, and Monaco are also on this special list.

The translation does not require visiting Japan — it can be obtained online, processed in 1–2 weeks, and printed at any 7-Eleven in Japan. The fee rose from ¥4,000 to ¥6,000 on 1 April 2026. The translation gives you up to 1 year of legal driving in Japan from your date of entry.

Step by step

1. Step 1

   Confirm your country is on the JAF translation list

   The JAF translation route is available for licences from Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan. If you are from one of these countries, JAF translation is the correct workaround. If you are from a 1949 Geneva country (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, US, Canada, Japan, Korea), you should get a 1949 Geneva IDP from your home country instead — JAF translation is not needed.

   • JAF — Drive with a foreign licence

2. Step 2

   Apply online with photos of your licence

   Applications can only be made via the JAF online translation system (not in person at counters, not by mail). You upload high-resolution images of the front and back of your currently valid licence. Additional documents may be required depending on the issuing country (e.g., an Italian licence may require additional proof of issue date).

   • JAF — How to apply for a translation

3. Step 3

   Pay the JAF translation fee

   The fee is ¥6,000 as of 1 April 2026 (raised from ¥4,000). Payment is online via credit card. No cash or in-person payment available.

   • JAF — fees and notice

4. Step 4

   Wait 1–2 weeks for processing

   Processing time depends on the issuing country and the JAF branch handling the application. Most translations are issued within 1–2 weeks. Italian and Taiwanese applications can take longer due to additional verification.

5. Step 5

   Print the translation at any Japanese 7-Eleven

   When the translation is ready, JAF sends you a download link with a unique code. You can print the translation at any 7-Eleven in Japan using their multi-function printer. The print fee is small (~¥150 in coins). The printed translation is the document you carry — there is no laminated card.

6. Step 6

   Carry the translation + your original licence

   You must carry BOTH the JAF translation AND your original home licence while driving in Japan. Either alone is insufficient. Rental car companies will check both at pickup. The combination is legally valid for up to 1 year from your date of entry into Japan.

Caveats — what can go wrong

• JAF translation does NOT extend to non-listed countries. A Spanish, Dutch, Austrian, Swedish, or Norwegian licence holder cannot use this route — they need a 1949 Geneva IDP, which their country does not issue (because they joined Vienna 1968 instead). The practical answer for these nationalities is to get a 1949 Geneva IDP from a country that does still issue them (Italy, for some Italian residents) or, more commonly, take a Japanese driving test.
• The 1-year clock starts on your DATE OF ENTRY into Japan, not on the JAF translation issue date. If you stay longer than 1 year, you must convert to a Japanese licence — the JAF translation does not extend.
• The JAF translation is not a separate driving permit. It is a translation that makes your home licence legible to Japanese police and rental agents. If your home licence expires or is revoked, the translation also becomes invalid.
• The 1 April 2026 fee increase to ¥6,000 reflects JAF's administrative cost. Some commercial translation services advertise lower prices — these are not equivalent. Only JAF-issued translations are accepted by Japanese authorities.

Frequently asked

What is the difference between a JAF translation and an IDP?

An IDP is a separate booklet issued under an international treaty (1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna). Japan accepts 1949 Geneva IDPs. A JAF translation is NOT an IDP — it is a Japanese-language translation of your home licence, valid only because of bilateral arrangements between Japan and the listed countries.

Can I use a JAF translation to convert to a Japanese licence?

No. The JAF translation lets you drive on your foreign licence; it does not by itself entitle you to a Japanese licence. Conversion to a full Japanese licence requires a separate "gaimen kirikae" application at a Japanese driver licence centre, which involves document checks and possibly a practical test.

I am German and already have an EU IDP. Can I use that in Japan?

No. Germany issues IDPs under the 1968 Vienna Convention only. Japan does NOT accept 1968 Vienna IDPs. As a German, you must use the JAF translation route. The German Embassy in Tokyo will confirm this.

What about Spain, Netherlands, or other EU countries not on the JAF list?

Spanish, Dutch, Austrian, Swedish, Norwegian, and most other EU residents are not on the JAF translation list. Their options in Japan are limited. The most reliable path is to convert to a Japanese licence (gaimen kirikae) which requires Japanese residency, or simply not drive in Japan as a short-term visitor.

Where can I print the translation?

Any 7-Eleven in Japan with a multi-function printer. JAF provides a download code; you enter it at the printer kiosk. Print fee is ~¥150.

Related guides

• Hong Kong "Direct Issue" full driving licence — the foundation

Sources

1. [1]JAF — Apply for a translation of foreign driver licence — Japan Automobile Federation · accessed 2026-05-26
2. [2]JAF — How to apply for a translation — Japan Automobile Federation · accessed 2026-05-26
3. [3]JAF — Japanese Translation of Foreign Driver Licence (2026 PDF) — Japan Automobile Federation · accessed 2026-05-26