Last checked: September 2026 · Part of our Japan rental car guide
If you are an American planning to drive in Japan, one small gray booklet decides whether you leave the airport with a rental car or with a canceled reservation. Japan does not accept a US driver’s license on its own, and you cannot get the permit you need once you are in Japan. Here’s exactly what to get, where to get it, and how long it takes.
- What you need: an International Driving Permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention, plus your valid US driver’s license and your passport.
- Where to get it: only from AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), the two issuers authorized by the US State Department.
- Cost: about $20 plus two passport-style photos. In person at AAA it can be same-day; by mail allow several weeks.
- How long it’s good for: one year from the issue date. In Japan you can drive on it for up to one year from your entry.
- Get it before you fly. It cannot be issued in Japan, and “online IDPs” from other websites are not accepted.
Find a rental car office at your arrival airport
The map shows an example area. Tap a button to open Google Maps in English with the rental offices closest to you right now.
What an International Driving Permit actually is
An IDP is not a license. It is an official translation of your US license into several languages, in a format that countries who signed the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic agree to recognize. Japan is one of them. The IDP is only valid together with your original license, so you must carry both.
1949 Geneva IDP
The gray paper booklet AAA and AATA issue to US license holders. This is the one you need.
Digital or “international license” cards
Plastic cards, PDFs and app-based “international licenses” from private websites are not legal permits in Japan.
A US license alone
Even with a Japanese translation printed out, a US license by itself does not let you drive in Japan.
Some other countries
Visitors with licenses from Taiwan, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium and Monaco use an official Japanese translation instead of an IDP.
How to get an IDP in the US, step by step
- Check you qualifyYou must be at least 18 and hold a US driver’s license that stays valid for your whole trip.
- Get two passport photosStandard 2×2 inch passport-style photos. Many AAA branches take them for you.
- Fill in the applicationDownload it from AAA or AATA, or pick it up at a branch. Sign the back of both photos.
- Apply in person or by mailAt a AAA branch you usually walk out with it the same day. By mail, include a copy of both sides of your license and allow several weeks. You don’t need to be a AAA member.
- Check the datesPick a start date on or before your trip. The IDP is valid for one year from that date and can’t be renewed, only reissued.
The one-year rule and other fine print
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long can I drive in Japan with an IDP? | Up to one year from the date you entered Japan, as long as the IDP and your US license are both still valid. |
| I live in Japan. Can I use an IDP? | Only for your first year as a resident. After that you need a Japanese license (short trips abroad of under three months don’t reset the clock). |
| Can I get an IDP in Japan? | No. It must be issued in the country that issued your license, before you leave. |
| Does every driver need one? | Yes. Everyone who will drive must be registered on the rental contract and show their own license, IDP and passport. |
| Does it cover motorcycles or scooters? | Only if your US license includes a motorcycle endorsement. The IDP lists the same vehicle classes as your license. |
What happens at the rental counter
- Paper IDP for each driver (staff photocopy it)
- Original US driver’s license, not expired
- Passport, so staff can confirm you are a short-term visitor
- Credit card in the main driver’s name
- Booking confirmation on your phone
Before your first drive: three rules to know
Keep left, turn wide right
Right turns cross oncoming traffic, like left turns in the US. Yield to oncoming cars and pedestrians.
Don’t drink at all
Japan’s limit is so low that one drink can put you over. Penalties are severe for the driver and passengers.
For car sizes, insurance, tolls and parking, see the full guide to renting a car in Japan.
Next step
Got your IDP? Now book the car
Once your permit is in hand, compare rental cars at Narita, Haneda, Kansai and other Japanese airports on Orbitz. Bring your IDP, US driver’s license and passport to the counter.
Affiliate link — if you book through Orbitz, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Check your cover before your first drive in Japan
An IDP lets you drive, but it does not protect you financially. Visitors pay the full cost of hospital care in Japan, and many US health plans cover little abroad. If you plan to drive, look at medical and rental car damage cover in your travel insurance.
Affiliate link: we may earn a fee if you get a quote from World Nomads, at no cost to you. We are not an insurance agent and this is not insurance advice; coverage varies by policy, so read the policy wording.Useful phrases
FAQ
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Japan?
Yes. US visitors need a 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit together with their valid US driver’s license and passport. A US license alone is not enough.
Where can Americans get an International Driving Permit for Japan?
Only from AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), the two organizations authorized by the US State Department. Apply before your trip; it cannot be issued in Japan.
How much does an IDP cost?
About $20 at AAA, plus the cost of two passport-style photos. Websites charging much more for “international driver’s licenses” are not official issuers.
Can I use a digital or online international driving permit in Japan?
No. Japan requires the paper IDP booklet issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Digital documents and plastic cards from private websites are not accepted.
How long is an IDP valid in Japan?
An IDP is valid for one year from its issue date. Visitors can drive in Japan with it for up to one year from their date of entry, within that validity.
