The Official License Translation
You Need to Drive in Japan

Q: Which countries need an official translation?

Drivers from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Japan. Instead, Japanese law requires an official translation of your driver's license issued by an authorized body in Japan (JAF - Japan Automobile Federation). We handle this entire process for you.

Q: How long does it take, and how will I receive my translation?

The official translation process takes 3-4 weeks for Standard, 1 week (5-7 days) for Express, and 1-3 days for Rush (estimated)*. This includes our review, submission to the issuing authority in Japan, and delivery of your translation as a PDF via email — print it on A4 paper before your trip. You can also request the original document to be mailed to your hotel in Japan for an additional €10 (contact us at least 1 week before your check-in).

Q: What is your refund policy?

Before submission: Full refund if we haven't started processing. After submission: No refund, as processing fees are non-recoverable. If your application is rejected due to an ineligible license, we refund the full amount minus a ¥1,000 processing fee.

Q: What documents do I need to apply?

You only need clear photos of both sides of your valid driver's license (front and back). We accept JPEG or PNG images. Make sure all text and your photo are clearly visible. No other documents are required.

Q: Can I use this at any rental car company in Japan?

Yes. Our translation is an officially recognized document issued by an authorized translation service in Japan. Every rental car company in Japan — Toyota Rent a Car, Nippon Rent-A-Car, Times Car Rental, ORIX, Budget, Hertz, and all others — will accept it. It's also accepted at police checkpoints and toll booths. Simply present your printed translation together with your original driver's license when picking up your vehicle.

Q: How long is the translation valid?

The translation is valid for 1 year from your date of entry into Japan. If you leave and re-enter, the validity period resets from your new entry date.

For licenses from the six countries below, an IDP isn't valid in Japan. Get your official translation online before you fly.

Apply Now — €99 Not sure you need this? Check your country →

Required for these licenses:

🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇩🇪 Germany 🇫🇷 France 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇲🇨 Monaco 🇹🇼 Taiwan

🔒 Secure payment via Stripe · ⚡ 48h Rush available · 🇯🇵 Registered Japanese company

Accepted at every major rental car company in Japan.

Check if you need this

Can I Drive in Japan with My License?

Select your country to instantly verify your legal driving requirements in Japan.

1. Select the country that issued your driver's license:

🏛️

Independent JAF Submission Service

JDLTC is an independent proxy in Japan. We handle the process for you:

Apply from anywhere (No geoblocks)
PDF via email before you travel
Zero vacation time wasted at local offices

🇯🇵

Operated by a Registered Japanese Corporation

JDLTC is operated by キャンプ女子株式会社 (Camjyo Inc.), a legally registered company in Fukuoka, Japan. Our travel brand VAN TRIP JAPAN has been serving international visitors since 2023 — we built JDLTC because our own campervan customers kept asking for help with license translations. Every application is reviewed by our bilingual Japanese staff, with email updates at every step.

About us → Legal Disclosure (特定商取引法) → 📧 [email protected] 💬 WhatsApp 💬 LINE

Why Choose Us

Everything you need
to drive in Japan.

Officially recognized translation

We handle your official driving translation so you can legally drive in Japan. Required for drivers from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan.

Apply before your trip

No need to wait until you arrive. Apply from home in your own language.

Delivered to your inbox

Receive your translation as a PDF. Print it anywhere — no special procedures needed.

Ready in as fast as 48 hours

Apply online in 5 minutes. Skip the slow official procedures. Get your digital translation fast.

What You Receive

An official Japanese
driving translation.

Your completed translation is a legally recognized document that allows you to drive in Japan. Present it alongside your original license at any rental car agency or police checkpoint.

✓ Officially recognized in all of Japan
✓ Bilingual format (Japanese + your language)
✓ Valid for 1 year from your entry date
✓ Delivered as PDF — print anywhere

Sample translation document (for illustration purposes)

How It Works

How to get your translation

Upload your license

Take a photo of front and back. We accept all 6 eligible countries.

Pay securely

Secure payment via Stripe (Credit Card, Bancontact, Sofort). Your card info never touches our servers.

Receive your translation

We process your official translation (Standard: 3-4 weeks, Express: 1 week, Rush: 1-3 days*). Receive your PDF by email — print it in color and carry it with your license. We can also mail the physical original directly to your hotel or rental company in Japan (additional fee).

Pricing

One seamless experience. Everything handled for you.

✦ All-Inclusive Service

€99

A single fee covers your entire translation journey.

One-time payment · No subscription

✓ Officially recognized translation

✓ PDF delivered to your email

✓ Multilingual customer support

✓ Digital confirmation via email

✓ Valid for 1 year from entry

Start Application →

🔒 256-bit SSL encryption | 💳 Powered by Stripe (Visa, Mastercard, Bancontact, Sofort) | ✅ Card data handled solely by Stripe

🛡️

Fair Refund Policy Full refund before we begin processing your application

⚡

As Fast as 48h Delivery Rush option available for urgent needs

🇯🇵

Japan-Based Team Real bilingual staff handling your case

Why You Need JDLTC

"Can't I just apply through the J-Agency myself?"

Japan's official translation is issued by the J-Agency (an official authority in Japan). But there's a catch — you need a Japanese address to apply. That's where we come in.

	J-Agency Direct Application	Via JDLTC For Tourists
Japanese Address	❌ Required You must have a registered address in Japan	✅ Not needed We use our Japan office address on your behalf
Who can apply?	Japan residents only Not available for short-term visitors	Anyone, from anywhere Apply online before your trip
Application Language	Japanese only Official portal & forms in Japanese	EN · DE · FR · 中文 Apply in your own language
Support	Standard inquiry form Japanese responses only	Dedicated bilingual concierge WhatsApp · LINE · Email · Phone
Document Delivery	Mailed to your Japan address Domestic postal mail only	PDF via email (Print at any convenience store in Japan) PDF emailed to you — print instantly at any convenience store in Japan, even if you are already in Japan. Optional hotel delivery also available.
The result	Official Translation	Same Official Translation Identical official document, we just handle the process

JDLTC acts as your Japan-based representative. We submit your application to the official agency, receive the translation at our office, and deliver it to you — so you don't need a Japanese address or speak Japanese.

Start Application →

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Faster & more affordable than visiting a JAF office in person — and you can apply from anywhere in the world, before you even arrive in Japan.

Drivers from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Japan. Instead, Japanese law requires an official translation of your driver's license (issued by JAF - Japan Automobile Federation ↗). We handle this entire process for you.

Yes! You can apply from anywhere in the world. We submit your translation request in Japan on your behalf. We recommend applying at least 1 month before your trip to allow enough time.

The official translation process takes 3–4 weeks for Standard, 1 week (5-7 days) for Express, and 1–3 days for Rush*. This includes our review, submission to the issuing authority in Japan, and delivery of your translation as a PDF via email — print it on A4 paper before your trip. You can also request the original document to be mailed to your hotel in Japan for an additional €10 (contact us at least 1 week before your check-in). We recommend applying before your trip.

An IDP is a multi-country document issued by your home country. If your country signed the 1949 Geneva Convention, you can drive in Japan with an IDP. However, Japan does not accept IDPs from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan — these countries signed the 1968 Vienna Convention instead (or, in Taiwan's case, neither). If your license is from one of these six countries/regions, you need an official Japanese translation of your license — which is exactly what we provide.

Before submission: Full refund if we haven't started processing your application.
After submission: No refund, as processing fees are non-recoverable.
If your application is rejected due to an ineligible license, we will refund the full amount minus a ¥1,000 processing fee.

You only need clear photos of both sides of your valid driver's license (front and back). We accept JPEG or PNG images. Make sure all text and your photo are clearly visible. No other documents are required.

Yes. Our translation is an officially recognized document issued by an authorized translation service in Japan. Since it is issued within Japan and recognized under Japanese law, every rental car company in Japan — Toyota Rent a Car, Nippon Rent-A-Car, Times Car Rental, ORIX, Budget, Hertz, and all others — will accept it. It's also accepted at police checkpoints and toll booths. Simply present your printed translation together with your original driver's license when picking up your vehicle.

The translation is valid for 1 year from your date of entry into Japan. If you leave and re-enter, the validity period resets from your new entry date.

Official Translation vs IDP

Why you can't use an IDP
in Japan.

Japan only accepts International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. If your country signed the 1968 Vienna Convention instead, you need an official Japanese translation.

	IDP (International Driving Permit)	Official Translation ✓ ↗
Valid in Japan?	❌ Not for CH/DE/FR/BE/MC/TW	✅ Yes — legally recognized
Accepted by rental agencies?	❌ Will be refused	✅ All agencies accept it
Apply from home?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes — 100% online
Legal basis	Geneva Convention 1949	Road Traffic Act Art. 107-2 ↗
Validity	1 year	1 year from entry date

Learn more about Official Translation vs IDP →

Legal Basis: Driving in Japan with a Foreign License

Road Traffic Act Article 107-2: Under Japanese law (道路交通法第107条の2), holders of a valid foreign driver's license may drive in Japan for up to one year from the date of entry, provided they carry either: (1) an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, or (2) an official Japanese translation of their license issued by an authorized body.

Geneva vs. Vienna Convention: Japan recognizes only the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. Countries that signed the 1968 Vienna Convention instead (Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco) cannot issue a Japan-valid IDP. Taiwan is not a signatory to either convention. Drivers from all six of these countries/regions must obtain an official Japanese translation.

Official Translation Issuers: According to official guidelines, Japanese translations must be issued by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or respective embassies/consulates in Japan. JDLTC acts as a convenient online representative that prepares, submits, and retrieves the translation from these official bodies on your behalf, enabling you to apply from anywhere in the world before your trip.

Operated by: VAN TRIP JAPAN (キャンプ女子株式会社), Fukuoka, Japan. Licensed service since 2024.

Last updated: June 13, 2026 | References: JAF Official Translation Page, e-Gov 道路交通法, UN Treaty Collection (Geneva Convention 1949)

The Official License Translation
You Need to Drive in Japan

Can I Drive in Japan with My License?

Result

Independent JAF Submission Service

Operated by a Registered Japanese Corporation

Everything you need
to drive in Japan.

Officially recognized translation

Apply before your trip

Delivered to your inbox

Ready in as fast as 48 hours

An official Japanese
driving translation.

How to get your translation

Upload your license

Pay securely

Receive your translation

One seamless experience. Everything handled for you.

"Can't I just apply through the J-Agency myself?"

Frequently Asked Questions

Why you can't use an IDP
in Japan.

Questions? We're here to help.

Legal Basis: Driving in Japan with a Foreign License

Ready to drive in Japan?

Read before you drive
in Japan.

JAF License Translation Guide

Driving Tips for Japan

Do I Need an IDP or a Translation?

Driving guides for
your country.

Switzerland

Germany

France

Taiwan

Belgium & Monaco

Complete Guide

The Official License Translation You Need to Drive in Japan

Can I Drive in Japan with My License?

Result

Independent JAF Submission Service

Operated by a Registered Japanese Corporation

Everything you needto drive in Japan.

Officially recognized translation

Apply before your trip

Delivered to your inbox

Ready in as fast as 48 hours

An official Japanesedriving translation.

How to get your translation

Upload your license

Pay securely

Receive your translation

One seamless experience. Everything handled for you.

"Can't I just apply through the J-Agency myself?"

Frequently Asked Questions

Why you can't use an IDPin Japan.

Questions? We're here to help.

Legal Basis: Driving in Japan with a Foreign License

Ready to drive in Japan?

Read before you drivein Japan.

JAF License Translation Guide

Driving Tips for Japan

Do I Need an IDP or a Translation?

Driving guides foryour country.

Switzerland

Germany

France

Taiwan

Belgium & Monaco

Complete Guide

The Official License Translation
You Need to Drive in Japan

Everything you need
to drive in Japan.

An official Japanese
driving translation.

Why you can't use an IDP
in Japan.

Read before you drive
in Japan.

Driving guides for
your country.