Road travel If you're planning to drive in Japan, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the Japan Automobile Federation driving guide. You'll need the 1949 version of the international driving permit ( IDP ) plus your UK driving licence and insurance documents with you in the car.
Long-term residents. For travelers temporarily visiting Japan, you will either be required to bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) under the Geneva Convention of 1949, or a driver's license from your own country with a valid legal translation of your license, which can be ordered from the company Driving-Japan.
Driving licenses issued by the authorities of Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland, and Taiwan are valid in Japan under the following conditions: 1. Your license is attached to a Japanese translation provided by the authorities that are stipulated by the applicable cabinet order.
Do I need an international driving licence to rent a car in Japan?
You will need your passport and International Driving Permit (IDP), recognized under the Geneva Convention(1949). The IDP must have an expiry date of one year after issue. It will be valid in Japan one year after entering the country (immigration stamp).
What is the penalty for driving without IDP in Japan?
When driving, you must carry a driver's license that is recognized as valid in Japan. If you are stopped without a valid driver's license, you could face imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to 500,000 yen.
Penalties can range from a fine to a citation. Without an IDP, a driver is therefore driving without a valid license and if stopped, highway patrols may seize the vehicle and arrest the driver or give him/her a citation for a mandatory court appearance.
An international driving permit issued in the United States by the American Automobile Association (AAA) is required of short-term visitors who drive in Japan. IDP's must be obtained prior to arriving in Japan.
Uber is available in Japan and works in Japan's major cities. Taxi GO is Japan's largest ride hailing app (with over 80% market share) and it's available in English. Ride sharing is not legal in Japan, so these apps work with existing taxi companies (they're more like taxi-hailing apps in Japan).
If you have a full UK driving licence - either a photocard or paper version - you can apply for an IDP at PayPoint stores. If you hold a driving licence from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a foreign country or drive under a diplomatic licence, you are unfortunately not eligible to apply.
The most popular places to rent a car are Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo. In Tokyo, it costs around $183 per day or $115 per week. In Osaka, it costs around $86 per day or $85 per week. In Sapporo, it costs around $72 per day or $193 per week.
In Japan, vehicles usually drive on the left-hand side of the road. Be sure to obey any signs that indicate a speed limit. The legal speed limit is 60 km per hour on general roads and 100 km per hour on expressways.
You do not need an IDP to drive in the EU , Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK. You might need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have either: a paper driving licence.
Do I need an international driver's license for Japan?
If you wish to drive in Japan and you have a foreign driver's licence, you will need to obtain an International Driving Permit. You will need to apply for this before you make your trip to Japan.
What's the average turnaround time for an IDP? You'll be able to collect your International Driving Permit straightaway provided you have the right documents and payment. You can buy an IDP ahead of time and delay the issue date by up to 3 months however you cannot back date the start of an IDP.
In Japan tipping is not customary. If you insist on leaving a tip this may be seen as rude - and can cause acute embarrassment even if you think someone should be rewarded extra for their work. Instead, thank your hosts politely, and be respectful.
Is Uber Cheaper Than a Taxi in Japan? No. Uber is more expensive than a standard taxi in Japan. This is because Uber connects you to an already existing taxi and then tacks on an additional app surcharge and/or fee.
Many taxis accept payment by credit card, and an increasing number accept payment by IC card, such as Suica. Stickers on the door usually indicate accepted payment methods. When paying in cash, try to avoid paying small amounts with large bills. Tipping is not common.
The roads are generally good and most drivers are safe and sensible. Due to the strict drink-driving laws in Japan you are very unlikely to meet a drunk driver. In fact based on number of fatalities per 100,000 vehicles you'll be enjoying your road trip in one of the top-10 safest countries in the world.
In Japan, no car is in principle allowed to turn left when a traffic light is red. You also cannot turn right when the light is red. However, you can move in the direction indicated with a green arrow even if there is also a red light.
Driving between Tokyo and Osaka can take around 6 to 8 hours, depending on the route and traffic. Keep this in mind before deciding which type of vehicle to book. Be the captain of your journey, rent a car!
If your number plate includes the UK identifier with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack), you do not need a UK sticker. However, you will need to display a UK sticker clearly on the rear of your vehicle if your number plate has any of the following: a GB identifier with the Union flag. a Euro symbol.
Your licence is recognised in France for as long as it is valid. Paper licences are usually valid until you are 70. For plastic photocard licences, the expiry date is on the front. If your UK licence has expired, or has less than 6 months' validity remaining, you must exchange it for a French licence.
