International Driving Permits, Obtaining a Japanese Driver Licence

Driving in Japan

To drive legally in Japan, you must hold either a valid International Driving Permit together with your New Zealand driver licence (see following limitation) or a Japanese driver licence. You cannot drive legally in Japan with a New Zealand driver licence alone.

International Driving Permits (IDPs) - only recognised for 12 months from the date you arrive in Japan

IDPs are valid for twelve months from the date of issue . However, you may only drive on an IDP for the first twelve months after you arrive in Japan. After you have been in Japan for twelve months, or the IDP period has expired, you will need to apply for a Japanese driver licence if you wish to continue driving. An IDP sent to you from overseas or issued afresh on a trip outside Japan will not be recognised after you have spent more than one year in Japan.

An IDP sent to you from overseas is still a valid form of drivers licence, but the twelve month period of validity will be from the landing date in Japan shown on your Alien Registration Card and not the date on the IDP.

You do not need to have an IDP translated into Japanese.

Please note that unless the Class A (motorcycle) category on your IDP is also validated, you cannot legally ride even a moped or scooter on Japanese roads based on a Class B (car) category validation alone.

This information is mentioned as a general guide only. For authoritative advice, please refer to the information provided on the Metropolitan Police Department's website.

For further information on IDPs, including how to have one sent to you from New Zealand, please see the New Zealand Automobile Association website.

Obtaining a Japanese Driver Licence

New Zealand driver licence holders can obtain a Japanese driver licence relatively easily without the need to undergo practical or written testing. Application will involve a visit to your local driver licence issuing centre (the International Section of your local city office should be able to inform you of the issuing centre nearest you). A simple eye test will be carried out at the issuing centre as part of the application. Basic English may be spoken at the larger issuing centres, however if you cannot speak Japanese you may wish to consider going with someone who can assist you.

You should check with the issuing centre in advance about what you will need to take with you. Generally speaking, the following will be required:

- Completed application form (available at the issuing centre)

- Application fee

- Passport

- Alien Registration Card

- Two passport sized photographs approximately 3cm high x 2.4cm wide

- Your New Zealand driver licence

- An official Japanese translation of your New Zealand driver licence issued by the Japan Automobile Federation or the Embassy (see below).

- Where your New Zealand licence lists two or more classes of vehicles eg passenger car and motorcycle, an official document such as a Certificate of Particulars obtained from the Land Transport Agency will be required which states not only the original issue date of the licence but also the dates you were licensed in each class.

- Evidence that you have spent at least three months in New Zealand since the original issue date of your New Zealand licence. Original issue date: this may not be shown on your photo licence if it was issued before 16 January 2006. If not, you can obtain a Certificate of Particulars showing the date from Land Transport New Zealand (see here). Evidence of period spent in New Zealand since licence issue: if requested, the Embassy can provide you with a statement verifying how long you have spent in New Zealand since the original issue date of your licence, by checking your New Zealand entry and departure records. There is no fee for issue of this statement. To receive a statement, please e-mail the Embassy Consular Section or fax (03) 3467-2278 requesting issue and providing a copy/scan your passport bio data page, the original issue date of your licence, and your postal address to which the statement can be mailed.

Japanese translation of New Zealand driver licence by the Embassy

The current fee for a Japanese translation of a New Zealand driver licence issued by the Embassy is ¥9,240. The processing time is three working days, exclusive of mailing times. Please post your licence (copy not accepted) to the Embassy at the below address by registered cash envelope, enclosing the application fee. Payment can be accepted in yen cash only. Please indicate whether you wish for a statement to be included with the translation verifying how long you have spent in New Zealand since the original issue date of the licence (see above section). Please include an original Certificate of Particulars if the original issue date is not shown on the licence, and a telephone number or e-mail address in case we need to contact you.

Embassy mailing address:

Consular Section
New Zealand Embassy
20-40 Kamiyama-cho
Shibuya-ku
TOKYO 150-0047

- Fees are subject to change without notice -