Can you drive in Japan?
These are road-legal karts on public roads, so Japanese law decides who may ride — not us. Four documents work. Everything else is a refusal at the counter, so read this before you book.
These are road-legal karts on public roads, so Japanese law decides who may ride — not us. Four documents work. Everything else is a refusal at the counter, so read this before you book.
Search for the country that issued your licence and we’ll say exactly what to bring — the same four rules below, matched to you.
Can’t find your country?
We’re happy to help you figure out what you need.
You can drive
Bring these documents
Apply for the permit in before you fly — they are not sold in Japan, and we cannot issue one for you.
Important: Make sure the permit says 1949. A 1968 Vienna Convention permit will not work, whatever else is on it.
Alternative
Stationed here with the US forces? A SOFA licence is enough on its own — no permit, no translation.
You can drive
Bring these documents
Six countries do not issue permits Japan accepts, and is one of them. Instead you bring a Japanese translation of your licence, made by JAF — the Japan Automobile Federation. Order it from them before you travel.
Important: Make sure the translation is from JAF. A translation you arranged yourself is not accepted.
You can drive
Bring these documents
A full Japanese licence in your own name is all you need. No permit, no translation.
Important: A learner permit or a provisional licence is not enough.
Ask us first
Japan only accepts licences and permits from a fixed list of countries, and is not one we can confirm here. Message us with a photo of your licence before you book and we will tell you straight away.
Important: Do not book on the assumption it will be fine — we cannot refund a Rider we are not allowed to let drive.
No country matches "" — message us and we'll check by hand.
On that last list? Japan only accepts licences and permits from a fixed list of countries. If yours is not on this page, message us with a photo of it before you book and we will tell you straight away.
The numbers on the drawing match the cards. Find yourself, then read what you physically hand over.
Most visitors
You can drive
1949 Geneva Convention
Apply for the permit in the country that issued your licence, before you fly — they are not sold in Japan, and we cannot issue one for you.
Important: Make sure the permit says 1949. A 1968 Vienna Convention permit will not work, whatever else is on it.
Six countries
You can drive
Belgium · France · Germany · Monaco · Switzerland · Taiwan
These six do not issue permits Japan accepts. Instead you bring a Japanese translation of your licence, made by JAF — the Japan Automobile Federation. Order it from them before you travel.
Important: Make sure the translation is from JAF. A translation you arranged yourself is not accepted.
Residents of Japan
You can drive
No permit, no translation
A full Japanese licence in your own name is all you need. No permit, no translation.
Important: A learner permit or a provisional licence is not enough.
US forces personnel
You can drive
Stationed in Okinawa
Stationed here with the US forces? A SOFA licence is enough on its own — no permit, no translation.
Almost certainly, yes. These are road-legal karts on public roads, so Japanese law decides who may drive.
1968 is the one that catches most European riders out. Check the cover before you fly: we cannot make an invalid permit valid at the counter, and we cannot refund a rider we are not allowed to let drive.
Where to get a permit, what JAF is, and what happens if you turn up without one. Everything else is onthe FAQ.
Almost certainly, yes. These are road-legal karts on public roads, so Japanese law decides who may drive.
You need one of four things: a Japanese driving licence, an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, a licence from one of six listed countries plus an official JAF translation, or a SOFA licence. Your home licence on its own is never enough.
No. Japan accepts only the 1949 Geneva Convention permit, and the year is printed on the front cover. Permits issued under the 1926, 1943 and 1968 conventions are not valid here.
1968 is the one that catches most European riders out. Check the cover before you fly: we cannot make an invalid permit valid at the counter, and we cannot refund a rider we are not allowed to let drive.
In your own country, before you travel. They are not sold in Japan and we cannot issue one for you.
It also has to be carried together with the licence it was issued against — a permit on its own is void, which is printed on the permit itself.
Six countries are handled by translation instead: Switzerland, Germany, France, Taiwan, Belgium and Monaco. You bring your home licence plus an official Japanese translation of it made by JAF, the Japan Automobile Federation, ordered from them before you travel. A translation you arranged yourself is not accepted.
Estonia is a special case: JAF’s current English list and the 1949 party list disagree on it, so we are not guessing either way. If you hold an Estonian licence, message us before booking.
A SOFA licence is enough on its own — no permit, no translation. The same goes for dependants holding one.
Message us with a photo of your licence before you book and we will tell you straight away.
Japan accepts licences and permits from a fixed list of countries, and guessing in either direction is what gets riders turned away. Ask first — it takes a minute and it is free.
Then the only thing left to pick is 60 minutes or 90.
