International Driving Permit

[madmick]

Hi all,

Anyone got experience getting an international driving permit from here in Japan for use in other countries?

Appreciate any direction.

[RetireJapan]

Many times. I just go to the driving license center here in Sendai -there is a set time so best to call to ask in advance. You just need your Japanese license, a photo, the fee, and details of your trip (they need this for some reason, just make something up if you don't have firm plans yet). Valid for a year and you have to return expired ones to the license center (we always 'lose' ours).

[goodandbadjapan]

It's very easy. My UK license couldn't be renewed from the old paper one to the current ones without me moving back there so I now just use my J license to get an international permit before I go back. Just go to your local driving centre place - you fill in a form, need a photo of the correct size (passport size, I think) and your licence and possibly passport (can't remember exactly but all the info is online). You pay a couple of thousand yen and you get it there. Usually takes me about an hour in total. Just go along with all your id and the form will be at the centre. The permit is valid for a year.

[rasselbiluga]

Same here in Chiba. You go to the driving license center, bringing your Japanese drivers licence, your passport, a photo with the correct size, and the fee. Last time I did it it took less than an hour. Anyway I recommend to you check the procedure for your prefecture, the info should be online.

[kuma]

The fee is 2,350 yen in my location, and I think this will be the same nationwide.

Straightforward process in my experience. I was asked which country/ies I’d be visiting, but was not asked for evidence of this.

[madmick]

Thank you everyone, sounds pretty straightforward.

[eyeswideshut]

Many times. I just go to the driving license center here in Sendai -there is a set time so best to call to ask in advance. You just need your Japanese license, a photo, the fee, and details of your trip (they need this for some reason, just make something up if you don't have firm plans yet). Valid for a year and you have to return expired ones to the license center (we always 'lose' ours).

Just a heads up that some license centers (mostly in Tokyo) are really strict about showing a print out of your international flight ticket so it may be wise to print out your e-ticket in advance (showing them my phone screen was not enough).

On a side note - if Japan would add basic English and Roman dates to its driver's license, in many cases you would not need to use an international permit and you could drive internationally just using your Japanese license. I assume they don't do this here because selling IDP's keeps the boys in jobs.

[RetireJapan]

Just a heads up that some license centers (mostly in Tokyo) are really strict about showing a print out of your international flight ticket so it may be wise to print out your e-ticket in advance (showing them my phone screen was not enough).

On a side note - if Japan would add basic English and Roman dates to its driver's license, in many cases you would not need to use an international permit and you could drive internationally just using your Japanese license. I assume they don't do this here because selling IDP's keeps the boys in jobs.

Oh, that is new and unpleasant. I would not have thought to take a printout with me.

My new license last year had 2027年 on it, but probably not enough alphabet info to use internationally.

[adamu]

You can technically use a JP licence without an IDP in the UK, but I wouldn't try it. It's not even recognisable as a driving licence if you can't read kanji

[eyeswideshut]

You can technically use a JP licence without an IDP in the UK, but I wouldn't try it. It's not even recognisable as a driving licence if you can't read kanji

Exactly - same for Canada and Australia.