International Driving Permit

[madmick]

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).

Found this for Tokyo folk:

https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp ... gai01.html

[madmick]

Thank you everyone, sounds pretty straightforward.

It was straightforward, thank you again. Process took about 15 minutes. They didn't ask for my e-ticket btw, but they did request a very quick and cursory look at my zairyo card, which I suspect might've been to make sure the photo was not the same as the one I was submitting for the permit... this was my undoing at the immigration office when I tried to slip an older photo past them. I was prepared this time.

[TJKansai]

I think Hawaii and Guam don't require International permits.

I did have the issuing office request once or twice that I bring my old, expired permits to them. Doesn't seem to be a hard and fast rule, as losing/or tossing one after expiration is probably pretty common. I've had perhaps 15 over the years, and returned 10 at most.

[TJKansai]

Thank you everyone, sounds pretty straightforward.

It was straightforward, thank you again. Process took about 15 minutes. They didn't ask for my e-ticket btw, but they did request a very quick and cursory look at my zairyo card, which I suspect might've been to make sure the photo was not the same as the one I was submitting for the permit... this was my undoing at the immigration office when I tried to slip an older photo past them. I was prepared this time.

Yeah, I've done the old photo trick before (and clipped off the date).

[captainspoke]

I think Hawaii and Guam don't require International permits.
...

When in honolulu, a j-license has been fine--tho last time on the big isle (kailu-kona), while accepted, the reaction when they looked at my license, well, they could have been sucking air between their teeth (to put it in local terms).

The important part of this was that my license was then on a 10-year cycle, and closer to the end of that, and at that point, the expiration date was not yet using the western year system. This has now changed, so very probably no longer an issue.

[TokyoSurvivor]

Just did this today (13th May 2024) so here's an updated example if anyone is interested.

Required:
- Japanese driver's license
- Correct size photo (photo machine had an option for driver's license)
- Passport
- Summary of travel plans (dates needed for the form). For this I brought flight details but they never asked for it once I had entered the dates.
- Money - 2350 JPY

1. Card Machine:
At Shinjuku driver's license office you put your driver's license card into a special machine and select the option for "International Driver's Permit". I had guidance by a member of staff there and they seemed very used to dealing with Gaijins. A form will be printed out which is partially completed with your details.

2. Form filling desk:
Take the printed form with details from the license, verify details and add some extra stuff such as travel dates, purpose of travel, type of vehicle (motor bike/car/truck).

3. Payment counter:
Take the fully completed form, driver's license, photo, passport to the payment counter. They verify you have what's needed and then you pay 2,350 JPY. The form will then be stamped.

4. Counter that issues permit:
Take the completed form with paid stamp, driver's license, photo, passport to the counter that issues the permit. They will give you a number card which you wait to be called.

5. Collect permit!
After about 5-10 mins my permit was issued.

Pretty easy if you're prepared.

[KyushuWoozy]

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

Great information, I never knew this, thanks. I haven't rented a car in the UK for ages so I can't remember but I know here in Japan that only one driver needs to show their documents to the car rental company even though multiple drivers may be taking turns driving. This means I could show my UK licence to rent the car and Mrs Woozy can use her Japanese licence to drive. Turns out that drive all the way down to Cornwall when I go back next month isn't going to be so bad after all

[concerned]

Just submitted application at the local police office and they say to pick it up after 3 weeks