Official Japanese driving-licence translation, handled by a registered Japanese company — delivered to your inbox before your trip.

The Official License Translation
You Need to Drive in Japan

For licenses from the six countries below, an IDP isn't valid in Japan. You get the PDF by email before you fly to book your car, and the official paper original is delivered to you in Japan.

Apply Now — €99 Not sure you need this? Check your country →

Required for these licenses:

🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇩🇪 Germany 🇫🇷 France 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇲🇨 Monaco 🇹🇼 Taiwan

🔒 Secure payment via Stripe · ⚡ Rush: 1–3 business days · 🇯🇵 Registered Japanese company

The document rental counters in Japan ask for, in the format they expect.

Check if you need this

Can I Drive in Japan with My License?

Select your country to instantly verify your legal driving requirements in Japan.

Since 2023 Serving International Travelers as VAN TRIP JAPAN
6 Countries Supported
🇨🇭 🇩🇪 🇫🇷 🇧🇪 🇲🇨 🇹🇼
1 year Valid from your date of entry
1–3 days Rush option available
🏛️

We handle the official application in Japan

We're based in Japan and take care of the paperwork on your behalf. You apply from home:

  • Apply from anywhere — you don't need to be in Japan
  • PDF by email before you travel
  • Paper original delivered to your hotel or rental counter in Japan
🇯🇵

Operated by a Registered Japanese Corporation

JDLTC is operated by キャンプ女子株式会社 (Camjyo Inc.), a legally registered company in Fukuoka, Japan. Our travel brand VAN TRIP JAPAN has been serving international visitors since 2023 — we built JDLTC because our own campervan customers kept asking for help with license translations. Every application is reviewed by our bilingual Japanese staff, with email updates at every step.

Why Choose Us

Everything you need
to drive in Japan.

Officially recognized translation

We handle your official driving translation so you can legally drive in Japan. Required for drivers from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan.

Apply before your trip

No need to wait until you arrive. Apply from home in your own language.

Before you fly, it's in your inbox

The finished translation arrives as a PDF by email before you fly, ready for your rental booking, and the paper original is delivered to your hotel or rental counter in Japan. There is no pickup code to redeem once you land.

Rush option: 1–3 business days

Apply online in 5 minutes. Skip the slow official procedures. Get your digital translation fast.

What You Receive

An official Japanese
driving translation.

Your completed translation is a legally recognized document that allows you to drive in Japan. Present it alongside your original license at any rental car agency or police checkpoint.

  • ✓ Officially recognized in all of Japan
  • ✓ Bilingual format (Japanese + your language)
  • ✓ Valid for 1 year from your entry date
  • ✓ PDF by email before you fly, paper original delivered in Japan (€10)
Translation document sample

Sample translation document (for illustration purposes)

How It Works

How to get your translation

1

Upload your license

Take a photo of front and back. We accept all 6 eligible countries.

2

Pay securely

Secure payment via Stripe (Credit Card, Bancontact). Your card info never touches our servers.

3

Receive your translation

We process your official translation (Standard: 3-4 weeks, Express: 1 week, Rush: 1-3 days*). Receive the PDF by email to book your rental car. The official paper original for driving is delivered to your hotel or rental counter in Japan (€10).

Pricing

One seamless experience. Everything handled for you.

✦ Issuing fee included
€99

One-time payment · No subscription

Express (5–7 days) €139 · Rush (1–3 business days, estimated) €179
Paper original delivered in Japan: +€10

Many Japanese rental companies ask for the translation at the time of booking, not on pickup day. With the PDF in hand before you fly, you can reserve the car you actually want — early bookings also tend to be cheaper and have wider availability than last-minute ones.

✓ Officially recognized translation
✓ PDF delivered to your email
✓ Multilingual customer support
✓ Digital confirmation via email
✓ Valid for 1 year from entry
Start Application →
🔒 256-bit SSL encryption | 💳 Powered by Stripe (Visa, Mastercard, Bancontact) | ✅ Card data handled solely by Stripe
🛡️
Fair Refund Policy Full refund before we begin processing your application
⚡
Rush: 1–3 business days Rush option available for urgent needs
🇯🇵
Japan-Based Team Real bilingual staff handling your case

Your translation, ready for your trip

Apply online before travelling. The PDF reaches you by email before you fly, and the official paper original is delivered to you in Japan.

PDF by email, before you fly

Use it to book your rental car. Many rental companies ask for the translation when you reserve, so having it before you leave lets you book the car you actually want.

The paper original, delivered in Japan

This is the document you carry while driving. We send it to your hotel or rental counter in Japan, and it can arrive as early as the day after your translation is ready. Our team confirms with the hotel in Japanese that it can accept the parcel. Some rental companies cannot accept parcels, so please choose your hotel whenever possible.

JAF, which issues the translation, asks drivers to carry its paper original together with their licence. That is why we deliver the original to you in Japan. Document requirements ↗

Choose your licence country →Check prices & processing times →

What travellers told us after the rental counter

Renting car in Japan was very easy. I chose Toyota as this is what I drive back home. The car was in a nice condition and the experience was very pleasant. I had rented it online and when I arrived at the airport rental office, the car was ready, all documents were prepared and it took just a few minutes to get the car.
Natalia, Belgium · Toyota Rent a Car, airport office · 2026-10
Everything worked smoothly in both rental agencies (SIXT & Nissan Rent a car).
Anaïs & Olivier, France · SIXT & Nissan Rent a Car · 2026-10
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

💡 You can apply from anywhere in the world, before you even arrive in Japan — no office visit, no Japanese address needed.
Drivers from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Japan. Instead, Japanese law requires an official translation of your driver's license (issued by JAF - Japan Automobile Federation ↗). We handle this entire process for you.
Yes! You can apply from anywhere in the world. We submit your translation request in Japan on your behalf. We recommend applying at least 1 month before your trip to allow enough time.
The official translation process takes 3–4 weeks for Standard, 1 week (5-7 days) for Express, and 1–3 days for Rush*. This includes our review, submission to the issuing authority in Japan, and delivery of your translation as a PDF via email. The official paper original, which you carry while driving, can be delivered to your hotel or rental counter in Japan for €10, as early as the day after your translation is ready. Some rental companies cannot accept parcels, so please choose your hotel whenever possible. We recommend applying before your trip.
An IDP is a multi-country document issued by your home country. If your country signed the 1949 Geneva Convention, you can drive in Japan with an IDP. Japan does not accept IDPs from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan. Switzerland and Germany never joined the Geneva Convention. France, Belgium and Monaco did join it, but now issue their IDPs under the newer 1968 Vienna format instead — which Japan, a Geneva-only signatory, does not accept. Taiwan is party to neither. If your license is from one of these six countries/regions, you need an official Japanese translation of your license — which is exactly what we provide.
Before submission: Full refund if we haven't started processing your application.
After submission: No refund, as processing fees are non-recoverable.
If your application is rejected due to an ineligible license, we will refund the full amount.
You only need clear photos of both sides of your valid driver's license (front and back). We accept JPEG or PNG images. Make sure all text and your photo are clearly visible. No other documents are required.
Yes. Our translation is an officially recognized document issued by an authorized translation service in Japan. Book your car with the PDF. While driving, carry the paper original together with your licence, as JAF requires. We deliver the original to your hotel or rental counter in Japan for €10, as early as the day after your translation is ready. Some rental companies cannot accept parcels, so please choose your hotel whenever possible.
The translation is valid for 1 year from your date of entry into Japan. If you leave and re-enter, the validity period resets from your new entry date.

Official translation — €99 including the issuing fee · Rush option: 1–3 business days

Start Application →
Official Translation vs IDP

Why you can't use an IDP
in Japan.

Japan only accepts International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Switzerland and Germany never joined it, so their IDPs aren't recognized. France, Belgium and Monaco did join it, but now issue IDPs under the newer 1968 Vienna format instead — which Japan doesn't accept either. If your country is one of these, you need an official Japanese translation.

IDP (International Driving Permit) Official Translation ✓ ↗
Valid in Japan? ❌ Not for CH/DE/FR/BE/MC/TW ✅ Yes — legally recognized
Accepted by rental agencies? ❌ Will be refused Accepted with your original license
Apply from home? ✅ Yes Yes — applied for online
Legal basis Geneva Convention 1949 Road Traffic Act Art. 107-2 ↗
Validity 1 year 1 year from entry date
Learn more about Official Translation vs IDP →

Your country in detail: why a Swiss IDP is invalid in Japan · German IDP rules in Japan · French IDP rejected in Japan · getting the JAF translation from Germany

Questions? We're here to help.

Reach us in English, German, French, or Chinese.

📧 Email 💬 WhatsApp 💬 LINE

Ready to drive in Japan?

Apply now. Receive your official translation before your trip.

Start Application →
Your Language

Read this in your
own language.

The same official Japanese translation service — explained in German, French, Dutch and Traditional Chinese, with prices and the application form in your language.

🇩🇪 🇨🇭 Deutsch
Führerschein für Japan übersetzen 🇫🇷 🇧🇪 🇲🇨 Français
Traduction du permis de conduire pour le Japon 🇧🇪 Nederlands
Belgisch rijbewijs vertalen voor Japan 🇹🇼 繁體中文
日本駕照翻譯（台灣駕照專用）
Country Guides

Driving guides for
your country.

Select your country for a detailed guide on requirements, rental car tips, recommended routes, and everything you need to know.

🇨🇭

Switzerland

Swiss license translation guide, rental car tips, and recommended road trip routes in Japan.

Read guide →
🇩🇪

Germany

German Führerschein translation, JAF requirements, and driving tips for Japan.

Read guide →
🇫🇷

France

Complete guide to driving in Japan with a French license.

Read guide →
🇹🇼

Taiwan

Complete guide to driving in Japan with a Taiwanese license, car rental tips, and recommended routes.

Read guide →
🇧🇪 🇲🇨

Belgium & Monaco

License translation requirements for Belgian and Monégasque drivers.

Read guide →
🚗

Complete Guide

Everything you need to know about driving in Japan as a tourist — IDP vs official translation, rental cars, rules & more.

Read guide →
Chat with us
€99 Official Translation
Apply Now →