How long does the translation process take?

The official translation process takes 1-3 days for Rush (estimated)*, 5-7 days for Express, and 3-4 weeks for Standard. This includes document review, submission to the issuing authority in Japan, and delivery of your PDF by email. We recommend applying before your trip.

What's the difference between this and an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

An IDP is a multi-country document issued by your home country. However, Japan does not accept IDPs from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan because these countries signed the 1968 Vienna Convention, not the 1949 Geneva Convention that Japan recognizes. Instead, you need an official Japanese translation of your license.

How long is the translation valid?

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. The same translation can be used for multiple trips as long as your original license remains valid.

Can I use this at any rental car company in Japan?

Yes. Our translation is an officially recognized document issued by an authorized translation service in Japan. Every rental car company — Toyota Rent a Car, Nippon Rent-A-Car, Times Car Rental, ORIX, Budget, and all others — will accept it.

✦ Your Passport to Japan's Open Roads

Drive Legally in Japan
Official License Translation

Q: Which countries require an official translation to drive in Japan?

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 an authorized body in Japan.

Q: What documents do I need to apply?

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.

Q: How will I receive my translation?

Your translation will be delivered as a PDF via email. Print it on A4 paper before your trip. You can also request the original document to be mailed to your hotel in Japan for an additional €10.

Q: What is your refund policy?

Before submission: Full refund if we haven't started processing. After submission: No refund, as processing fees are non-recoverable. If your application is rejected due to an ineligible license, we refund the full amount minus a ¥1,000 processing fee.

Get your 100% valid official Japanese translation online before you travel.
Required for Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan licenses.

100% Accepted in Japan

Digital Delivery in 48h

Japan-Based Official Team

Secure Payments via Stripe

Accepted at all major rental companies in Japan:

Interactive Guide

Can I Drive in Japan with My License?

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

1. Select the country that issued your driver's license:

🏛️

Independent JAF Submission Service

JDLTC is an independent proxy in Japan. We handle the process for you:

Apply from anywhere (No geoblocks)
PDF via email before you travel
Zero vacation time wasted at local offices

🇯🇵

Operated by a Registered Japanese Corporation

JDLTC is operated by キャンプ女子株式会社 (Camp Jyoshi Inc.), a legally registered company in Fukuoka, Japan. Our travel brand VAN TRIP JAPAN has been serving international visitors since 2023.

Legal Disclosure (特定商取引法) → 📧 info@vantripjapan.jp

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.

Delivered to your inbox

Receive your translation as a PDF. Print it anywhere — no special procedures needed.

Ready in as fast as 48 hours

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
✓ Delivered as PDF — print anywhere

Sample translation document (for illustration purposes)

How It Works

How to get your translation

Upload your license

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

Pay securely

Receive your translation

We process your official translation (Standard: 3-4 weeks, Express: 1 week, Rush: 1-3 days*). Receive your PDF by email — print it in color and carry it with your license. We can also mail the physical original directly to your hotel or rental company in Japan (additional fee).

Pricing

One seamless experience. Everything handled for you.

✦ All-Inclusive Service

€129

€99

A single fee covers your entire translation journey.

One-time payment · No subscription

✓ 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 | ✅ No data stored on our servers

🛡️

Money-Back Guarantee Full refund if not accepted by rental agencies

⚡

As Fast as 48h Delivery Rush option available for urgent needs

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Japan-Based Team Real bilingual staff handling your case

Why You Need JDLTC

"Can't I just apply through the J-Agency myself?"

Japan's official translation is issued by the J-Agency (an official authority in Japan). But there's a catch — you need a Japanese address to apply. That's where we come in.

	J-Agency Direct Application	Via JDLTC For Tourists
Japanese Address	❌ Required You must have a registered address in Japan	✅ Not needed We use our Japan office address on your behalf
Who can apply?	Japan residents only Not available for short-term visitors	Anyone, from anywhere Apply online before your trip
Application Language	Japanese only Official portal & forms in Japanese	EN · DE · FR · 中文 Apply in your own language
Support	Standard inquiry form Japanese responses only	Dedicated bilingual concierge WhatsApp · LINE · Email · Phone
Document Delivery	Mailed to your Japan address Domestic postal mail only	PDF via email (Print at any convenience store in Japan) PDF emailed to you — print instantly at any convenience store in Japan, even if you are already in Japan. Optional hotel delivery also available.
The result	Official Translation	Same Official Translation Identical official document, we just handle the process

JDLTC acts as your Japan-based representative. We submit your application to the official agency, receive the translation at our office, and deliver it to you — so you don't need a Japanese address or speak Japanese.

Start Application →

Why Trust Us

Backed by a Japan-based travel company.

JDLTC is operated by VAN TRIP JAPAN — a campervan rental service in Fukuoka. We started this because our own customers kept asking us for help with license translations. Here's how we work:

A real person handles your case

No bots, no AI chat. Your application is reviewed by our bilingual Japanese staff. Have questions? Write us — we reply within 24 hours.

Full refund if we can't help

If your license turns out to be ineligible, we refund you in full minus a small processing fee. No fine print.

Email updates at every step

You'll know exactly where your application stands. We send you a confirmation, a processing update, and your completed PDF — all by email.

About the Operator

A real Japanese company,
serving real travelers.

🇯🇵

キャンプ女子株式会社 (Camp Jyoshi Inc.)

We are a legally registered Japanese corporation based in Fukuoka. Our team operates VAN TRIP JAPAN, a campervan rental service for international travelers. We started JDLTC because our own customers kept asking us for help getting their license translations — so we built this service to make it easy for everyone.

📍

Location Fukuoka, Japan

👤

Representative Shibagaki

📧

Email info@vantripjapan.jp

💬

Chat Support WhatsApp · LINE

View Full Legal Disclosure (特定商取引法に基づく表記) →

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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 PDF by email. We recommend applying before your trip.

An IDP is a multi-country document issued by your home country. However, Japan does not accept IDPs from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, or Taiwan. Instead, you need an official Japanese translation of your license — which is 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 minus a ¥1,000 processing fee.

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.

Your translation will be delivered as a PDF via email. Print it on A4 paper before your trip. You can also request the original document to be mailed to your hotel in Japan for an additional €10 — just contact us at least 1 week before your check-in.

Yes. Our translation is an officially recognized document issued by an authorized translation service in Japan. Since it is issued within Japan and recognized under Japanese law, every rental car company in Japan — Toyota Rent a Car, Nippon Rent-A-Car, Times Car Rental, ORIX, Budget, and all others — will accept it. Simply present your printed translation together with your original driver's license when picking up your vehicle.

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 vs IDP

Why you can't use an IDP
in Japan.

Japan only accepts International Driving Permits issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. If your country signed the 1968 Vienna Convention instead, 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	✅ All agencies accept it
Apply from home?	✅ Yes	✅ Yes — 100% 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 →

Legal Basis: Driving in Japan with a Foreign License

Road Traffic Act Article 107-2: Under Japanese law (道路交通法第107条の2), holders of a valid foreign driver's license may drive in Japan for up to one year from the date of entry, provided they carry either: (1) an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, or (2) an official Japanese translation of their license issued by an authorized body.

Geneva vs. Vienna Convention: Japan recognizes only the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. Countries that signed the 1968 Vienna Convention instead (Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco) cannot issue a Japan-valid IDP. Taiwan is not a signatory to either convention. Drivers from all six of these countries/regions must obtain an official Japanese translation.

Official Translation Issuers: According to official guidelines, Japanese translations must be issued by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or respective embassies/consulates in Japan. JDLTC acts as a convenient online representative that prepares, submits, and retrieves the translation from these official bodies on your behalf, enabling you to apply from anywhere in the world before your trip.

Operated by: VAN TRIP JAPAN (キャンプ女子株式会社), Fukuoka, Japan. Licensed service since 2024.

Last updated: June 13, 2026 | References: JAF Official Translation Page, e-Gov 道路交通法, UN Treaty Collection (Geneva Convention 1949)

Drive Legally in Japan
Official License Translation

Can I Drive in Japan with My License?

Result

Independent JAF Submission Service

Operated by a Registered Japanese Corporation

Everything you need
to drive in Japan.

Officially recognized translation

Apply before your trip

Delivered to your inbox

Ready in as fast as 48 hours

An official Japanese
driving translation.

How to get your translation

Upload your license

Pay securely

Receive your translation

One seamless experience. Everything handled for you.

"Can't I just apply through the J-Agency myself?"

Backed by a Japan-based travel company.

A real person handles your case

Full refund if we can't help

Email updates at every step

A real Japanese company,
serving real travelers.

キャンプ女子株式会社 (Camp Jyoshi Inc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Driving guides for
your country.

Switzerland

Germany

France

Taiwan

Belgium & Monaco

Complete Guide

Why you can't use an IDP
in Japan.

Operated by a Japan-based
travel company.

Questions? We're here to help.

Legal Basis: Driving in Japan with a Foreign License

Ready to drive in Japan?

Drive Legally in Japan Official License Translation

Can I Drive in Japan with My License?

Result

Independent JAF Submission Service

Operated by a Registered Japanese Corporation

Everything you needto drive in Japan.

Officially recognized translation

Apply before your trip

Delivered to your inbox

Ready in as fast as 48 hours

An official Japanesedriving translation.

How to get your translation

Upload your license

Pay securely

Receive your translation

One seamless experience. Everything handled for you.

"Can't I just apply through the J-Agency myself?"

Backed by a Japan-based travel company.

A real person handles your case

Full refund if we can't help

Email updates at every step

A real Japanese company,serving real travelers.

キャンプ女子株式会社 (Camp Jyoshi Inc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Driving guides foryour country.

Switzerland

Germany

France

Taiwan

Belgium & Monaco

Complete Guide

Why you can't use an IDPin Japan.

Operated by a Japan-basedtravel company.

Questions? We're here to help.

Legal Basis: Driving in Japan with a Foreign License

Ready to drive in Japan?

Drive Legally in Japan
Official License Translation

Everything you need
to drive in Japan.

An official Japanese
driving translation.

A real Japanese company,
serving real travelers.

Driving guides for
your country.

Why you can't use an IDP
in Japan.

Operated by a Japan-based
travel company.