Driving in Japan
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
Japan only accepts the 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit, which is the type issued in Australia by the AAA's state motoring clubs (NRMA, RACV, RACQ and so on). You must apply in Australia before you leave — you cannot get one once you're in Japan.
What Australian drivers need to know
- Carry your Australian licence, your IDP and your passport together — all three are required.
- Expressway tolls are expensive; a rental ETC card is worth it for long drives.
- Blood alcohol limit is effectively zero, and penalties extend to passengers who let a driver drink.
- Snow tyres or chains are compulsory in Hokkaido and the Japanese Alps in winter.
How to get an International Driving Permit in Australia
Only the state and territory motoring clubs affiliated with the Australian Automobile Association can issue one — NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT and AANT. It costs around $49, you don't need to be a member, and it's valid for 12 months.
You cannot get one once you have left Australia. Apply at least two weeks before you fly.
Read the full IDP guideInsurance warning. Australian travel insurance policies exclude claims from driving or riding without a valid licence for that vehicle in that country. A car licence does not cover a scooter — hiring one in Japan without a motorcycle class on your Australian licence means an accident is entirely uninsured.
More Japan essentials
Japan driving FAQs
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Japan?
Yes, if you plan to drive. Japan accepts only the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP, which you must apply for in Australia through your state motoring club before you leave. You cannot obtain one in Japan, and hire companies will refuse the car without it.
Watching Japan?
We'll email you when entry rules or prices change for Australians travelling to Japan.