Where To Get Your IDP In The 20 Countries With Most Visitors To Japan

I wrote a separate article explaining what an International Driving Permit (IDP) is, what the exceptions to getting one are, and how it works in Japan.

So how do you go about getting an International Driving Permit? Here is information for the 20 countries with the most visitors to Japan.

National Procedures For Getting An International Driving Permit

If you want to drive in Japan, you need to get an IDP before you leave home. You need to provide an identity-style photo (usually 35 by 40 mm, but this depends on your country), and the application form for your country. This form will be in the national language to begin with, usually containing fields that may not be relevant in other countries. You have to get the form from the agency providing the IDP, usually downloading it online. And usually there is an application fee, but how much depends on the country.

Here are the procedures for the 20 biggest visitor nations to Japan.

South Korea

International Driving Permits in Korea are issued by the Korea Automobile Association (KAA). It is possible to apply online.

Hong Kong

International Driving Permits in Hong Kong are issued by the Transport Department of the Hong Kong local government. To get an IDP, you have to visit their offices and present the required documents, including the application form, photo, payment, national ID card, and current driving license.

Thailand

If you live in Thailand and have a Thai driving license, and want to get an International Driving Permit, you just go to a Drivers License center, provide photos, application forms, and proof of identity, and show your current driver’s license – and they issue an IDP on the spot.

Singapore

In Singapore, you go to the Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS) which issues the IDP. You can do the application for the International driving permit online or in person at their offices. Either way, you have to show your current license, fill in an application form, provide photos, and pay for the service.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, you can either go to a state office of the JPJ (the Department of Road Transport) or to the Malaysia Automobile Association office. Application has to be done in person, and you need to show your license, proof of identity, provide an application form and a photo, and pay the service fee.

Philippines

International Driving Permits are issued by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP). You only need to bring your current driver’s license (and a copy), a photo, and the processing fee. Of course, you have to be a member of the AAP to apply. Application has to be made in person. The Philippines issue both 1968 and 1949 IDPs, so you have to apply for the right one (1949 IDP).

Vietnam

Vietnam is a signatory both to the 1949 and 1968 conventions, which means you have to get the right kind of IDP. You get it by applying at the Vietnam Road Administration or the Transport Department of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Other provincial-level Transport Departments can also issue IDP, usually within 5 working days. You need to bring your Vietnamese driver’s license, application form, photo, and the application fee.

India

In India, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issues the IDP. You need to apply at the office which handles the area where you live, using the correct application form, including a photo, and including the fee. You also need to show your driver’s license.

Be careful to get the booklet type with several pages of text. There is a card type that is sometimes issued in India (although it does not follow the convention format), and that is not valid in Japan. So make sure to get the right format.

United Kingdom

In the UK, you apply for your IDP at the post office. You need a valid Great Britain (GB) or Northern Ireland driving license to get an IDP. You may also get an IDP if your license was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.

Bring along your full valid photo-card license, a standard passport photograph (see FAQs), and your valid passport as proof of identification if presenting an older paper version license. Pay the fee and wait for the International Driving Permit to arrive (in the mail, of course).

France

In France, you make the application for your International Driving Permit (IDP) online. In addition to the proof of identity and driver’s license, you need to provide a photo and proof of domicile (where you live) not older than 6 months. You have to send the photo to the authorities. Remember that France is a signatory to both the 1949 and 1968 conventions, so you need to apply for the right format.

Italy

In Italy, you can apply for the International Driving Permit in several places, but you need to remember to apply for a 1949 permit, as Italy is a signatory to both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna agreements.

The International Driving Permit in Italy is issued by the Mororizzaione Civile, and you can apply at one of their offices, or a driving school. You need to bring the application form, photos, copies of your current driver’s license, and the application fee. It takes about 10 days for you to get the International Driving Permit after applying in Italy.

Spain

In Spain, you can make your application for an International Driving Permit online, using the national digital certificate. You pick up the permit at the driver’s license office (no reservation necessary). Remember to apply for a 1949 IDP, as Spain is a signatory to both the 1968 and 1949 conventions.

USA

In the US, the American Automobile Association (AAA) is the only organization licensed to issue IDP. You can get it at an AAA office (in which case you will get it the same day), or apply via mail. In either case, you need the application form, an ID-style photo of yourself, a copy of your driver’s license, and the application fee.

Canada

In Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association is responsible for issuing International Driving Permits. You apply at one of their offices in person, or via mail.

Australia

In Australia, the International Driving Permit is issued by the Australian Automobile Association. You can apply online or in one of their offices. You need to bring or provide the same things as everywhere else: A photo, application form, driver’s license (or a copy if you apply via mail), and the application fee.

China

China does not issue IDP, as it is not a member state of the 1949 Geneva Convention. If you are Chinese and want to drive in Japan, you have to convert your Chinese driver’s license to a Japanese one. Note that Hong Kong issues IDP.

Taiwan

For drivers from Taiwan, no IDP is necessary to drive in Japan. A translation of your driver’s license into Japanese is sufficient. The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) makes the translation, and it is delivered online.

Germany

The same as Taiwan, an official translation is all you need. Germans do not need the IDP to drive in Japan, as long as they have the official translation of their driver’s license.

Indonesia

Since Indonesia is not a member of the 1949 Geneva Convention, you can not use IDP issued in Indonesia to drive in Japan.

Translated Licenses

Translations of drivers licenses for people from countries where this is the alternative to an IDP is usually done by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF). Apart from the JAF, you can get a translation authorized by the authority who issued the license (if they provide that service), In Germany, the translation is done through the German Automobile Federation (ADAC) through a translation company.

The translation is valid until your driver’s license expires. You also have to do the translation within one year of arriving in Japan. Or before, if you intend to use it when you come to Japan.

But in reality, the validity is shorter. It has to be less than one year from the date of your entry into Japan. After one year, you have to replace your national license with a Japanese one.

The translation is valid for as long as the driver’s license is valid, but you have to renew it when the drivers’ license expires and you get a new license. Some countries offer the ability to renew a driver’s license in Japan but by no means all.

What If You Drive Without An IDP?

If you do not have a valid IDP and national driver’s license and manage to borrow a car (you will not be able to rent one without a valid IDP), the consequences for yourself and those who lent you the car can be very unpleasant.

The national drivers license is still needed in addition to the International Driving Permit. An IDP is formally only a translation of the drivers license.

You are under no circumstances allowed to drive in Japan without a valid driver’s license. A translation or 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit is always required.

And regardless, of course, you have to be over 18 years to drive a car in Japan. Even if you are 16 and have a drivers license, you are not allowed to drive.

Resources

Did you find this useful? Then chances are that you will find my book “Driving In Japan” even more useful. It has not just one, but two chapters about what you need to rent a car in Japan.