International Drivers Permit absolute must?
Aug 9, 2019, 2:10 am
#46
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 5,916
To clarify about the German/etc license. There are two different conventions, and the IDP will be different based on whichever convention your country has ratified. If you carry a German/etc IDP, it will not be valid in Japan. I would fully expect rental places to know this, and certainly the police would, and results could be rather unpleasant if you got into an accident. I’m scratching my head why people say that the wrong permit should be fine. Japan is the last country where I’d expect that they don’t know or are willing to bend the rules. I had a German DL years ago, and back then the requirement was to obtain a translation from the German embassy in Tokyo. So the auto club translation rule is actually an improvement.
Aug 10, 2019, 3:47 pm
#47
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,854
You need a valid drivers license (Japanese license or a foreign license and IDP.) If you have one and aren't carrying it in the vehicle it's a 3000 yen fine. If you don't have one, it's a 3 year jail sentence, 500,000 yen fine, and probable denial of any future entry into Japan.
Probably a good idea not to drive without an IDP.
Probably a good idea not to drive without an IDP.
Aug 10, 2019, 4:48 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
Yah it’s just a piece of paper no one reads that has zero business expiring after only a year when license and passport are the real documents and they’re good for 10yrs or more.
Aug 10, 2019, 7:28 pm
#49
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,304
I'm not willing to push my luck on that for $25. I was upset when my current IDP was filled out by a person somewhat in cursive and not the most legible handwriting. I was able to rent three cars in Japan using this IDP. Everything's accurate and current but akin to reading Japanese handwriting when you don't even read basic Japanese text all that well. It makes me think many rental agents casually check the basics are complete but don't scrutinize it heavily when you take the car out. The police might have a different approach and an agent might be very by-the-book if I brought back a damaged car...
Over five years ago a Uniqlo/Muji? JP sales associate ask me to re-sign the signature slip as the signature was different. I carefully did so. She stared at it a few more times and seemed to have to talk herself into it (If this happened more frequently, probably would have made a pseudo hanko or something). They're much less particular these days with IC/chip & electronic sign panel where the store tries to get me on DCC.
Over five years ago a Uniqlo/Muji? JP sales associate ask me to re-sign the signature slip as the signature was different. I carefully did so. She stared at it a few more times and seemed to have to talk herself into it (If this happened more frequently, probably would have made a pseudo hanko or something). They're much less particular these days with IC/chip & electronic sign panel where the store tries to get me on DCC.
Aug 10, 2019, 11:03 pm
#50
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
Actually I wasn't suggesting you don't need IDP with valid date. You definitely need it. But it's bogus that this piece of paper is only good for a year, and I was just agreeing with Richard that one could easily change the validity date. I'm not recommending it, I'm just saying.
Aug 11, 2019, 11:33 pm
#51
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
Over five years ago a Uniqlo/Muji? JP sales associate ask me to re-sign the signature slip as the signature was different. I carefully did so. She stared at it a few more times and seemed to have to talk herself into it (If this happened more frequently, probably would have made a pseudo hanko or something). They're much less particular these days with IC/chip & electronic sign panel where the store tries to get me on DCC.
Regarding the IDP, I've had mine checked a couple of dozen times by police and rental agencies. Nothing ever more than a cursory glance, but I'm sure they would look more carefully if you were involved in a serious accident. The one thing the rental agencies do check carefully now is residence status since they've gotten guidance from the police not to rent to foreigners on long term residence unless they have a Japanese license.
Aug 12, 2019, 10:42 am
#52
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: BRU, SIN, PEK
Programs: SQ TPP, LH SEN
Posts: 3,235
I have a Belgian license and got it sorted out at the JAF office near Hamamatsucho station within a few hours. Dropped it off mid-morning and then went back after lunch to pick it up. The translation is tied to the duration of validity of your license so it's a better deal than having to pay for a 1 yr IDP if you will be travelling to Japan regularly.
Aug 12, 2019, 12:14 pm
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,621
So I am a bit confused by all this again. The IDP is not valid with a German license then? As for residential status, I now have Swiss residency, so I will have to change my license for a Swiss one. But I'm not so sure they will issue an IDP with a new license, read something about it being a bit tricky.
I'm beginning to find this all such a PITA that I'm considering booking a tour, or just using local transport. I'm not a massive fan of car rentals and the crap and dishonesty practiced by the companies anyway.
I'm beginning to find this all such a PITA that I'm considering booking a tour, or just using local transport. I'm not a massive fan of car rentals and the crap and dishonesty practiced by the companies anyway.
Aug 13, 2019, 3:35 pm
#54
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,632
In case that's not clear, the countries that this rule applies to are Switzerland, Germany, France, Taiwan, Belgium, Monaco, and Estonia.
Did you know that the rules that stipulate that holders of licenses issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Taiwan, Belgium, Monaco, or Estonia must carry their license and a translation issued by JAF or the embassy of the country that issued the license?
An IDP issued by Switzerland is as much use in Japan as a Swiss chocolate teapot (Yum).
But, hey, if you don't like renting cars, that's another matter.
Aug 13, 2019, 4:37 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,621
Not me anyway, I'm from Scotland originally. Thanks very much jib71, that makes it totally clear. So I will just go to JAF in Sapporo with my license and off we go!~