MundoKit

International driving permit checker

Choose your licence origin, destination and visit type to find the published document route. Outside Japan, this tool covers UK-issued licences only; resident rules need a separate check.

Inputs

Results

Published route
1949 Geneva IDP required
Your document
Required document missing
Required format
1949
  • Current national guidance checked 2026-11-14. This is a format lookup, not a driving authorization.
  • Japan recognizes convention-compliant 1949 IDPs from eligible issuing countries; a 1968 permit does not substitute.
  • The Japanese driving window ends at the earlier of one year after landing or document expiry. IDPs last one year from issue. Registered residents returning after less than three months abroad do not restart the window.
  • Carry your original licence and passport, and verify vehicle categories, document validity and the authorized issuer.

Results update as you type. The share link stores your inputs after the # in the address, which is not sent to our server, but anyone you send it to can read them.

Last checked 2026-11-14. Rules change, sometimes at short notice. We list the date we last checked each official source; confirm with the official government source before you travel, buy or file. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.

How it works

The 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna conventions describe different permit systems. Treaty participation alone does not decide a visitor’s document requirements. We apply GOV.UK’s destination conditions to UK-issued licences and Japan’s police guidance to the selected Japan routes. These are the current rules checked on 14 November 2026, not a historical lookup.

For “longer than 90 days” profiles: IDP required when visit days > 90.

Whole-day comparisons use no rounding. Bahrain also triggers the requirement for car hire; Botswana’s selected profile triggers it for hire. Paper licences outside Japan are referred for an embassy check. No validity dates, vehicle categories or resident permissions are approved here.

Tokyo Police requires a convention-compliant 1949 permit from an eligible issuer. A 1968 permit does not work in Japan. The National Police Agency also provides a separate original-licence plus authorized Japanese-translation route for German licences.

Worked examples

UK licence in Japan

A temporary visitor with a valid full UK licence needs the 1949 format. Selecting a 1968 permit produces “Document does not match this route”.

Bahamas: the boundary matters

For a UK photocard holder, a 90-day visit does not trigger the listed IDP requirement. At 91 days, the result changes to a 1968 IDP requirement.

Bahrain: rental changes a short visit

A 14-day UK photocard visitor hiring a vehicle needs a 1968 IDP. With no hire, the duration alone does not trigger it. Local certification is also required.

Frequently asked questions

Can a 1968 IDP be used in Japan?
No. Japan recognizes the 1949 convention format for the IDP route. Buying a different format does not fix this.
How long can I drive in Japan on these documents?
The earlier of one year after landing or document expiry. An IDP has one year from issue. For registered residents, returning after less than three months abroad does not restart the period.
Can I translate a German licence myself?
No. The Japanese translation must come from an issuer authorized under Japan’s rules. Keep the original licence with it.
Does a rental company have to accept my documents?
Check its requirements directly, even when the national profile does not require an IDP.
Do these results cover every licence origin?
No. Japan covers the selected origins; other destinations cover UK-issued licences. Crown Dependencies and other origins require a separate official check.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-11-14; next review due by 2027-02-12. The method is written out above so you can check our math.