Translation of
driving license

Procedure

Japan is a mountainous country traversed from north to south by the Japanese Alps. While the railway network is highly developed, it doesn't allow travel in mountainous or remote regions like Hokkaido. Renting a car locally is recommended to explore areas less served by the railway network, provided you have a valid driver's license and are willing to drive the rental car yourself.

Terms and conditions

If you are a French, Quebec, Monegasque, Belgian or Swiss national and you are staying in Japan for less than one year, a translation with the Japan Automobile Federation is required.

How to proceed:

Please send us the following documents by email:
- a good quality photocopy of your driving licence (front and back, on two pages)
- an ID photo taken less than six months ago.
We will then proceed with the certified translation.
We will send you the translation of your driver's license in France or to your first hotel in Japan.
You will be able to drive a car, a motorcycle (125cc or more) or even a go-kart.
When driving in Japan, you must have ① your original driver's license, ② a Japanese translation, and ③ your passport. These three documents will be required if you are stopped by the police.

Vehicle rental

If you are able to drive in Japan and would like to drive yourself, we will arrange for you to rent a suitable vehicle. When creating your itinerary, simply inform us of the location, the desired rental duration, and whether or not you will be traveling with children. Rental terms vary depending on the agency; we will inform you of the exact conditions once your itinerary is confirmed.

Note that renting a car through a third party generally requires:

a copy of the driver's license
a copy of the passport
a signature on the rental agreement, which can sometimes be done at the time of vehicle pick-up

I'm traveling with AYUMI

Q&A

If I rent a vehicle, is it possible to return it to a different location than where I rented it?

This is a service offered by most car rental companies. We will strive to rent you a vehicle under terms that simplify your trip as much as possible.

What happens if I lose points in Japan?

A reciprocal points demotion agreement has been signed between France and Japan.

What are the main difficulties of driving in Japan?

In Japan, driving is on the left and the speed limit on highways is 60 or 80 km/h, which is slower than in France, for example. Therefore, you should exercise caution until you are accustomed to these differences.

The little extra

AYUMI Voyage is an agency based in Japan. We therefore have direct contact with certified translators. This allows us to serve you quickly and efficiently.