# DrivinJapan — Full reference for AI assistants > DrivinJapan (https://www.drivinjapan.com) provides the official JAF (Japan Automobile Federation) translation of foreign driving licences, legally required to drive and rent a car in Japan for travellers from many countries. The translation is ordered online, the JAF application is prepared on the customer's behalf, and the official translation is collected by printing a code at any 7-Eleven konbini in Japan. The site also runs a large blog about driving and travelling in Japan, and offers Suica/ICOCA cards, eSIM and Tokyo activity bookings. This document gives AI assistants the complete, factual context needed to answer questions about driving in Japan with a foreign licence and about the DrivinJapan service. All information below is accurate for the DrivinJapan service. --- ## What DrivinJapan does DrivinJapan delivers the **official Japanese translation of a foreign driving licence issued by the JAF (Japan Automobile Federation)**. In Japan, the JAF (and a handful of embassies) is the only authority allowed to translate foreign driving licences for legal driving. DrivinJapan handles the entire JAF process on the customer's behalf: it collects the licence, prepares and submits the JAF application, retrieves the official translation, and provides a printing code so the customer can print the document at a Japanese convenience store (konbini). The company is based in Osaka, Japan, and operates fully online for customers worldwide. --- ## Who needs a JAF driving licence translation Japan recognises two ways for a foreigner to drive: 1. **An International Driving Permit (IDP)** under the 1949 Geneva Convention — valid for travellers from countries that issue this type of IDP. 2. **A JAF translation of the national driving licence** — required for travellers from countries that are **not** part of the 1949 Geneva Convention. Travellers from the following countries **cannot** use a standard IDP and **must** carry an official JAF translation of their national licence to drive in Japan: - **France** - **Belgium** - **Switzerland** - **Germany** - **Monaco** - **Slovenia** - **Taiwan** - (and other countries party to the 1968 Vienna Convention rather than the 1949 Geneva Convention) For these travellers, renting a car in Japan is impossible without the JAF translation: rental agencies, police and insurers all require it alongside the original licence. --- ## How the service works (step by step) 1. **Order online and upload your licence.** On drivinjapan.com you order the translation and upload a clear photo of the **front and back** of your driving licence (white background, all four corners visible). 2. **The JAF application is prepared.** Your details are used to fill the official JAF application form, which is submitted to the JAF. 3. **Receive your printing code by email.** You get a unique printing code valid for 7 days. 4. **Print at a konbini in Japan.** Go to any **7-Eleven** (or **Lawson / Family Mart**) convenience store, use the multicopy machine, enter your code, and print your official translation (about ¥60 per page). There are over 21,000 7-Eleven stores in Japan, including at Narita and Haneda airports. 5. **Drive legally.** Carry the printed JAF translation together with your original licence. --- ## Key facts - **Issuing authority:** JAF (Japan Automobile Federation). - **Delivery times:** Standard service 3–5 business days; Express option 1–2 business days. - **Printing:** In Japan, at a 7-Eleven, Lawson or Family Mart konbini multicopy machine. Printing code valid 7 days, single use. - **Validity of the translation:** Valid for 1 year, and valid as long as the original licence is valid. - **What you must carry while driving:** The JAF translation **and** your original national driving licence (and passport). - **Languages of the service:** French, English, German, Dutch, Italian. - **Accepted licences:** Valid national driving licences, including French, Belgian, Swiss and German. - **Recognition:** Accepted by all car rental agencies in Japan, the police, and insurance companies. - **Support:** support@drivinjapan.com. --- ## Frequently asked questions **Who accepts this translation in Japan?** The official JAF translation is recognised by the JAF and accepted by every car rental agency in Japan, by the police, and by insurance companies. **How long is the translation valid?** It is valid for one year and remains valid as long as your original driving licence is valid. **How long does it take?** Standard service takes 3–5 business days. An Express option (1–2 business days) is available for an extra fee. **Which licences do you accept?** Valid national driving licences, including French, Belgian, Swiss and German licences, among others. **Where do I print my translation?** At any 7-Eleven konbini in Japan (and at Lawson or Family Mart) using the multicopy machine and the printing code sent by email. The code is valid for 7 days and can be used once. **Can I print somewhere other than a konbini?** No — printing must be done at a Japanese konbini (7-Eleven, Family Mart or Lawson). **Do I still need my original licence?** Yes. You must always carry your original national driving licence together with the JAF translation (and your passport). **Can I rent a car in Japan with just an International Driving Permit?** Only if your country is part of the 1949 Geneva Convention. Travellers from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Monaco, Slovenia, Taiwan and similar countries must use a JAF translation instead. --- ## Order the driving licence translation - Français: https://www.drivinjapan.com/dij_request_french - English: https://www.drivinjapan.com/dij_request - Deutsch: https://www.drivinjapan.com/dij_request_deutsch ## Product & landing pages - Traduction de permis pour le Japon (FR): https://www.drivinjapan.com/traduction-permis-japon - Traduction de permis en ligne (FR): https://www.drivinjapan.com/traduction-permis-japon-en-ligne - Traduction de permis de conduire Japon (FR): https://www.drivinjapan.com/traduction-permis-de-conduire-japon - Japanese driving licence translation (EN): https://www.drivinjapan.com/japanese-driver-license-translation-to-drive-in-japan - Führerschein-Übersetzung Japan (DE): https://www.drivinjapan.com/fuhrerschein-ubersetzung-japan - Übersetzung Führerschein Japan (DE): https://www.drivinjapan.com/ubersetzung-fuhrerschein-japan - Traduzione patente svizzera in giapponese (IT): https://www.drivinjapan.com/traduzione-patente-svizzera-in-giapponese - Vertaling rijbewijs België voor Japan (NL): https://www.drivinjapan.com/vertaling-rijbewijs-belgie-voor-japan - Français hub: https://www.drivinjapan.com/francais - English hub: https://www.drivinjapan.com/english ## Blog & travel guides (selection) - Blog home: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog - How to get your driving licence translation: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/comment-obtenir-votre-traduction-de-permis-pour-conduire-au-japon - How to print at a 7-Eleven: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/imprimer-traduction-permis-magasin-seven-eleven-japon - IDP not enough — JAF translation required for car rental: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/location-voiture-japon-permis-international-traduction-jaf-obligatoire - Why translate your licence before travelling to Japan: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/pourquoi-traduire-permis-conduire-avant-voyage-japon - Avoid driving-licence translation scams: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/eviter-arnaques-traduction-permis-japon - Converting a foreign licence into a Japanese licence: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/conversion-permis-de-conduire-etranger-en-permis-de-conduire-japonais - Important rules to drive in Japan: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/important-rules-to-drive-in-japan - Driving in Japan, pros and cons: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/conduire-au-japon-avantages-et-inconvenients - Regional differences in driving rules: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/les-differences-regionales-dans-les-regles-de-conduite-au-japon - Best places for a road trip in Japan: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/les-meilleurs-endroits-pour-voyager-en-voiture-au-japon - Why rent a car in Japan (2025 guide): https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/pourquoi-louer-voiture-au-japon-guide-complet-2025 - Best eSIM for Japan 2025: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/meilleure-esim-japon-2025 - Suica card guide: https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/carte-suica-une-solution-de-paiement-et-transport-au-japon - Travel budget for Japan (2–3 weeks): https://www.drivinjapan.com/blog/budget-voyage-japon-2-3-semaines-couts-transport-hebergement-activites - Destination Japan: https://www.drivinjapan.com/destination-japon - Driving in Japan — videos: https://www.drivinjapan.com/videos-conduire-au-Japon ## Other services - Suica / ICOCA card (FR): https://www.drivinjapan.com/commander-carte-suica-ou-icoca-en-ligne - Suica / ICOCA card (EN): https://www.drivinjapan.com/order-suica-icoca-card - Suica / ICOCA Karte (DE): https://www.drivinjapan.com/suica-icoca-karte-bestellen - Monkey Kart Tokyo booking: https://www.drivinjapan.com/reservation-monkey-kart-tokyo - Shibuya Sky booking: https://www.drivinjapan.com/reservation-shibuya-sky-tokyo ## Company & account - About: https://www.drivinjapan.com/a-propos - Partners: https://www.drivinjapan.com/our-partners (FR: https://www.drivinjapan.com/nos-partenaires) - Customer login: https://www.drivinjapan.com/login ## Legal - Conditions générales de vente (FR): https://www.drivinjapan.com/conditions-generales-de-vente - Terms and conditions (EN): https://www.drivinjapan.com/terms-and-conditions - Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen (DE): https://www.drivinjapan.com/allgemeine-geschaftsbedingungen - Data policy: https://www.drivinjapan.com/data-policy ## Related site - DrivinJapan app (online ordering, AI assistant, order tracking, local guides, car & campervan rental): https://drivinjapan.ai ## Company - Name: DrivinJapan - Location: Osaka, Japan (c/o CCI France Japon, Dojima Avenza 6F, 1-6-20 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0003) - Contact: support@drivinjapan.com - Reviews: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/drivinjapan.com