I live in Japan but never converted my US license. I’ll be taking a trip to Europe soon and would like to drive there. Is there any way to get an international drivers license in Japan, based on my US license? If not, do I have any other options?
And in fact if you’re a resident of Japan you shouldn’t even drive in the US, or another country (in this case your destination European country) on your US license either.
As a resident of Japan, to drive outside of Japan, You need to get a Japanese license, and then get the Japanese authorities to issue you an IDP tied to your Japanese license. Or you move back to the US as a resident of the US then you’d be free to drive on your US license again, and if driving outside the US on an IDP issued by US authorities tied to your US license.
Of course you’re free to not listen to my advice and try your luck on your US license. But if you’re in an accident then don’t complain if the insurance company investigates and discovers you’re not actually a resident of the US.
Also depending on what country you’re going to you may not need an IDP to begin with. For example Germany doesn’t require an IDP (though I’ve heard some rental companies may still require one.)
Actually if you’re from the United States, AAA can do International driving permits via mail. All you have to do is send the form, two passport size pictures with signatures on the back and an envelope to return. It’s relatively easy. Someone can also get them for you via proxy, I have done with for a friend when in Hawaii.
On another note some states in the US have agreements with Japan to convert very easily. So that could be an option as well. If your state has an agreement, not test needed and they’ll just issue the license after doing the paperwork and providing the information required
You don’t need an international license for Europe.
Your usa license will work just fine.
I drove in Italy, Germany, Netherlands two weeks ago in a rental car and just used my USA license.
Those AAA international licenses are somewhat of a scam.
Yes, you can get an international driving permit based on your US license (go to the link in another post and scroll down to the international office address). Your US license remains valid while you live in Japan as long as your **address of record** is in the same state as the issued US license. You cannot, of course, drive in Japan on that license, but you can drive in any state in the US (as long as the license remains valid). Your address of record (for US purposes) is usually your last address in the US, unless you have filed form 8822 with the US IRS or notified the US Post Office for filing a change in the NCOA (National Change of Address), which may or may not be current. And, if your license is from the states of Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, or Indiana, you can convert it to a Japanese license without taking the written and driving test, except for Indiana, where you have to take the written but not the driving test. Of course, your circumstances will determine how much of this applies.
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No.
And in fact if you’re a resident of Japan you shouldn’t even drive in the US, or another country (in this case your destination European country) on your US license either.
As a resident of Japan, to drive outside of Japan, You need to get a Japanese license, and then get the Japanese authorities to issue you an IDP tied to your Japanese license. Or you move back to the US as a resident of the US then you’d be free to drive on your US license again, and if driving outside the US on an IDP issued by US authorities tied to your US license.
Of course you’re free to not listen to my advice and try your luck on your US license. But if you’re in an accident then don’t complain if the insurance company investigates and discovers you’re not actually a resident of the US.
A quick google search away: https://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html#overseas
Also depending on what country you’re going to you may not need an IDP to begin with. For example Germany doesn’t require an IDP (though I’ve heard some rental companies may still require one.)
Actually if you’re from the United States, AAA can do International driving permits via mail. All you have to do is send the form, two passport size pictures with signatures on the back and an envelope to return. It’s relatively easy. Someone can also get them for you via proxy, I have done with for a friend when in Hawaii.
On another note some states in the US have agreements with Japan to convert very easily. So that could be an option as well. If your state has an agreement, not test needed and they’ll just issue the license after doing the paperwork and providing the information required
You don’t need an international license for Europe.
Your usa license will work just fine.
I drove in Italy, Germany, Netherlands two weeks ago in a rental car and just used my USA license.
Those AAA international licenses are somewhat of a scam.
Yes, you can get an international driving permit based on your US license (go to the link in another post and scroll down to the international office address). Your US license remains valid while you live in Japan as long as your **address of record** is in the same state as the issued US license. You cannot, of course, drive in Japan on that license, but you can drive in any state in the US (as long as the license remains valid). Your address of record (for US purposes) is usually your last address in the US, unless you have filed form 8822 with the US IRS or notified the US Post Office for filing a change in the NCOA (National Change of Address), which may or may not be current. And, if your license is from the states of Hawaii, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, or Indiana, you can convert it to a Japanese license without taking the written and driving test, except for Indiana, where you have to take the written but not the driving test. Of course, your circumstances will determine how much of this applies.