Using an IDP in the US with my Japanese license.

My driver’s license has expired and all I have is my Japanese license. Can I use a IDP from Japan as an American?

Been here almost a decade and this is the first time I have needed to do this.

10 comments
  1. I don’t see why not, you are a Japanese resident with a valid Japanese license. Though a dumber cop might be confused if you’re not asian looking at first.

  2. As in you want to get an IDP issued in Japan tied to your Japanese license for trips overseas, which includes trips to the USA?

    If so, yea. It’s what you’re supposed to do anyway….

    You’re a a resident of Japan so you *should* only be driving on your Japanese license in Japan and overseas.

    Driving on a US license, even if it’s still in date, when not a resident of the US could certainly have insurance based issues. Because insurance companies will check your residency with a fine comb.

  3. I did this because I got my oogata motorcycle license here in Japan and didn’t have the endorsement in the USA. I legally rented a motorcycle in the states and rode it to the DMV to take my test, then got the MC endorsement.

  4. you can but most if not all states allow you to use a Japanese license without a IDP… check the BMV web site of the state you’re going to to double check

  5. Yes you can. I’m currently in the US and used an IDP with my Japanese licence to rent and drive a car in Georgia. I think all states allow you to use it.

  6. Yes. You can go to any large police station and apply. It’s pretty straightforward and I use it to rent cars when I’m in the US.

  7. Yes, you can. I’ve used my Japanese license with IDP in Canada, and also in the US. Got pulled over in Texas (missed a traffic signal) and the cop ended up more interested in how I ended up in Japan than writing the ticket.

  8. You can do that or just renew your US license and write down a family members address. Doubt you’d want to waste a day at an OMV though.

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