License Eligibility
In order to rent a car or participate in a driving experience, Tokyo Campervans requires you to have the appropriate documentation as dictated by the Japanese government in order to be able to drive on the streets and roads of Japan.
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Please read on to find out the types of licenses accepted by Tokyo Campervans and the Japanese government:
1.) Japanese Driver's License
This is a driver's license for residents of Japan. It may be gold, blue or green. We accept all colors of licenses, but if you have a blue license, Tokyo Campervans may ask for your history of driving offenses.
2.) SOFA License
This is a driver's license for US military personnel stationed in Japan. Please make sure it is not expired.
3.) Passport and Foreign Driver's License
This is a European Union driver's license issued in France. The Road Traffic Law stipulates that individuals with driver’s licenses issued in the following countries/regions are allowed to drive vehicles complying with Japanese laws and regulations only when they carry both the original license issued in the above countries/regions and a Japanese Translation of such issued by JAF, or foreign embassies or consular offices in Japan:
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Switzerland
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Germany
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France
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Belgium
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Monaco
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Estonia
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Taiwan
4.) International Driver's Permit
This is a sample international driving permit. Anyone with an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued abroad under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic can drive a car in Japan in accordance with Japanese laws. IDPs issued in accordance with other treaties (such as the Vienna Convention) cannot be used in Japan even if it is issued by countries of the Geneva Convention.
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Eligible Countries - Europe
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Albania
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Austria
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Belgium
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Bulgaria
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Czech Republic
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Denmark
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Finland
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France
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Georgia
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Greece
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Hungary
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Iceland
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Ireland
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Italy
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Kyrgyz Republic
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Luxembourg
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Malta
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Monaco
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Montenegro
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Netherlands
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Norway
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Poland
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Portugal
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Republic of Lithuania
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Romania
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Russia
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San Marino
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Serbia
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Slovakia
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Slovenia
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Spain
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Sweden
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United Kingdom
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Vatican
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Eligible Countries - Asia / Middle East
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Bangladesh
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Cambodia
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Cyprus
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India
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Israel
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Jordan
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Laos
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Lebanon
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Malaysia
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Philippines
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Republic of Korea
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Singapore
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Sri Lanka
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Syrian
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Thailand
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Turkey
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United Arab Emirates
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Eligible Countries - Administrative Regions
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Aruba
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Cayman Islands
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Curacao
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French Overseas Territories
(French Polynesia, etc.) -
Gibraltar
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Guernsey
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Hong Kong
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Isle of Man
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Jersey
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Macao
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Saint Martin
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Territories of the United States
(Guam, Puerto Rico, etc.)
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Eligible Countries - North America
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Barbados
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Canada
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Cuba
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Dominican
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Guatemala
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Haiti
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Jamaica
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Trinidad and Tobago
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United States
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Eligible Countries - South America
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Argentina
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Chile
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Ecuador
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Paraguay
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Peru
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Venezuela
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Eligible Countries - Oceania
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Australia
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Fiji
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New Zealand
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Papua New Guinea
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Eligible Countries - Africa
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Algeria
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Benin
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Botswana
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Burkina Faso
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Central African Republic
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Cote d'Ivoire
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Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Egypt
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Ghana
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Lesotho
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Madagascar
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Malawi
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Mali
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​Morocco
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Namibia
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Niger
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Nigeria
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Republic of the Congo
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Rwanda
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Senegal
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Sierra Leone
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South Africa
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Togo
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Tunisia
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Uganda
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Zimbabwe
If you do not hold a Japanese driver's license, SOFA license or are not a holder of a driver's license from one of the listed countries above, you are unfortunately not eligible to drive in Japan and cannot make a booking with Tokyo Campervans.
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If you are unsure about whether your license is valid, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to consult you.