DRIVING IN JAPAN

For customers with an International Driving Permit

You must hold a valid passport, a valid home-country driver's license, and the original valid International Driving Permit

The International Driving Permit must comply with the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic

For customers with a driver's license from France, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Belgium, or Taiwan

You must hold a valid passport, the original valid home-country driver's license, and an official translation of the driver's license

All information on the official translation must match the driver's license, including the latest registered address

You must drive on the left side of the road. After a left or right turn, you continue on the left side

Unless the green left-turn or right-turn arrow signal is lit, you must never turn left or right on a red signal

ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System) is an automatic system that lets you pass toll gates without stopping — very convenient

If you rent an ETC card, we will install it in the car at pickup

When entering / exiting toll gates, select the purple-blue lane

Reduce speed to about 20 km/h and pass slowly — the gate will open automatically once it detects the ETC card

Unless specifically indicated for a vehicle, regular gasoline (red pump, called 'regular' / レギュラー in Japanese) is the standard

After refueling, make sure to close the fuel cap

If paying by cash, remember to scan the receipt at the 'change machine' to retrieve your change

Per Japanese traffic law, children under 6 require a child seat or booster

All occupants — drivers and passengers alike — must wear seatbelts

When self-driving in Japan, we recommend a rental plan that includes comprehensive insurance

Even with comprehensive insurance, you must contact the rental company and the police in case of an accident

Do not unilaterally decide that the severity is minor and skip reporting

If, at return, the rental company discovers damage you did not report, even with comprehensive insurance you may be liable for repair costs