License & Documents to Drive

In short: to drive on public roads in Japan you need a valid license that covers ordinary passenger cars. If your license was issued abroad, you must also bring your original passport.

If even one of the required original documents is missing, you cannot participate and no refund can be given. If you're unsure, use our pre-check service before booking.

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Why a driver's license is required

Under Japan's Road Transport Vehicle Act, our karts are classified as Class-1 mopeds, but under the Road Traffic Act they are treated as "ordinary automobiles" — a category called "mini-car." Driving one on public roads therefore requires an ordinary driver's license (or higher), not a moped license.

Mini-cars seat one person, have a top speed of 60 km/h, do not require a helmet, and cannot be driven on expressways or motor-vehicle-only roads.

Required documents by case

Find the case that applies to you. In every case where the license was issued abroad, you must also present your original passport.

CASE 1 · Residents of Japan

If you have a Japanese driver's license

Original Japanese driver's license (ordinary class or higher)

Foreign residents of Japan may be asked to show their Residence Card. A moped or motorcycle-only license is not sufficient.

CASE 2 · Geneva Convention countries

If you have an International Driving Permit (IDP, booklet)

Original driver's license
International Driving Permit (IDP, booklet) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention
Original passport

All three are required. Without any one of them, you will not be permitted to drive. You may drive for one year from your entry date into Japan.

CASE 3 · Six countries/regions

If you need an official Japanese translation

Original driver's license
Official Japanese translation
Original passport

Applies to Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan. The translation must be issued by an authorized body such as JAF or the appropriate embassy/consulate (Google Translate is not accepted).

CASE 4 · U.S. military (SOFA)

If you have a SOFA license

Original SOFA driver's license
Military ID
Original passport (if applicable)

For personnel stationed in Japan under the U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). Please bring the originals on the day of your tour.

What is an International Driving Permit (IDP)?

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official, multilingual translation of your driver's license, in booklet form. It is not a license by itself. It must always be carried together with your original driver's license. Without your original license, the IDP is not valid.

Geneva Convention vs. Vienna Convention

Japan recognizes only IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Some countries issue IDPs under the 1968 Vienna Convention instead — these are NOT valid in Japan. When you obtain an IDP, make sure it is issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention.

How to tell if your IDP is a 1949 Geneva Convention permit

It's a booklet, with "1949," "CONVENTION ON ROAD TRAFFIC," or "19 September 1949" printed on the cover or inside (cover colour varies by country — grey, white, green, etc.)
Issued by a national authority or automobile association (e.g., AAA in the US, ANWB in the Netherlands, or your country's transport authority)
Has a stamp/permission in a car category (B, etc.)

A permit marked only "1968" or "Vienna" is not accepted. However, if both 1949 and 1968 are printed and 1949 is present, it is valid. Card-type permits, and permits with motorcycle-only categories, are not accepted.

Countries that generally use the Geneva Convention IDP

Licenses issued in these countries can be used in Japan once you obtain a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP (examples only — issuing methods may vary by country/region):

United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Australia
New Zealand
Thailand
Philippines
Malaysia
Singapore
India
Hong Kong
South Africa, etc.

Not sure whether your country/region qualifies? Try our quick check.

▶ Try the License Quick Check

What to bring on the day

✔ Originals only

Photocopies, screenshots, scans, and images on a phone are not accepted. Please bring the physical originals.

Japanese license	Original Japanese driver's license (plus Residence Card if requested)
Geneva Convention countries	Driver's license (original) + IDP (booklet, 1949 Geneva) + passport (original)
Translation countries	Driver's license (original) + official Japanese translation + passport (original)
SOFA license	SOFA license (original) + military ID + passport (if applicable)

Not sure? Check before you book

If you're unsure whether your license can be used in Japan, contact us before booking. Sending the following helps us check quickly:

Your name, planned tour date, and nationality
Country that issued your driver's license, and the license type
Whether you have an IDP (booklet) and/or a SOFA license
Clear photos of the front and back of your license, and of your IDP (booklet) if you have one

Contact: hello@z-kart.tokyo
Hours 9:00–21:00 (Japan time)

Please note

Verification may take several business days depending on your situation, and during busy periods or close to your tour date we may not finish in time. Bringing valid documents is ultimately the customer's responsibility, and the final decision on whether a license is valid in Japan is made by the Japanese police and relevant authorities.

Missing or invalid documents

⚠ No participation, no refund

Japanese law requires us to verify all documents before the tour. If any required document is missing, expired, damaged, or not valid in Japan, participation is not permitted — even with a reservation — and no refund can be given. Please check before you arrive.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a copy of my passport?

No. You must bring your original physical passport. Photocopies, screenshots, scans, and digital versions are not accepted.

I only have an IDP (booklet). Can I drive?

No. Your IDP is only valid when presented together with the original driver's license issued by your home country. Both are required.

I forgot my license or passport at my hotel. Can I still join?

No. Both must be presented as originals, so you cannot participate without them.

Can I use a Google Translate version of my license?

No. Only official Japanese translations issued by authorized organizations (such as JAF or the appropriate embassy/consulate) are accepted.

Can I get an IDP after arriving in Japan?

In most cases, no. Please obtain your IDP in your home country before you travel.

I only have a moped license. Can I drive?

No. A mini-car is treated as an ordinary automobile under the Road Traffic Act, so an ordinary driver's license or higher is required.

I have a Vienna Convention international permit. Can I drive?

A permit based only on the 1968 Vienna Convention cannot be used. Japan recognizes 1949 Geneva Convention IDPs. Visitors from the six translation countries/regions (Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Monaco, Taiwan) can join with their home license plus an official Japanese translation.

Sources

National Police Agency / Tokyo Metropolitan Police "Foreign licenses & International Driving Permits," "Countries party to the Geneva Convention" (Road Traffic Act Arts. 64 & 107-2; eligible countries and translation bodies)
JAF "About International Driving Permits," "Translation of a driver's license"
National Police Agency materials on the traffic rules for micro-mobility and mini-cars (vehicle class, license, capacity, speed)

This page is guidance based on public information and materials provided by the operator. Rules may change, and the final decision on a license's validity in Japan rests with the Japanese police and relevant authorities. Before publishing, confirm with the competent police/driver's license center or a specialist that (1) the vehicles are properly registered as "mini-cars," (2) the current eligible countries, translation bodies, and acceptance rules, and (3) any special handling for SOFA and similar cases.