Can I drive in Japan with an international driver's license issued in Belgium?
No. Japan does not recognize international driver's licenses issued on the basis of the Convention of Vienna on Road Traffic of 8 November 1968.
Driving in Japan with a Belgian license
Stay of more than one year:
It is possible to convert the Belgian driving license to a Japanese driving license after arriving in Japan. Detailed information on this procedure is available on the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) website.
Short stay or tourism:
Currently, travelers from Belgium can only drive in Japan with their Belgian national driver's license, accompanied by an official Japanese translation. This is because the Belgian International Driver's Permit is not recognized by Japan, as mentioned above.
The only official way to get an official Japanese translation of your Belgian driver's license is through the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF). Unfortunately, this embassy cannot play a mediating role in the formalities to have your Belgian driving license translated by JAF. For more information, please visit the following links:
If you have any questions about this, you should contact JAF directly. Typically, JAF delivers a translation within a few days of the request (in Japan), especially in the case of an in-person request.
More information and frequently asked questions on the JAF website
According to unofficial information from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), it is also possible to request a translation before your departure through a travel agency. Several travel agencies that organize trips to Japan also advertise this service on their websites.
Applying for a new driving license and duplicata
When the validity period of a driving license expires, it can be renewed if all the conditions for issuing it are met. Furthermore, a duplicate of a still valid driving license can be requested, for example, when it is lost, stolen, damaged, or has become illegible. No duplicate is issued for a driving license in bank card format; this is a new driving license.
People living in Belgium and holding a foreign driving license cannot obtain a renewal or duplicate of their driving license. They must apply for a Belgian driving license.
Persons (Belgian or non-Belgian) residing in a member state of the European Economic Area must apply for a renewal of their driving license in their country of residence. They can receive a certificate from their municipality in Belgium where they last resided.
Belgians who do not reside in a member state of the European Economic Area and who are registered in the Belgian Embassy of that country can renew their Belgian driving license in the Belgian municipality where they were last registered.
