Car, Driving and Licensing

All cars parked at IUJ (day-time or long-term parking) should be registered with the OSS. All students, staff and faculty that drive should obtain an IUJ sticker. See Car Registration for details.

Responsibilities and procedures for owning and operating a car in Japan are probably different than in your home country. Please read this section carefully when deciding to purchase a car.

👮🚨Know the Rules! : Driving in Japan🚨👮

If you are not a JICA sponsored student or JDS student, and would like to drive in Japan,
below is the MUST KNOW INFORMATION.
(※JICA and JDS students are not allowed to drive vehicle according to the sponsor.)
<Types of Driver’s Licenses Recognized for Driving in Japan>

1. A valid Japanese driver’s license

2. An International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the Geneva Convention, accompanied by a passport
Driving is permitted only when both the IDP and the passport are carried together.
Please note that international driving permits based on the Paris Convention, Washington Convention, or Vienna Convention are not recognized for driving in Japan.
Even if your country is a signatory to the Geneva Convention, you cannot drive with your home country’s driver’s license alone; an International Driving Permit is required (with the exception described in ③ below).

3. A foreign driver’s license (from your home country) + an official Japanese translation of that license + passport
This applies only to license holders from the following regions and countries: the Swiss Confederation, the Federal Republic of Germany, the French Republic, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Principality of Monaco, and Taiwan.
Driving is permitted only when the driver carries all three items:

  • The original driver’s license
  • A Japanese translation (issued by a consulate, JAF, or another entity designated by government ordinance such as ZIPLUS Co., Ltd.)
  • Valid passport

Please note that even with a Japanese translation, driving is not permitted if the license was issued by a country or region not included in the list above.

Driving without meeting the above requirements (① to ③) will be considered driving without a valid license.
 
*Important Notes on the Period of Validity for Driving

For individuals holding either an International Driving Permit (②) or a foreign driver’s license with an authorized Japanese translation (③), the permitted driving period in Japan is one year from the date of landing in Japan, or until the expiration date of the permit/license, whichever comes first.
Once this period expires, continuing to drive will be considered unlicensed driving.

Additionally, if a person registered in the Basic Resident Register (住民基本台帳) leaves Japan and returns within less than three months, the date of re-entry will not be considered a new starting point for calculating the one-year validity period for driving with an international or foreign driver’s license.

🚨Penalties for Driving Without a Valid License in Japan🚨
Driving without a valid driver’s license in Japan is a serious violation of the Road Traffic Act (Article 117-2, Paragraph 1) and is subject to the following penalties:
■ Criminal Penalties:

  • Imprisonment for up to 3 years, or
  • A fine of up to 500,000 yen
    (In some cases, both penalties may be imposed.)
■ Aggravating Circumstances (Stricter Penalties May Apply):
  • If you cause a traffic accident while driving without a license, the offense will be treated more severely.
  • If driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in combination with unlicensed driving, penalties will be more severe.
  • In the case of repeat offenses, stricter legal consequences are likely.

■ Administrative Penalties (License Point System):

  • Driving without a valid license carries 25 demerit points,
    which leads to cancellation of the driver’s license (if any) or disqualification from obtaining one for a certain period.
■ Other Consequences:
  • Automobile insurance (voluntary/private insurance) is typically invalid if the driver does not hold a valid license.
    → If an accident occurs, insurance companies will not pay any claims.
  • The offender may also face criminal prosecution or civil lawsuits for damages.
  • For international residents or foreign students, this offense could negatively affect their visa/residency status, and may lead to deportation or refusal of visa renewal or change.
This information was provided by the Police Officer of Minamiuonuma city.
It seems that some IUJ students have misunderstood these driving rules, and as a result, the authorities are strengthening their monitoring to ensure safety.
We hope everyone will take the time to understand the rules correctly and stay safe in your daily life.

⚠️ Driving without a valid license is ILLEGAL and will be treated as a serious offense.

Drive safely, and make sure you are legally allowed to do so!