DrivingLicenses

JAF license translation (日本語翻訳文): who needs one and how to get it

JAF license translation costs ¥6,000 to drive or ¥6,600 to convert your license. See who needs one, how to order online and how long it takes.

By JapanHow editors Updated 5 min read

Conversion translation
¥6,600 incl. tax + ¥20/page
Driving translation (6 places)
¥6,000 + ¥20/page
Time
2-3 days (6 places), else 5-10 business days
How
Online only, from inside Japan
Short answer

A JAF license translation is an official Japanese translation of your foreign license (日本語翻訳文). You need one to convert the license to a Japanese one (¥6,600 with tax) or, if it comes from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan, to drive in Japan (¥6,000). Printing costs ¥20 per page. You apply online from inside Japan and print the original at a convenience store. Most countries take 5 to 10 business days, as of October 2026.

A JAF license translation (日本語翻訳文) is an official Japanese version of your foreign license, and you order it online from inside Japan. You need one to convert your license to a Japanese one, which costs ¥6,600 with tax. You also need one to drive in Japan if your license is from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan, which costs ¥6,000. Printing adds ¥20 per page. Fees are as of October 2026.

Who needs a JAF license translation?

It depends on what you want to do. The National Police Agency (警察庁) says a foreign license counts in Japan only with a Japanese translation made by a designated party.

Your situation Translation needed?
Converting your license to a Japanese one (外免切替) Yes, whatever your country
Driving on a license from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or Taiwan Yes, instead of an IDP
Driving on a Geneva-format international driving permit No. JAF does not translate IDPs

The translation is one document in the conversion file. It does not decide whether you qualify. You must also show a valid license and at least 3 months’ stay in the issuing country after you got it. Our guide to converting a foreign license covers the tests and the other documents.

If you are only visiting or are a new arrival, our international driving permit guide explains which countries use an IDP and how long you can drive.

How much does a JAF translation cost?

JAF lists three fees on its English page. Two matter here.

Purpose Fee Printing
Convert to a Japanese license ¥6,600 (incl. 10% tax) ¥20 per page
Drive in Japan on a license from the six places above ¥6,000 (tax-exempt) ¥20 per page

JAF revised its translation fees on July 1, 2026. The ¥6,000 driving fee did not change. Older blog posts may show lower prices.

How do I order a JAF license translation?

You apply only through JAF’s Driver’s License Translation Application Site. JAF does not take counter or mail applications. Someone can apply for you, up to 30 applications at once.

Ordering a JAF translation
  1. You Photograph your license Unedited images of the front and back; the license must still be valid
  2. You Fill in the online form Choose the purpose (conversion or driving); names must match the license
  3. You Pay Credit card or cash at a convenience store
  4. JAF Wait for the translation JAF says 2-3 business days for six places, 5-10 for others
  5. You Print the original At a participating convenience store in Japan or a JAF branch

Extra documents depend on the country, per JAF:

  • China: the subpage of the license that shows the details
  • Syria: your passport
  • South Korea, Myanmar or Arabic-language licenses: your residence card (在留カード), certificate of residence (住民票) or passport

If your name is in Arabic, Korean, Thai, Burmese or Russian script, JAF says to enter it in Japanese or English.

What can go wrong with payment and printing?

  • Cards: JAF takes VISA, MasterCard, JCB, American Express and Diners Club. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted. The card is charged when the translation is ready to print.
  • Cash: pay at a convenience store within about two months. Cards, e-money and QR codes are not accepted there.
  • Printing: The first print reference number lasts one week. You can reissue it from My Page for up to one year after you applied.
  • One print only: The translation prints once. A reprint needs a new application.

How long does it take?

JAF gives an average of 2 to 3 business days for licenses from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan. For all other countries it says 5 to 10 business days on average. Its FAQ gives a longer estimate: about 1 to 2 weeks, or 2 to 3 weeks for Arabic-script licenses and some from South Korea, Thailand and Myanmar. We follow the longer figure when planning. JAF has no same-day service.

Order before you book your document check. Licenses from Afghanistan are currently suspended, and JAF says translations may not be issued for some licenses.

How long is the translation valid?

JAF says it is valid as long as your original license is valid. For the six places that use a translation to drive, it is valid for one year from entry into Japan. If you leave and re-enter, the year runs from re-entry. JAF adds that foreign residents on the resident register may have different conditions.

If you renew your foreign license or change it, for example after an address change, you need a new translation.

Can someone else translate my license?

Yes. The National Police Agency lists these designated translators:

  • the issuing authority or your embassy or consulate in Japan
  • JAF, ZIPLUS (ジップラス) and the 訪日運転者支援協会
  • for Taiwan, the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association; for Germany, ADAC

Foreign legal translators are not accepted. For a conversion, the translation must state the vehicle types, the validity period and any license conditions. Tokyo police also list JAF, ZIPLUS and the 訪日運転者支援協会 under required documents. We did not check ZIPLUS or embassy fees.

Cancelling is possible. JAF says card payments can be cancelled on My Page before translation work begins, and cash payers can cancel before they pay.

More guides: converting a foreign license (外免切替), international driving permit for Japan, renewing your Japanese license and English driving schools.

Questions people ask

How much is a JAF license translation?

As of October 2026, JAF charges ¥6,600 including tax for a translation used to switch to a Japanese license, and ¥6,000 for one used to drive in Japan with a Swiss, German, French, Belgian, Monaco or Taiwan license. Printing is ¥20 per page.

How long does a JAF license translation take?

JAF says about 2 to 3 business days for licenses from Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco and Taiwan, and about 5 to 10 business days on average for other countries. Its FAQ allows 1 to 2 weeks, or 2 to 3 weeks for Arabic-script licenses and some from South Korea, Thailand and Myanmar.

Can I apply for a JAF license translation from abroad?

No. JAF says applications are only accepted from within Japan, and the original paper translation must be printed at a convenience store or JAF branch in Japan.

Does JAF translate an international driving permit?

No. JAF says international driving permits are not translated. The translation is for your home-country license.

Do I need a new translation if I renew my foreign license?

Yes. JAF says a new translation is needed if the foreign license is renewed or changed, for example after an address change.

Sources

  1. About the Japanese translation of a foreign driver's license, JAF (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
  2. 外国の運転免許をお持ちの方, National Police Agency (警察庁) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
  3. 運転免許 Q&A, National Police Agency (警察庁) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)
  4. 外国免許からの切替え(外免切替), Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (警視庁) (accessed Oct 27, 2026)

Spotted something out of date or wrong? Email [email protected] and we will check it against the source. See our corrections policy.

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