Notes

Things to keep in mind when renting a car and going on a road trip in Okinawa

Documents required when renting a car in Okinawa (Japan)

For Taiwanese license

When picking up a rental car in Okinawa, you will need to present both the driver's international driver's license and passport, so please check before you depart.
*International driver's licenses cannot be issued on the same day in Japan.

Okinawa (Japan) Road Driving Tips

The direction of travel on Japanese roads is opposite to that of Taiwan, and because the driver's seat is on the right side, the windshield wipers and turn signals are also reversed, so it is not uncommon to find that the lights are reversed when you first enter the road.
> Always stay in the left lane, look right before looking left when crossing an intersection, and drive slowly and carefully on the left side of the road until you get used to it.
Also, honking is basically prohibited in Japan.

For international driving licenses based on the Geneva Convention

 

 

 

 

 

 

1) The names of countries to which the Geneva Convention are listed

Please check that the country name is listed in the list of member countries in the table below.

②The Geneva Convention's year "September 19, 1949" is listed.

*This year is always listed on the cover. Items with other years cannot be used within Japan. Also, those that list both the Geneva Convention and other treaties' years are not permitted.

③The rental car usage period is within one year from the date of issuance

④ Your first name, first name, birthplace, date of birth and address are listed.

⑤ There are driver-enabled vehicle categories from A to E, with stamps being stamped on either side.

6. The photo shows the person himself.

[Member countries of Geneva Convention (1949)]

Asia

Philippines
India
Thailand
Bangladesh
Malaysia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Cambodia
Laos
Republic of Korea

Special Administrative Region

Philippines
Hong Kong
Macao

America

Philippines
United States
Canada
Peru
Cuba
Ecuador
Argentine
Chile
Paraguay
Barbados
Commonwealth of Dominica
Guatemala
Haiti
Trinidad and Tobago
Venezuela
Jamaica

Europe

Philippines
U.K.
Greece
Norway
Denmark
Sweden
Netherlands
France
Italy
Russia
Serbia
Montenegro
Spain
Finland
Portugal
Austria
Belgium
Poland
Ireland
Hungary
Romania
Iceland
Bulgaria
Malta
Albania
Luxembourg
Monaco
San Marino
Vatican
Kyrgyz Republic
Georgia
Czech Republic
Slovak Republic
Slovenia

Middle East

Philippines
Turkey
Israel
Syria
Cyprus
Jordan
Lebanon
United Arab Emirates

Pacific

Philippines
New Zealand
Fiji
Australia
Papua New Guinea

Africa

Philippines
South Africa
Central African Republic
Egypt
Ghana
Algeria
Morocco
Botswana
Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Benin
Cote d’Ivoire
Lesotho
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Niger
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zimbabwe
Namibia

The following international driver's licenses cannot be driven within Japan:

International driver's licenses issued in forms based on other treaties such as Vienna (1968), Paris (1926), and the Washington Convention (1943).
International driver's licenses issued by organizations that do not have the authority to issue or private companies (IDL, IAA, KIDA, IDD, IADA, ITDL, etc.)
International driver's licenses issued in countries that are not parties to the Geneva Convention (including those similar to international driver's licenses under the Geneva Convention).
Even countries where driver's licenses and international driver's licenses are issued are different even for countries that are parties to the Geneva Convention. (Example: driver's license issued in the United States and international driver's license issued in Canada)

Cars that can be driven

The type of vehicle you can drive will vary depending on your license.

B: Regular car (up to 8 passengers)

C: Large freight vehicle (total vehicle weight of 3.5 tons or more)

D: Large passenger car (10 or more) Hiace

Driver with an international license

The photo page of your international driver's license contains driving categories A to E. If you are using 10-seater (WD class), please be sure to check that there is a stamp in column D in the category shown in Figure 1 above. If a person without a stamp in column D in Figure 1 drives, it will be treated as unlicensed driving. *Since the stamp is only printed in column B, cars with 10 passengers cannot be driven.