How to drive in Japan with your own car/motorcycle（For people living outside of Japan）

　IN THE BEGINNING　

Japan has many beautiful landscapes.

Many visitors to Japan would like to drive or tour around Japan with own cars or motorcycles.

This page explains how to drive or tour around Japan with your own car or motorcycle.

※Intended for those who live outside of Japan and wish to drive or tour around Japan with own car or motorcycle.

✍Points to keep in mind

There are several important points to consider when driving or touring in Japan with your own car or motorcycle.

1. How to import your car into Japan
2. How to drive with your country’s license plates
3. A driver’s license that allows you to drive on public roads in Japan
4. You need automobile insurance in Japan.

We will explain these points thoroughly.

✍Required Documents

The following documents are required to run in Japan

• Original Carnet (when using CPD)
• Carnet Certificate (issued by JAF when using CPD)
• Documents equivalent to a vehicle inspection certificate (Registration Certificate, etc.)
• Valid driver’s license in Japan
• Certificate of liability insurance

　1.HOW TO IMPORT YOUR CAR　

By using CPD to clear customs, automobiles and motorcycles can be brought into Japan duty-free.

If you do not use CPD, you will have to go through regular customs clearance and pay taxes to bring your car/motorcycle into Japan.

This page explains the procedures for CPD.

✍What is CPD

The official name of CPD is “AIT/FIA Carnet de Passages en Douane” and it is a customs clearance document based on an international convention(*).
　*International Convention: Customs Convention on the Temporary Importation of Motor Vehicles for Private Use

This document simplifies customs clearance procedures for the temporary importation of private motor vehicles (including motorcycles) (maximum stay of one year).

If you bring a car/motorcycle registered in your country to a foreign country and drive it on public roads without CPD, you will need to pay import tax (customs duty) and clear customs in the foreign country.

The same thing must also be done when returning to your home country.

These procedures are very complicated and time-consuming, and can be a big burden for travelers who want to temporarily travel on public roads in a foreign country with a car or motorcycle.

If CPD is available, be sure to use it.
It is recommended that CPD be issued in the name of an individual, not in the name of a corporation or organization.

✍Procedure to clear customs in Japan using CPD

The general procedure is as follows

• 1-1.Obtain CPD in your home country
• 1-2.Make an appointment with JAF before arriving in Japan
• 1-3-1.Have your CPD certified by JAF
• 1-3-2.Clear import customs

❏1-1.Obtain CPD in your home country

❏1-2.Make a JAF reservation before arriving in Japan.

CPD obtained in your country must be certified by JAF(*), a professional organization in Japan.
*JAF：Japan Automobile Federation

You need to make an appointment in advance in order to complete the certification procedure at the counter.

Make an advance reservation by e-mail before you leave for Japan.
To make an appointment, please click here.
https://english.jaf.or.jp/contact/international-services#wn5

There are eight locations throughout Japan where you can apply for certification.

Use the one nearest the airport/port where you plan to arrive.

When communicating with JAF by e-mail, please provide the following information to facilitate the process in Japan.

• CPD
• Registration certificate from your home country
• Contact information in Japan
• The date and place where you plan to export the vehicle from Japan (it is fine to give a tentative date)
• If more than one person will be driving the car/motorcycle, please provide the name and address of each person.

❏1-3-1.Have your CPD certified by JAF

The following is an explanation of what to do after arriving in Japan.

Upon arrival in Japan, please go to JAF on the date and time you have reserved in advance.

Please bring the following two items with you.

• The original copy of the CPD
• The fee (3,000 yen/CPD)

For other detailed information, please refer to the JAF page.
https://english.jaf.or.jp/use-jaf-more/bringin/carnet

After completing the procedures at JAF, two copies of the CPD certificate will be issued.

❏1-3-2.Import customs clearance.

Please travel to the airport or port where the car/motorcycle will be imported for import customs clearance.

Since you will be dealing with customs, it is recommended that you obtain the cooperation of a customs broker.

You may be asked to present your original passport, so even if you ask the customs broker to do this for you, you will still have to deal with the matter in person.
※Please leave Narita Airport to us, Access Japan.

The following information and documents are required for customs clearance.

• Passport (original)
• Letter of attorney (not required if you are also going to customs)
• BL or AWB
• Original CPD
• CPD certificate (2 copies)

Please note that the vehicle may be checked at customs clearance.

Upon completion of import customs clearance, a CPD Certificate stamped by customs will be returned to you. Please keep it with the original CPD Certificate and carry it with you at all times when driving the car or motorcycle.

　2.HOW TO DRIVE WITH YOUR COUNTRY,S LICENSE PLATE　

The deciding factor is whether the country in which the car/motorcycle is registered is a signatory to the Geneva Convention (Convention on Road Traffic).

If the country is a signatory, you can drive on public roads in Japan with a license plate from the country of registration if you meet the requirements.

If not, you must register your car or motorcycle in Japan.

This section describes the case where the country is a signatory to the Geneva Convention.

❏Conditions

If the country in which the car/motorcycle is registered is a signatory to the Geneva Convention (Convention on Road Traffic), the vehicle can be driven on public roads in Japan with the license plate of the country of registration if all of the following conditions are met

• The motorcycle must be used by the person who imported it.
• The import license must be issued within one year from the date of the import license.
• The vehicle must have a registration certificate issued by the country of registration.

You can check if the country where the car/motorcycle is registered is a signatory to the Geneva Convention (Convention on Road Traffic) here.
※Japan is also a signatory.
https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/multilingual/english/traffic_safety/drivers_licenses/geneva.html

　3.DRIVER,S LICENSE TO DRIVE ON PUBLIC ROADS IN JAPAN　

To drive a car or motorcycle in Japan, a driver’s license that conforms to Japanese rules is required.

There are three types of driver’s licenses that can be used in Japan.

1. International Driver’s License (IDP)
2. Driver’s license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan (with conditions)
3. Japanese driver’s license (with a switched overseas driver’s license)

Please refer to the Metropolitan Police Department’s website for a clear explanation.
https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/multilingual/english/traffic_safety/drivers_licenses/index.html

Arrange for the appropriate driver’s license.

　4.CAR INSURANCE IS REQUIRED IN JAPAN　

To drive on public roads in Japan, you must have automobile insurance.

Please go to an insurance agent to complete the necessary procedures.

The following insurance companies are available near JAF’s Tokyo Branch.
http://www.japaninsurance.net/

※You may not be able to get an insurance policy depending on the conditions, but you should consult with them first.

　5.DRIVE SAFELY AND ENJOY THE SCENERY OF JAPAN　

To enjoy driving in Japan by car or motorcycle, please make sure you know the Japanese traffic rules and drive safely.

Here are some websites that explain the traffic rules. Please take a look.
※All of the sites are provided by JAF.

• Japan Traffic Rules Training
• Risk Prediction Training
• 360-degree video
• Drive safe to enjoy your stay in Japan
• Driving a Motor Vehicle in Japan

　6.SUMMARY　

Various procedures are required for driving and touring on public roads in Japan with a car or motorcycle, but you can clear them as long as you meet the conditions.

Please refer to this page and come visit Japan with your car.

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Importer/exporter code in Japan

Import/export records for Japan※

---YesNoDon't know

Existence of a customs account in Japan※

---YesNoDon't know

Cargo Insurance※

---YesNoDon't know

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Importer Name

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