Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep this site running.
Driving in East Asia: what licence you actually need
Short answer: Japan, South Korea and Taiwan all let visitors drive on an International Driving Permit (IDP) carried together with the licence from home. Mainland China does not accept an IDP at all — you collect a temporary Chinese permit after you arrive. Get this wrong and the rental counter turns you away.
| Where | What you need | How long it lasts | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Home licence + IDP issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention | 1 year from your date of entry | Must be the paper booklet. Card and smartphone IDPs are not accepted. IDPs issued in mainland China or Indonesia are not valid here. |
| South Korea | Home licence + IDP (Geneva or Vienna Convention) | 1 year from entry | Rental firms do not accept IDPs issued in China, Indonesia or Taiwan. |
| Taiwan | Home licence + IDP, always presented as a pair | Varies by permit | Taiwan runs on bilateral reciprocity, not convention membership. Korea-issued IDPs are not accepted. |
| Mainland China | An IDP is not valid. Apply for a China Provisional Driving Permit on arrival | 90 days, extendable to 1 year, never beyond your visa | No written, driving or health test since September 2019 — but your licence must be in Chinese or officially translated. |
Rules verified 6 September 2026. Licence rules change and rental companies add their own conditions — confirm with your provider before you fly.
Before you book
- Get the IDP at home. It is issued by your own country’s motoring authority and cannot be obtained after you land.
- Carry both documents. An IDP is a translation, not a licence. On its own it is worthless.
- Check the driving side. Japan drives on the left. Korea, Taiwan and mainland China drive on the right.
- Consider whether you need a car at all. For Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei and Shanghai the rail network beats driving. Cars earn their keep in Hokkaido, Jeju, Okinawa and rural Taiwan.
Common questions
Can I drive in China with my IDP? No. Mainland China is not party to the conventions that make an IDP work, so it has no legal standing there. The provisional permit is the only route for a visitor.
My IDP is a plastic card. Is that a problem? In Japan, yes — only the paper booklet is accepted. Check the format before you travel.
Do I need a car in Japan? Usually not for the main cities. The JR Pass and IC cards cover most itineraries more cheaply.
Getting around without a car
- Japan — trains, IC cards and the JR Pass
- Korea — trains, subways and transit cards · KTX high-speed rail
- Taiwan — THSR high-speed rail · the EasyCard
- China — high-speed rail · DiDi ride-hailing