Warning on Driving in Japan with a Thai License

[pj123]

I just went to collect my rental car from Toyota Kyoto and they informed me my International Driving Permit issued in Thailand is not valid. The Thai permit is issued under the 1968 Convention. Japan only recognises permits issued under the 1949 Convention. So only licenses issued by signaturies to the 1949 Convention will be accepted in Japan. List of countries here:  https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg5&clang=_en

 

UK is signed up to 1949 so next time I will bring my UK license and permit

 

 

[Patong2021]

Are you sure you were given accurate information? There may be confusion over signing and the terms ratification and accession. The UK may have signed in 1949, but it only agreed to the treaty in 1957.  In plain language, the documentation indicates that Thailand agreed to the 1949 Treaty in 1962

 

In international law, treaty accession refers to a state formally joining a treaty that was already negotiated and signed by other states, usually after the treaty has entered into force, effectively becoming a party to it.

 

Let's go to the UN treaty and look at the columns;

https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg5&clang=_en

 

Under the column accession, succession ratification the countries who are 1949  Treaty participants  by accession are shown by  the date and the letter (a).

Australia  agreed in 1954, Canada 1965, Singapore 1972,  and Thailand 1962. 

This means that they agreed to the 1949 treaty on the aforementioned dates.

 

To verify, I visited the Canadian and Australian foreign travel websites.

They confirm one can drive in Japan with an Australian or Canadian issued driver's permit subject to an IDP.   I then checked with a car rental website and it too confirms that Thailand driver permit holders can drive in Japan subject to holding an IDP.

 

For travelers temporarily visiting Japan, you will either be required to bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) under the Geneva Convention of 1949, or a driver’s license from your own country with a valid legal translation of your license, which can be ordered from the company Driving-Japan. The required materials will vary depending on your country of domicile, so be sure to check the lists below!

Countries requiring an International Driving Permit:

Asia	Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Hong Kong(China), India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand

 

Source: https://niconicorentacar.jp/driving-in-japan/driving-in-japan-the-complete-guide-for-tourists-and-foreigners/

 

Nippon Car Rental also confirms the above.

Toyota Car Rental is Hertz and their website offers Thais  car rental in Japan. They would not be doing this if the IDP was not compliant. My conclusion is that you were given bad advice and that the person who  told you this is ignorant and  does not understand what accession means. I suggest that you contact the Japanese head office and clairfy or complain. 

Any chance they were looking for an excuse not to rent to you? Sometimes they are fully booked and don't have vehicles and need to manage the shortfall. And sometimes you get an idiot who is not properly trained.

 

[pj123]

Ok I just worked it out. When you apply for your permit in Thailand you need to choose under which convention it will be issued. 1968 or 1949.

 

Thai language page on this: https://safedrivedlt.com/ทำใบขับขี่/ใบขับขี่สากล/