Rental guide
Driving in Japan
What you need to know before you drive in Japan: your license, the rules of the road, parking, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Road rules to remember
Drive on the left
Traffic keeps to the left and the driver sits on the right. Take extra care when turning and at roundabouts.
Speed limits are in km/h
Unless signs show otherwise, the limit is 60 km/h on ordinary roads and 100 km/h on expressways. Many town roads are 30 to 50 km/h.
Stop means stop
The stop sign is a red inverted triangle marked 止まれ. Come to a complete stop at the line.
Railway crossings
Stop before every railway crossing, look and listen both ways, then cross.
No turning on red
You may not turn on a red light unless a green arrow allows it. Give way to pedestrians and cyclists when you turn.
Zero alcohol
Do not drink anything alcoholic before driving. Passengers who ride with a drunk driver can also be punished.
Seat belts and child seats
Everyone must wear a seat belt, front and rear. Children under 6 must use a child seat.
No phone in hand
Holding a phone while driving is prohibited, including to look at a map. Use a holder.
Official guides
This list covers the essentials. For the full rules, see the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) guides in English:
Expressways and tolls
Most expressways charge a toll. If the car's ETC is used, tolls are settled from your security deposit after the rental (see our booking terms). Booking terms
If there is an accident
- Help anyone who is injured. Call 119 for an ambulance or fire.
- Call the police on 110 and get an accident report, even for a small accident.
- Then contact us. Outside business hours, use the emergency number we give you at pick-up.