Renting a Car in Taiwan with a Japanese Driver's License: JAF Translation, Right-Side Driving & Pickup Guide

Renting a Car in Taiwan with a Japanese Driver's License: JAF Translation, Right-Side Driving & Pickup Guide

Japan is one of Taiwan's biggest sources of visitors, and many Japanese travelers — or their friends and families planning a trip together — want to explore Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake, and Alishan by rental car. The first question is always: can you rent a car in Taiwan with a Japanese driver's license, and do you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)? The answer is surprising: Japanese drivers in Taiwan don't use an IDP at all. They drive with their Japanese license plus an official Chinese translation. This guide from GoodCars covers the legal basis, how to get the translation, the switch from left-side to right-side driving, key traffic rules, and the full pickup process.

The Taipei skyline — most Japanese visitors start their Taiwan road trip from Taipei or Taoyuan Airport (illustrative image)

The Legal Basis: Taiwan–Japan Mutual License Recognition

Taiwan and Japan have a reciprocal driver's license agreement. A valid Japanese driver's license, accompanied by an officially issued Chinese translation, allows the holder to drive legally in Taiwan for up to one year per entry. The arrangement works both ways — Taiwanese drivers use their license plus a Japanese translation in Japan.

This is completely different from the rules for travelers from the US or UK, who do use their home license plus an IDP. It is the most common mistake Japanese visitors make — at GoodCars branches we see customers every year who brought only an IDP and could not collect their car. Prepare in advance.

How to Get the Chinese Translation: JAF or the Exchange Association

Only two organizations issue valid translations — documents from commercial translation agencies are not accepted:

The smoothest option is to apply through JAF before departure; allow one to two weeks in busy seasons if applying by mail or online. If you only realize after arriving in Taiwan, the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association offices in Taipei and Kaohsiung accept walk-in applications — at the cost of precious travel time.

License, translation, and passport — all three are required at pickup (illustrative image)

Left-Hand Drive vs Right-Hand Drive: 7 Things Japanese Drivers Get Wrong

Taiwan drives on the right side of the road with left-hand-drive cars — the exact opposite of Japan. The first few hours are when mistakes happen. Watch these seven points:

• 1. Opposite traffic direction: after every turn, confirm you are entering the right-hand lane. Right turns are tight, left turns are wide — the reverse of Japan.
• 2. The driver's seat is on the left: walking to the right-side door out of habit puts you in the passenger seat.
• 3. Wiper and indicator stalks are swapped: flicking the wipers when you mean to signal is the classic Japanese-driver mistake in Taiwan.
• 4. No right turn on red: conceptually the same as Japan's no-left-on-red rule, unless a dedicated signal allows it.
• 5. Scooters everywhere: Taiwan's scooter density is far beyond Japan's. Check mirrors and blind spots before every lane change or turn.
• 6. Speed limits in km/h: same unit as Japan. Highways run 100–110 km/h, urban roads 40–50 km/h, with dense speed-camera coverage.
• 7. Flashing signals: flashing yellow means slow down; flashing red means stop, then proceed.

Cars in Taiwan are left-hand drive, with wiper and indicator stalks reversed from Japanese cars (illustrative image)

Taiwan Traffic Rules at a Glance

Taiwan's freeways use fully electronic eTag tolling with no toll booths. Every GoodCars vehicle comes with an eTag installed; tolls are settled when you return the car — no extra steps needed.

Road-Trip Routes Japanese Visitors Love

• Taipei day trips: Jiufen, Shifen, and Yehliu Geopark — awkward by train, effortless by car.
• Taipei → Hualien & Taroko Gorge: south along the Pacific on the Suhua Highway to gorge scenery often compared to Kurobe. Note: since the April 2024 (0403) earthquake, trails such as Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou), the Tunnel of Nine Turns, Eternal Spring Shrine and Shakadang remain closed, and Highway 8 between Tianxiang and the Taroko entrance opens only in announced time windows and closes at night. Check park and Highway Bureau notices before you go — see our Taroko National Park self-drive guide.
• Taichung → Sun Moon Lake & Cingjing Farm: lake and alpine pasture, perfect for an overnight loop.
• Chiayi → Alishan: home of the Japanese-era forest railway, giant cypress trees, sunrise and sea of clouds.
• Kaohsiung → Kenting & Xiaoliuqiu: the tropical south, warm even in winter.

Taiwan's mountain roads — scenery the train can't reach (illustrative image)

GoodCars Pickup in 6 Steps

• Step 1: Book online at goodcars.tw (multilingual interface) — choose your branch and vehicle.
• Step 2: Prepare the three documents — license, Chinese translation, passport.
• Step 3: Head to your pickup point. At staffed branches (such as Taipei Main Station, open 09:00–21:00) our team hands over the car in person; self-service car park stations (such as Taoyuan Airport) have no counter or staff — complete your documents and contract online as instructed, then collect the car from the designated car park shown in your booking confirmation.
• Step 4: Staffed branches check your documents in person; the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan can be added when you book. Walk around the car and photograph it before driving off.
• Step 5: At staffed branches, staff explain the eTag, the fuel card and per-km fuel charge; for self-service stations, see your booking confirmation and our Self-Service Car Pickup & Return Guide.
• Step 6: Hit the road! Return at the agreed time (at a self-service station, park in the designated spot and leave the key in the car) - no need to refuel.

Should you add the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan?

GoodCars rentals include basic vehicle insurance (GoodCars' own vehicle insurance policy, including vehicle damage and third-party liability). You can also add the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan, which cuts your liability for vehicle damage from a collision with another vehicle from NT$50,000 to NT$5,000. For drivers new to Taiwan's roads, we recommend adding it — a small extra fee for peace of mind.

FAQ

Q1: Can foreigners rent a car in Taiwan with just their home-country license?

Most nationalities need their home license plus an International Driving Permit (IDP). Japan is the big exception: Japanese drivers use their license plus an official Chinese translation instead — a Japanese-issued IDP is not valid in Taiwan.

Q2: Where do Japanese drivers get the Chinese translation?

From JAF in Japan (counter, mail, or online) before the trip, or from the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association offices in Taipei or Kaohsiung after arrival. Commercial translations are not accepted.

Q3: How hard is the switch from left-side to right-side driving?

Most drivers adapt within an hour or two. The two key habits: confirm your lane after every turn, and remember the indicator and wiper stalks are swapped.

Q4: How do highway tolls work?

Taiwan uses electronic eTag tolling with no toll booths. All GoodCars vehicles have eTags installed and tolls are settled when you return the car — no cash, no paperwork.

Q5: Can I pick up in one city and return in another?

Yes. GoodCars supports one-way rentals between major cities such as Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. Fees are shown when you book.

Q6: What if I have an accident or breakdown?

If the car breaks down, contact your pickup branch first and follow their instructions; staff use translation apps, and some branches can assist in English. In an accident, call the police first (110) to obtain a report — required for insurance — then contact your branch.