# TW Japanese driver’s licence slip expiry **URL:** \ **Category:** Cars & Motorcycles\ **Created:** [November 1, 2025, 9:59am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/tw-japanese-driver-s-licence-slip-expiry/254317 "2025-11-01T09:59:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![forformosa](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/forformosa/32/267982_2.png) [@forformosa](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/forformosa)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 9:59am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/tw-japanese-driver-s-licence-slip-expiry/254317/1 "2025-11-01T09:59:37Z")
Anyone know if the A4 drivers licence translation Japan requires for TW licences expires? I was issued one last year for a trip to Japan last year and I’m going back later this year. The A4 translation doesn’t seem to have an expiry date but I want to make sure. ---
**Author:** ![QuaSaShao](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/quasashao/32/220200_2.png) [@QuaSaShao](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/QuaSaShao)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 10:32am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/tw-japanese-driver-s-licence-slip-expiry/254317/2 "2025-11-01T10:32:22Z")
I own a car in Japan and have been driving on a Taiwan license and the same translation done by JAF for years. > **[How to apply for a translation](https://english.jaf.or.jp/driving-in-japan/drive-in-japan/about-dltas)** > > You can apply online for a Japanese Translation of your driver's license issued by JAF. Please check the documents required for application, fees, etc. from this page, and proceed to the Foreign Driver’s License Translation Application Site. The regulation regarding expiration is a bit confusing because it says there’s no expiration date for an A4 translation but it’s only valid for one year from your date of entry into Japan. I asked my attorney to explain and she said the “only valid for one year from your date of entry” requirement only pertains to new residents of Japan and not tourists who come and go like I do and the translation is good for as long as your license is good for. That opinion is from several years ago now though so I’m going to ask her on Monday to confirm what the current situation is and will post her answer here. ---
**Author:** ![QuaSaShao](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/quasashao/32/220200_2.png) [@QuaSaShao](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/QuaSaShao)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 10:41am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/tw-japanese-driver-s-licence-slip-expiry/254317/3 "2025-11-01T10:41:20Z")
Actually I just found confirmation in the JAF webpage FAQS: “ Is there an expiration date for the translation? If so, how long is it valid for? - The translation is valid for as long as the original driver’s license is. Translations of licenses issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco, and Taiwan are valid for one year from the date of entry into Japan. Holders can drive in Japan with this translation for one year from the date of entry into Japan. (For holders leaving and re-entering Japan, the validity is one year after reentry.) ---
**Author:** ![forformosa](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/forformosa/32/267982_2.png) [@forformosa](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/forformosa)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2025, 4:53am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/tw-japanese-driver-s-licence-slip-expiry/254317/4 "2025-11-15T04:53:08Z")
Thanks! That’s so kind of you. ---
**Author:** ![forformosa](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/forformosa/32/267982_2.png) [@forformosa](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/forformosa)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2025, 4:54am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/tw-japanese-driver-s-licence-slip-expiry/254317/5 "2025-11-15T04:54:40Z")
May I ask a follow up? Do you use your English name or Chinese name to book a rental in Japan? My passport has my English name and my driving licence and JP translation only have my Chinese name, so they don’t match… ---
**Author:** ![QuaSaShao](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/quasashao/32/220200_2.png) [@QuaSaShao](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/QuaSaShao)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2025, 7:58am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/tw-japanese-driver-s-licence-slip-expiry/254317/6 "2025-11-15T07:58:05Z")
I’ve never rented a car in Japan using my Taiwan license so I don’t know the answer to your question. Sorry. I own a car there and whenever I need a rental for long trips or big groups I rent a car from the local auto repair shop I’ve been using for years. They’ve never even asked to see my driver’s license or sign anything. They just hand me the keys and I pay in cash when I return the rental car. ---
**Author:** ![qwert\_zuiop](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/qwert_zuiop/32/87708_2.png) [@qwert\_zuiop](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/qwert_zuiop)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2025, 8:25am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/tw-japanese-driver-s-licence-slip-expiry/254317/7 "2025-11-15T08:25:50Z")
> [@forformosa](#): > > My passport has my English name and my driving licence and JP translation only have my Chinese name, so they don’t match… I would assume it depends on the rental car company: If they’re really strict, they might deny you because the names on the passport and driver license don’t match… Of course, one could show the ARC which has both names - but in Japan, they’ll probably not accept an ARC as a valid form of ID… But also curious if someone has any experience in that regard. ---
**Author:** ![forformosa](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/forformosa/32/267982_2.png) [@forformosa](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/forformosa)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 6:04am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/tw-japanese-driver-s-licence-slip-expiry/254317/8 "2025-11-24T06:04:34Z")
I emailed them (Orix) and they said there’d be no issue. ---
**Author:** ![Mataiou](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/mataiou/32/178744_2.png) [@Mataiou](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Mataiou)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 12:08pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/tw-japanese-driver-s-licence-slip-expiry/254317/9 "2025-11-24T12:08:23Z")
I had to use my Chinese name as it’s the only name on my driving licence and the translation. I just gave them (if asked) the arc with both names and my passport and that’s it. TW driving licence having pics help. Rented twice in Jp on a Tw licence and never had an issued, just a few weird faces at first haha