Rental car

User Guide

User Guide for first-time renters and drivers in Japan. It has information
on the Japanese license, traffic rules, traffic signs, and how to deal with accidents.
Please read when driving a rental car in Japan.

If you are driving a vehicle from Budget Rent a Car using an International Driving Permit

Driving license permitted in Japan

Using international driving permit

International Driving Permit

You will need your passport and International Driving Permit (IDP), recognized under the Geneva Convention(1949). The IDP must have an expiry date of one year after issue. It will be valid in Japan one year after entering the country (immigration stamp). IDP recognized under the Paris Convention (1926), Washington Convention (1943), Vienna Convention (1968) are not permitted in Japan. *IDP issued in Japan will not be accepted.*Original copy will be needed instead of soft copy as PDF or alike.

A resident’s card and an international driver’s license together do not fulfill the identification requirement for renting cars.
The international driver’s license expires in a year after entering Japan.
As the date of entry to Japan cannot be confirmed with a residence card,we require a passport in order to confirm the date of entry.

> List of the contracting countries of the Convention at Geneva 1949

Using foreign driving permit

If you hold a driving permit from Switzerland, Germany, France, Taiwan, Belgium, Monaco you may use your driving permit in Japan for one year after arrival, as along as you provide a Japanese translation of the permit. Please bring both documents and passport to our store.

Issuing a Japanese translation

You may issue a Japanese translation at your embassy, consulate, or JAF. Click on the following link to find out more about JAF.

> JAF Foreign Support

> Online Application for Japanese Translation

For those who would like to rent either a WC class vehicle (van) or micro-bus


International driver`s license

Please double check that your international license has a stamp in the D-Box.
This will allow you to rent out larger vehicles such as WC class vehicles and micro-buses.

D: Large Vehicles (10 or more people) a reservation.

If you do not have a stamp on this section, you will not be allowed to drive Large Vehicles in Japan. Please confirm before making a reservation.

If you fall into any of the following categories, we cannot provide our service.

Due to the spread of the use of counterfeit licenses, Budget Rent-a-Car refuses to provide services to non-Filipino citizens with Filipino International Driverʼ s Permits.
This shall apply to our services until this notice is taken down from our website. Thank you for your understanding in advance.

Did you know? It is against the law to drive snowy icy roads with normal tires.

Although it is not widely known, it is a violation of the law to drive on snowy/icy roads that are clearly likely to be slippery with normal tires, without taking anti-slip measures.
Budget Rent a Car provides cars with studless tires.

Click here for details >

Information about driving in Japan

Observe the traffic laws.

In the last year, there has been 3 death accidents by foreigners at Budget Rent-a-Car.
List of important Japanese traffic laws for your safety >

Keep to the left side of the street.

In Japan, cars must keep to the left side of the street. Please drive under the legal limit on street with traffic signs indicating speed limit.

Please fasten your seat belt while driving.

You must fasten your seat belt in all seats. You'll be fined if you violate this law.

Traffic signals

Green means to drive, red means to stop. Wait until it turns green if it's red. However, if the green arrow is lit, you may drive toward the direction of the arrow.

Please refrain from talking on the cellphone while driving.

You will be fined if you use your cellphone while driving. You will be fined even when you operate on your phone to check or send messages as well.

Please do not park on the street.

Parking on the street is violating the law, and you may be targeted for inspection even if parked for a short period. You can be fined up to \18,000.

Information about child safety seats

Use child safety seats for children under 6.

When turning right, you must give priority to other cars driving straight.

In Japan, cars must keep to the left side of the street. When turning right, you must give priority to oncoming cars driving straight and turning left before turning right.

Pedestrians are prioritized anywhere

Regardless of turning right or left, pedestrians are prioritized. Be careful with pedestrians while turning right or left.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is prohibited.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal. Never drink and drive! Also, the person who provides car for those intoxicated will be severely punished.

Emergency contact number: 110 for police, 119 for ambulance or fire truck

In the case of an accident, first, check your condition, then call an ambulance via 119 if there are any injuries and police via 110 to report the location. You must call the police no matter how small the accident is.

In Japan, stop signs are triangular shaped.

Internationally, stop signs are usually octangular shaped, however in Japan, stop signs are red, reverse-triangular shape that says "止まれ (STOP)" in Japanese.

Stop

Stop completely at the "止まれ (STOP)" sign, and check your left and right. You must always stop at the railway crossings even without the stop sign.

Information about traffic signs

Basic traffic signs

Information about renting and returning

Renting vehicles

Please bring these items to the store on the day of departure.

All drivers must have a license. Everyone who drives must show their license. You are required to have a valid license in Japan, eligible for the vehicle you are driving.

If you find any damage on the car when renting, contact us regardless of the degree of damage.

For online reservation and the rules on how to drive safely in Japan, Click here to watch a video.

If you are driving a vehicle from Budget Rent a Car using an International Driving Permit

What to do in case of a parking violation…

If you commit a parking violation during the renting period, the police station will contact us. Afterwards, we will request you to move the rented car and report to the police station. Before returning the car, you must report to the police station and complete a specified procedure and pay the fine. You must provide a "receipt" with a stamp and "documents you received at the police station" to our staff before returning.

※If you did not report to the police, or have not paid your fine, you will be required to sign an acknowledgment specified by us.

※If you do not deal with your violation, we will report to the police, public safety commission, and All Japan Rent-a-car association, and you will be prohibited to rent cars from our company and other companies affiliated with All Japan Rent-a-car association.

In case of an accident, you must call our Help Desk (092-735-8886) and the police (110).

Payment method

Payment must be in advance.

On the day of rental, we will ask you to pay the total amount at the counter. When returning, pay the additional fee if you exceed the rental period.

Credit card payment only

We only accept credit card payment at our stores.

Valid types of credit card

●Shinhan Bank credit card is only available in stores in Kyushu.
Some credit cards will not be accepted in certain stores. We do not accept Union Pay credit card.

Electronic toll collection (ETC)

Even if you do not have an ETC card, Budget will lend you one! Simply set the ETC card and you can enjoy a reasonable trip.
When returning your vehicle, pay the amount you owe using the machine at the store.

Regulations/ Precautions

  • ●This service is not available in some stores.
  • ●The option with ETC transponder will not come with an ETC card.
  • ●You will only be able to rent a car equipped with ETC card from this web page.
  • ●You will not be able to use any other discount or benefit combined.
  • ●ETC card may not be available due to a limited number.
  • ●If the stores you are renting and returning the car are located in different prefectures, we may charge you a One-Way fee. (Some stores excluded)
  • ●If you do not contact us within an hour after your reservation time, your reservation will automatically be cancelled.
  • ●If you do not comply with the regulations and precautions, we will ask you to refrain from using our services.

Returning your car

Please fill up the gas tank when returning your car.

We rent our vehicle with full fuel. Please fill up the gas tank when returning the car to the specified store, unless you have a special plan. Please bring the receipt of refueling. After checking the vehicle and fuel, the returning process will be complete.

If you return without filling up the gas tank

If you do not fill up the gas tank for some reason, we will charge you by the distance regulated separately. In this case, you will be charged higher than the average market price of fuel.

When changing the returning time

If you would like to change the contract after your departure or you can not return your vehicle on time, please contact the store you picked up your car. If changeable, please pay the additional fee when returning.

When dropping off your car

If you drop off your car at the store different from the store you rented, you must request in advance, and an additional One-Way fee will be charged. You may not be able to drop-off your car, even if you have arranged the schedule at the time of departure. We may specify the drop-off store upon discussion.

Reserve it now
with the simple procedure!

Select pick-up location

Select return location

Rental car user guide

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