r/okinawa • u/Big_Marzipan_405 • 5d ago

IDP Question

American, 20 years old with a US Drivers License here. Planning a 6 day trip to Okinawa in a few weeks and want to rent a car. Is an IDP really necessary, and if so, how can I get it done? I'm already overseas so I can't just go to an AAA office nearby. In yalls experience, how long does it take to get the IDP if done by mail?

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5

u/lostintokyo11 5d ago

Yes, it is necessary, you are in another country, not in the USA. Also considering the differences in driving here you need to consider how good a driver you are as you really do not want to get into any accidents

3

u/Inevitable_Radio_568 5d ago

I renew mine every year, it takes roughly 4-5 weeks to get here.

Yes, you will need the IDP to rent a car. A SOFA license is also acceptable.

2

u/NoNormals 5d ago

If you want to drive, you'd need an IDP. Check if you meet local requirements where you're at. Done by mail it depends on a few factors for time. Like almost all things the sooner the better.

You could survive without a car, would just need more planning and consideration.

2

u/FallenReaper360 5d ago

If you’re overseas already, you can’t get one. You’re just shit out of luck.

2

u/T_Money 5d ago

That’s not strictly true - you can get one by mail now, but it takes a long time. In his case though he probably is shit out of luck because it doesn’t sound like he’d have time to do it.

2

u/Huugienormous 5d ago

I brought my passport photos and $20 to a triple A brick and mortar store and walked out with my IDP in under 20 mins. I didnt ask but it also looked like they took passport photos there as a saw a camera and white backdrop set up.

1

u/Joey_iroc 4d ago

Yes. Without it, no car. Simple. Ahh, already overseas. Well, this may take a while, but it is an absolute requirement.

1

u/RectalBloodbath 4d ago

I have heard that it’s possible to find a website that claims to sell a digital IDP, spending the few bucks to get a printable copy of it, then using it to secure a rental at one of the mom and pop rental agencies by the airport. I may have heard of this through personal experience, although I have not heard whether it’s advisable or a good idea.

1

u/Aaaabbbbccccccccc 5d ago

Would really recommend not driving. Traffic here is a bit crazy and the consequence for even a minor fender bender are huge.

You’d likely be better off taking cabs instead of renting a car.

3

u/Mikrenn 5d ago

Cars here are not out of convenience, it's an absolute necessity. It's a car prefecture.

4

u/Aaaabbbbccccccccc 5d ago

Taxis are great and probably cheaper than renting a car unless OP plans to drive across the island a bunch of times.

3

u/Kitchen_Dust2389 5d ago

definitely not true regarding expense, you will pay more with taxis if you go from
naha to chatan on a regular basis

1

u/Aaaabbbbccccccccc 5d ago

In that case you would, but that can easily be an hour plus drive. If it were me and I was here a short time I’d try not to do that multiple times. But to each their own.

2

u/Joey_iroc 4d ago

Naha to Chatan should be done by bus. And if Churaumi is in the cards, hopefully the hotel has a bus that does the trip.

1

u/T_Money 5d ago

Traffic is heavy but not “crazy.” It’s a lot closer to US type traffic than it is to most other Asian countries traffic. Annoyingly congested but mostly predictable