Short answer. You can rent a car in Baku with a Japanese licence. You must bring an international permit. Japan, South Korea and Malaysia sit in the 1949 Geneva Convention. Azerbaijan uses the 1968 one. The permit bridges the two.
Updated 9 August 2026.
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Can you rent a car in Baku with a Japanese licence?
Yes, with an international permit alongside your Japanese licence. Two treaties govern licences across borders, and countries rarely belong to both.
| Country | Treaty | Joined |
|---|---|---|
| Azerbaijan | Vienna 1968 | 2002 |
| Japan | Geneva 1949 | 1964 |
| South Korea | Geneva 1949 | 1971 |
| Malaysia | Geneva 1949 | 1958 |
South Korea signed the 1968 treaty but never ratified it. So the 1949 route is the live one.
A second reason applies to Japan and Korea. The licence is printed in a script nobody here reads.
The permit solves both problems in one booklet.
Where do you get the permit?
You get the permit at home, before you fly. No office in Baku issues one for a foreign licence.
| Country | Who issues it | Valid for |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Your prefectural police, or JAF | 12 months |
| South Korea | Police stations and licence offices | 12 months |
| Malaysia | JPJ | 12 months |
Same-day issue is normal in all three.
Ignore websites selling an instant digital permit. Website PDFs are not treaty documents.
Does the permit work on its own?
No, the permit does not work on its own. In Azerbaijan the permit is a translation of your licence, not a licence.
Carry both cards together, every time you drive.
An officer will ask for the original. Without it the permit means nothing.
How long can you drive here?
A foreign licence covers 30 days from entry to Azerbaijan. The permit removes that limit.
For a two-week holiday either would do in theory. In practice, without a permit, the counter will stop you.
What is different from driving at home?
For Japanese and Malaysian drivers the biggest change is the side of the road.
- Azerbaijan drives on the right. Japan and Malaysia drive on the left.
- Korea already drives on the right, so that part will feel normal.
- The alcohol limit is zero. Not 0.03, not 0.05. Zero.
| Rule | Japan | South Korea | Azerbaijan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side of the road | Left | Right | Right |
| Alcohol limit | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.00 |
| Town speed limit | 40 to 60 | 50 to 60 | 60 |
| Open road | 80 to 100 | 80 to 100 | 90 |
Every car in our fleet is automatic, so the gearbox will feel familiar.
Traffic in Baku is less orderly than in Tokyo or Seoul. Indicators are used loosely.
Drive defensively for the first day. Our guide to driving in Baku lists the habits to expect.
Is renting worth it for a short trip?
Renting depends on where you go, and the answer is honest either way.
For three days inside the city, taxis are cheaper. Baku is compact and Bolt is everywhere.
The car wins from the first day out of town. Gobustan, Sheki and Quba are hard to reach otherwise.
Our car versus taxi comparison has the worked sums.
What do you bring to the counter?
- Your national licence, the original card
- Your international driving permit
- Your passport with the visa or entry stamp
Japanese, Korean and Malaysian citizens need an Azerbaijani e-visa. Apply online before you fly.
The deposit is 200 to 300 USD, in cash or blocked on a card.
What do we ask a Japanese, Korean or Malaysian driver for?
- Your national licence and an international permit, together.
- Passport with the e-visa you entered on.
- Every car in the fleet is automatic.
- Deposit 200 to 300 USD, depending on the car. Cash or a card block.
- No mileage limit anywhere inside Azerbaijan.
- Minimum rental 2 days.
- Fuel comes back at the level you got it.
The 1949 treaty has its own country list on the United Nations treaty register.
We have rented cars in Baku since 2023 and run 105 cars today. The office is open 24/7 and the phone answers at night.
BookingCarBaku staff speak Azerbaijani, Russian, English and Turkish.
Common questions
Is a Japanese licence enough on its own?
No, a Japanese licence is not enough on its own. Japan is in the 1949 treaty, Azerbaijan in the 1968 one. Bring a permit.
Does a Korean licence work without a permit?
No, a Korean licence does not work without a permit. Korea signed the 1968 treaty but never ratified it. Azerbaijan asks for a permit. The permit is the working route.
Can I get the permit in Baku?
No, you cannot get the permit in Baku. The permit is issued only in the country that issued your licence.
Which side of the road do they drive on?
Azerbaijan drives on the right side of the road. Japanese and Malaysian drivers should allow an hour.
Are the cars automatic?
Yes, every car in our Baku fleet is automatic.
Do you speak Japanese or Korean?
No, we do not speak Japanese or Korean. We work in Azerbaijani, Russian, English and Turkish.
Planning a Caucasus trip? Message us with your dates and we will hold a car.
