Short answer: get an International Driving Permit (国外運転免許証, valid for one year from issue) in Japan before you leave, and plan to get a state driver's license during your first semester. F-1 students can get a state license, but documents and tests vary by state. Seven states (Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland and Washington) waive the written and road tests if you hold a valid Japanese license. And under NCAA rules, university staff and boosters (people who support the athletics program) can't give you a car or let you use one. This is general information as of October 2026, not personal legal or immigration advice. Always confirm with the state licensing agency (DMV), your international student office (DSO) and your compliance office.
For the full picture of playing college soccer in the U.S., see our U.S. college soccer guide. This post is for players heading to suburban or rural campuses, and for parents worried about safety and cost. It covers licenses, cars and the NCAA rules on rides. When you choose a school, look at whether daily life there fits you, not just the name: fit, not name.
Four facts to start with
Start with these four points.
| # | Point | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan's International Driving Permit is issued under the Geneva Convention, is valid for one year from issue and can't be renewed | Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (警視庁) |
| 2 | F-1 students can apply for a state license; where a state asks for an SSN, some accept Form SSA-L676 (the SSA's refusal letter) instead | Study in the States (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) |
| 3 | Seven states waive the written and road tests for holders of a valid Japanese license | Embassy and consulates of Japan in the U.S.; Japan's National Police Agency |
| 4 | University staff and boosters can't provide a student-athlete with a car or the use of one | NCAA Division I Bylaw 16.11.2.2 |
Do you even need a car?
Whether you need a car depends heavily on where the campus is. At urban schools you can often manage with campus shuttles, public transit and ride-share. At suburban and rural schools, common in Division II, NAIA and junior college soccer, the nearest grocery store or clinic may only be reachable by car.
Travel to away games is normally by team bus or flight. For balancing road trips and class, see missing class for away games. Day-to-day, the hard parts are shopping, medical appointments, getting to a job and getting to the airport.
On a campus visit or call, ask:
- Can first-year students bring a car to campus, and what does a parking permit cost?
- Where do campus shuttles run, and do they run at night and on weekends?
- How far are the nearest grocery store, hospital and airport, and how do students get there?
- Do the older players have cars, and how do they get around?
Before you leave Japan
The International Driving Permit lets holders of a Japanese license drive in countries that are party to the Geneva Convention. In Tokyo you can apply at the driver's license centers (Fuchu, Samezu, Koto) and some designated police stations, and it's usually issued the same day. Bring your license, one photo and your passport.
| Check | What to know |
|---|---|
| Validity | One year from issue; no renewal |
| Link to your Japanese license | If your Japanese license expires, the permit stops being valid too |
| Japanese license expiring soon | If it has less than a year left, consider renewing early before you leave |
| My Number card license only (マイナ免許証) | Some countries may ask for the traditional license card |
The U.S. government's USAGov site also says you must get an IDP before your trip, that the U.S. doesn't issue them to foreign visitors, and that IDPs for use in the U.S. are valid for one year. Not every state requires one, but Japanese licenses have no English on them, so in practice it's safer to bring one.
If your Japanese license's renewal window falls while you're abroad, you can renew it early before you leave. Bring your passport or other proof that you'll be out of the country during the renewal window. The new license will be valid for a shorter period than a normal renewal.
For everything else before departure, see the parents' 90-day pre-departure checklist. The U.S. drives on the right, so getting some practice in a left-hand-drive car in Japan is worth it.
Getting a state license on an F-1
F-1 students can apply for a state driver's license. The Department of Homeland Security's Study in the States site lays out these steps:
- Ask your DSO about driving rules in your state
- Confirm with your DSO that your SEVIS record is Active
- Wait about 10 days after arriving before you apply, so your I-94 information updates across government systems
- Get a Social Security number (SSN) if your state requires one
- Take the required documents to the DMV
| Key documents | Details |
|---|---|
| Form I-20 | Every signed version |
| Passport and visa | Valid |
| Proof of residence | Varies by state (housing contract, bank statement, etc.) |
| SSN card or SSA-L676 | If the state requires it; some states accept the SSA-L676 refusal letter if you aren't eligible for an SSN |
Some states check your status through a system called SAVE, so you may get a temporary license or wait several weeks. Whether you need to take tests also depends on the state. For getting an SSN, see your first month in the U.S.: SSN, bank and phone.
Some states require new residents to get a state license within a set number of days. For example, the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle says Washington law requires a Washington license within 30 days of moving there. The deadline, and how students are treated, varies, so check your state DMV's site.
Free consultation: We look at campus location and getting around as part of school matching, not just soccer level. Book a free NextPitch consultation.
The seven test-waiver states
States with an agreement with Japan waive the written and road tests if you hold a valid Japanese license. Japan's National Police Agency lists Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland and Washington as U.S. states with mutual test waivers.
| State | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ohio, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland | Written and road tests waived. Documents, vision test and fees still required |
| Washington | Tests waived. You need your Japanese license plus a certified extract (自動車運転免許証抜粋証明) from a Japanese consulate. The Seattle consulate does not accept applications based on a My Number card license alone |
| Oregon | Tests waived. You hand in your Japanese license, and Oregon sends it to the Consular Office of Japan in Portland. The consular office warns that some licenses have been lost along the way |
Even with a waiver you still need the vision test, documents and fees, and a DMV officer can still ask you to take a test. For Indiana, Japan waives only the road test for Indiana licenses; check with the Indiana BMV for how it treats Japanese licenses.
To buy a car or not
Owning a car means insurance, registration and a parking permit on top of the price of the car. Most states require auto insurance. International students under 25 with no U.S. driving history tend to pay more. Premiums vary a lot by state and situation, so get quotes from several insurers before you buy.
| Cost | What to check |
|---|---|
| The car | For used cars, check the repair history |
| Auto insurance | Your state's minimum coverage, and whether international students can enroll |
| Registration and taxes | Process and cost vary by state |
| Parking permit | Annual campus parking fee |
| Gas and repairs | Build them into the monthly budget |
Many players skip a car in year one and decide in year two once they know their routine.
NCAA rules on cars and rides
In NCAA Division I, university staff and boosters may not provide a student-athlete with a car or the use of a car (Bylaw 16.11.2.2). An "extra benefit" is any special arrangement by staff or a booster to give a benefit not expressly allowed by NCAA rules (Bylaw 16.02.4). A benefit that's generally available to other students isn't a violation.
The rules on rides have changed. The old Division I list of banned benefits used "a ride home with a coach" as an example; that item was removed in 2022. The current Division I Manual (2026-27) says a school may provide reasonable transportation to student-athletes (Bylaw 16.9.1). Division II has allowed reasonable transportation under institutional policy since August 2025 (Bylaw 16.9.1). But in Division II, a benefit from a booster still isn't allowed unless it's generally available to other students (Bylaw 16.11.1).
| Situation | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Borrowing a car from a coach or booster | Not allowed |
| A booster driving you around routinely | Generally not allowed; always ask compliance |
| Transport arranged by the school or team (trips, airport runs) | Allowed within school policy |
| A ride from a teammate's parent | Ask first (a parent who donates to athletics may count as a booster) |
| Campus shuttles open to all students | Allowed |
A booster includes anyone who has donated to athletics, helped with recruiting, or provided benefits to student-athletes or their families. Once someone is a booster, they stay one. A teammate's parent can be a booster, so ask compliance before accepting. Division III, NAIA and NJCAA have their own rules, so listen closely at your rules education session.
For other rules that can cost you eligibility, see alcohol, cannabis and betting rules.
Safety and what to do if something goes wrong
Every state has a "zero tolerance" law for drivers under 21, with a blood alcohol limit of 0.02 or lower. If you're under 21, don't drive after any drink at all.
- After a crash, get to safety and call 911 if anyone is hurt
- Get a police report and exchange insurance details
- Contact your insurer, and your team and DSO if needed
- If you're staying three months or more, file a residence registration (在留届) with the Japanese embassy or consulate
An arrest or criminal case can affect your visa and future entry to the U.S. If it happens, talk to your DSO and an immigration lawyer right away.
FAQ
Q. Can I drive teammates around? A. Often yes legally, if you're licensed and insured, but check that your insurance covers passengers. For team travel in your own car, follow team policy.
Q. Can my parents rent a car when they visit? A. With an International Driving Permit and their Japanese license, they can drive in many states. Rental companies set their own rules and some charge young-driver fees, so check in advance.
Q. Can I convert my U.S. license to a Japanese one later? A. Yes, through Japan's foreign license conversion (外免切替). You must have stayed a total of three months or more in that country after getting the license, shown with your passport or other records. Licenses from the seven waiver states skip the written and road tests.
Q. What if my Japanese license expires while I'm abroad? A. Within six months of expiry, you can get it back through the lapsed-license process. If you were away for an unavoidable reason such as overseas travel, you can apply within three years of expiry and within one month of returning to Japan. After three years, this route isn't available.
For paying for school, our guide to Japanese scholarships for US college soccer explains how to stack Japanese scholarships on athletic aid.
Summary
- Get your International Driving Permit in Japan before you leave. It lasts one year and stops working if your Japanese license expires.
- F-1 students can get a state license: wait about 10 days after arrival, confirm SEVIS is Active, and bring an SSN or SSA-L676.
- Ohio, Oregon, Colorado, Virginia, Hawaii, Maryland and Washington waive tests for a valid Japanese license.
- Never borrow a car from a coach or booster. Rides should follow school policy; when in doubt, ask compliance.
- Under 21 means zero tolerance. Don't drive after any drink.
- Pick a school for overall fit, including location and transport, not just soccer level.
Free consultation: We look at campus location and getting around as part of school matching, not just soccer level. Book a free NextPitch consultation.
Sources (checked October 2026): Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department pages on the International Driving Permit, early renewal, lapsed licenses (6 months–3 years) and foreign license conversion; National Police Agency notice (April 3, 2023); Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle, "ワシントン州の運転免許証の取得について"; Consular Office of Japan in Portland, Japan–Oregon partial test waiver; Embassy of Japan, "自動車運転免許証抜粋証明"; Study in the States, "Driving in the United States"; USAGov, non-citizen driving page; NCAA Division I Manual 2026-27 (Bylaws 16.02.4, 16.9.1, 16.11.1.1, 16.11.2.2, 13.02.16); NCAA Division II Manual 2026-27 (Bylaws 13.02.1, 16.02.3, 16.9.1, 16.11.1); NHTSA, "Lower BAC Limits."