You can employ an executive driver directly, take one from a dispatch agency, outsource the whole vehicle operation, or book a driver only on the days you need. Each route has a different cost and a different contract.
Indicative rates
Rates depend on the area, the hours and the experience and languages you need. For Tokyo:
- Direct employment: a monthly salary of roughly ¥300,000 to ¥500,000, plus social insurance and the vehicle.
- Dispatch agency: often ¥600,000 to ¥900,000 a month, including the agency's management fee.
- Outsourced fleet management: from about ¥700,000 a month, covering maintenance, insurance and the driver.
- By the hour (one day or a few hours): mostly ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 and more per hour. Foreign languages, nights and early mornings cost more.
The four ways and their contracts
- Direct employment: the most stable, but you cover holidays and sick days yourself.
- Worker dispatch: an agency employee drives under your instructions. The agency needs a worker dispatch licence.
- Outsourced fleet management: the company takes over maintenance, fuel, insurance and accident handling, and directs the driver itself.
- By the hour: for your regular driver's days off, overseas visitors or busy periods, you book only the days you need.
When you need a driver who speaks a foreign language
On the days an executive from head office or an overseas guest is in the car, you need a driver who can confirm the itinerary in English and handle the ride calmly. If your regular driver does not speak the language, booking an outside driver for that day is the practical answer.
At HIRE driver japan a driver with the Class 2 licence who speaks Japanese, English, Italian, French and Spanish drives your own vehicle by the hour. Rates are by the hour, never by distance or by trip.
What to check before booking
- Your motor insurance covers any driver.
- How fuel, tolls and parking are handled.
- Rates for nights, early mornings, long days and several days.
- A confidentiality clause in the contract: destinations and conversations stay private.
- Dispatch or contract: for dispatch, check the licence; for a contract, check who directs the driver.
Indicative ranges for Tokyo as of October 2026. Exact prices are confirmed in a quote.