⬅️ Back to Main Menu
🚙 Getting a Driver’s License 📃
This guide provides a detailed explanation of the process of obtaining a driving license in Japan, focusing on car, motorcycle, and moped(原付 => Gentsuki) licenses. It includes license types, methods of obtaining licenses, exam details, and preparation tips, along with an in-depth explanation of driving schools, driving camps, and their schedules.
Contents
License Types
In Japan, there are several types of licenses including small vehicles, three wheelers, large vehiceles, trucks, tractors, trailers, etc. Each license type has its own requirements and procedures.
For out convenience, we will focus on car, motorcycle, and moped licenses.
1. Car License (普通自動車免許 => Futsuu Jidousha Menkyo)
- Type 1 (Standard Car License): Covers vehicles under 3.5 tons.
- Type 2 (Professional License): Required for taxi, bus, or commercial drivers.
We will focus on Type 1.
2. Motorcycle License (二輪車免許 => Nirinsha Menkyo)
- Small Motorcycle (小型二輪): For motorcycles with engine displacement under 125cc.
- Ordinary Motorcycle (普通二輪): For motorcycles up to 400cc.
- Large Motorcycle (大型二輪): For motorcycles exceeding 400cc.
3. Moped License (原付免許 => Gentsuki Menkyo)
- For mopeds with an engine displacement of 50cc or less.
🚗 Automatic vs Manual Car Licenses
For ordinary car licenses, there are two main license options:
Automatic Transmission License (AT 限定免許)
- Allows the driver to operate only automatic transmission vehicles.
- Advantages:
- Easier to learn, especially for beginners.
- Fewer technical skills required (no clutch or gear shifting).
- Shorter driving practice time (minimum 31 hours for AT vs. 34 for MT).
- Disadvantages:
- Restricts the driver from operating manual transmission vehicles.
- Requires additional training and testing to upgrade to a manual license.
Manual Transmission License (MT 免許)
- Allows the driver to operate both manual and automatic transmission vehicles.
- Advantages:
- More versatile; can drive a wider range of vehicles.
- Often preferred for certain professions and international driving.
- Disadvantages:
- Steeper learning curve due to clutch and gear management.
- Longer driving practice time (minimum 34 hours).
Methods to Obtain a Driving License
-
Starting Fresh (Non-Conversion)
- For beginners with no prior driving license.
- Requires completion of a certified driving school course or passing tests independently.
-
License Conversion (外国免許切替 - Gaikoku Menkyo Kirikae)
- For those holding a valid foreign driving license.
- Includes a written test, eye test, and practical driving test.
License conversion is dicussed on the License Conversion page.
Driving Schools and Camps
Driving schools in Japan offer two formats:
- Standard Classes
- Driving Camps
(合宿免許 => Gasshuku menkyo)
Driving Camp Details
Intensive residential courses lasting 2-3 weeks, ideal for completing the process quickly.
- Duration: 14-21 days for car licenses (may vary by license type).
- Inclusions:
- Accommodation.
- Meals.
- All lessons (classroom and driving).
- Exam fees (initial attempts only).
- Advantages:
- Shorter time frame.
- Structured environment with focused training.
- Cost-effective compared to regular lessons.
Class Breakdown in Driving Schools
Regular lessons spread over several weeks. Each lesson classes are 50 minutes long.
1. Theory Classes
- Total Hours: 26 hours (minimum for car licenses). 10 hours for lerners permit(
仮免 => Karimen) and 16 hours for main license(本免 => Honmen).
- Content:
- Traffic laws and regulations.
- Road signs and safety protocols.
- Basic car mechanics and troubleshooting.
2. Driving Practice
- Total Hours:
- Closed Course: 12-15 hours (AT 12 hours, MT 15 hours).
- On-Road Practice: 19 hours.
- Content:
- Basic driving skills (starting, stopping, steering).
- Handling intersections and merging.
- Night driving and emergency procedures.
Karimen and Honmen Breakdown
There are two main phases for obtaining a license in a driving school for regular classes. These should be completed sequentially one after the other.
1. Karimen (仮免) - Learner’s Permit Phase
First phase after joining a driving school is the karimen phase where you will learn the basic driving skills for getting the lerner’s permit. After completing all the classes, you can attend the theory test and after passing the test you can take the practical test.
If you pass both the theory and practical test then you will get your lerner’s permit and prepare for the next phase (honmen/main license test).
- Requirements:
- Complete all classes (theory and practice).
- Complete 10 hours of theory classes.
- Complete 14 hours of driving practice on a closed course.
- Pass the theory test (first stage, 50 questions).
- Tests:
- Written test (multiple-choice).
- Practical test on a closed course (at the school track).
- Focus Areas:
- Basic driving maneuvers (turning, braking, parking).
- Vehicle control and safety checks.
2. Honmen (本免) - Final License Phase
After completing the lerner’s permit phase, you can start the final phase of getting your main license. This phase includes a written test and a practical test on public roads.
- Requirements:
- Pass the theory test (100 questions).
- Complete 19 hours of on-road driving practice.
- Tests:
- Written test (advanced traffic scenarios).
- Practical test on public roads.
- Focus Areas:
- Advanced driving techniques.
- Navigating urban and rural roads.
- Safe handling of emergencies.
Driving school will take your practical test on the road. If you pass the test then they will provide you a passing certificate. You will have to go to the license center to participate in the writting test.
⬆ back to top
🏍 Motorcycle License
Motorcycle licenses are issued in three categories:
Categories and Prerequisites
1. Small Motorcycle License (小型二輪)
- Age Requirement: 18 years or older.
- Prerequisite: None.
- Vehicle Coverage: Motorcycles with engine displacement up to 125cc.
2. Ordinary Motorcycle License (普通二輪)
- Age Requirement: 18 years or older.
- Prerequisite: None or a Small Motorcycle License for an easier upgrade.
- Vehicle Coverage: Motorcycles with engine displacement up to 400cc.
3. Large Motorcycle License (大型二輪)
- Age Requirement: 20 years or older.
- Prerequisite: Ordinary Motorcycle License is required for atleast one year.
- Vehicle Coverage: Motorcycles exceeding 400cc.
Licence Acquiring Process
This Process is the same as for a car license. The only difference is the total hour required for theory and practice.
⬆ back to top
🛵 Moped License
Moped Licence Acquiring Process
This process only requires a written test. You don’t need to take a driving test. The test is a multiple choice test. 50 questions will be provided to you.
After passing the test, the staff will take you to a classroom for a driving safety class. It takes about an hour and is conducted in Japanese. Just nod and smile; they will probably assume you do not understand, but it won’t matter, this is not a graded exercise, and as long as you stay awake, you should be OK.
After the class, the staff will take you to a driving course for your 3-hour Safe Driving Course, where an instructor will introduce you to the basics of the scooter: how to use the kickstand, start it, accelerate, brake, etc. After the class, you will get your license if you have managed not to hurt yourself or others.
Rules for Moped Riders
- Maximum Speed: 30 km/h.
- Prohibited Roads: Highways and expressways.
- Bike Lane Usage: Permitted unless otherwise indicated.
- Helmet: Wearing a helmet is mandatory.
- Passenger Restrictions: No passengers allowed on mopeds.
⬆ back to top
Tips for Preparing
Written Exams
- Study from official manuals and question banks.
- Attend theory classes at driving schools for structured guidance.
Practical Exams
- Practice frequently, focusing on small details like mirror checks and lane changes.
- Familiarize yourself with the test course layout (available at driving centers).
- Pass mark is 90% in theory and 80% in practical.
- Passing mark is 45 out of 50 for lerner’s permit and 90 out of 100 for main license.
Driving Camps
- Book early as spots fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons.
- Bring necessary items (ID, toiletries, casual clothes, etc.) for residential stays.
Licence Center
- Exam starts at 10:00 AM at license center.
- Exam registration at license center starts in between 8:30 AM to 09:30 AM. So be attentive to the timing.
Additional Notes
- Cost of Driving Schools:
- Regular lessons: ¥300,000-¥350,000 (car license).
- Driving camps: ¥250,000-¥350,000 (includes accommodation and meals).
- Cost of Moped License:
- ¥8,000-¥12,000 (includes registration, Lecture fee & Issuance fee).
- Validity of Licenses: Initially valid for three years; requires renewal thereafter.
Resources
- Japan Automobile Federation (JAF): https://english.jaf.or.jp
- Local Licensing Centers: Check local government websites for specific procedures.
This article is based on my personal experience acquiring a driver’s license from a driving school. All information provided are collected from the driving school website, course materials & instructors.
⬆ back to top