To ride a 125cc motorcycle, you need a small-sized Regular Motorcycle license. Due to a change in the law, it is now possible to obtain a small-sized Regular Motorcycle license in as little as two days if you have a regular car license.

This article is for people who want to ride a 125cc small motorcycle and will explain in detail how to obtain a small motorcycle license. It will also explain the characteristics of 125cc motorcycles, the differences between mopeds, medium-sized and large motorcycles, the process until Driver's License is issued, and the acquisition period and cost, so it is a must-read for those who want to ride a small motorcycle.

125cc bikes refer to "small-sized Regular Motorcycle bikes"

A 125cc bike is a "small-sized Regular Motorcycle bike" with an engine displacement of 51-125cc. To ride one, you need either a "small-sized motorcycle license" or an "AT-only small-sized motorcycle license."

125cc motorcycles are relatively inexpensive to build and insure, and are convenient for riding in the city because they are maneuverable. Two-seaters are also possible, but the maximum legal speed is 60km/h, so they cannot be ridden on highways. Let's take a look at the features of 125cc motorcycles.

Differences between mopeds, medium-sized and large motorcycles

How are 125cc bikes different from mopeds and other medium and large bikes? First, let's explain the difference between them and mopeds.

Differences from mopeds

• No need to make a two-stage right turn
• Two-seater is allowed if certain conditions are met.
• There is no speed limit of 30km/h

When turning right, mopeds must make a two-stage right turn, but 125cc motorbikes do not. Also, the speed limit is 30km/h for mopeds, while 125cc motorbikes are 60km/h. Two-seaters are prohibited on mopeds, but two-seaters are allowed on 125cc motorbikes if they have been licensed for more than one year.

Differences from medium and large motorcycles

• displacement
• License plate color
• 125cc motorcycles cannot be driven on highways
• You can ride a 125cc bike from the age of 16.

The differences in engine displacement and number plate colour are as follows:

	125cc Bike	Mid-size bike	Large Motorcycle
displacement	51㏄～125㏄	From 126cc to 400cc	Over 400cc (no limit)
License plate color	51-90cc: Yellow 91-125cc: Pink	125-250cc: White 251cc or more: Green frame	Green frame

125cc motorcycles cannot be driven on expressways, but medium and large motorcycles can. Also, 125cc and medium motorcycles can be licensed from 16 years old or older, but large motorcycles can only be ridden from 18 years old or older.

125cc motorcycles cannot be ridden with a regular license or a moped license.

You cannot ride a 125cc motorcycle with a regular car license or moped license. You must have a motorcycle license of at least "Regular Motorcycle (small size only)."

Details of motorcycles that cannot be ridden with a regular driver's license are as follows:

• Small motorcycle (AT/MT): 51 to 125cc or less
• Regular Motorcycle (AT/MT): 126 to 400cc or less
• Heavy Motorcycle (AT/MT): 401cc or more

The only motorcycle that can be ridden with a regular car license is a moped. Remember that with only a regular car license, you cannot ride a motorcycle with an engine displacement of 50cc or more or a maximum speed of 30km/h or more.

Required for motorcycles up to 125cc! How to obtain a small-size limited Regular Motorcycle license

To ride a 125cc motorcycle, you need a "small-size limited Regular Motorcycle license." There are "AT limited" and "MT" versions, and both can be obtained in two ways: by attending a driving school or by taking a one-shot test.

1. Attend a driving school and get a license

We will explain the process and cost of attending a driving school to obtain a license. The process from enrolling in a driving school to obtaining a license is as follows.

1. Enroll in a driving school
2. aptitude test
3. First stage theory and Driving Lessons
4. Second stage theory and Driving Lessons
5. Final Driving Test
6. A written test for a driver's license at the local driver's license testing center in your area
7. After passing the test, you will be issued a small motorcycle Driver's License

For those who do not have any license, the average cost of obtaining a small motorcycle license starts from around 100,000 yen for an automatic transmission only and around 120,000 yen for a manual transmission.

2. Take the test at the driver's license testing center

The one-shot test is a way to take the test directly at a driver's license testing center without using a driving school. If you pass the three types of tests, the written test, the aptitude test, and the practical test, you will be issued Driver's License.

If you can pass the test by self-study, you can get your motorcycle license in the shortest time possible and at a lower cost than going to a driving school. However, in order to pass the practical test on the first try, it will be difficult unless you get a feel for driving and operating an actual motorcycle.

The process for taking the one-shot exam is as follows:

1. Written test of learner's permit
2. aptitude test
3. Skill test at a later date
4. After passing the exam, take the certification course.
5. Issuance of small motorcycle Driver's License

You cannot take the practical test immediately after the written and aptitude tests, so you will need to take the practical test at a later date. Those who hold a regular driver's license are exempt from the written test.

The test dates and locations are as follows:

• Test days: Weekdays only
• Test location: Driver's license testing center (license center) in your area

The eligibility requirements are as follows:

[Qualifications]

• Age: 16 years or older
• Vision: Vision must be 0.7 or higher in both eyes, and 0.3 or higher in each eye (glasses or contact lenses are acceptable)
• Hearing: Ability to hear a 90 decibel horn at a distance of 10 metres (hearing aids permitted)
• Physical ability: The person has the cognitive ability necessary to safely drive a car, etc., and has no physical disabilities that impede driving, such as being able to voluntarily operate a steering wheel or other devices (if there is a disability, it can be resolved by using auxiliary means).

The cost of obtaining a license is 22,300 yen in total, consisting of the license fee of 6,100 yen plus the course fee of 16,200 yen. The breakdown is as follows:

[Breakdown of the cost of 22,300 yen]

• Exam fee: 2,600 yen
• Test car usage fee 1,450 yen
• Driver's License issuance fee: 2,050 yen
• License acquisition training fee (for Regular Motorcycle): 16,200 yen

If you fail, you can retake the test until you pass. However, you will be charged the test fee and test vehicle usage fee each time you retake the test.

[Regular license available] 125cc motorcycle license (small-size limited Regular Motorcycle license) acquisition period and process

With a regular car license, you can ride a moped, but you cannot ride a 125cc motorcycle. To ride a 125cc motorcycle, you need a small motorcycle license, but due to a change in the law, it is now possible to get a license in as little as two days. Here is the detailed background.

Due to a legal change in July 2018, it can now be obtained in as little as two days.

If you have a regular car license, you will need 11 hours of training, including 1 theory hour and 10 practical hours, to get a small motorcycle license. Even if you have an automatic transmission-only small motorcycle, you will need to take 9 hours of training, including 1 theory hour and 8 practical hours.

Until now, there were regulations stating that "first stage Driving Lessons was limited to a maximum of two hours per day" and "second stage was limited to a maximum of three hours", so even to obtain the shortest automatic transmission-only small motorcycle license, more than three days were required.

However, the Road Traffic Act was revised in July 2018, raising the "maximum number of hours of Driving Lessons can be taken per day" for those with a regular driver's license seeking a small motorcycle license.

After the revision, the upper limit was increased significantly to "5 hours per day for the first stage." This means that it is now possible to obtain a small motorcycle license in as little as two days (if the license is limited to automatic transmission).

The process of obtaining a license at a driving school

This article will explain the process for someone with a regular car license to use a driving school to obtain a small motorcycle license. The process from enrolling at a driving school to obtaining Driver's License is as follows:

1. Enrollment and explanation at the driving school
2. Driving aptitude test
3. First level Driving Lessons (3 hours)
4. Second stage theory training (1 hour) / Driving Lessons (5 hours)
5. Final Driving Test
6. Upon passing, a graduation certificate will be issued.
7. Aptitude test at the driver's license testing center
8. driver's license issuance

The process is the same whether you attend a driving school or a training camp. However, with a training camp, you will be able to concentrate on your lessons according to an efficient schedule set by the driving school, so it will take less time to graduate.

Even if you go to a driving school, some schools offer a short-term intensive course called a "two-day course." This allows you to graduate in as little as two days, even if you go to a driving school. However, not all driving schools offer two-day courses, so please check in advance.

[Regular license available] Cost of obtaining a small-size Regular Motorcycle license

Here is the cost of obtaining a small motorcycle license for someone with a regular car license.

Average cost of attending a driving school

If you go to a driving school, the average cost for a regular driver's license is about 90,000 yen. In many cases, the AT-only school is about 10,000 yen cheaper than the MT school.

However, the fees vary depending on the driving school and the plan, so be sure to check the website or materials of the driving school you want to attend for detailed fees. Some driving schools do not offer small motorcycle plans, so it is a good idea to check in advance.

In addition, if you choose a plan where you make your own lesson reservations, you can attend lessons according to your work or school schedule, but please note that you may not be able to make a lesson reservation at the date and time you want. Many driving schools are closed during the New Year holidays, so you will need to plan your schedule well in advance depending on the time of year.

Average cost of a "2-day course" at a driving school

Some driving schools offer an intensive two-day course for people who have a regular driver's license.

In this case, the fee will be a little higher, about 20,000 yen on top of the regular training plan, but it is recommended for those who want to take the maximum number of lessons at once and obtain a small motorcycle license in the shortest possible time.

Some driving schools may not offer a two-day course, may have a limited number of participants, or may only offer the course on certain days of the week, so be sure to check in advance.

Average cost for attending Driving Camp

The average cost for someone with a regular driver's license to attend Driving Camp is about 90,000 yen. This also varies depending on the training camp and driving school plan, so please check for details.

The main breakdown of Driving Camp fees is as follows:

• Admission Fee
• Training fee
• Examination fee
• Material Fee
• Accommodation fee
• Meal expenses (varies depending on plan, such as 1 meal, 2 meals, or 3 Meals Provided)
• Insurance fee

Additionally, many schools will provide travel expenses to the training camp as a graduation benefit (up to a certain limit).

In addition, some schools include an extended warranty in case you fail the test or need to take extra lessons, which results in an extended stay. This varies depending on the driving school and plan, so be sure to check in advance.

The cost of Driving Camp is not much different from going to school, but there are benefits such as being able to receive intensive lessons in a short period of time, not having to make reservations for lessons yourself, and being able to study with friends who are also aiming to obtain the same license. However, there are few places where you can obtain a small motorcycle license through Driving Camp, so if there is a driving school that interests you, be sure to inquire whether they offer small motorcycles.

Have fun going out on a 125cc bike! Try to get a small-size Regular Motorcycle license

Small 125cc bikes are maneuverable and perfect for riding around town on your commute to work or school. The small size of the bike makes it easy to navigate narrow alleys, allowing you to avoid crowded trains and traffic jams.

You can't drive on expressways, but if you've had your license for over a year, you can ride with two people. It's a great way to enjoy a leisurely ride on a motorcycle while traveling.

To ride a 125cc motorcycle, you need a small-size Regular Motorcycle license. Even if you have a regular car license, you must obtain a small-size motorcycle license separately because the only motorcycle you can ride with a regular license is a moped. However, due to a revision of the law, it is now possible to obtain a small-size motorcycle license in as little as two days, which is shorter than before.

Get your license at a driving school that offers small-size motorcycle licenses and go out and have fun on a 125cc bike.