Do you want to get a motorcycle license to ride the bike of your dreams, or do you want to get a motorcycle license for work, commuting, or school? For those who want to know how long it will take and how much it will cost to get a motorcycle license, and what methods are available, this article will explain in detail the types of motorcycle licenses, how to get one, and how long it will take and how much it will cost.

In addition to introducing the requirements for obtaining a motorcycle license and the process for receiving Driver's License, we will also introduce the fastest way to obtain it, so please use this as a reference.

The time it takes to obtain a motorcycle license varies depending on the type of license and the method of obtaining it.

"Motorcycle" refers to any two-wheeled vehicle excluding mopeds. For example, a "medium-sized motorcycle license" generally refers to a "normal motorcycle license." As you can see, there are many different types of motorcycles, and they are broadly divided into three types of licenses depending on the motorcycle you can ride.

The types of motorcycle licenses and the engine displacement that can be ridden are as follows:

• Regular motorcycles: 125cc to 400cc or less
• Regular motorcycle (small size only): 50cc to 125cc or less
• Heavy Motorcycle: 400cc or more

Furthermore, each model is available in "MT (unrestricted)" and "AT only."

The time it takes to obtain a motorcycle license varies depending on the type of license and the method of obtaining it. Let's look at two patterns: "attending a driving school" and "taking a one-shot test."

If you go to a driving school

If someone who does not have any license attends a driving school to obtain a motorcycle license, the number of training hours and the minimum number of days are as follows.

Type of license	Academic training hours	Driving Lessons hours	Total Time	Estimated minimum number of days
Ordinary motorcycle license	26 hours	19th period	45th period	12th
Regular motorcycle license (AT only)	26 hours	15th period	41 period	11th
Regular motorcycle license (small vehicles only)	26 hours	12th period	38th period	The 10th
Regular motorcycle license (AT, small size only)	26 hours	9th period	35 hours	The 9th
Heavy Motorcycle license (MT)	26 hours	36th period	62nd period	16th
Heavy Motorcycle license (AT only)	26 hours	29th period	55th period	14th

However, if you already have a regular driver's license, you will be exempt from most of the written training. You will also be exempt from Driving Lessons, pre-graduation effectiveness tests, and the written exam for the full license, so you can obtain your license more quickly.

When taking a one-shot test

A one-shot test is a method in which you go directly to a driver's license testing center (license center) to take the written test, aptitude test, and practical test without using a driving school.

Since you don't need to attend a driving school, you can get your motorcycle license in the shortest time possible if you pass. However, if you don't practice driving and operating an actual motorcycle, it may be difficult to pass the practical test on the first try.

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

1. take a written exam
2. take an aptitude test
3. Take the skill test at a later date
4. Attend a course upon acquisition
5. Issuance of Driver's License

Acquisition period | One-shot exam

The written test and aptitude test are held on the same day, but you cannot take the practical test immediately after. You will need to take the practical test at a later date. For this reason, it will take at least two days to get your license, but if you pass, you can get it in a shorter time than if you went to a driving school.

The test is only held on weekdays, and for both Regular Motorcycle and Heavy Motorcycle motorcycles, if you have a regular car license or higher, or a Class 2 license, you are exempt from the written test. In addition, for Heavy Motorcycle, if you have a Regular Motorcycle license, you are exempt from the written test. Depending on the type of license you have, you may be exempt from some or all of the initial training that is held after passing the practical test.

Cost of Acquisition | One-shot Exam

The cost of obtaining a license is 6,100 yen plus the fee for the initial training course. The breakdown of the 6,100 yen and the initial training fees for each type of license are as follows:

[Breakdown of license fee of 6,100 yen]

• Exam fee: 2,600 yen
• Test car usage fee 1,450 yen
• Driver's License issuance fee: 2,050 yen

[Certification course fee]

• Regular Motorcycle: 16,200 yen
• Heavy Motorcycle: 16,650 yen

If you fail the test, you can retake it until you pass. However, you will be charged the test fee and test vehicle usage fee each time you retake the test, so please be aware that the more times you take the test, the more expensive it will be. You only pay Driver's License issuance fee if you pass.

If you want to get a motorcycle license as quickly as possible, which is better: attending a Driving Camp school or taking a training camp?

If you want to get your motorcycle license as quickly as possible, but aren't confident that you can pass the test on the first try, you'll likely get it faster if you study hard at a driving school and practice your skills safely.

There are two ways to obtain a motorcycle license using a driving school: "commuting" and "training camp." We will explain each in detail.

[Driving school attendance] Regular Motorcycle license can be obtained in as little as 12 days

If you go to the nearest driving school from your home and take lessons to get a license, it will take about 12 days for Regular Motorcycle (MT) if you don't have a regular license, and about 16 days for Heavy Motorcycle. If it's busy and you can't make a reservation for Driving Lessons, or if you don't learn the skills well and have to take a lot of extra lessons, it may take a little longer.

In addition, if you are limited to automatic transmission, Driving Lessons time will be reduced by 4 hours, so you can graduate in as little as 11 days. However, the number of days until graduation varies depending on the driving school and plan, so please check the website or materials of the driving school you want to attend for details.

The advantage of driving schools is that they have a specialized curriculum and professional instructors who teach you, so you can easily acquire knowledge and skills. If you commute to a driving school, you can book lessons whenever you want according to your schedule, so it is easy to attend classes according to your school or work schedule.

[Driving Camp] Regular Motorcycle license can be obtained in as little as 9 days

A "Driving Camp" is a method of participating in a training camp and taking lessons from your accommodation. A schedule is set that allows you to acquire driving skills and knowledge intensively in a short period of time, and you take academic and Driving Lessons consecutively every day according to the driving school's schedule. Therefore, it is characterized by the fact that you can aim to obtain your license faster than if you were to go to school. For example, if you do not have a regular license, you can graduate in as little as nine days for Regular Motorcycle (MT). If you have a regular license, you can graduate even faster because there is only one class of academic lesson.

If you go to a driving school, you may find that you can't make a reservation and there is a gap between your next Driving Lessons, causing you to forget how to operate the bike. However, if you go to a training camp, you can learn quickly and effectively because you ride a motorcycle every day.

Another advantage is that you can concentrate on getting your motorcycle license, with accommodation and meals provided. You can also meet other people who are aiming to get the same motorcycle Driving Camp, which makes it easy to stay motivated.

If you want to get your motorcycle license in the shortest time possible, we recommend a training camp.

For those who want to get a motorcycle license as quickly as possible, we recommend Driving Camp. The benefits of Driving Camp can be summarized as follows:

• You don't have to worry about making reservations or scheduling
• The maximum number of Driving Lessons per day is guaranteed, and the training is completed in the shortest possible time.
• You can learn riding skills quickly by having continuous contact with motorcycles every day.
• You can meet other people who are also aiming to get a license and learn in a fun way.
• Accommodation and meals are included in the price

Since training camps provide an intensive learning environment and aim to obtain your license in a short period of time, it is necessary to be able to keep your schedule open during the training camp period, but it is recommended if you want to obtain your license quickly.

On the other hand, if you want to make your own schedule and learn at your own pace, going to a driving school is the way to go. It will take longer to get your license than Driving Camp, but you can aim to get your license in a way that suits you.

Conditions for obtaining a motorcycle license (Regular Motorcycle license)

We will introduce the necessary conditions for obtaining a Regular Motorcycle license, such as age, eyesight, and hearing ability.

Basic requirements for obtaining the certificate

The requirements for obtaining Regular Motorcycle license are as follows:

• Age: 16 years or older
• Visual acuity: Visual acuity must be 0.7 or higher in both eyes, and 0.3 or higher in each eye.
• Hearing: Ability to hear a 90 decibel horn at a distance of 10 metres (hearing aids allowed)
• 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).

Please note that the age requirement for Regular Motorcycle and small-sized Regular Motorcycle is 16 years of age or older, but for Heavy Motorcycle requirement is 18 years of age or older.

Regular Motorcycle and small-size Regular Motorcycle licenses can be obtained from the age of 16.

A motorcycle license (Regular Motorcycle and small Regular Motorcycle only) can be obtained from the age of 16, so high school students over the age of 16 can obtain a license. However, some high schools have rules that prohibit students from obtaining a license, so be sure to check beforehand.

Also, if you are going to a driving school, you can enroll even if you are 15 years old (3rd year of junior high school). However, please note that you must be 16 years old by the time of Final Driving Test.

If you go to a Driving Camp school, you can enroll one month before your 16th birthday. If you go to a training school, you can enroll one week before your 16th birthday. It's a good idea to inquire in advance.

Can high school students obtain Heavy Motorcycle license?

You cannot obtain Heavy Motorcycle license until you are 18 years old. Therefore, high school students can obtain one after their 18th birthday. However, just like with regular motorcycles and small-sized Regular Motorcycle there are cases where high school rules prohibit you from obtaining a license, so please check in advance.

As with Regular Motorcycle, you can enroll in a driving school from the age of 17. However, there may be conditions such as "if you commute to school, you can enroll one month before your 18th birthday" or "if you attend a training camp, you can join one week before your 18th birthday," so be sure to check.

How to get a motorcycle license (regular and Heavy Motorcycle) at a driving school

We will explain the process of obtaining a motorcycle license at a driving school. We will look at both Regular Motorcycle and Heavy Motorcycle.

Process of obtaining Regular Motorcycle license

The steps for someone who does not have any license to attend a driving school and obtain a Regular Motorcycle license (MT) are as follows.

1. Entrance explanation and aptitude test
2. First stage theory training (10 hours)
3. First level Driving Lessons (9 hours)
4. Second stage theory training (16 hours)
5. Second level Driving Lessons (10 hours)
6. Final Driving Test
7. Graduation certificate issuance

The driving lesson period is 19 hours of Driving Lessons and 26 hours of theory training. If you have a regular driver's license, you will have 17 hours of Driving Lessons and 1 hour of theory training.

In addition, the number of hours of instruction required to graduate differs for automatic transmission only, small vehicles only, and small vehicles only automatic transmission. The number of hours required for each is as follows:

	Regular license available	No regular license
AT limited	Skills 13 hours, Theory 1 hour	Skills 15 hours, Theory 26 hours
Small-sized limited edition manual transmission	Skills 10 hours, Theory 1 hour	Skills 12 hours, Theory 26 hours
Small-size limited AT	Skills 8 hours, Theory 1 hour	Skills 9 hours, Theory 26 hours

The estimated number of days it will take for someone without a license to graduate to Regular Motorcycle (MT) license is about 12 days if they go to school, and about 9 days if they go to a training camp. However, the number of days varies depending on the driving school and plan, so be sure to check the detailed dates and schedule with the driving school you want to go to.

Steps for obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license

If you do not have a regular car license and only have a Regular Motorcycle license, the process for obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license at a driving school is as follows.

1. Entrance explanation and aptitude test
2. First level Driving Lessons (5 hours)
3. Second stage Driving Lessons (7 hours)
4. Final Driving Test
5. Graduation certificate issuance
6. Aptitude test at the Driver's License Center
7. driver's license issuance

Even if you don't have a regular car license, if you have a Regular Motorcycle license, you are exempt from the theory training. Therefore, the training time is only 12 hours of Driving Lessons. It takes about one month to obtain the license if you go to a driving school, and as little as six days if you go to a training camp.

When it comes to Heavy Motorcycle, be aware that depending on the driving school, you may not be able to take lessons on Heavy Motorcycle unless you have a Regular Motorcycle license.

For Heavy Motorcycle licenses with automatic transmission only, Driving Lessons will be 9 hours. Note that this varies depending on the license you currently hold (e.g. moped, small, small automatic transmission only) and the driving school, so please check with the driving school for details.

Average cost of obtaining a motorcycle license (regular and Heavy Motorcycle)

We will explain the costs of obtaining Regular Motorcycle and Heavy Motorcycle license.

Cost of obtaining Regular Motorcycle license

The average cost of obtaining Regular Motorcycle (MT) license is as follows:

• If you go to a driving school: 120,000 to 220,000 yen
• If you participate in a training camp: 100,000 to 200,000 yen

Let's take a closer look at each one.

When obtaining a Regular Motorcycle license at a driving school

If you go to a driving school, the average cost will be around 120,000 to 220,000 yen if you do not have a regular driver's license, but if you have one, it will be around 20,000 to 50,000 yen cheaper.

For those who are limited to automatic transmissions, if you do not have a regular driver's license, it will cost about 100,000 to 200,000 yen to go to school, and about 80,000 to 180,000 yen to attend a training camp. If you have a regular driver's license, there are many places that offer discounts of about 20,000 to 50,000 yen, just like for manual transmissions.

The average cost for someone who does not have a regular driver's license to obtain a small vehicle-only license is around 150,000 to 200,000 yen, and for a small vehicle-only AT license it is around 120,000 to 180,000 yen.

When obtaining Regular Motorcycle license through Driving Camp

If you participate in Driving Camp, if you do not have a regular driver's license, the average cost is about 100,000 to 200,000 yen. If you have an automatic transmission only, the cost is about 80,000 to 180,000 yen. In either case, if you have a regular driver's license, the cost will be about 20,000 to 50,000 yen cheaper.

If you don't have any licenses, it will cost about 160,000 yen to get a small vehicle license, and about 150,000 yen for a small vehicle AT license, but this varies depending on the driving school and plan. There are few driving schools that offer small vehicle AT and small vehicle AT Driving Camp courses, so make sure to check whether the driving school you want to go to offers them.

Costs for obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license

The average cost for someone with Regular Motorcycle license to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license is as follows:

• If you use a driving school: Approximately 90,000 to 120,000 yen
• If you participate in a training camp: Approximately 90,000 to 140,000 yen

Let's take a closer look at each one.

When obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license at a driving school

If someone with Regular Motorcycle license attends a driving school to obtain a Heavy Motorcycle license, the additional cost will be around 90,000 to 120,000 yen, but if they do not have any license, it will cost around 280,000 to 320,000 yen.

If you want to obtain a Heavy Motorcycle license, it will cost about 90,000 yen if you have a Regular Motorcycle license, and about 220,000 yen if you don't have any license. There are relatively few driving schools that offer automatic transmission-Heavy Motorcycle, so please inquire to find out.

When obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license through Driving Camp

The cost of Heavy Motorcycle Driving Camp is around 90,000 to 140,000 yen if you have a Regular Motorcycle license, and around 250,000 to 370,000 yen if you do not have any license.

In the case of Heavy Motorcycle (automatic transmission only), there are very few places that offer training camps for obtaining Driving Camp, so in most cases students have to commute to school.

If you want to get your motorcycle license in a short time, try a training camp

Motorcycle licenses are broadly divided into three types: Regular Motorcycle, small motorcycles, and medium-sized motorcycles. Since the type of license determines the type of motorcycle you can ride, check the engine displacement of the motorcycle you want to ride or use for work, and obtain the appropriate motorcycle license.

There are two ways to obtain a license: by attending a driving school or by taking a one-shot test. Driving schools offer both commuting and camp courses, with the camp course being the shortest route to obtain a license.

At a training camp, you can study intensively and efficiently according to a schedule set by the driving school, so if you want to get your motorcycle license as quickly as possible, you should consider attending a training camp.