If you obtain Regular Motorcycle license, you can drive motorcycles with an engine displacement of 400cc or less and motorcycles with two passengers. In this article, we will explain in detail the characteristics of motorcycles that can be driven with Regular Motorcycle license, the differences between a regular motorcycle license and Heavy Motorcycle license, and the differences between AT-only and MT.

We will also explain the cost and period of obtaining a license, as well as any questions you may have about motorcycle licenses, so please use this as a reference if you are thinking of getting a motorcycle license.

Definition of Regular Motorcycle license

With a "Regular Motorcycle license" you can drive motorcycles with an engine displacement of 400cc or less. Let's take a closer look.

Able to drive a motorcycle with a displacement of 400cc or less

A "Regular Motorcycle license" allows you to drive motorcycles with an engine displacement of 400cc or less. There are automatic transmission and manual transmission licenses, both of which can be obtained from the age of 16.

Only motorcycles with an engine displacement of 125cc or more can be driven on expressways, so if you want to go on tours on the expressways, you will need Regular Motorcycle license.

Able to drive a motorcycle that can seat two people

If you have Regular Motorcycle license, you can ride two people on the same bike. However, there are conditions for riding two people.

For general roads, it must have been at least one year since you obtained your license, and for expressways, it must have been at least three years since you obtained your license. Both periods are counted excluding the period during which the license was suspended.　

Difference between AT and MT for Regular Motorcycle licenses

The main difference between AT-only and MT on Regular Motorcycle license is whether or not you need to operate the clutch. With MT, the driver operates the clutch and changes gears to transmit power to the motorcycle, but with AT-only, this operation is not necessary.

In the case of AT limited editions, clutch operation and gear changes are automated using an automatic centrifugal clutch and continuously variable transmission (CVT).

For this reason, the types of motorcycles you can drive and the time and cost of training vary. Let's take a closer look at the differences between each.

Types of bikes that can be driven

The types of motorcycles that can be driven differ depending on the drive system between AT limited and MT. There are more types of motorcycles that you can drive with a manual transmission, so if the motorcycle you want to ride is a manual transmission, or if you have to use a manual transmission for work reasons, choose a manual transmission license.

Also, AT cars have a longer wheelbase from the center of the front wheels to the center of the rear wheels than MT cars. Automatic cars have more storage space and seating space, and the bike itself is often wider.

If the wheelbase is long and the vehicle is wide, it may be difficult to turn around curves. In addition, manual transmission vehicles can take a position called ``knee grip,'' which stabilizes the vehicle by holding the tank between the knees, but automatic transmission vehicles cannot do this due to their structure.

For this reason, there are differences between AT and MT cars in terms of maneuverability, such as maneuverability and stability. However, the ease of driving differs from person to person, so choose the one that suits you best.

Acquisition period

The period to obtain a license is shorter for an AT-only license. Compared to MT, AT-only requires less training time, so you can get your license faster.

For example, if a person without a license attends training, MT requires 26 hours of academic training and 19 hours of Driving Lessons, but AT requires 26 periods of academic training and 15 hours of Driving Lessons.

The number of required periods for academic training is the same, but MT requires 4 additional periods for Driving Lessons.

However, the training schedule varies depending on the driving school, so be sure to check the website or materials of the driving school you want to attend in advance.

Acquisition cost

The cost to obtain a license differs between AT and MT. In general, MT is often more expensive because it requires more time Driving Lessons, but depending on the driving school, AT may be more expensive. For more information, check the plan fees of the driving school you want to attend.

The average cost of obtaining a Regular Motorcycle Regular Motorcycle is about 110,000 to 180,000 yen if you do not currently have a license for a regular car or other vehicle and attend a driving school.

Also, in most cases, MT is about 20,000 yen more expensive than AT-only.

Difference between Regular Motorcycle and Heavy Motorcycle licenses

Regular Motorcycle license allows you to drive motorcycles with engine displacement of 400cc or less, but Heavy Motorcycle license allows you to drive with unlimited engine displacement. Also, Regular Motorcycle license can be obtained from the age of 16, but Heavy Motorcycle license requires you to be 18 or older.

If someone who does not have a regular car license obtains a license at a training camp, the difference in cost and duration between Regular Motorcycle license (MT) and Heavy Motorcycle license (MT) is as follows.

If you do not have a regular car license, the minimum period for Regular Motorcycle license is 7 nights and 8 days for automatic transmission only, and 9 nights and 10 days for manual transmission only. In many places, you can graduate from Heavy Motorcycle license in as little as 16 days.

In addition, in the case of Heavy Motorcycle license, some driving schools have a condition that you "already have Regular Motorcycle license" in order to participate in the training camp. For those who have Regular Motorcycle license, many schools allow you to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license in as little as six days.

Frequently asked questions about Regular Motorcycle licenses

Here are some frequently asked questions about Regular Motorcycle licenses. We will answer your questions, such as which is faster to get a license Driving Camp or going to school, and whether there is on-road training.

Which is faster to obtain a license: Driving Camp or a commuter license?

The number of hours of training required to graduate is the same for both Driving Camp and commuting.

However, because you can concentrate on training in a short period of time with Driving Camp, you tend to be able to obtain your license faster than with attending school.

Additionally, if you are commuting to school, lessons are by reservation only, so you will have to make reservations and attend lessons at your own convenience. However, depending on the driving school, there are restrictions such as ``how many classes can be reserved at a time'' or ``reservations can only be made until the week after next'', and during long vacations such as spring break and summer vacation, there is a rush of people and it is difficult to make a reservation. in some cases.

If you are unable to make reservations as expected, it may take longer to obtain your license. On the other hand, training camps are scheduled in bulk until graduation, so you don't have to worry about not being able to make a reservation.

Is there on-road training for Regular Motorcycle license?

There is no on-road training for Regular Motorcycle license. Training for the first and second practical tests and Final Driving Test are conducted only on courses within the driving school.

There is no provisional license like a regular driver's license at the time of completion of the first stage, so you will not be able to drive on public roads.

In the case of a regular driver's license, after receiving a provisional driver's license, an instructor from the driving school will sit in the passenger seat and provide on-road training with the driver able to confirm safety. This is because the Road Traffic Act stipulates that a condition for driving on the road with a provisional license is that ``a person capable of driving the vehicle must be present''.

However, the bike does not have a passenger seat. If an instructor rides with you like in a normal car, a motorcycle will be a two-seater tandem ride, but it is not possible to ride a two-seater tandem while taking lessons. As explained earlier, in order to ride with two people, you must have had your license for at least one year, and for expressways, you must have had your license for at least three years.

For this reason, there is no on-road training for Regular Motorcycle license.

What has happened since you graduated from the driving school?

After graduating from a driving school, you will take a written exam and aptitude test at the nearest driver's license exam center or driver's license center. If you pass, you will get your license.

Don't forget to bring your driving school's "graduation certificate" to the driver's license exam center or driver's license center, as you will be exempted from taking the skill test if you submit it.

If you get Regular Motorcycle license, you can ride the bike of your dreams.

Regular Motorcycle license allows you to drive motorcycles with an engine displacement of 400cc or less. There are automatic transmission and manual transmission licenses, and the types of motorcycles you can drive, the time it takes to obtain the license, and the cost vary.

If you like motorcycles and there is a motorcycle you admire, if it is a manual transmission vehicle, you will need a manual transmission license. If it is limited to AT, there is no clutch operation and you can drive with only the accelerator and brake, but MT allows you to drive more types of bikes.

Get Regular Motorcycle license and go out riding the bike of your dreams.