How well do you understand the conditions and types of cars you can drive with a regular license? Even if you pass the test, there is no point if you can't drive the car you want. Your future work and life may be affected, or you may need to change the car you purchase.

In this article, we will introduce the types of cars you can drive with a regular license, the conditions, and things to keep in mind when driving. Even if you are technically able to drive, if you do not obey the road traffic laws, it is a crime and you will be subject to penalties. Please refer to it and use it as a reference for the type of driver's license you will obtain in the future.

Conditions for driving a car with a regular driver's license

There are three conditions for cars that can be driven with a regular license: total vehicle weight, maximum loading capacity, and passenger capacity. Gross vehicle weight is the total weight of the vehicle itself, plus people and luggage. The maximum load capacity is the total weight of the vehicle minus the weight of the vehicle and its passenger capacity.

The Road Traffic Act has been changed many times over the years, and these conditions are divided into the following three types depending on when you obtained your regular license.

• If acquired after March 12, 2017
• If acquired between June 2, 2007 and March 11, 2017
• If acquired before June 1, 2007

We will explain in detail the differences in conditions for each acquisition period.

If acquired after March 12, 2017

As of November 2022, the conditions for cars that people who are about to obtain a regular driver's license can drive are as follows.

• Gross vehicle weight is less than 3.5 tons
• Maximum loading capacity is less than 2.0 tons
• Capacity is 10 people or less

The gross vehicle weight and maximum loading capacity are set conditions to ensure safe driving without damaging roads. The gross vehicle weight is calculated based on 55 kg per passenger. In the case of a car that can seat 10 people, the passenger capacity alone is 0.55 tons, and the weight of the vehicle varies depending on the type of car, and if it is heavy, it can exceed 2 tons. Please know the car's specifications in advance and make sure that the total weight does not exceed the total weight of the vehicle.

In addition, even if the maximum loading capacity on a regular license is not exceeded, the maximum loading capacity specified by the manufacturer for each type of vehicle

Please also note that there is a guideline for the loading weight.

If acquired between June 2, 2007 and March 11, 2017

If you obtain a regular license between June 2, 2007 and March 11, 2017, the conditions are as follows.

• Gross vehicle weight is less than 5.0 tons
• Maximum loading capacity is less than 3.0 tons
• Capacity is 10 people or less

From March 12, 2017, the maximum gross vehicle weight is 1.5 tons and the maximum payload is 1 ton wider. The maximum capacity remains unchanged at 10 people or less. As of November 2022, if you want to drive a car with the same conditions, you will need to obtain a semi-medium license, which was newly established on March 12, 2017. It takes longer to obtain a regular driver's license and is often more expensive.

The qualifications for taking the exam are the same for regular licenses and semi-medium licenses, so if you are planning to work in the transportation or construction industry, considering obtaining a semi-medium license will expand the range of work you can do.

If acquired before June 1, 2007

If you obtained your regular license before June 1, 2007, the conditions are as follows.

• Gross vehicle weight is less than 8.0 tons
• Maximum loading capacity is less than 5.0 tons
• Capacity is 10 people or less

Although the upper limit on passenger capacity remains the same, the total vehicle weight and maximum loading capacity are more than double from March 12, 2017. As of November 2022, to drive a car with a gross vehicle weight of less than 8 tons, you need a medium-sized license that is one level higher than a semi-medium-sized license. The qualifications for taking the exam for a medium-duty license are different from those for a regular license, and you must be over 20 years old and have a license period of 2 years or more.

Types of cars you can drive with a regular driver's license

There are three types of cars that you can drive with a regular license:

• Ordinary car
• Small special purpose vehicle
• motorized bicycle

We will explain in detail the characteristics of each car.

Ordinary car

A regular car is a car that satisfies the gross vehicle weight, maximum loading capacity, and capacity of a regular driver's license issued after March 12, 2017, and excludes special vehicles for work such as shovels and road rollers. Small single-seater vehicles and light vehicles that carry four or fewer people are also included in ordinary vehicles.

There are two types of regular cars: AT and MT, and if you obtain an AT-only regular license, you can only drive an AT. Many regular cars sold in Japan are AT, so even if you can't drive a MT, your daily life will not be affected. However, if you are driving a company car for work, are planning to buy a foreign car, or want to drive a car on a trip overseas, it would be better to be able to drive a manual transmission as well. It doesn't necessarily have to be an AT, and you'll be in trouble if you can't ride it when you need it.

Also, even if you drive a regular car, if you are in a profession where you carry passengers for a fee, such as in a taxi, it is against the law if you have a regular license. A Class 2 Ordinary License is required, and you must have a regular license, be at least 21 years old, and have at least 3 years of driving experience.

Small special purpose vehicle

Small special vehicles are vehicles used in factories, workshops, and agricultural work, and include the following:

Among the examples introduced above, you can drive a forklift or a rotary snowplow vehicle with a regular driver's license, but you cannot operate them. Please take a separate technical course and obtain the qualification.

Also, since these small special vehicles are privately owned by farmers, some people may have driving experience before obtaining a regular driver's license. However, even if it is private land, if it is a place where other people can enter, the Road Traffic Act applies. Avoid driving without a license in areas where other people may pass.

motorized bicycle

A motorized bicycle (moped) refers to a two-wheeled vehicle with a motor of 125cc or less according to the Road Transport Vehicle Act. The classification is based on the displacement of the motor, and even if it has three or four wheels, it is still considered a moped.

According to the Road Traffic Act, which applies to regular licenses, only mopeds of 50cc or less (a type of moped) can be driven. Motorcycles over 50cc and under 125cc are classified as class 2 mopeds, and must not be operated without the following license.

• Small-size limited Regular Motorcycle license
• AT small limited Regular Motorcycle license
• Regular Motorcycle license
• Heavy Motorcycle license

In the case of electric scooters, output (kW) is used instead of displacement, and if you have a regular license, you can drive anything under 0.6kW. When driving with a regular license, be careful about displacement and output, whether it's an engine or an electric vehicle.

Trucks that can be driven with a regular driver's license

A truck is necessary for working as a driver in the transportation industry. A regular license is a prerequisite for obtaining a medium-sized or large-sized vehicle driver's license, and knowing what kind of trucks you can drive with a regular license is important in order to know the jobs you can do.

Similar to the car conditions introduced above, the types of trucks you can drive are divided into the following three types depending on when you obtained your driver's license.

• If acquired after March 12, 2017
• If you obtained your license between June 2, 2007 and March 11, 2017
• If you obtained your license before June 1, 2007

We will introduce the characteristics and specific cars of the trucks you can ride in each period.

If acquired after March 12, 2017

Those who will now take the regular driver's license test will be able to drive trucks with a maximum load capacity of less than 2.0 tons. Trucks are divided into the following three types based on their dimensions and maximum loading capacity.

Regular licenses apply to small trucks in the 1-ton and 1.5-ton classes, which have the lowest maximum loading capacity. 1.5 ton trucks currently on sale from major Japanese manufacturers include Toyota's Dyna Cargo, ISUZU's Elf, and Hino's DUTRO.

If you obtained your license between June 2, 2007 and March 11, 2017

If the regular license was obtained between June 2, 2007 and March 11, 2017, the vehicle with a maximum load of less than 3 tons

You can drive a truck. The loading capacity of trucks sold comes in 1 ton and 0.5 ton increments, and in reality, trucks up to the 2.5 ton class are eligible. Vehicle models sold by major Japanese manufacturers include Mitsubishi Fuso's Canter and UD Trucks' Casette.

When it comes to 2-ton class trucks, there are many different types, and you want to use them depending on the purpose.

• Flat body: A truck with a cargo bed without a roof, useful for individual farmers and single movers.
• Aluminum van: Basically the same as a flat body, but the loading platform is covered with aluminum, making it easy to use for small deliveries.
• Unit vehicle: A crane is attached between the loading platform and the cab (the part where the driver's seat is located), making it useful for small transportation of materials at construction sites.
• Dump truck: Mainly used for transporting dirt and stones, and the loading platform moves, making it easy to unload cargo.
• Refrigerated trucks/refrigerated trucks: Useful for delivering small quantities of frozen and refrigerated items.

If you obtained your license before June 1, 2007

If you obtained your driver's license before June 1, 2007, you can drive a medium-sized truck with a maximum load capacity of less than 5 tons, and you can drive a 4-ton or 4.5-ton truck. This includes ISUZU's Forward, Hino's Ranger, and Mazda's Titan.

At 4 tons, the total length of a truck is typically over 8 meters, which is about twice as long as a regular car. Even if you can use the same driver's license, the feeling of driving will change significantly, and there are cases where you will not be able to use a multi-storey parking lot.

As of November 2022, it is necessary to obtain a medium-duty license to drive a truck of 4.5 tons or more, and the requirements for taking the exam are to be at least 20 years old and have at least 2 years of driving experience. Even if you want to get a job in the transportation industry right after graduating from high school, there are restrictions on the trucks you can drive.

Points to note regarding regular driving licenses

When you get a regular driver's license and actually drive, you can't just ignore the fact that you'll be violating the law. Here are some common precautions and penalties.

If you use a car that you cannot drive, you will be driving without a license.

The basic mechanism is the same for all cars, so even if you don't have a license, you can technically drive a large car. However, if you drive outside the scope of your regular license, you will be driving without a license and will be subject to the following penalties:

• Violation points: 25 points
• Imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 500,000 yen

If you have 25 violation points, your license will be revoked for two years if you have not had a suspension or other punishment within the past three years. If you have two previous convictions, it will take 3 years, and if you have 3 or more, it will take 4 years. When using a towed camper, if the weight of the towed vehicle exceeds 750 kg, and the total length of the vehicle and towed vehicle exceeds 12 m, width 2.5 m, and height 3.8 m, it is considered unlicensed.

Additionally, if you knowingly ride with someone or lend a car to someone without a driver's license, you will be charged with aiding and abetting driving. Although there will be no violation points, you will be sentenced to equivalent imprisonment or a fine.

If a person who is about to obtain a regular driver's license drives a vehicle that exceeds the gross vehicle weight, maximum loading capacity, or passenger capacity introduced above, the driver will not be driving without a license and will be in violation of the license conditions. The violation points are 2 points, and you can avoid a one-shot license suspension of 15 points or more. However, it is still a violation, so if you drive a different car than usual for work, it is a good idea to check the vehicle classification on the vehicle inspection certificate.

Although you can drive a moped, you cannot drive a motorcycle.

With a regular license, you can only drive mopeds up to 50cc, and if the displacement increases, you cannot drive them unless you have the following license.

• Over 50cc and under 125cc: Regular Motorcycle license (limited to small vehicles)
• Over 125cc and under 400cc: Regular Motorcycle license
• Over 400cc: Large motorcycle license

Similar to the above, this is also considered driving without a license and is subject to violation points, imprisonment, and fines.

As a supplement to the regular license, you can drive both AT and MT mopeds, even if you only plan to obtain an AT-only license. If you look for one, you'll find designs that are equivalent to those that require Regular Motorcycle license, so those who were only considering a scooter type will have more options.

Q&A regarding regular license

Finally, we will explain three questions that people who are about to obtain a regular driver's license may have in a Q&A format.

What are the different colors of driver's Driver's License?

There are three types of driver's Driver's License: green, blue, and gold. The characteristics of each are as follows:

If you have not committed any violations since obtaining your regular license, the color will change each time you renew your license, and you will receive a gold license after 8 years. For Gold, the renewal course will be shorter than for Green or Blue, and there will be more options for renewal locations. Gold licenses are more likely to receive preferential treatment such as discounts for the Safety Driver Card, which is proof of being a safe driver and is given to you if you apply for one without any accidents or violations for over a year.

Even if you have a Gold license, if you are over 70 years old, you cannot renew your regular license just by taking regular courses. If you are 70 to 74 years old, please take a geriatric course, and if you are 75 years or older, please take an additional dementia test. Both renewals can be received from six months before their expiration date. For people who are still in their teens and 20s, this is a long way off, and the system may have changed by the time they actually reach that age. Please check the latest system every time it is updated.

What are the conditions for obtaining a regular license?

To obtain a regular driver's license, you must meet all of the following seven conditions.

• Over 18 years old
• Visual acuity of 0.3 or more in one eye and 0.7 or more in both eyes (even if it is less than 0.3 in one eye, it is sufficient if the left and right visual field is 150 degrees)
• Can distinguish between red, blue, and yellow
• The sound of a 90 decibel horn can be heard at a distance of 10 meters (hearing aids can also be used)
• No physical disability that interferes with driving (no prosthetic arms or legs involved)
• Pass the written exam at the license center
• Pass the skill test at the license center or the graduation test at the driving school

Regarding visual acuity, if the conditions cannot be met with the naked eye, glasses or contact lenses can be used. If you have correction, your driver's Driver's License will require glasses etc. When driving, be sure to keep it straightened to ensure safety.

How much does it cost to obtain a driver's license?

There are two ways to obtain a regular license, and the costs vary greatly.

• Pass the academic and skill exams at the license center
• Graduated from the driving school and passed the academic exam at the license center

If you take the academic and skill test at the Ikinari License Center, the total cost of the test fee, vehicle usage fee, issuance fee, and training fee at the time of acquisition will be approximately 20,000 yen. The cost varies depending on the region, so please check the website of the local police station where you will obtain your regular license.

If you use a driving school, it will cost around 200,000 to 300,000 yen for MT by the time you graduate, and it tends to be 10,000 to 20,000 yen cheaper for AT only. You can also reduce costs by using off-season training camps such as April to June and October to December. If you only take the written test at a license center, the test fee and issuance fee will cost several thousand yen.

In the case of a semi-medium license that can be obtained at the same age as a regular driver's license, the cost will increase by about 100,000 yen if you use a driving school, and the cost is approximately 300,000 to 400,000 yen. If you attend a driving school after obtaining your regular driver's license, it will cost you an additional 200,000 yen. If you plan to drive a 4-ton truck, you can save money by aiming to obtain a semi-medium truck license from the beginning.

Know the range of vehicles you can drive

Those who are about to obtain a regular driver's license must drive a car that has a gross vehicle weight of less than 3.5 tons, a maximum load capacity of less than 2.0 tons, and a capacity of 10 people or less. Regular cars, small special vehicles, and mopeds are eligible, and 1-ton and 1.5-ton class trucks that meet the conditions can also be driven.

If you understand the range of cars you can drive, you will be able to expand your options for the types of cars you buy and the jobs you can choose. The conditions and car types introduced in this article are as of November 2022. You don't know when the Road Traffic Act will change, so when obtaining a regular driver's license, check the latest information to make sure it meets your needs before choosing a driving school or studying for the exam.