A driver's license training camp is characterized by the ability to obtain a driver's license in a shorter period of time and on a lower budget compared to on-campus driving schools. Therefore, a driver's license is required to get a job, and it is often used by people who want to obtain a driver's license in the shortest possible time. Additionally, some students choose to travel with friends.

Of course, the main purpose of attending a driver's license camp is to obtain a driver's license. We will explain how to use the training camp effectively and how to choose a training camp location so that you can enjoy the training camp as much as possible while achieving your original goal of obtaining a license.

First, check the driving school schedule.

At driver's license training camps, where you can obtain a driver's license in a shorter period of time than at school-style driving schools, there is a tendency for the training schedule to be packed into one day. Classes are often held regardless of Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays, and it is not uncommon for students to have very little free time.

On the other hand, there are some driving schools that offer optional sightseeing plans so that you can enjoy your trip at the same time, but first of all, how much free time do you have during a general license training camp? I'll explain the schedule.

The general curriculum of a school is as follows:

If you turn this curriculum into a license training camp, it will look like this: The table below shows an example of training for AT cars, so there will be an additional 3 hours of Driving Lessons for MT cars. You can also add or extend your training. The information introduced here is just an example, and the actual distribution will be determined by each driving school.

License training camps have the same content and curriculum nationwide, and are no different from regular driving schools. However, in the case of a license training camp, there are many lessons that can be taken in a day, and as a result, the curriculum can be completed in a shorter period of time than at a commuting-type driving school.

The general training camp period is 14 days for normal AT cars and 16 days for normal MT cars. The reason why the AT car is about two days shorter is because there are three fewer hours of Driving Lessons. If the driving school is located in a rural area, you may be required to stay the night before or after the class due to traffic conditions.

First stage of license training camp

During the first half of the training camp, there will be training for the first stage of obtaining a provisional license. Driving Lessons is for 12 hours for AT cars, 15 hours for MT cars, and 9 hours for written exams. The training period is generally 6 days. There are a total of 21 to 24 periods in the first stage, so you will receive 4 to 5 periods of instruction per day. Since each period of training is 50 minutes, the training time for 6 days will be 200 to 250 minutes.

For Driving Lessons, on-road training is conducted using courses within the driving school. At this Kyosuyu, you will learn the basic skills required for driving, including how to handle a car. During academic training, you will learn basic traffic rules together with other trainees.

Skill and academic tests, known as provisional license tests, are usually held on the seventh day. If you do not pass this exam, you will not be able to proceed to the second stage of training. If there are any parts that you do not fully understand, you can re-study them up until the day before the exam. Additionally, even if you fail the provisional license exam, you can take the make-up exam.

However, if you fail three times in a row, you will have to go home temporarily, take a make-up exam for your provisional license exam at a local driving school, and once you pass, you will have to re-enter the training camp. In this case, transportation costs from your home to the training camp will be at your own expense.

Second stage of license training camp

The second stage of training is for obtaining a permanent license. The number of periods is the same for both AT and MT cars, with 19 hours of Driving Lessons and 16 hours of academic training. A total of 35 hours will be completed over the last six days of the training camp. You will receive 5 to 6 hours of instruction per day.

The second stage of skill training includes courses at driving schools and on public roads. On-road training using public roads is more practical training. However, since we use general roads near the driving school, road width, traffic volume, and seasonal road conditions vary depending on the region. In academic training, in addition to knowledge that is more important when driving, you will also learn first aid methods. Please note that medical personnel such as doctors and nurses are exempt from first aid training.

Please note that if you wish to take refresher training during the training period, you may need to extend the training camp. Even though you chose a driver's license training camp with an emphasis on cost, you may end up spending more than your budget due to the extended stay. Some driving schools have plans that do not incur additional charges for extended stays. Even if there are no additional charges, there is often a limit to the number of nights you can extend your stay, so when considering a plan that includes extended stay guarantee, be sure to check the number of days you can extend your stay.

After completing all the training, it's time to take the actual license exam. Only the skills test can be taken at the driving school. After passing the skills test and graduating from the driving school, you will take the written test at the local driver's license center that has jurisdiction over the place of residence listed on your resident card. If you pass the written test at the driver's license center, you will be able to obtain a driver's license.

How to enjoy driving training camp and travel at the same time

As you can see from the schedule table introduced earlier, lessons are not held at the same time every day, but vary from day to day. The time when lessons are not scheduled is free time. Some people seem to make good use of their free time and enjoy short trips.

Enjoy sightseeing in your free time

I will explain one day from the schedule table above as an example.

On days like this, when classes end in the morning, you can have some free time in the afternoon, which is perfect for enjoying a short trip. If you have a self-catering camp plan or a camp where there are no set dinner times or curfews, it is possible to go out for a short distance. However, as a general rule, overnight stays are prohibited during training camp. If you are going on a short trip using your free time, make sure you have a reasonable plan.

Also, things may not go as planned due to weather or local conditions. Be sure to think about the worst and leave plenty of time before heading out. For example, when choosing a training camp, consider the location that best suits your needs, such as choosing a training camp that is close to the tourist facilities you want to visit, or one that has good transportation and is convenient for going out. is also an important point.

Travel before license training camp

For people who want to concentrate on their training during the training camp, or those who want to travel without worrying about the training since it's a special trip, one way is to schedule your trip before or after the training camp, rather than during the license training camp. . However, if you set it after the training camp, if the training camp period ends up being extended due to make-up exams or re-studying, it will affect your planned travel schedule. If you have reserved transportation or accommodation, you will have to cancel or change your reservations, so it is better to schedule your trip before the training camp.

Some driving schools offer one night for free as a celebration of passing the test, and some driving schools allow you to stay the night before or after your exam at a cheaper price if you wish, so be sure to check the plans.

How to enjoy a specific trip during a license training camp

We will introduce specific travel details that are easy to plan in conjunction with the license training camp, based on examples of people who enjoyed traveling in conjunction with the license training camp.

Visit tourist spots

If your training camp is in an area with many tourist spots, you can visit several tourist spots during your free time as long as transportation is convenient. We recommend going to shrines and temples, places with great views, places where you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing and autumn leaves depending on the season, or to coincide with events unique to the area.

For example, the winter snow festivals held in Hokkaido and Tohoku, and the summer festivals in the Kansai region including Kyoto are very popular. Traveling alone can be expensive, and hotels and inns are fully booked, making it difficult to secure a place to stay, so we recommend visiting in conjunction with a license training camp.

Enjoy leisure facilities and sports

If you like sports and outdoor activities, it would be a good idea to use your free time to enjoy leisure and sports unique to the area.

Choose an area near the sea or river in the summer, or an area where you can enjoy winter sports in the winter, and sweat it out through sports to relieve stress. Some training camps also have tennis courts and pools. It's also a good idea to choose a place with facilities that allow you to exercise, such as a gym near the driving school, without having to go out of your way.

Some training camps give out discount coupons for nearby facilities, such as discounts on ski resorts and pool admission, so be sure to check for optional plans and campaigns.

Relax in a hot spring

For those who like hot springs, we recommend a driving school in the area where you can enjoy hot springs. If there is a hot spring area near your driving school or accommodation, you can soothe the fatigue of your training in a hot spring during your free time.

Some driving schools even offer accommodation in hot spring inns. You can enjoy hot springs whenever you want without having to go out of your way, which is the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone.

enjoy gourmet food

Eating local delicacies and specialty dishes while walking around is a plan that is easy to implement in any region. Do some research on social media and travel guides, and make a plan to go eat some delicious food when you have some free time. For those who want to visit delicious restaurants unique to the area, we recommend choosing a training camp with convenient transportation.

Also, some training camps have plans that do not include meals. Even if there are no popular restaurants near your driving school, supermarkets and markets are likely to stock local ingredients and side dishes. It's easy to invite even new acquaintances over for a meal, so it might be a good idea to enjoy it with people you've become friends with at the training camp.

Participate in a trial class

As part of the training camp's optional plans, you may be able to participate in sports such as diving or hands-on classes in which you can make local crafts. These optional plans are convenient if you want to enjoy time outside of class to relax or have fun, but you don't feel comfortable making plans on your own or feel anxious about acting alone.

However, popular trial classes can get booked up quickly. We recommend choosing a time outside of the driving school's busy season, as well as the high season for travel and tourism in the area, and making reservations as early as possible.

Tips for enjoying your driving license training camp trip

If you are thinking of enjoying a trip while attending a license training camp, there are some things to keep in mind when choosing a training camp. Here, we will explain the points to consider when choosing a driver's license training camp that also serves as a trip, based on the experiences of people who have actually attended a driver's license training camp and regretted things like, ``I should have done it this way.''

Choose a location with good access

Ease of access is especially important if you are considering sightseeing, visiting restaurants, visiting hot springs, etc. in your free time. Some training camps are about an hour away from a public transportation station by a dedicated shuttle bus, and in some cases the shuttle bus is only available when entering and leaving the school. Even if you want to go out during your free time, there is no way to do so.

Additionally, tourist facilities and popular restaurants are often located in locations with good transportation access, giving you more options when it comes to how you spend your free time.

Choose a driving school with benefits

Since there are many people who travel from other prefectures to participate in license training camps, the driving school also offers many events and benefits. Examples include gourmet food, hot springs, tourist spots, experience classes, and souvenir coupons. Each driving school offers hospitality that takes advantage of the unique characteristics of the area, so it's a good idea to compare the benefits before choosing a training camp.

In addition, if there is a space on the premises of the driving school exclusively for the trainees where they can play sports to refresh themselves, if the accommodation itself is a resort facility or hot spring, or if the training school has a partnership with a local facility so that the trainees can use it freely. There is also.

Apply when it's cheapest

Driving schools have busy periods throughout the year and relatively empty periods. The crowded periods are called "busy seasons," and these include February to early April and July to early September. On the other hand, the period when the area is relatively empty is called the ``off season,'' which includes May to July and October to December.

The difference between "busy season" and "off season" is more pronounced in rural areas. Local driving schools recruit students with different fees for ``busy season'' and ``off season.'' The amount varies depending on the driving school, but in general, the difference between "busy season" and "off season" can be tens of thousands of yen, so if cost is your priority, off season is recommended.

Furthermore, if you are planning to sightsee or travel in conjunction with the driving school, be sure to check the seasons when the number of tourists to the area increases, in addition to the driving school's busy and off-peak seasons. Even when the driving school is off-season, when there are a lot of tourists, you may not be able to utilize your free time efficiently because everywhere you go is crowded.

Plan your trip in detail

Once you have decided when and where you will attend the training camp, it is time to start planning your trip. Keeping in mind that your primary goal is to obtain a driver's license, check the course content and time slots before planning your free time. If you do not plan with plenty of time to avoid running into school hours or curfews, you may run into trouble.

Additionally, things may not proceed as planned due to weather or local traffic conditions. It's a good idea to have several plans in place so that you can respond flexibly to any situation.

Recommended areas for those who want to enjoy a driving license training camp trip

When it comes to traveling, everyone has different goals. There are many things we want to do, such as wanting to go to sightseeing spots, take a hot spring, and eat delicious food. There are many different types of training camps across the country that allow you to enjoy traveling.

Here, we will introduce driving schools in Hokkaido and Okinawa, which are popular tourist areas, and Yamagata, which has a history of holding driver's license training camps.

Hokkaido

Hokkaido is a popular area among domestic and international travelers as it is an area where you can enjoy wonderful scenery, food, and events throughout the four seasons. It is an area that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways throughout the year, including those who want to visit hot springs, eat delicious food, and enjoy winter sports and outdoor activities.

Iwamizawa Driving School

*Reference: Iwamizawa Driving School

Iwamizawa Driving School is a driving school located on a small hill, and the vast driving course overlooks Iwamizawa City. The driving school is surrounded by nature and provides a comfortable environment where you can relax and concentrate on your lessons. In addition, we will be staying at a business hotel near JR Iwamizawa Station. Another attractive feature is the convenient access to Sapporo and Asahikawa on the JR Hakodate Main Line without changing trains.

Ironworks Park Driving School

*Reference: Tekkodanchi Automobile Academy

Tekko Danchi Automobile Academy is located in an area surrounded by residential areas and large commercial facilities, so you can go shopping on foot during your free time. The driving school also has spaces such as a cafe and lobby that can be used for studying and resting, as well as a childcare center. Additionally, you can practice driving on winter roads during the winter lessons, so if you want to get used to driving on winter roads, it might be a good idea to enroll during the snowy season.

Chuo Bus Driving School

*Reference: Chuo Bus Driving School

This is Driving School located in Sapporo city operated by a bus company. It is a driving school that accommodates all types of cars, which is rare even in Hokkaido, so many different types of cars come and go on the courses within the driving school. The atmosphere is similar to practicing on a regular road, so you can practice more practically.

There are many shops, commercial facilities, parks, etc. in the surrounding area, and you can access the city center, the nearest subway station, and JR station with just one local bus, so you can explore the city in your free time.

Obihiro Daiichi Driving School

*Reference: Obihiro Daiichi Driving School

The shortest graduation time is 18 days for AT cars and 21 days for MT cars, which is a little longer. Although the price is a little high, it is a good deal for those who want to take a thorough lesson. Since the days are long, you can enjoy many short trips from the training camp.

Okinawa

Located in the south of Japan, it is a remote island where you can spend a warm and relaxing time all year round. Needless to say, it is a great location, especially for those who like water sports. In addition, there are many sightseeing spots such as Shuri Castle and Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium that can be enjoyed as sightseeing spots.

Kitaoka Driving School

*Reference: Kitaoka Driving School

The shortest training period is 17 days for AT cars and 19 days for MT cars, which is longer than other driving camps. We are closed in the afternoon on Saturdays and all day on Sundays and public holidays, so you can enjoy plenty of free time as if you were traveling. We also have more periods per day, up to 11th period, than other driving schools.

Yamagata Prefecture

Yamagata is one of the popular areas because it is so close to Tokyo that it can be reached in about 2 hours by Shinkansen. In addition, training camp-type driving schools have a long history and are characterized by a large number of driving schools. It is also blessed with hot springs and tourist spots.・Matsuki Driving School (11 schools in Yamagata Prefecture)

*Reference: Matsuki Driving School

There are a total of 13 Matsuki Driving Schools in and outside the prefecture, including 11 in Yamagata Prefecture alone. Driving School The number of students enrolled from all over the country exceeds 34,000 annually (2019 results). Each school offers services that make the most of its characteristics, and it is also attractive that you can choose your favorite area from hot springs and gourmet sightseeing spots.

Tsuruoka Driving Academy

*Reference: Tsuruoka Driving Academy

Tsuruoka Driving Academy is located in a mountainous area between a lively downtown area and a residential area, with commercial facilities, convenience stores, and hospitals all within a 10-minute walk. Haguroyama Ski Resort is also nearby, and a free shuttle bus runs to the ski resort in winter. This is a driving school where you can not only take driving lessons based on the characteristics of the winter season, but also enjoy winter sports.

If you want to enjoy your trip, choose a driving school with many perks

We have introduced specific plans and recommended areas for enjoying your trip during your license training camp. Driving schools often offer various services and benefits to make the two-week course enjoyable and meaningful.

We offer many fun events such as events and tours that can only be experienced in the area, and opportunities for interaction between trainees. Not only can you make plans and visit tourist spots on your own, but you can also enjoy eating delicious food at your accommodation and talking with your fellow trainees, which can only be enjoyed at a license training camp.

If you have the opportunity, compare the various benefits of each driving school and make the most of your training camp life.