Let's get a license! When many people think of this, the first thing that comes to mind is a driving school. Some of your friends may be attending the school, or you may be talking to your parents about tuition fees.

In fact, it would be great if you knew about the fees at the driving schools introduced here before enrolling! Is that so~. lucky! ! You will be able to find a driving school that is as reasonable as possible.

Here we will give you five points to keep in mind when comparing driving school prices, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to choose one.

Once you have finished reading, you will be able to make the best choice for you, such as how to research driving school prices, cheap deals, and smart ways to pay for expensive training fees.

There is no driving school whose fees are exactly the same as those of nearby schools!

Many of you ask questions such as: Are driving school fees the same nationwide? Are there regional differences? How much do they vary from school to school? What's the going rate?
Of the approximately 1,200 driving schools nationwide, not a single nearby school charges the same fee. In other words, driving school fees are not like public utility charges or taxes; each driving school sets its own fees based on its own judgment.

Total fee = (Displayed fee + written exam fee)

First, regarding the breakdown of training fees, designated driving schools display the minimum amount of fees required to graduate in total, based on the rules of an industry group called the Fair Competition Code, from the perspective of preventing unfair inducements. Please be aware that the price includes the cost for one practical exam for Driving Test and Final Driving Test. However, please note that the cost of the written exam for the provisional license exam and the main license exam does not need to be included in the total amount.

There is no standard price! The tuition fees vary so much across the country!

According to the author's own research, an AT license for a regular car costs between 190,000 and 330,000 yen, and an MT license costs between 210,000 and 350,000 yen. I want to know the market price, but is there such a wide spread? I'm sorry for not being able to tell you exactly what I thought. However, the reason I am answering this way is because there are so many variations from one driving school to another.

Let me give you an example of how much of a difference there really is.

For those looking for a relatively inexpensive driving school, Port Island Driving School in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, offers an automatic transmission (AT) license for 240,000 yen. (Reference: https://pids.jp/price/car1/)

On the other hand, an expensive driving school, Toshima Driving School in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, charges 360,000 yen for an AT license. (Reference: https://toshima-ds.com/price/)

These are all the same driving schools, but there's a difference of about 120,000 yen depending on the region. When researching prices, be sure to check carefully at multiple driving schools.

Intensifying competition leads to price wars!

Why is there such a big difference?

In the case of schools that students commute to, the competitive environment inevitably clashes with that of competing schools in nearby areas, leading to strong competition and resulting in price reductions like these.

There's also a comparison of commuting to school vs. training camp!

In addition to competition within the school and commercial area, campaigns for Driving Camp, etc., especially in May, June, October, and November, are slow periods in the training camp driving school industry to begin with, so campaigns that cost less than 200,000 yen It may be said that the fees for day schools are competitive with those of training camp schools.

Pay attention to how easy it is to make a reservation and what graduates have to say!

It is true that the low prices are very beneficial for us, but when choosing a school, please pay attention to the ease of making reservations for Driving Lessons, the number of days until graduation, etc., and the reputation and word of mouth from graduates.

Now, I will explain how to obtain a driver's license cheaply and advantageously in areas other than those mentioned above, using three points.

1. Use an agency to apply to a driving school

(1) “Co-op” for university students

University students can apply for a driving school at a familiar co-op store. University co-ops (National Federation of University Co-operative Associations) and Private School Welfare Business Liaison Association (Private School Welfare Business Liaison Association) are well-known for applying at purchasing departments on campus for university students. National universities and famous private universities across the country participate in university co-ops and private welfare associations, and applying through the co-op is often about 3,000 to 5,000 yen cheaper than applying directly to the driving school.

(2) For commercial facilities, “Ito-Yokado, Marui”

For vocational students and high school students, although there are no large organizations like those mentioned above, commercial facilities such as Ito-Yokado and Marui also work to attract customers to their driving schools, so you can get better discounts than applying directly to Driving School. We also offer menus, admission benefits, free options, etc., so please take a look.

(3) You can find even better deals by searching the internet!

Even when searching for driving schools online using search engines, you'll find several websites run by "agencies" rather than directly from Driving School 's website. These may offer discounts and special offers, so once you've decided on a driving Driving School, it might be worth searching directly for Driving School name. Internet agencies, lacking the physical stores mentioned above, sometimes offer more advantageous services, making them a good option.

2. Check out seasonal campaigns for even better deals

(1) What you should pay attention to is the time of enrollment

Driving School have busy periods, hours, and days of the week when you enter the school and when you teach. Most people with regular car licenses are students, so they all have the same free time between part-time jobs and club activities. In fact, it is difficult to make reservations for lessons, especially during periods when all students are on vacation, such as summer vacation and spring vacation. If you apply for admission outside of these busy periods, you may be able to receive a discount of 10% or more.

(2) Lesson time is worth noting

Some schools offer daytime discounts if you book lessons in the morning or early afternoon, rather than in the busy evening to night hours, so be sure to check that out as well.

3. Get even more value by learning about discounts and special offers

In addition to the above campaign plan, the driving school offers discount menus.

• Student discount (student-only discount)
• Early bird discount (early application discount)
• Group discount (discount for small group applications)
• Group discount (discount for multiple people applying at the same time)
• Referral discount (introducer, recipient)
• Family discount (applicable to siblings enrolled in the school)
• Regional discounts (only for those living in specific areas), etc.

There are many driving schools that frequently offer discounts similar to mobile carriers.

4. Make use of the referral system!

Not only does it become even more affordable when combined with the campaign, but your friends and family also have a chance to earn referral fees and other rewards.

Please note that, in principle, referral programs and similar schemes cannot be applied retroactively after enrollment. In fact, this referral campaign is implemented at almost all driving schools nationwide.

You should definitely check it out!

Not knowing is a loss! !

The environment surrounding Driving School is becoming increasingly competitive due to the declining birthrate, fewer drivers getting driver's licenses, and fewer driving cars, and many campaigns and discounts like the ones mentioned above are being implemented. At the reception desk of the driving school, the discount system and introduction fee mentioned above may not be explained to you before you enroll. Therefore, if you know about these things, you may be able to find some very useful information.

5. Know your payment methods to get even more savings

Finally, I will explain when and how to pay the training fee.

Advance payment and installment payment

In general, there are two types of payment: one is to pay a lump sum in advance when enrolling, the other is to pay only the entrance fee (or + course fee) when enrolling, skill fees are paid for each lesson, and test fees are paid in installments for each test. Please note that some driving schools only accept payment in advance.

Are there any others?

One of the most frequently asked questions is: Is there a way to pay more slowly? Is it possible to set the monthly payment amount in advance and then make the payment? Is there a way to pay the entrance fee (or course fee) later?

This is a long-term installment payment for up to 5 years!

In conclusion, about 20% of people apply to a driving school using a driving school loan. In many cases, payments continue even after graduation. In other words, there is no need to pay any fees when applying to enroll in a driving school. Every driving school in the country is affiliated with some credit company. Some of the more well-known ones that are featured on TV commercials include Orico, JACCS, and EPOS. If you use this driving school loan, you can make up to 60 installments (over 5 years).

There is no tuition fee required when enrolling!

Furthermore, by using a system called the “Skip Loan,” you can postpone your monthly loan payments until up to six months after enrollment, instead of starting payments immediately. For example, if a third-year high school student decides on their university or job placement around autumn, they may be allowed by their school to obtain a driver’s license. If they use the Skip Loan to get their license during the remainder of their student years, they can start making payments around May of the following year, when they receive their first salary or part-time job wages. This significantly reduces the financial burden while they are still a student, which is why many people use this system.

summary

How was it? A once in a lifetime driving school. We hope that everyone who reads this article will find it helpful in researching the prices of driving schools, which are the gateway to the car life.