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!

Some of you are wondering if driving school fees are unified nationwide? Is there a regional characteristic? How much does it differ by school? How much is the market price? We receive many questions such as: Of the approximately 1,200 driving schools nationwide, there is no nearby driving school with the same price. In other words, training fees are not like public fees or taxes, but are determined by each driving school based on its own intentions.

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.

Among the cheapest driving schools, Port Island Driving School in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture charges 195,000 yen for an AT license. From here, you can get an additional discount of up to 40,000 yen, making it 155,000 yen. (Reference: http://www.pids.jp/contents/price/car.html)

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/)

Although both driving schools are the same, there is a difference of about 150,000 yen depending on the region. When checking prices, be sure to check multiple driving schools.

Intensifying competition leads to price wars!

Why is there such a huge difference? In the case of commuting to schools, it is said that such price reductions occur due to the strong competitive principle, as competing schools in nearby commercial areas and areas that attract customers inevitably compete with each other.

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 you search for keywords from a search engine on the Internet, there are some websites run by ``agencies'' rather than directly from Driving School 's website. Discounts and benefits may be available, so once you have decided on Driving School you are interested in, it may be a good idea to search directly using Driving School name. In the case of internet agencies, we do not have stores like the ones mentioned above, so we recommend them as there are some agencies that claim to offer more advantageous services.

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 reasonable when used in conjunction with campaigns, but there is also a chance for friends and family to receive referral fees. Please note that introduction systems, etc., cannot be applied as an afterthought after enrollment. In fact, this introduction campaign is being carried out at most driving schools nationwide. 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 Skip Loan, you can change your monthly loan payments to payments up to six months after enrolling, instead of immediately. For example, if you are a third-year high school student and have decided on a college or job in the fall, your school will allow you to obtain a driver's license. If you want to obtain a license during the remaining student period, if you use this skip loan, you will be able to pay from around May of the following year when your starting salary and part-time job expenses are due, which will significantly ease your financial burden while you are a student. There are many people who do.

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.