A large-sized special vehicle license is a license that allows you to drive cranes, tractors, etc. In this article, we will introduce in detail the characteristics of the vehicles that can be driven with a large-sized special vehicle license, the conditions for obtaining the license, and the cost of obtaining the license.

We will also explain the difficulty level of the large special vehicle license exam and the process for obtaining the license, so please refer to this if you are interested in obtaining a large special vehicle license.

What is a large special vehicle license?

A large special vehicle license is a license to drive vehicles for specific tasks, such as cranes, excavators, and tractors, on public roads.

Like a regular driver's license, there are two types: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is a license for driving on public roads, while Type 2 is required for transporting passengers for a fee for commercial purposes.

In Japan, there are currently no vehicles that require a Class 2 large special vehicle license. Therefore, there are no cases where a Class 2 license is required for work, and in most cases, a Class 1 license is obtained.

Conditions for obtaining a large special vehicle license

Here are the requirements for obtaining a large special vehicle license. The required age, eyesight, and hearing are as follows.

• 18+
• Visual acuity must be 0.7 or higher in both eyes and 0.3 or higher in each eye
• The sound of a 90 decibel horn can be heard at a distance of 10 meters.

I will explain each in detail.

Age

No driving history is required, and anyone over the age of 18 can obtain the license. However, if you have had your license revoked in the past (excluding novice license revocations), you must take a course for those with revocations within one year of the test date, and the disqualification period must have elapsed before you can take the test.

Vision

The eyesight must be 0.7 or higher in both eyes, and 0.3 or higher in each eye. In addition, the ability to distinguish between red, green, and yellow traffic lights is required.

If the visual acuity of one eye is less than 0.3 or if the eye is blind, it can be obtained if the visual field of the other eye is more than 150 degrees on both sides and the visual acuity is 0.7 or higher.

hearing

Hearing in both ears is required to be able to hear a 90 decibel alarm at a distance of 10 metres. Hearing aids are permitted.

In addition, the aptitude test also includes a physical ability test. This is a test to check whether the person can recognize the necessary cognitive skills to safely drive a car, or whether they can voluntarily operate the steering wheel and other devices. It is checked to see if the person has any physical disabilities that would interfere with driving a car, and if there is a disability, it is checked to see if there is an auxiliary means that can be used to make it work.

Characteristics of vehicles that can be driven with a large special license

What kind of vehicles can you drive with a large special vehicle license? We will explain the types of vehicles you can drive and their features.

Vehicle type and purpose

Vehicles that can be driven with a large special vehicle license are large special vehicles that meet the following conditions.

• Overall length: 12.0m or less
• Overall width: 2.5m or less
• Overall height: 3.8m or less
• Total displacement: No limit
• Maximum speed: No limit (※Self-imposed limit of 49km/h or less)

The specific types and uses of large special vehicles that can be driven with a large special license are as follows.

Vehicle Type	Main Uses
Crane truck	Construction
Excavator	Construction
Road roller	Construction
Snowplows and road sweepers	Road surface maintenance
Large tractors and large combines	Farming

There are large and small special vehicle licenses, but with a small special vehicle license, you can only drive vehicles that cannot exceed a speed of 15km/h, and are limited to special vehicles with a total length of 4.70m, total width of 1.70m, total height of 2.00m, and total engine displacement of 1500cc or less.

With a small special vehicle license you can operate forklifts, turrets, small tractors and combines.

A separate license is required for the work

A large special vehicle license is a license that allows you to drive large special vehicles on public roads. In some cases, you may need additional qualifications or training to actually work with special vehicles.

[By type of large special vehicle] Qualifications and training for operation

The following vehicles require qualifications and training to actually work with special vehicles.

Vehicle Type	Qualifications and training required for work
forklift	Forklift driving skills training Less than 1 ton: Forklift driving special training completion certificate 1 ton or more: Forklift driving skills training completion certificate
Shovel Loader	Shovel loader driving skills training course
Bulldozer	Vehicle-based construction machinery operation skills training (for leveling, transporting, filling and excavation)
Crane truck	Special training for rigging work, rigging work skills training, special training for mobile crane operation, small mobile crane operation skills course, mobile crane operator license, special training for crane operation, floor-operated crane operation skills course, crane/derrick operator license, etc. *Depends on the work content

Three ways to obtain a large special vehicle license

There are three ways to obtain a special vehicle license:

• attend a driving school
• Participate in Driving Camp at a driving school
• take a one-shot test

We will explain each method in detail.

1. attend a driving school

This method involves attending a driving school, taking the designated number of hours of lessons and a test, graduating, and then taking the written test at a driver's license center.

Depending on whether or not you have a regular driver's license, the cost and training time will vary as follows:

[No regular license]

• Training hours: 22 hours theory, 12 hours practical training
• Cost: Approximately 160,000 to 170,000 yen

[Regular driver's license available]

• Training hours: Minimum 6 hours of practical training only (exempt from theory)
• Cost: Approximately 80,000 to 90,000 yen

The number of days and costs required to obtain a license will vary depending on the driving school, so please check the driving school's website or materials.

Please note that there is a set period for the training. A regular driver's license is 9 months, but a large special license is 3 months, so once you start the training, you should aim to pass the test as soon as possible.

2. Participate in Driving Camp

Driving Camp is a course where you stay at a lodging facility and follow a schedule set by the driving school, aiming to obtain your license in a short period of time. It is a short-term, intensive course, and you can obtain your license faster than if you were to go to school.

As with attending classes, the lesson time and fees vary depending on whether or not you have a regular driver's license. If you have a regular driver's license, the minimum course time is about 100,000 yen for four days, and if you don't have one, the minimum course time is six days. Most schools don't list the fees for those without a regular driver's license, so you should contact the driving school to check directly.

3. Take the one-shot test

A one-shot test is a method in which you go directly to a driver's license center without using a driving school and take the written and practical tests.

The cost of taking the one-shot test is 6,100 yen, with the breakdown as follows:

• Exam fee: 2,600 yen
• Test car usage fee 1,450 yen
• License issuance fee: 2,050 yen

If you fail, you can retake the test until you pass, but you will be charged the test fee and test vehicle usage fee each time you take the test.

The process of obtaining a large special vehicle license

The procedure for obtaining a large special vehicle license is as follows:

1. aptitude test
2. License Conversion
3. skill test

After passing the tests in the above order, you will be issued a driver's license. Let's take a closer look at each step.

1. take an aptitude test

You can take the aptitude test at the driver's license center in your area. Some driver's license centers require you to make a reservation in advance to take the test, so be sure to check.

Vision correction devices and hearing aids are available for the aptitude test. If you use glasses, contact lenses, or hearing aids, please remember to bring them with you.

2. Take the written exam

After passing the aptitude test, you will then take the written exam. You will answer 90 written questions and 5 illustrated questions, and you will pass if you score 90 or more out of 100 points.

If you hold a regular driver's license, motorcycle license, medium-sized driver's license, large driver's license, or second-class driver's license, you will be exempt from the written test.

3. Take the skills test

The last step is the practical test. If you use a driving school, you will take the practical test at the driving school and graduate, so the practical test will not be conducted at the driver's license center. In this case, you will need to submit a "graduation certificate" issued by the driving school.

If you do not use a driving school, you will take a practical test. The practical test is conducted on a point-deducting system, and if you have 70% or more points left at the end, you will pass. You will be checked to see if you are zigzagging, if you are stopping in the designated place, etc.

Things to check before getting a large special vehicle license

Here are some points to keep in mind when obtaining a large special vehicle license. We will look at how to use the education and training subsidy system, the difficulty of the exam, how to choose a driving school, and more.

How to save on acquisition costs

When obtaining a large special vehicle license, you can save money by taking advantage of the "education and training grant system."

The education and training benefit system is a system in which an employment insurance insured person (or a former insured person who has left the job) who meets certain conditions and takes and completes an education and training course designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, is paid a certain percentage (up to a certain limit) of the fees paid to the education and training facility by Hello Work (Public Employment Security Office).

The amount of payment is 20% of the benefit amount, with a maximum of 100,000 yen. The condition for use is to be an employment insurance subscriber. In addition, if you are using the system for the first time, you must have been a subscriber for at least one year, and if you are using it for the second or subsequent time, you must have been a subscriber for at least three years.

Education and Training Benefits System (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Difficulty of obtaining a large special vehicle license

The pass rate for the Large Special Vehicle License (Class 1) in 2021 was 86.1% (※), so it is not considered a difficult exam if you prepare properly.

Driver's License Statistics (2021 Edition)

However, because you will be driving large special vehicles, if you try to get the license in one go, you may not be able to pass the practical test because you are not used to driving. If you actually practice driving large special vehicles at a driving school, you will feel more comfortable when you actually drive for work.

Features of driving schools recommended for use

When choosing a driving school, it is a good idea to compare the ease of commuting and costs. If you are taking Driving Camp, it is also recommended to choose a place to stay. For example, if the training camp is close to tourist attractions or leisure facilities, you can enjoy them between lessons.

However, some driving schools do not offer large special vehicle licenses, so be sure to check their websites or materials.

Clear the requirements and get a large special vehicle license

If you obtain a large special vehicle license, you will be able to drive vehicles used in construction such as excavators, cranes, and road rollers, as well as road sweepers, large tractors, and combine harvesters.

To obtain a driver's license, you must be over 18 years old and meet the requirements for eyesight, hearing, and physical ability. There are three ways to obtain a driver's license: "attending a Driving Camp," and "taking a one-shot test." You can aim to obtain your license in the way that suits you.

The test consists of an aptitude test, a written test, and a practical test, and is not particularly difficult. However, since you will be driving a large special vehicle, there is a possibility that you will fail the practical test if you do not practice thoroughly.

In order to actually practice driving a large special vehicle and obtain a license, it is recommended that you use a driving school that handles large special licenses. You can also use the education and training subsidy system, so if you are eligible, apply and obtain a large special license at a reduced cost.