If you want to ride a large motorcycle, you will need Heavy Motorcycle license, but what are the prerequisites for obtaining this license?

In this article, we will explain the conditions for obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license and the path to obtaining it. Can you get it even if you have no other licenses or experience driving a motorcycle? Is it better to go to a driving school? How much it will cost, and more will be introduced for each case.

What is Heavy Motorcycle license?

First, let's get some basic information about Heavy Motorcycle licenses.

The official name of Heavy Motorcycle license is the large motorcycle license. The vehicles that are permitted are most motorcycles, including Heavy Motorcycle. With this license, you can choose motorcycles, including medium-sized and mopeds.

The Road Traffic Act defines large motorcycles as those with a total engine displacement of over 400cc or a motor with a rated output of over 20kW. Smaller motorcycles include regular motorcycles between 125cc and 400cc, and mopeds under 50cc.

Types of Heavy Motorcycle licenses

Although it is generally called Heavy Motorcycle license, there are two types: an automatic transmission-only license and an unrestricted license, just like with regular cars.

With an AT-only license, you can ride motorcycles with an automatic transmission (AT) that does not have a manual clutch. There are no restrictions on the engine displacement of the motorcycle you can choose, but you cannot ride motorcycles that require manual operation.

On the other hand, with an unrestricted license, you will be able to ride motorcycles including those with manual transmissions that require clutch operation. Since you can choose a motorcycle without restrictions on engine displacement or operation method, your options will be greatly expanded.

Many large motorcycles made by overseas manufacturers can only be ridden without restrictions, so when choosing which license to get, it is also important to know whether the motorcycle you want to ride is an automatic or manual.

Even if you obtain Heavy Motorcycle license with an automatic transmission restriction, it is possible to have the restriction lifted later. If you "only intended to drive automatic transmission vehicles" or "later decided that you wanted to drive a manual transmission vehicle," you should use the automatic transmission restriction lift.

Basic eligibility and qualification requirements

To be eligible to take the motorcycle license exam, you must meet the following requirements:

• Age: 18 years or older
• Visual acuity: 0.7 or higher in both eyes
• Colour vision: distinguishing between red, blue and yellow
• Hearing: Passed aptitude test using hearing aid
• Physical function: Ability to drive without any problems

These items will be checked during the aptitude test, and if you do not meet the requirements you will not be able to take the exam.

In addition, if you have had your license revoked in the past for some driving offense, you may not be able to take the test. Please note that you must take the revoked driver's license course within one year prior to taking the test, and wait until the disqualification period has passed before you can take the test.

[If you have Regular Motorcycle license] How to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license

If someone with a regular license or Regular Motorcycle license wants to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license, there are the following options available:

• Pass the exam on the first try (exempt from written exam)
• attend a driving school
• Get a driving Driving Camp

Let's take a look at each method in turn to see how it works.

Pass the exam on the first try

If you do not attend a driving school and take the test at a driver's license testing center, you can obtain Heavy Motorcycle license by passing the aptitude test and practical test and taking the required course.

Those who meet the following conditions are exempt from the written examination:

• Those who hold a Class 1 license, excluding a moped license or a small special license
• Those who hold a Class 2 license, excluding a moped license or a small special license
• People with Regular Motorcycle license

In this case, only an aptitude test, practical test, and license acquisition course are required, so you can obtain a license more smoothly than if you did not have a license at all.

It is clear that you do not necessarily need to have Regular Motorcycle license to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license, but don't forget to also acquire practical skills, such as how to drive a motorcycle specifically.

attend a driving school

If you enroll in a driving school that deals with Heavy Motorcycle, you will take a test after the lesson and if you pass it, you will be able to get a license. We recommend that you choose whether to attend a driving school or take Driving Camp based on your schedule and budget.

Even those who have never had a license before can obtain Heavy Motorcycle license, but in some cases, it may be recommended to obtain Regular Motorcycle or a regular license first. Since it is difficult to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license, one option is to gradually step up from an easier license.

Heavy Motorcycle course

If you already have Regular Motorcycle, you can take Heavy Motorcycle course at a driving school. It is possible to challenge for Heavy Motorcycle license from a regular license, but if you are unsure, we recommend that you start with Regular Motorcycle.

In Heavy Motorcycle courses at driving schools, the content and cost of the courses vary depending on the license held by the student. Generally speaking, the volume of courses decreases the closer the student's license is to Heavy Motorcycle license.

If you have Regular Motorcycle license without restrictions, you will be exempt from the theory course and will only need to take 12 hours of Driving Lessons. The course period is as short as 6 days, and the average cost is about 100,000 yen.

Even if you have a regular driver's license, you will be exempt from most of the theory lessons and will only have to take one hour of the second lesson. Since 31 hours of Driving Lessons are required, it will take about one to two months to get your license. The average cost is 180,000 yen.

Participate in Driving Camp

If you want to get Heavy Motorcycle license in a short time and at a low cost, you should consider participating in Driving Camp. Although it requires a large amount of time, such as staying overnight and taking lessons every day, you can get your license more smoothly than if you went to a driving school.

The training content is the same as if you were to attend a driving school in person, but some driving schools have conditions such as "only those who have Regular Motorcycle license are accepted," so be sure to pay attention when looking for a training camp.

The following are examples of the average duration and cost for each type of license:

• Regular motorcycle Regular Motorcycle: Minimum 6 days, about 90,000 to 140,000 yen
• Regular license holder: Minimum 14 days, from about 200,000 yen

Prices vary depending on the quality of the food and accommodation, whether it's close to tourist spots, etc. Choose a training camp that meets your needs, such as if you want to take some time off and do some sightseeing while getting your license, or if you want to get your license on a budget.

[If you don't have Regular Motorcycle license] How to get Heavy Motorcycle license

If you meet the age and physical requirements for the aptitude test, you can take the exam to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license. We will explain the two ways to obtain one.

attend a driving school

If you have no driving experience, such as a regular car or Regular Motorcycle, and you tell a driving school that you want to get Heavy Motorcycle license, most schools will recommend that you get Regular Motorcycle license first. Some driving schools even require you to have Regular Motorcycle license as a condition for taking the course.

In fact, driving Heavy Motorcycle is very difficult. Not only is the engine powerful, but the body is also large, making it difficult to deal with a fall, and even basic actions such as pushing the body without starting the engine can be tiring.

Many driving schools judge that it would be difficult for beginners to deal with such problems specific Heavy Motorcycle while also learning techniques common to all motorcycles. Unless you have experience driving on private property, it is safer and more reliable to obtain a regular license.

However, Regular Motorcycle license is not a legal requirement for Heavy Motorcycle license. Consider your long-term safety and whether it is a wise decision to suddenly get Heavy Motorcycle license.

Start from Regular Motorcycle course

For those who have a regular license but have no experience with motorcycles, starting with Regular Motorcycle course will help you acquire basic knowledge and skills, and will also make it easier to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license. Even if you don't have a regular license, it will be a safer option than trying to get Heavy Motorcycle license straight away.

If a person with a regular license takes Regular Motorcycle course, most of the theory lessons are waived and only one hour of the second lesson is required. Driving Lessons are 17 hours, and it is expected that you can get your license in as little as one to two months.

In terms of cost, the average price for Regular Motorcycle manual transmission is about 90,000 yen. If you have Regular Motorcycle license, you can get a discount on the cost of trying to get Heavy Motorcycle license.

Going from Regular Motorcycle course to Heavy Motorcycle course will cost more than trying to get Heavy Motorcycle license straight away, but it is a more reliable method, especially if you have no experience driving a motorcycle.

Take the test right away

Although it may seem like an extreme example, if you take the test in one go and pass it, you can save money and get Heavy Motorcycle license quickly. The process for the one-shot test is as follows:

1. License Conversion
2. aptitude test
3. skill test
4. After passing the exam, you will take the course

Since the skills test requires a reservation, you will need to choose a test date in advance.

The fee for taking the test is 6,100 yen (2,600 yen for the test fee, 1,450 yen for the test vehicle fee, and 2,050 yen for the license issuance fee). In addition, you will need to pay 16,650 yen for the license acquisition course fee. If you pass the test on the first try, you can get your license at a much cheaper price than other methods.

However, if you don't have solid skills, it will be extremely difficult to pass. If you take the test multiple times, it may end up costing you more than if you went to a driving school.

Is it difficult to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license? Explaining the cost and process of Driving Camp and one-shot test

Benefits of attending a driving school to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license

Obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license is difficult, and it is said to be difficult to pass the test on the first try. Taking advantage of a driving school and aiming to pass while gaining the necessary skills will be the shortcut to obtaining your license.

The benefits of attending a driving school to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license are as follows:

• Acquire correct knowledge according to the curriculum
• The pass rate is high because the practical exam for the main license is waived.

We will go into more detail about the benefits of each in turn.

Acquire correct knowledge according to the curriculum

Even if you are unsure about your driving skills or knowledge, a driving school can provide you with appropriate instruction in both theory and skills according to the curriculum. Driving a vehicle is an act regulated by law, so acquiring the correct knowledge is very important for both passing the test and being safe.

You can also practice a lot on the training course, and take the Final Driving Test exam on a familiar training course. If you can repeat the same course, you will be able to calmly acquire the skills and be able to perform well in the real thing. This is a big difference, since the one-shot exam uses an unfamiliar course.

Driving schools are a very convenient service for acquiring the correct knowledge and skills, and for passing the exam smoothly. In particular, it is recommended that people who have no experience driving or riding a motorcycle attend a driving school to receive instruction.

The pass rate is high because the practical exam for the main license is waived.

If you pass Final Driving Test exam at a driving school approved by the Public Safety Commission, you will be exempt from the practical exam for the full license. This has a significant impact on the pass rate for licenses, and its effect is obvious when compared to the one-shot test.

Overall Pass Rate	Pass rate for graduates from designated driving schools	First-time exam pass rate
Approximately 86%	Approximately 97%	Approximately 10%

According to the National Police Agency's driver's license statistics for fiscal year 2021, the overall pass rate for test takers for Heavy Motorcycle licenses (unrestricted) was 97,580 out of 113,303 test takers. Approximately 90% of those who passed were graduates of designated driving schools, with the number of successful test takers being 88,815.

In addition, there were 91,387 students who graduated from Heavy Motorcycle driving schools. If we assume that all of them took the test, the pass rate for students would be 88,815 / 91,387 = 97%. Considering that the pass rate for the first test is about 10-20%, this is a fairly high figure.

Source: Driver's License Statistics 2021 Edition

[Comparing driving schools and training camps] Time and cost required to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license

Attending a driving school or training camp can make it easier to get a license, but the time and cost involved are still a concern.

Those without a driver's license or those with only a moped license need 26 hours of theory and 36 hours of practical training. This is the same for both commuting and camping, but the duration and cost are different.

You should also find out the average time and cost involved in obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license at a driving school or a training camp.

Duration and cost of attending a driving school

The average duration and cost for enrolling in a driving school and attending classes on the days you wish to take them are as follows:

• Duration: Approximately 2 to 3 months
• Cost: Approximately 280,000 to 320,000 yen

However, even if you graduate smoothly, if you have trouble with the exam or cannot find the time to attend school, it will take longer and cost more. Also, be aware that there are big differences between driving schools (especially costs).

The advantage of attending a Driving Camp. If you want to fit the process of obtaining a license into your work or school schedule, we recommend attending a driving school.

Duration and cost of Driving Camp

Driving Camp involves intensive classes every day, allowing you to obtain your license in a short period of time.

The average duration and cost of Driving Camp is as follows:

• Duration: Approximately 16 days (without a license)
• Cost: Approximately 250,000 to 370,000 yen

The cost may be higher than if you were to go to school, but this will vary depending on the location of the training camp and the season. Training camps that double as tourist destinations will be more expensive due to their quality, and prices tend to be higher during license acquisition seasons such as summer and spring holidays.

Driving Camp is a recommended method for people who want to study intensively for a set period of time. One of the attractions of Driving Camp is that you can study with your classmates with the same goal in mind.

What people who have never ridden a motorcycle should know about operating Heavy Motorcycle

Anyone can take the test to get Heavy Motorcycle license as long as they meet the requirements. However, this is only a legal requirement, and it can be difficult for someone with no driving experience to suddenly obtain a license.

The pass rate for the first test for Heavy Motorcycle license is said to be 10-20% on average, and 10-30% for automatic transmission only. Even if you attend a driving school, it can be a difficult path, as you will be operating a heavy and powerful motorcycle with unfamiliar controls.

Why are Heavy Motorcycle difficult to drive? There are two main reasons for this.

• Heavier than Regular Motorcycle (small to medium-sized bikes)
• It's hard to get the timing right for clutch operation

We will explain the details of each one.

Heavier than Regular Motorcycle (small to medium-sized bikes)

Heavy Motorcycle are large and heavy, so it is very difficult to push the body or to stand the bike up. In particular, driving schools often use large and heavy motorcycles for training, so if you suddenly try riding Heavy Motorcycle you will be forced to face difficulties.

Even if you think there shouldn't be any problems because the basic operation of Regular Motorcycle and Heavy Motorcycle is the same, that may not be the case when you actually try it. You may be distracted by the weight of the bike, and it may take you a long time to master the basics of handling and riding a bike in general, or you may give up.

It's hard to get the timing right for clutch operation

People who have never ridden a motorcycle tend to take some time to get used to operating the clutch.

In addition, the weight mentioned above can be an obstacle when learning how to operate the clutch. In order to calmly learn the mechanism and operation of the clutch, it is better to first try to get a license for an easier vehicle.

The one-shot test for Heavy Motorcycle license is difficult! If you're worried, it's safer to go to a driving school.

Obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license is difficult, and the pass rate for the first test is particularly low, so unless you are very confident in your skills and have experience riding on private land, we do not recommend it. Even if you have experience riding Regular Motorcycle, we recommend attending a driving school if you are unsure.

One way is to first get Regular Motorcycle license without restrictions, and then gradually try to get Heavy Motorcycle license. Even if you have only ever driven a regular car, you will be able to get a feel for the unique aspects of riding a motorcycle.

If you are unsure about your skills and knowledge, you should first attend a driving school and pave the way to obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license.