It costs about 80,000 to 240,000 yen to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license. Some people who are considering obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license may want to keep the cost of obtaining a license down.
There are several ways to keep the cost of obtaining a motorcycle license down. In this article, we will explain the average cost of obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license, ways to reduce the cost, and driving schools with reasonable fees.
There are two ways to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license: attending a driving school or taking a one-shot test. Of these, attending a driving school is the most common method. Therefore, in this article, we will assume that you will attend a driving school and explain how to reduce the cost.
table of contents
- [By condition] Average cost of Heavy Motorcycle license
- 8 ways to reduce the cost of getting Heavy Motorcycle license
- [By region] Driving schools with low costs for obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license
- Costs after obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license
- Frequently asked questions about the cost of obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license
- Get Heavy Motorcycle license while keeping costs down
[By condition] Average cost of Heavy Motorcycle license
The cost of obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license varies depending on the type of license you already have. If you already have Regular Motorcycle license or a regular license, the fee is set lower because the training time is shorter than usual.
Also, there are two types of Heavy Motorcycle licenses: manual and automatic, and the costs of obtaining each vary, so be sure to check how much it will cost you.
| Type of license obtained | MT/AT | Market price of acquisition cost | Training time (1 period 50 minutes) | Estimated acquisition period |
| MT Regular Motorcycle license | MT | Approximately 80,000 yen to 120,000 yen |
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Approximately 6 to 10 days |
| AT | Approximately 80,000 yen to 90,000 yen |
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| Ordinary license | MT | Approximately 140,000 to 180,000 yen |
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Approximately 16 to 30 days |
| AT | Approximately 170,000 to 180,000 yen |
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| No license or small special/moped license | MT | Approximately 200,000 to 240,000 yen |
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Approximately 18 to 40 days |
| AT | Approximately 250,000 yen |
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If you already have Regular Motorcycle motorcycle license
If you already have Regular Motorcycle license, the average cost of obtaining a license is around 80,000 to 120,000 yen for MT and 80,000 to 90,000 yen for AT. You will need to take 9 to 12 hours of Driving Lessons, but you will be exempt from academic training. The estimated time to obtain a license is around 6 to 10 days.
The Road Traffic Act sets a maximum number of hours that can be taken in a day. As a result, the first stage can only be taken up to 2 periods, and the second stage can only be taken up to 3 periods. Depending on your schedule and the reservation status of your driving school, there may be days when you cannot take the maximum amount of lessons.
If you have already obtained a regular driver's license
If you have already obtained a regular driver's license, the average acquisition cost is around 140,000 to 180,000 yen for a MT and 170,000 to 180,000 yen for an AT. In addition to 24 to 31 hours of Driving Lessons, you will need to take one hour of academic training. The approximate acquisition period is 16 to 30 days.
If you do not have a license or have obtained a small special/moped license
If you don't have a license or already have a small special or moped license, the average cost of acquisition is about 200,000 to 240,000 yen for a manual transmission and about 250,000 yen for an automatic transmission. The academic and Driving Lessons is set longer than for those who have Regular Motorcycle license or a regular license. The acquisition period is approximately 18 to 40 days.
8 ways to reduce the cost of getting Heavy Motorcycle license
The cost of obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license varies depending on the type of license you already have. If you don't have a license or already have a small special license or moped license, the training time is longer, so the cost is higher. However, it is possible to reduce the cost by using some ingenuity.
1. Choose a driving school with low commuting costs
The course fees for Heavy Motorcycle licenses vary depending on the driving school. If you choose a driving school with low fees, you can keep the cost of obtaining the license down. Also, if you attend a driving school, you should consider the transportation costs to and from school in addition to the course fees.
Some driving schools operate free shuttle buses. If you can use the shuttle bus, you can reduce your transportation costs. Please refer to the "Driving schools with low Heavy Motorcycle fees by region" for information on driving schools with low commuting fees by region.
2. Enroll at the driving school during the off-season
Driving school course fees vary depending on the season. The most expensive times are around February to March and July to August. At this time of year, when demand increases before a new life begins or during summer vacation, prices seem to be set at a higher rate in an attempt to increase profits. On the other hand, May to June and October to December are low seasons, so prices tend to be cheaper than during the busy seasons.
3. Take advantage of driving school campaigns and discount systems
Some driving schools have campaigns or discount systems that reduce fees if certain conditions are met. The main campaigns and discount systems are as follows.
- early bird discount
- Student discount
- Referral discount
- Group discount
- Family discount etc.
Discount details and conditions vary depending on the driving school. If you take advantage of the campaign, the price can be reduced by more than 10,000 yen. If there are multiple driving schools nearby, compare the availability of campaigns and discount rates, and choose the one that offers the lowest price.
Four. Aim to pass all exams straight.
If you fail the test at a driving school or driver's license center and retake the test, you will be charged a test fee each time. If you pass all exams on the first try, there are no additional fees, so you can keep your acquisition costs down.
If you fail the provisional license, the cost of remedial training and re-examination may cost over 10,000 yen depending on the driving school. Additionally, the graduation certificate issued by the driving school has a one-year validity period.
If you do not pass within the expiration date, you will have to re-enter the driving school, which will increase the cost, so aim to pass as soon as possible after graduation.
Five. Use Driving Camp
If you want to save on training fees, consider using Driving Camp. Driving Camp is a method of staying at a lodging facility for a certain period of time and receiving intensive training. The average cost of Driving Camp is as follows:
| Type of license obtained | Market price of costs |
| MT Regular Motorcycle license |
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| Ordinary license |
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| No license or small special/moped license |
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In addition to the training fee, the cost includes accommodation, meals, transportation, etc. Therefore, if you look only at the training fees, they tend to be cheaper than commuting to a driving school. You can also save money by choosing private accommodation rather than a hotel, and choosing a shared room rather than a single room.
6. Aim to pass the exam on the first try
All driver's licenses, including Heavy Motorcycle licenses, can be obtained without attending a driving school, as long as you pass the practical and written tests. Taking the test directly at a driver's license center to obtain a license is called a one-shot test.
The cost for the one-shot test is as follows:
| item | cost |
| Examination fee | 2,600円 |
| Test vehicle usage fee | 1,450円 |
| License issuance fee | 2,050円 |
| Training fee upon acquisition | 12,150円 |
| First aid treatment training fee | 3,750円 |
In the case of a one-shot test, you will be required to take a certification course and a first aid course after passing the test. The total acquisition cost is 22,000 yen, so you can get a license cheaper than attending a driving school or Driving Camp.
7. Obtain a regular motorcycle license in advance
The eligibility to take Heavy Motorcycle license exam does not require the holder of any other motorcycle license. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a license even if you do not have a Regular Motorcycle license or a medium-size license (regular motorcycle license).
However, if you try to get Heavy Motorcycle license right from the start, you may not be able to complete Driving Lessons and may have to take additional training. Additional training costs money, which may exceed your budget.
In order to pass Driving Lessons smoothly, one option is to first obtain Regular Motorcycle license. Even if you take Heavy Motorcycle license training after obtaining Regular Motorcycle license, there is not much difference in cost if you pass the training on the first try.
[By region] Driving schools with low costs for obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license
From here, we will introduce driving schools by region that offer low tuition fees for Heavy Motorcycle licenses.
Driving school in Tokyo
The following are driving schools in Tokyo that offer low tuition fees for Heavy Motorcycle licenses.
| Driving school name | cost | address | nearest station |
| Tokyu Driving School | 94,900 yen - 276,800 yen | 3-6 Karakida, Tama City, Tokyo |
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| New Tokyo Driving School | 101,860 yen - 300,960 yen | 1-2364 Ogawamachi, Kodaira City, Tokyo |
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| Heiwabashi Driving School | 128,800 yen 7 - 316,040 yen | 1-3-16 Higashitateishi, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo | Keisei Oshiage Line Keiseitateishi Station |
Driving school in Saitama
The following are driving schools in Saitama Prefecture that offer low training fees for Heavy Motorcycle licenses.
| Driving school name | cost | address | nearest station |
| Asuka Driving College Kawaguchi | 124,000 yen to 140,000 yen | 2-17-5 Kawaguchi, Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture |
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| unmotor school | 102,850 yen to 316,800 yen | 797-1 Futatsunomiya, Nishi-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture | Sashiogi Station |
| Iwatsuki Driving School | 97,700 yen - 145,220 yen | 880 Jionji, Iwatsuki Ward, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture | Toyoharu Station |
Driving school in Aichi
The following are driving schools in Aichi Prefecture that offer low tuition fees for Heavy Motorcycle licenses.
| Driving school name | cost | address | nearest station |
| Miyoshi Driving School | 115,100 yen to 138,700 yen | 55 Moriso, Miyoshi-cho, Miyoshi City, Aichi Prefecture |
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| Aichi Driving School | 235,400 yen | 1-6-50 Joganji, Kita-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture | Kurokawa Station |
| Asahi Driving School | 140,240 yen | 39 Kokiri, Uji-cho, Tsushima City, Aichi Prefecture | Katsuhata Station |
Driving school in Osaka
The following are driving schools in Osaka Prefecture that offer low tuition fees for Heavy Motorcycle licenses.
| Driving school name | cost | address | nearest station |
| Izumi Driving School | 69,850 yen - 162,250 yen | 2-6-22 Shinanmatsu, Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture |
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| Osaka Kori Driving School | 61,600 yen - 117,040 yen | 13-5 Kiyamachi, Neyagawa City, Osaka Prefecture | Keihan Korien Station |
| Osaka Minato Driving School | 41,800 yen - 209,550 yen | 3-9-15 Isoji, Minato-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture |
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Driving school in Fukuoka
The following are driving schools in Fukuoka Prefecture that offer low training fees for Heavy Motorcycle licenses.
| Driving school name | cost | address | nearest station |
| Isle Motor School Buzen | 107,800 yen | 1381-1 Matsue, Buzen City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
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| Isle Motor School Moji | 97,350 yen - 288,750 yen | 120 Hata, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
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| Iizuka Driving School | 110,770 yen to 151,250 yen | 95 Kawazu, Iizuka City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
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Costs after obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license
It is possible to keep the cost of obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license down by choosing a driving school with low commuting fees, taking advantage of Driving Camp, etc. However, obtaining a license does not mean you are free from financial worries.
Even after obtaining a license, maintenance costs such as insurance and vehicle inspection fees will be incurred, so it is important to check this in advance.
Compulsory automobile liability/voluntary insurance fee
When purchasing a large motorcycle, you will need to pay for insurance such as automobile liability insurance and voluntary insurance. Automobile liability insurance is generally referred to as compulsory automobile liability insurance.
According to the Automobile Liability Insurance Act, all owners of automobiles, including motorized bicycles, are required to purchase compulsory automobile liability insurance. Insurance costs vary depending on the motorcycle's displacement and region.
| Period of insurance | Over 250cc | Over 125cc and under 250cc |
| 12 months |
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| 13 months |
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– |
| 24 months |
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| 25 months |
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– |
| 36 months |
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| 37 months |
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– |
| 48 months | – |
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| 60 months | – |
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The longer the period of insurance, the cheaper the annual premium will be. Although optional insurance is not required by law, it is a good idea to subscribe to it in case of an accident. The amount of insurance premium varies greatly depending on the scope of coverage.
Light vehicle tax/weight tax
Owners of Heavy Motorcycle as of April 1st of each year are subject to the light vehicle tax and weight tax. The amount of the light vehicle tax varies depending on the engine displacement, but for motorcycles over 251cc, the tax is a flat rate of 6,000 yen. The amount of the weight tax also varies depending on the weight of the motorcycle and the number of years since its first registration.
The weight tax for motorcycles over 251cc is as follows:
| displacement | Tax amount (per year) |
| 251cc or more and 400cc or less |
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| 401cc or more |
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The amount of weight tax increases as the number of years that have passed since initial registration increases.
Regular vehicle inspection fee
Motorcycles over 251cc are required to undergo vehicle inspection every two years. When you undergo a vehicle inspection, you will need to pay legal fees, basic fees, and maintenance fees if necessary. Legal fees include weight tax, compulsory automobile liability insurance fee, and stamp fee.
The basic price includes the inspection fee and inspection fee, and the price varies depending on the location where the vehicle is inspected. The cost of having your vehicle inspected at a dealer is approximately 40,000 to 60,000 yen, including legal fees and maintenance costs.
Furthermore, if you bring your motorcycle to the Land Transport Bureau for a user vehicle inspection, you will only have to pay the legal fees, so you can save on vehicle inspection fees.
Other maintenance costs
In addition to compulsory automobile liability insurance and vehicle inspection fees, owning a large motorcycle incurs various maintenance costs such as:
- Gasoline cost
- Parking fee
- Consumables fees etc.
If you cannot secure a parking space at home, you will need to pay a monthly parking fee. Purchasing a car model with excellent fuel efficiency will help you save money on gas.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license
Finally, we will introduce some frequently asked questions regarding the cost of obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license.
Are there any subsidies available?
Currently, there is no subsidy system available for obtaining Heavy Motorcycle license. However, it is subject to the education and training benefit system, so if you meet the conditions, you can receive a subsidy of 20% of the acquisition cost.
The Education and Training Benefits System is a system that covers part of the costs for those who have completed education and training designated by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare. Heavy Motorcycle licenses are subject to the Education and Training Benefits System, but please note that not all driving schools accept it.
In order to receive the benefit, you must take the course at a driving school that is designated as a course eligible for the education and training benefit.
Can I save money at a non-accredited school?
There are two types of driving schools: accredited schools and non-accredited schools. An accredited school is a driving school certified by the Public Safety Commission, and students are exempt from taking skill exams after graduation.
On the other hand, non-accredited schools are not accredited by the Public Safety Commission, so after graduation, students must take a skill test in addition to a written test. When it comes to accredited schools and non-accredited schools, non-accredited schools have lower fees.
If you pass the driver's license center test straight, you can save money by attending a non-accredited school. However, non-accredited schools are not exempt from taking the skill test, so you will need to take the written test at the same time as the written test at the driver's license center.
Get Heavy Motorcycle license while keeping costs down
If you are aiming to obtain Heavy Motorcycle license without having any other licenses, it will cost you about 200,000 to 250,000 yen. However, it is possible to keep the cost down by choosing a driving school with low commuting fees or by enrolling during the off-season.
Additionally, even if you successfully obtain your license, as long as you own a motorcycle, you will still need to pay maintenance costs such as compulsory automobile liability insurance and light vehicle tax. Therefore, it is important to consider your life after obtaining your license and make a budget plan that allows for some leeway.
