There are seven types of motorcycle licenses in total, including moped licenses and large motorcycle licenses, and each license is classified according to the total displacement of the motorcycle. The motorcycles you can drive will differ depending on which license you obtain, so it is important to choose the license that corresponds to the motorcycle you want to ride.

In addition to attending a driving school, there are several options for obtaining a medium-duty license (ordinary motorcycle license).

In this article, we will explain how to obtain a medium-duty license (ordinary motorcycle license), the acquisition cost, and the acquisition period. We will also explain maintenance costs and whether or not two people can ride on the bike, so if you are considering obtaining a medium-duty license (ordinary motorcycle license), please read on.

Definition of a "medium-sized license" for motorcycles

In order to obtain a medium-duty license (ordinary motorcycle license), you must meet certain conditions. Also, depending on your license, you may not be able to drive some types of vehicles, so if you have a motorcycle you want to ride, be sure to check in advance.

The official name is "ordinary motorcycle license"

A license that allows you to ride a 300cc or 400cc motorcycle is sometimes called a "medium-sized license" or "chumen," but these are not official names. The official name is "Ordinary Motorcycle License". The abbreviation "Fujiji" will be written on your driver's Driver's License.

It is common etiquette to list your driver's license in your official name on your resume. Therefore, be sure to write the official name as "ordinary motorcycle license acquisition." If you obtain a license limited to AT, you must write "(AT limited)" after the official name.

Age requirement is from 16 years old

The age at which you can obtain a motorcycle license varies depending on the type.

A regular motorcycle license can be obtained from the age of 16. There is no problem even if you are a high school student or over the age of 16. Some driving schools allow children to enroll from about a week before their 16th birthday. However, you must be celebrating your birthday at the time of Final Driving Test.

Able to drive a motorcycle with a displacement of 400cc or less

A regular motorcycle license allows you to drive a motorcycle with a total displacement of 400cc or less. In addition to this, you can also drive the following motorcycles with a lower license.

• motorized bicycle
• small motorcycle

In recent years, big scooters have become popular as they are more reasonably priced than large bikes. Bic Scooter can be operated even if you have an automatic motorcycle license. Its appeal is that it can be used not only as a means of daily transportation, but also in a wide range of situations, such as transporting luggage and long-distance touring.

Limited to MT and AT

There are two types of regular motorcycle licenses: MT and AT-only. If you are limited to MT, you can drive both MT and AT bikes. On the other hand, if you only have an AT, you cannot drive a MT motorcycle. Most AT-only bikes are scooter types.

Those who want to enjoy riding various types of motorcycles should obtain a license that supports manual transmission. However, MT tends to be more expensive than AT-only because Driving Lessons takes a long time. Details of acquisition costs are explained in ``Cost and period for acquiring a medium-sized motorcycle license (ordinary motorcycle license)''.

Three ways to obtain a medium-sized motorcycle license (regular motorcycle license)

There are three ways to obtain a regular motorcycle license: attending a driving school, participating in a training camp, and taking a one-shot test. Each one has a different acquisition period and training location, so compare the three and choose the method that suits you best.

attend a driving school

You can also obtain a regular motorcycle license by attending a driving school. There are two types of driving schools: designated driving schools and registered driving schools.

A designated driving school is a driving school that meets all three standards specified by the Public Safety Commission: personnel standards, material standards, and driving standards. The provisional license written test and Final Driving Test can be taken at the driving school, and the skill test for the main license is exempted. After graduation, you will take the written exam and aptitude test at the driver's license examination center.

On the other hand, a notified driving school is a driving school that has been notified to the Public Safety Commission. However, this does not necessarily mean that they meet the standards specified by the Public Safety Commission. It does not correspond to the provisional license theory test or skill test, so you will need to take it at a driving license test center.

Participate in a training camp

If you can take a lot of vacation time due to school or work, one way is to participate in a training camp and obtain a regular motorcycle license. A training camp is a program where students stay at a designated accommodation facility for a certain period of time and receive intensive academic and Driving Lessons.

You can graduate quickly because you can take lessons continuously every day. In addition, those with a regular license will be able to graduate more quickly as the time required for academic training will be reduced. However, not all driving schools offer training camps.

Even if a driving school supports training camps, it may not be held during certain periods, or may not be compatible with regular motorcycle licenses in the first place, so it is necessary to check in advance.

take a one-shot test

One option for obtaining a regular motorcycle license is to use a method called a "one-shot test." The one-shot test is a way to take the written exam and aptitude test directly at the driver's license exam center without having to go to a driving school.

Just like when attending a driving school, holders of a regular driver's license are exempt from taking written exams. In the case of a one-shot test, after passing the test, you will be required to take the initial training course and first aid course as stipulated in Article 108-2, Paragraph 1, Items 4 to 8 of the Road Traffic Act.

The content and time of the course are as follows.

Holders of a regular license or above are exempt from first aid training.

Cost and time required to obtain a medium-sized motorcycle license (regular motorcycle license)

The cost and acquisition period for obtaining a regular motorcycle license will vary depending on which method you choose. If you attend a driving school, the acquisition cost will be higher and the acquisition period will be longer than other methods. If you want to obtain certification faster while reducing acquisition costs, consider taking the one-shot test.

If you obtain it at a driving school

The acquisition costs and acquisition period for obtaining a regular motorcycle license at a driving school are as follows.

Holders of a regular license are exempt from taking some academic and Driving Lessons, so the acquisition cost is lower and the acquisition period is shorter than those without one. In addition, because MT requires a longer Driving Lessons period than AT, acquisition costs tend to be several tens of thousands of yen higher.

If acquired at a training camp

The acquisition costs and acquisition period for obtaining a regular motorcycle license at a training camp are as follows.

The cost of attending a training camp includes accommodation and food costs, so it tends to be slightly more expensive than attending a driving school. Regardless of whether you have a regular license or not, the acquisition cost and acquisition period for AT and MT are almost the same.

However, the acquisition cost and acquisition period vary depending on the driving school, so please check in advance.

If you get it in one test

The acquisition costs for obtaining a regular motorcycle license through the one-shot test are as follows.

Since you do not have to go to a driving school for the one-shot test, you do not need to pay for academic or Driving Lessons. Therefore, the acquisition fee is only what you pay at the driver's license test center on the day of the test. As the one-shot test is conducted at the venue, a test vehicle usage fee is required.

Also, if you pass the exam on the first try, you can get it on the same day. In the unlikely event that you fail, you will be charged a test fee and test vehicle usage fee each time.

Steps to obtain a medium-sized motorcycle license (ordinary motorcycle license) at a driving school

According to the National Police Agency's driver's license statistics, the number of people who graduated from the regular motorcycle license program at designated driving schools was 184,113. The number of people who were issued new or additional licenses was 186,911.

This figure shows that many people graduate from designated driving schools and obtain regular motorcycle licenses.

*Source: National Police Agency Traffic Bureau Driving License Division “Driver License Statistics 2020 Edition”

From here, we will explain the process of obtaining a regular motorcycle license at a driving school that many people use.

1. take an aptitude test

In order to enter a driving school, you must pass an aptitude test. The items and conditions for the aptitude test are as follows.

If the visual acuity in one eye is less than 0.3, the condition can be met if the visual field in the other eye is at least 150 degrees left and right and the visual acuity in both eyes is at least 0.7. Vision and hearing can be corrected using corrective devices such as contact lenses and hearing aids. In addition to this, you may also be asked whether you have any problems with reading and writing Japanese.

2. Clear the first stage

Academic training and Driving Lessons are divided into the first and second stages, and the content learned at each stage differs. The training content for the first stage is as follows.

• getting on and off
• How to set up the stand
• Move the bike without starting the engine
• How to start the engine
• half clutch
• outer circumference etc.

In the first stage, you will learn basic driving skills such as getting in and out of the vehicle and half clutching. The duration is 10 hours for academic training and 9 hours for Driving Lessons.

3. Clear the second stage

The training content for the second stage is as follows.

• figure eight
• log bridge
• slalom
• S-shape
• Starting on a hill
• crank
• Driving with challenges such as sudden braking
• Risk prediction using simulator
• emergency relief etc.

In the second stage, you will learn driving skills and judgment based on situations such as figure eights and cranks. The training content also includes sudden braking, which is said to be highly difficult. Sudden braking involves riding a straight course at 40 km/h, applying the brakes from the point where the sudden braking starts, and stopping the bike at the limit point beyond that point.

In the second stage, there are many difficult tasks such as sudden braking, so practice repeatedly while receiving advice from your instructor. The duration is 16 hours for academic training and 10 hours for Driving Lessons.

Four. Take the skills Final Driving Test

After clearing the academic and Driving Lessons at each stage, students will take Final Driving Test. Final Driving Test is a test that confirms what you have learned so far. If you pass the test, you will receive a diploma from the driving school.

Please be careful not to lose your diploma, as you will need it for the main driving license exam at the driver's license exam center. After graduating from the driving school, it is finally time to take the main license exam. Go to the driver's license examination center in the prefecture where you have your residence card and take the test. If you pass the test, you will be issued a regular motorcycle driver's Driver's License.

Frequently asked questions about medium-sized motorcycle licenses (regular motorcycle licenses)

Finally, we will introduce frequently asked questions regarding regular motorcycle licenses. Please use this as a reference as we introduce questions and answers that will be helpful after obtaining your license.

How much does it cost to maintain a medium-sized bike?

If you purchase a motorcycle that can be driven with a regular motorcycle license, you will need to pay the following maintenance costs.

If you cannot secure a bicycle parking space at home, you will also need to pay a monthly bicycle parking fee.

Can two people ride?

According to the Road Traffic Act, motorcycles with a total displacement of 51cc or more are permitted to carry two people. However, this is only possible if it has been more than a year since you obtained your motorcycle license. In addition, when driving on a highway with two people, the following requirements must be met.

• Be over 20 years old
• More than 3 years have passed since obtaining a motorcycle license.

Regardless of the type of road you drive on, if there are two people riding, both the driver and passenger are required to wear helmets.

Understand the correct way to obtain a motorcycle license and try to get one

High school students can obtain a regular motorcycle license as long as they are 16 years of age or older. There are three ways to obtain a driver's license: attending a driving school, participating in a training camp, and taking a one-shot test.

Each has different acquisition costs and acquisition periods, so it is important to choose the method that is suitable for you. Driving school and training camp both follow the same curriculum. There is a difference in acquisition cost of several tens of thousands of yen, but if you want to acquire it faster, consider a training camp.

In addition, since the one-shot test involves taking the skill test without undergoing Driving Lessons, it may be difficult to pass the test on the first try if you are not accustomed to operating the test. Some driving schools have rental courses available, so it's a good idea to practice beforehand if you're planning to take the one-shot test.