If the types of cars you can drive with your driver's license are limited, you can increase the types of cars you can drive by removing the restrictions.

In this article, we will explain what is the removal of restrictions on a driver's license, the two ways to remove them, the cost and time involved, etc.

Please read to the end and use it to remove restrictions.

What is driver's license restriction removal?

If the conditions section of your driver's license says "limited to XX," it means that the range of vehicles you can drive is limited.

You can only drive the types of cars listed, but lifting the restrictions and increasing the types of licenses you can drive is called "restriction removal."

Please be aware that if you drive a vehicle other than those specified, it will be a violation of the Road Traffic Act.

Types of licenses subject to restriction cancellation

The following are the main types of licenses that are subject to restriction cancellation:

• AT limited license (regular car, small motorcycle, regular motorcycle, large motorcycle, regular 2nd class, semi-medium vehicle license 5t limited, semi-medium 2nd class license 5t limited, medium vehicle license 8t limited, medium 2nd class license 5t limited)
• Semi-medium vehicle license 5t limited (*1)
• Medium-sized vehicle license 8t limited (*2)
• Regular car motorcycle license small size limited
• Large special vehicle license limited to Katapira vehicles or agricultural vehicles only
• Large vehicle license Self-Defense Force vehicle limited

In 2007, a new “medium-sized license” was created, followed by a new semi-medium-sized license in 2017. In other words, the fact that there have been two major revisions to the licensing system over the past 10 years has made it complicated to understand the licensing system.

※1　2007年6月から2017年3月までに普通車免許を取得した方は、現在準中型自動車免許5t限定に自動移行しています。
※2　2007年6月より前に普通車免許を取得した方は、現在中型自動車免許8t限定に自動移行しています。

Due to this revision, the types of cars that can be driven with a regular driver's license have changed, so if you want to remove the restrictions, you will need to remove the restrictions.

Eligibility to take the driver's license restriction removal exam

Similar to when obtaining a regular driver's license, there are eligibility requirements for taking the exam when the restriction is lifted. You must meet age, eyesight, hearing, and driving experience, and if you are missing any of them, you will not be able to take the test.

In addition, if you are unable to drive due to certain illnesses stipulated by law, you may not be able to obtain a license or your license may be revoked for a certain period of time. One of the conditions is that you are not addicted to alcohol, drugs, or stimulants.

Also, those whose licenses are revoked or suspended cannot take the test.

How to remove restrictions from a driver's license

Next, we will explain how to remove the restriction. There are two ways to cancel the restriction: ``going to a driving school'' and ``taking a one-shot test at a driver's license exam center.'' We will explain each method, so you can remove restrictions using the method that suits you.

attend a driving school

It costs money to go to a driving school, but you will be taught the skills necessary to get your license lifted, so you can drive with peace of mind after your license is lifted.

give Driving Lessons

First, apply to the driver's license driving school for training to remove restrictions. On the day of enrollment, students will take an aptitude test and begin skill training at a course within the driving school.

There will be no academic training or on-the-road training in the limited training. According to the Road Traffic Act, the number of hours of skill training that can be taken per day is limited to two hours.

Carry out the procedure for lifting the restriction at the driver's license examination center.

After passing the driving school's on-site examination, the driving school will issue you a driving skill examination pass certificate. Bring your driving skill examination pass certificate and your driver's license to the driver's license center and fill out the necessary information on the restriction removal application form to apply.

The fact that the restrictions have been lifted will be noted in the remarks column on the back of your license. The validity period of the practical driving test certificate issued by the driving school is within three months of the passing date.

Take a one-shot test at a driver's license exam center

Next, we will explain how to remove restrictions at a driver's license examination center, also known as a one-shot test. This method does not require the cost of a driving school and takes less time.

make a reservation

You can remove the restrictions at the driver's license testing center in your area, but you must make a reservation in advance. Applications cannot be made by proxy, so the applicant must appear in person. When making a reservation, you will need your driver's license and a photo.

Take a skills examination

On the day of your reservation, you will go to the driver's license examination center and undergo a skill examination. A police officer examines the test at a training course inside the test center, but the scoring is very strict as they look at every detail.

If you find it difficult to pass the exam on the first try, you may have to take it multiple times. Therefore, if you are not confident, we recommend that you attend a driving school.

Costs for removing driver's license restrictions

How much does it cost to go to a driving school and have the restriction lifted, or to have the restriction lifted only at the driving license exam center?

If you go to a driving school

The following list summarizes the average cost for canceling restrictions at a driving school.

Please note that the amount varies depending on the driving school and the period of time you attend, so please use this as a guide only. If supplementary classes are required at the driving school, additional costs will be incurred. Some driving schools charge separate entrance fees and examination fees, so be sure to check that in advance.

Please note that this amount is the fee paid to the driving school. In addition, you will need to pay a test fee of 1,450 yen at the driver's license examination center.

When taking a one-shot test at a driver's license examination center

If you do not take lessons at a driving school and cancel the restriction with a one-time test, of course there will be no driving school fees. A test fee of 1,400 yen and a car usage fee of 1,450 yen will be charged.

You will take a skill test at the driver's license examination center, but if you do not pass the test, you will have to pay each time. The amount of this fee is the same for ordinary AT-limited licenses, medium-sized, semi-medium-sized, and other types of restricted AT licenses.

How long does it take to remove driver's license restrictions?

We will explain how long it will take to remove the restriction.

When going to a driving school

According to the Road Traffic Act, the number of hours of skill training that can be taken per day is limited to 2 hours in the first stage and 3 hours in the second stage.

Students often attend during long vacations such as summer vacation when driving schools are crowded, and it can be difficult to make reservations for Driving Lessons due to the crowds. In that case, you may have fewer hours per day.

The minimum Driving Lessons period required to remove the normal AT restriction is 4 hours. There is a limit of 2 hours per day, so even if Driving Lessons goes smoothly, it will take 2 days. After Driving Lessons, an additional day is added to conduct the skills examination, and it is common for it to take about 3 days to cancel a normal AT-only license. However, if the instructor determines that additional training is necessary, additional time may be required to conduct make-up classes.

When canceling a medium-sized and semi-medium-sized license, there is more content to be learned in training than a normal AT-limited license, so the required Driving Lessons time will increase.

When taking a one-shot test at a driver's license examination center

If you take a one-shot test at a driver's license exam center, your license can be released in one day if you pass the test on that day. However, the passing rate is approximately 30%, and it is rare to pass on the first try.

Benefits of removing driver's license restrictions

What are the benefits of having your driver's license lifted?

Although AT vehicles account for over 90% of the distribution ratio of MT and AT vehicles in Japan, MT vehicles are still in circulation among commercial vehicles. Therefore, being able to drive a manual transmission vehicle is a big advantage.

Additionally, by lifting the restrictions on semi-medium and medium-sized vehicle licenses, the types of cars that can be driven will increase. You will be able to drive a larger car than with a semi-medium/medium-sized limited license, so the demand for you as a driver will increase. The range of jobs available to you will also expand, which will be a big selling point when you're looking for a job.

The number of cars you can drive increases with unlocked vehicles

By removing restrictions, you can increase the types of cars you can drive.

There are two ways to cancel your license: ``going to a driving school'' and ``taking a one-shot test at a driver's license exam center.''

Attending a driving school is expensive and time consuming, but it is possible to learn the skills necessary to unlock the license. On the other hand, the advantage of a one-shot test is that it is less expensive and time-consuming. However, it is a difficult exam to pass on the first try. Consider the advantages and disadvantages and choose the method that suits you best.