To drive small special vehicles such as forklifts and agricultural tractors, you must obtain a small special license. In this article, we will explain how to obtain a small special license and the types of cars you can drive.
We will also explain the number of days it takes to obtain a small-sized special license and the cost, so if you are aiming to obtain one, please read on.
table of contents
- What is a small special vehicle license?
- Two ways to obtain a small special vehicle license
- Number of days to obtain a small special vehicle license
- Cost of obtaining a small special vehicle license
- Things to check before getting a small special vehicle license
- Get the right knowledge and get your small special vehicle license
What is a small special vehicle license?
It is one of the driver's license classifications, similar to regular licenses and large licenses. Once you obtain a license, you can drive a vehicle that falls under the category of "small special vehicle."
A small special license is automatically granted when you obtain the following license other than a motorized bicycle license.
- Ordinary license
- Semi-medium license
- Medium Truck License
- Heavy Truck License
- Large special license
- Large motorcycle license
- Ordinary motorcycle license
If you have the above driver's license, you do not need to obtain a new small-sized special license.
Types of cars you can drive with a small special license
The definition of a small special vehicle is one that cannot reach speeds of over 15 km/h, and is 4.7 meters or less in length, 1.7 meters or less in width, and 2.8 meters or less in height. If you have a small special license, you can drive a car that meets all of these requirements.
The types of small special vehicles that can be driven with a small special license are as follows.
| By industry | kinds |
| For industry |
|
| For agriculture |
|
There are many types of small special vehicles, and you can drive them all if you have a small special license. However, some vehicles, such as forklifts and snowplows, require you to complete a driving skills course.
Conditions for obtaining a small special license
In order to obtain a small special license, you must meet all of the following conditions:
| item | conditions |
| Age | 16+ |
| Vision | Binocular 0.5 or more |
| field of view | 150 degrees or more |
| hearing | The sound of a 90 decibel horn can be heard at a distance of 10 meters. |
| Color Identification | Ability to distinguish red, blue, and yellow |
| Exercise capacity |
|
If the visual acuity in one eye is less than 0.5, there is no problem as long as the visual acuity in the other eye is 0.7 or higher. In addition, the use of corrective devices such as glasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids is permitted for vision and hearing.
Two ways to obtain a small special vehicle license
In addition to obtaining a small-sized special license by taking a written test, there are other ways to obtain a non-motorized bicycle license, which is automatically granted.
Obtain a regular license
A small special license is positioned as a subordinate license to a regular license, so it can be obtained automatically if you obtain a regular license. Therefore, if you already have a regular driver's license, you can drive a small special vehicle.
If you want to drive something other than a small special vehicle, it is more efficient to obtain a regular license or one of the driving licenses listed above. You can also obtain a regular driver's license at a training camp at a driving school. A training camp is a method of staying at a lodging facility for a certain period of time and intensively learning academic and Driving Lessons.
Although you will need to secure a certain amount of vacation time, you will be able to obtain your license faster than if you attend a driving school.
take a written exam
If you do not have a driver's license other than a motorized bicycle license, you can take an aptitude test and a written test at a driver's license examination center or driver's license center, and if you pass, you can obtain a small special license.
The steps to take the inspection and test and obtain a driver's license are as follows.
- Go to a driver's license test center or driver's license center
- reception
- take an aptitude test
- take a written exam
- photo shoot
- Receive your license
There will be a total of 48 questions in the written exam, including 46 text questions and 2 illustration questions. The points allocated for each question are as follows.
- Word problems: 1 point each
- Illustration question: 2 points each
Each illustration question has three questions, and only if you answer all of them correctly will you receive 2 points. The passing standard is 45 points or higher out of 50 points.
Required documents for the exam
When taking the written exam, you will need documents such as a residence card and identity verification document. The required documents differ depending on whether you are obtaining a driver's license for the first time or if you have another driver's license.
| Whether or not you have a driver's license | Required documents |
| When obtaining a driver's license for the first time |
|
| If you have another driver's license |
|
Resident records are limited to those that do not have My Number written on them. The documents that can be used as identity verification documents are as follows.
- Health insurance card
- My number card
- passport
- Residence card
- Special permanent resident certificate
- License issued by a government agency
- Employee ID etc.
The size of the photo for application is 3 cm in height x 2.4 cm in width. It must be taken within 6 months of application, and must be taken without a hat, from the front, with the upper three quarters of the body, and without a background. Depending on the venue where you take the written exam, you may be able to take the photo on site.
Number of days to obtain a small special vehicle license
If you take the aptitude test and written test at a driver's license exam center or driver's license center, you can get your license on the same day if you pass.
Cost of obtaining a small special vehicle license
When obtaining a small special license, an examination fee and issuance fee are required. The breakdown of costs is as follows:
- Examination fee: 1,500 yen
- Issuance fee: 2,050 yen
If you fail the test, you will need to pay the test fee of 1,500 yen again. The issuance fee will be paid when you are issued your driver's license after passing the test.
Things to check before getting a small special vehicle license
There are a few things you should keep in mind when obtaining a small-sized special license. In order to follow good manners and drive safely, be sure to check before getting your driver's license.
You need a license to drive on public roads
Small special vehicles are regulated by the Road Transport Vehicle Act, so they can be driven on public roads. However, a small special vehicle license is required to drive on public roads.
Additionally, vehicles that meet any of the following conditions are classified as new small special vehicles or large special vehicles instead of small special vehicles.
- Structure that prevents speeds exceeding 15 km/h
- Length 4.7 meters or less
- Width 1.7 meters or less
- Less than 2.8 meters in height
When driving a new small special vehicle or large special vehicle, a large special vehicle license is required. Please note that you cannot drive these vehicles only with a small special license.
It is necessary to obtain a green license plate.
If you own a small special vehicle, you must obtain a green license plate whether or not you drive it on public roads. The reason why a license plate is required is because small special vehicles are subject to the light vehicle tax, so they are required to obtain one as a tax sign.
The procedure for issuing a license plate is carried out at the tax department of the municipal office with the following documents prepared.
- signature stamp
- Certificate of sale or transfer
- Identity verification documents
Prepare a sales certificate and transfer certificate that can confirm the seal of the dealer or transferor, as well as the chassis number, vehicle name, and model. Please do not forget to apply for the issuance procedure within 15 days of owning the small special vehicle.
Light vehicle tax applies
Small special vehicles are subject to light vehicle tax. Regardless of whether or not the vehicle is driven on public roads, owners of small special vehicles as of April 1st of each year are required to pay light vehicle tax. The tax amount varies depending on the car type.
| Types of small special vehicles | standard | tax amount |
| agricultural work vehicle |
|
2,400 yen/year |
| Others |
|
5,900 yen/year |
Compulsory automobile liability insurance is required
Small special purpose vehicles do not need to undergo vehicle inspections like regular cars and Regular Motorcycle. However, if you are driving a vehicle other than that used by agricultural workers on public roads, you are required to enroll in compulsory automobile liability insurance. Although it is not mandatory on roads other than public roads, it is better to enroll in insurance as there is a possibility of driving accidentally. Insurance premiums vary depending on the insurance period and region.
Insurance premiums for areas other than remote islands, excluding Okinawa Prefecture, are as follows.
| Period of insurance | Insurance fee |
| 1 month | 5,400円 |
| 2 months | 5,560円 |
| 6 months | 6,220円 |
| 12 months | 7,200円 |
| 18 months | 8,170円 |
| 24 months | 9,130円 |
Get the right knowledge and get your small special vehicle license
A small special vehicle license is a license that allows you to drive vehicles stipulated in the Road Transport Vehicle Law, such as forklifts and agricultural tractors. If you already have a regular license or Regular Motorcycle license, you can automatically obtain a small special vehicle license, which is a lower-level license.
If you do not have a license that can be obtained automatically, you can obtain one by taking a written test at a driver's license examination center or driver's license center and passing it. There are many example questions for the academic exams available on the internet, so prepare well and aim to pass on the first try.
