A towing license is required when towing a vehicle weighing more than 750 kg. This article explains the types of towing licenses, how to obtain them, the eligibility requirements, and the exam for those who want to obtain a towing license.

We will also explain the costs of obtaining a towing license, tips for passing, and any other questions you may have, so please use this as a reference.

What is a towing license?

A towing license is required if you wish to tow another vehicle with a total weight exceeding 750 kg, whether it is a large, medium, medium-sized, or ordinary car, or a large special-purpose vehicle.

The vehicle that tows is called the "towing vehicle" and the vehicle being towed is called the "towed vehicle", and a towing license is required to drive a towing vehicle.

Types of towing licenses

There are three types of towing licenses, and the only ones you can obtain by taking lessons at a driving school are the "Towing License (Class 1 License)" and the "Towing Vehicle Class 2 License."

Let's take a closer look at what each license entails.

Towing license (Type 1 license)

Commonly referred to as a "towing license," the license with the highest acquisition rate is the "towing license (Class 1 license)."

It can tow cargo trailers, camper trailers, and cargo placed on trolleys with a vehicle weight of over 750 kg.

To obtain a towing license (Class 1 license), you must be 18 years of age or older and have a license for a large vehicle, large special vehicle, medium-sized vehicle, or regular vehicle. You must also pass an aptitude test.

Towing vehicle type 2 license

The second type license is a towing license that allows you to transport people. With a second type license, you can transport people for commercial purposes, such as in articulated buses like tourist buses.

To obtain a Class 2 towing vehicle license, you must be 21 years of age or older, have held a Class 1 driver's license for a total of three years or more, and hold either a Class 1 or Class 2 towing license.

Small trailer towing license

Also known as a light trailer license, this license allows you to tow trailers weighing between 750kg and 2000kg.

Since you cannot receive training for a small trailer-only license at a driving school, you will need to contact a driver's license testing center directly and bring your own test vehicle.

Conditions for obtaining a towing license

The eligibility requirements for the towing license are as follows:

• 18 years of age or older
• Vision must be 0.8 or higher in both eyes and 0.5 or higher in each eye
• The average error of the three-rod depth perception tester is 2cm or less after three tests
• Those who currently hold a Class 2, large, medium, semi-medium, normal, or large special license

We will explain each condition in detail.

18+

To obtain a towing license (Class 1 license), you must be 18 years of age or older. For a Class 2 towing vehicle license, the conditions are stricter than for the Class 1 license, as it involves transporting passengers for commercial purposes, and you must be 21 years of age or older.

Pass the eye test

You must also pass a vision test. Your eyesight must be at least 0.8 in both eyes and 0.5 in each eye. Glasses or contact lenses are permitted.

In addition, the ability to distinguish between red, green, and yellow traffic lights is a must for the color discrimination test.

Depth perception test also passed

A depth perception test is a test that measures stereoscopic vision, which is the eye's ability to perceive perspective, three-dimensionality, and depth.

Stereoscopic vision is the ability to gauge things like the distance between vehicles and the guardrail when going around a curve, and is essential for safe driving without accidents.

This depth perception is tested three times at a distance of 2.5 metres, and the test is passed if the average error in the results is less than 2cm.

Obtain a driver's license, such as a regular or large license

To obtain a towing license, you must pass one of the following licenses: Class 2 license, large vehicle license, medium vehicle license, semi-medium vehicle license, standard vehicle license, or large special vehicle license.

If you have one of these licenses, you can obtain a driver's license either by taking a one-shot test at a driver's license center or by taking lessons at a driving school.

Cost of a towing license

How much does it cost to get a towing license? We will explain the costs separately for those who take the exam at a driving school and those who take the exam directly at a driver's license testing center.

Costs when taking the course at a driving school

In the case of driving schools, there are two ways to obtain Driving Camp: attending classes at a school or taking a driving school course. The cost of attending a driving school is about 115,000 to 140,000 yen. However, this varies depending on the area and the driving school.

The average cost for Driving Camp is about 110,000 to 140,000 yen. You can get a license in as little as five days, but it varies depending on the driving school, so be sure to check in advance.

Costs for taking the test at the test center

If you take the test in person at a driver's license testing center, it will cost a total of 6,100 yen, including an examination fee of 2,600 yen, a test vehicle usage fee of 1,450 yen, and a license issuance fee of 2,050 yen.

Once you have passed the practical Final Driving Test at the driver's license testing center, you will then take an aptitude test, including a vision test, and be issued a towing license.

Difficulty of obtaining a towing license

The difficulty level of obtaining a towing license is not very high, with the pass rate being 82.6% in 2019 ^*1.

Tips for passing the test include being aware of the width of your vehicle and being careful not to get caught in other vehicles when turning right or left. When backing up, it is difficult to back up straight due to the joints, so you need to make small corrections early while turning the steering wheel.

Understand how the movement changes depending on the length of the vehicle, the difference in wheelbase, and the weight of the vehicle being towed, and practice turning, making S-shaped turns, and parking.

^* 1Source: National Police Agency Traffic Bureau Driver's License Division "2019 Driver's License Statistics"

Cases where a towing license is not required

A towing license is not required when towing vehicles weighing 750 kg or less. However, even if you are towing a vehicle weighing more than 750 kg, you do not need a towing license if you are towing a broken-down vehicle or a vehicle that is unable to move by itself using a rope or crane.

Frequently asked questions about towing licenses

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about towing licenses. Let's clear up any doubts you may have.

How long does it take to get a towing license if I take it at a driving school?

The shortest period for a training camp is 5 days, while for commuting, it is about 6 days. This varies depending on the driving school, so please check the website or materials of the driving school you want to attend for details.

Is there a written test for the towing license exam?

A written test is not required for a towing license. The eligibility requirements are to have a Class 2, large, medium, semi-medium, regular, or large special license, so at this point,

This is because you have passed the written test. Therefore, to obtain a towing license, you only need to take a practical test and an aptitude test for eyesight, hearing, etc.

Can you pass the test on the first try?

The percentage of those who pass on the first try tends to be lower than those who graduate from driving schools.

A towing license requires you to understand the width and length of the vehicle, the difference in inner wheels, how to turn the joint, etc., and you need to actually practice driving in order to pass the test. If you take the test directly at the testing center, you can reduce the cost, but the pass rate on the first try is low, so it is not efficient.

The passing rate for towing licenses is high! If you want to get a Driving Camp

A towing license requires practice and knowledge of towing, as towing vehicles have different widths, lengths, and weights than regular cars.

If you learn towing knowledge through proper lessons and practice your skills by towing heavy vehicles, the test is not difficult. Find a driving school that suits you and aim to pass the test in a short period of time.