Many people may think that they don't need a driver's license or that they don't have to worry about not having a driver's license. However, depending on the area you live in and the job you do, you may need a driver's license. Also, even if you think you don't need something, the need may arise unexpectedly.

Therefore, in this article, we will explain the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a driver's license, as well as who should obtain one and the cases in which it is necessary. Please refer to this to find out whether you need to obtain a driver's license.

Benefits of getting a driver's license

What are the benefits of getting a driver's license? Here are the following two benefits.

• You can use your car in an emergency
• You can rent a car and go out

As you can see, you may come across situations where it would be better to have a driver's license than not having one. Let's take a closer look at the benefits of each.

Easy to respond to urgent situations

Even if you don't often need it in your daily life, having a driver's license can help you in an emergency.

For example, if a family member falls ill or suddenly becomes unwell. If you are in a hurry, you can have an ambulance take you to the hospital, but if you don't need to call an ambulance but want to get to the hospital quickly, having someone who can drive can be a big help.

Especially late at night, there are no trains or buses, and it may be difficult to get a taxi, so having a driver's license can come in handy in an emergency.

Rental cars available

Many people may not need it for their daily commute to work or school. However, if you have a driver's license, you can rent a car and take it home if you purchase furniture or home appliances that would be difficult to transport by yourself, or if you make a large purchase.

Another big advantage is that you can travel by car without using public transportation. When traveling with small children, it is more convenient to be able to take breaks at a pace that suits the child. Also, if you are on a train or bus, you may make a lot of noise and cause trouble to those around you. By renting a car and going out, you can move around without worrying about making noise inside the car.

You can also go to other places that are difficult to reach only by car, such as mountains, oceans, and lakes.

In this way, even if you have difficulty in purchasing a car yourself or finding a place to park it, if you have a driver's license you can rent a car and travel, further expanding your range of activities.

Disadvantages of getting a driver's license

There are benefits to getting a driver's license, but there are also disadvantages to getting a driver's license. Here I will explain the following two disadvantages.

• Risk of getting into an accident while driving
• It takes time to obtain

With these disadvantages in mind, consider obtaining a driver's license.

Increased risk of getting into a car accident

By obtaining a driver's license and driving a car, you may cause an accident such as colliding with the car in front of you. You can get into a car accident even if you are not driving yourself.

No matter how careful you are when driving, you may be involved in an accident caused by another vehicle.

In the unlikely event that an accident occurs, compensation may be required to the victim. If the percentage of negligence is high due to drinking, dangerous driving, etc., you will be held responsible under the Road Traffic Act, and you will be subject to heavy liability such as administrative punishment such as license revocation or suspension.

It takes time to get a driver's license

There are two ways to obtain a driver's license: Driving Camp and attending a driving school designated by the National Public Safety Commission. It takes less time to obtain Driving Camp, and in most cases it can be obtained within two to three weeks. On the other hand, since it is necessary to attend a training camp for a long period of time and receive training, it is difficult for people who cannot take long vacations to participate.

If you use a driving school, you can arrange a date and time that is convenient for you, so even those who cannot make time to attend can attend. However, it takes longer than Driving Camp, on average 2 to 3 months.

During long holidays such as summer vacation, winter vacation, and spring vacation, when many students attend, driving schools can become crowded. As a result, it may be difficult to make reservations for lessons, and it may take longer.

It takes a certain amount of time to obtain a driver's license, either by going to Driving Camp or attending a driving school, so it is important to plan well in advance.

License-free autonomous driving

Automobile manufacturers and others are developing autonomous driving technology to put it into practical use. As cars become equipped with this technology, there may be no need for driving operations.

From here, we will explain the level of autonomous driving that does not require a license in autonomous driving technology that has been attracting attention in recent years.

No license required from level 4

In Japan, the level of autonomous driving technology is divided into six levels from level 0 to level 5 using the definitions of the Society of Automotive Engineers International (SAE). Level 0 means that there is no self-driving technology, and level 5 means that the vehicle is fully automated and the driving range is not limited. Since development has not yet progressed that far, let's take a closer look at levels 1 to 4.

Level 1 refers to cars that are equipped with driving assistance technology, which allows you to partially operate either the steering wheel or the accelerator and brakes.

Level 2 has the ability to operate both the steering wheel and the accelerator/brake, and many car manufacturers are currently selling models equipped with Level 2 technology.

Level 3 means that all driving operations are performed by the system only under certain conditions, and the driver takes control when the system does not operate due to system problems.

Level 4 is a technology called highly automated driving, in which the system performs all driving operations under certain conditions. Levels 1 to 3 require a driver's license.

Level 4 cars are still a long way off

Level 3 autonomous driving will be put into practical use in March 2021. Various manufacturers are currently developing the system, and it is being put into practical use in mobile and transportation services in France and China.

However, while mobility and transportation services can be provided within a limited area, it is difficult to clearly distinguish between private vehicles.

In Japan, legal amendments to realize Level 4 domestically came into effect on April 1, 2023, lifting the ban on Level 4 autonomous driving on public roads.
Although it will be subject to certain conditions and will be limited (such as for unmanned transportation services in depopulated areas), all driving will be entrusted to the system, making unmanned driving possible.

People who should get a driver's license

We have explained the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a driver's license. Based on the advantages and disadvantages, we will explain who should get it.

• People who may be needed depending on the job type and living area
• People who want to expand their range of activities
• People who want to use it instead of ID

Although not everyone necessarily needs a driver's license, it is recommended that you obtain one if the above applies to you.

May be necessary for work or life

If you are already employed and your current job does not require a driver's license, you may not need a driver's license at this time. However, you may have to change jobs for some reason. Depending on the nature of your chosen job, you may need a car.

Having a driver's license may expand your career options, so it's a bad idea to decide that you don't need a license just because you don't use it for your current job.

Also, if you are a student who is planning to find a job in the future, you may be transferred or your job may change. Not only do you live in areas with convenient transportation, but if you live in an area with poor infrastructure, you will need a car as a means of transportation. After entering the workforce, it becomes difficult to find time to obtain a driver's license, so having a driver's license in advance will be more convenient in an emergency.

I want to expand my range of activities

Even if you usually get around to school or work by walking, bus, or train, using a car may expand your range of activities more than you expected.

Of course, there are many places that can be reached by bus or train, but there are also many places that can only be reached by car, and where driving is more convenient than public transportation.

When using public transportation, time is limited, but with a car, you can go anywhere you want at any time. Also, when traveling, you can create flexible travel plans by combining airplanes and rental cars, or combining Shinkansen and rental cars.

I want to use it as an identification card

A driver's Driver's License can be used as an identification document.

Situations where ID is required include signing a credit card or smartphone contract, or obtaining necessary documents at a government office. In principle, most ID cards must have a photo of the person in question, so a driver's Driver's License can be used as a document in any situation.

In most cases, you only need to present one piece of ID that has a photo of your face on it. Other forms of identification that can be used as identification, such as a passport or My Number card, can be used even if only one item is presented, but many people do not carry them with them on a daily basis. You can also use your insurance card or National/Employee Pension Handbook as an ID, but in many cases you will need to present two or more items, so a driver's Driver's License is more convenient.

Unexpected cases where you need a driver's license

Even if you have lived without a driver's license until now, there are cases where you suddenly need one.

• when changing jobs
• When your living environment changes

As mentioned above, please be aware that there may be situations where you suddenly need a driver's license due to changes in your work or life environment.

when changing jobs

If you work for a company, it is not uncommon for people to be transferred to another department or relocated after a certain period of time. You may be transferred from a technical or clerical position that does not involve going out to a sales position, and the work itself may require driving a car.

There may also be times when you feel it is necessary when changing jobs. Many companies require a driver's license in their job postings, not only for job changes to become drivers whose main job is driving, but also for those who need to use a car for sales calls or to carry things in and out by car.

A driver's license is easier to obtain than other difficult qualifications, and it is a convenient qualification that can expand the types of jobs you can handle.

Changes in living environment

You may need a driver's license due to changes in your living environment. Examples of this include when a person is transferred from a work location with convenient transportation such as a city center to a rural area where a car is required, or when a person moves after getting married.

If the nearest station or bus stop to your new job is far away and can only be reached by car, you may need to commute by car from your home. Alternatively, if there are few facilities or shops necessary for daily life near the residence where you are starting your new life, it is convenient to be able to drive a car. Especially in rural areas, cars are often the main means of transportation, and there are many cases where people who do not have a driver's license find it inconvenient.

Even if you live in a convenient city, it may be more convenient to be able to drive if you have a child, need nursing care, or need to go to the hospital yourself.

Questions people who don't need a driver's license want to know

Up to this point, we have explained the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a driver's license, who should obtain one, and cases where it may be needed unexpectedly. Finally, I would like to introduce some questions that people who think they do not need a driver's license may have.

What jobs don't require a driver's license?

Jobs that do not require a driver's license include:

• manufacturing industry workers
• retail store salesperson
• Office jobs excluding sales jobs
• IT engineer
• restaurant employee
• hairdresser
• call center staff
• School/cram school teacher

Of course, a driver's license is required not only for drivers such as buses and taxis, but also for sales jobs that require transportation by car, carpenters and construction workers whose destinations change regularly, and occupations that deliver goods such as food.

However, if you are in a job that does not require driving as part of your job, as shown in the list above, it is possible to get a job without a license, and basically not having a license will not hinder your work.

What vehicles can replace a car without requiring a driver's license?

Even if you don't need a driver's license, not everyone has transportation problems. You can also use electric bicycles and senior cars.

Another option is electric mobility. Because electric mobility has a maximum speed of 6 km/h, it is treated as a pedestrian, unlike light vehicles such as cars and bicycles.

This electric mobility vehicle does not require a license and is a convenient vehicle that can be driven not only on sidewalks but also inside supermarkets.

Decide whether or not you need a driver's license from a long-term perspective

Having your own driver's license has the great advantage of being able to help in emergencies and allowing you to go to places that can only be reached by car.

On the other hand, there are disadvantages to driving a car, such as the increased risk of getting into an accident and the time it takes to obtain a driver's license.

As self-driving technology develops, a time may come when it will be possible to drive a car without a driver's license. But it will still take some time. It is important to judge the need for a driver's license from a long-term perspective, taking into consideration cases where you may need a driver's license unexpectedly.