Are you considering obtaining a medium-duty license, but are wondering how to reduce costs and obtain it quickly?

Here we will teach you how to obtain a medium-sized driver's license as cheaply, smoothly, quickly, and reliably as possible. This is because the cost and period vary greatly depending on the acquisition method.

In this article, we will tell you three points to keep in mind when acquiring a medium-sized driver's license, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to choose one. In the second half, we will cover the commuting fees for 10 major cities in Japan (Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka) and 7 areas (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Tokai, Kansai, Chugoku/Shikoku, Kyushu) ) We have thoroughly compared the costs of recommended training camps.

If you finish reading, you won't have to worry about getting a medium-sized driver's license. It would be great if you could find a way to get your license that you won't regret once in a lifetime. (As of December 7, 2023)

[1] What is the cost of a medium-sized license?

What is the national average cost for a medium-sized license? For commuting

Medium-sized license school fee market price
Possession license	Price (tax included)
Ordinary car	213,401円
Semi-medium 5t limited MT	179,116円
Semi-medium license	159,650円
Limited release	100,983円

The above fees are based on a survey of acquisition costs from 10 driving schools that handle semi-medium licenses in 10 major cities nationwide, and are the average commuter training fees.
*Does not include provisional license application issuance fee of 2,850 yen (tax exempt). (As of December 7, 2023)

What is the national average cost for a medium-sized license? In case of training camp

Medium-sized license training camp fee market price
Possession license	Price (tax included)
Ordinary car	186,328円
Semi-medium 5t limited MT	168,100円
Semi-medium license	158,966円
Limited release	96,642円

The above fees are based on the average training camp fees based on a survey based on acquisition costs from 6 schools that handle recommended training Driving Camp and semi-medium licenses from 7 areas: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Tokai, Kansai, Chugoku/Shikoku, and Kyushu. It becomes.

*The above prices are selected from plans that include accommodation costs, meal costs (3 meals), transportation costs (partially), and a guarantee that there will be no additional costs until graduation. Does not include provisional license application fee of 2,850 yen (tax exempt). (As of December 7, 2023)

How to choose when obtaining a medium-sized license

How to choose when obtaining a medium-sized license

①Reduce costs at all costs
②Prioritize acquisition period and “quickly” over cost
③ Regarding the cost price and acquisition period by region is the point.

First of all, let's focus on reducing costs.
When acquiring a medium-sized license, you do not have to pay all the costs yourself, but there is a system in which the government subsidizes some of the costs.
If you utilize this subsidy system effectively, it is a system with many benefits.

[2] Cheap, medium-sized license using subsidies

Individuals can save up to 100,000 yen by using the education and training allowance!

(1) What is education and training benefit?

If you take a training plan designated by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare, you can receive a portion of the expenses you paid from employment insurance. This plan is available to people who have been covered by employment insurance for three years or more, but first-time recipients can take the program if they have a total of one year or more.

``I want to get a license, but it's too expensive...'' This is the perfect system for people like you!
This system can be used for both school plans and training camps.

(2) How much is the benefit amount?

If you attend and complete general education and training designated by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare, you can receive 20% of the cost paid to the driving school (up to 100,000 yen per year).
*You cannot apply for multiple education and training courses at the same time, but you can apply for a simultaneous training plan (e.g. medium-sized license + large-sized special license + towing license).

(3) Check here to see if you are eligible for benefits!

(4) Points to note

An insured person under employment insurance is a worker who is employed by a company, etc. and is enrolled in employment insurance. Individual business owners and civil servants are not eligible for education and training benefits.
This kind of subsidy system has been established because a medium-sized license is a necessary qualification for work and a qualification that can lead to career advancement.

Corporations can save up to 160,000 yen by using the career development promotion subsidy!

(1) What is the career development promotion subsidy?

This is a subsidy system that subsidizes driving school training costs and part of the wages during the training period when a transportation company, etc. has an employee who has a regular car license obtain a medium-sized car license.

(2) Grant amount

The subsidy covers the expenses required to take lessons at the driving school and the wages paid during the time spent taking lessons at the driving school.

To obtain a medium-duty driver's license, you will be required to take approximately 20 hours of training at a driving school, although this will vary depending on the license you hold.

If the subsidies are used correctly, small and medium-sized businesses can receive an estimated 150,000 yen for training costs and 16,000 yen per employee for wage subsidies, for a total of about 160,000 yen.

One thing to note is that this subsidy requires more than 20 hours of training, so if the training, such as lifting restrictions, is less than 20 hours, you will need to add a job-related course or other training conducted within your company or at an external institution. By the way, each Driving Lessons and academic training session is 50 minutes long.

Subsidy matters	Payment criteria (small and medium-sized enterprises)
wage subsidy	800 yen per person per hour
Expense subsidy	1/2 of the cost required for training Maximum amount per person: 20 to less than 100 hours... 150,000 yen
remarks	As a general rule, if the actual training hours are less than 80% of the planned training hours, you will not be eligible for the subsidy.

Possession license	Skill time limit	Number of academic hours	Target availability
Ordinary car	15	1	training etc. addition Is necessary (16 periods x 50 minutes/60 minutes = 1 3.3 hours)
Semi-medium 5t limited MT	11	1	training etc. addition Is necessary (12 hours x 50 minutes/60 minutes = 10 hours)
Semi-medium license	9	0	training etc. addition Is necessary (14 hours x 50 minutes/60 minutes = 7.5 hours)

*Since each lesson period is 50 minutes, time conversion is required as described above.
*Since the time required to obtain a medium-duty license alone is not 20 hours, it is necessary to complete the 20 hours by adding forklift and slinging skills, safe driving education courses, etc. Additionally, since this system is aimed at developing employees' vocational skills, it is necessary to submit an annual plan.

(3) Flow of receiving benefits

The important point is the process of receiving the subsidy. Careful preparation is required in advance. Although it is not a very difficult document, this document from the Trucking Association has detailed information. (Click here for details)

1. Selection of vocational ability development promoters
2. Creation of in-house vocational skills development plan
3. Creating an annual professional development plan
4. Submission of Career Development Promotion Subsidy Training Implementation Plan Notification
5. Conducting training
6. Submission of career development promotion subsidy application form
7. Receiving a subsidy

Next, let's take a look at ② the acquisition period, and prioritizing "quickly" over cost.

[3] The key point is the acquisition period! If you go to school, it will be one month or more, but if you go to training camp, it will be only one week.

Current license	skill hours	Department time	Acquisition period Commuting to school	Acquisition period training camp	recommendation How to get it?
Ordinary car	15	1	4 weeks	The 8th	Driving Camp
Semi-medium size 5t limited MT	11	1	3 weeks	The 6th	Driving Camp
Semi-medium license	9	0	2 weeks	The 6th	Driving Camp

If you want to get it in a short period of time, it is overwhelmingly Driving Camp!

as a premise

Advantages of commuting: You can book and proceed with lessons according to your convenience.
Disadvantages of commuting: If the driving school is crowded, it will be difficult to make a reservation and the progress of the lessons will be slow.

Advantages of training camp: We will continue to study every day. Generally, training will be conducted for the maximum amount of time stipulated by law (1st stage on-site training: 2 hours, 2nd stage on-the-street training: 3 hours). (Please see here for the model schedule.)
Disadvantages of training camp: You cannot make other plans during the training camp period.

In the case of Driving Camp, the schedule will be as follows.

• Model schedule example ① Medium-sized license (regular car license): 7 nights and 8 days ~
• Model schedule example ② Medium-sized license (semi-medium 5t limited MT license possessed): 5 nights and 6 days ~
• Model schedule example ③ Medium-sized license (semi-medium-sized license possessed): 5 nights and 6 days ~

Why does it take so many days to complete the exam while attending school?

The number of training vehicles is small

The main reason is that the number of training vehicles is small. Since the number of students with medium-sized driving licenses is often only a few per month, many driving schools tend to have two to three machines (one for inside use and one for street use).

It is extremely difficult to make reservations for lessons when commuting to school.

1. Timing: Driving schools across the country are busy with high school and university students getting their regular driver's licenses in January, February, March, August, and September, making it difficult to make reservations.
2. Time: Generally speaking, people who obtain a medium-sized driver's license tend to be working adults. Due to the small number of training vehicles, if your reservation time overlaps, such as after the evening, you will not be able to make a reservation.
3. Day of the week: Similarly, reservations are often crowded on Saturdays and Sundays.
4. Other: Schools are also closed on regular holidays, Obon holidays, and New Year's holidays.

[4] Medium-sized license fees by area nationwide (thorough comparison of commuting and training camps)

Here, we conducted a thorough investigation across the country regarding training fees for medium-sized licenses.
We recommend commuting fees for Japan's 10 largest cities (Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka) and 7 areas: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Tokai, Kansai, Chugoku/Shikoku, and Kyushu. We have thoroughly compared the costs at driving schools that handle Driving Camp and medium-sized licenses.
So let's take a closer look.

*The following training camp fees include accommodation costs, meal costs, transportation costs to the training camp school, and a guarantee until graduation.

For those living in the Hokkaido area

area	Hokkaido (Sapporo City)	Hokkaido (Sapporo City)	Tohoku (Yamagata Prefecture)
acquisition style	Commuting to school	Commuting to school	training camp
Driving school name	Chuo Bus Driving School	Sapporo Inter Driving School	Matsuki Driving School
Ordinary car	196,350円	182,655円	183,000円
Semi-medium size 5t limited MT	162,030円	150,315円	172,000円
Semi-medium license	142,670円	131,615円	170,000円
Limited release	90,750円	70,675円	99,000円

~This is the key point in the Hokkaido area~

• Commuting fees are cheap compared to the national average! There are many driving schools that handle medium-sized driver's licenses for commuting students, so the benefits of training camps (fast and cheap) are slim.
• For those who participate in Driving Camp in Honshu from Sapporo or Hakodate, transportation expenses will also be paid if you use the Shinkansen or train.

For those living in the Tohoku area

area	Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture)	Fukushima Prefecture (Koriyama City)	Tohoku (Yamagata Prefecture)
acquisition style	Commuting to school	Commuting to school	training camp
Driving school name	Sendai Kita Driving School	Fukuyama Driving School	Matsuki Driving School
Ordinary car	175,090円	194,810円	183,000円
Semi-medium size 5t limited MT	151,050円	164,890円	172,000円
Semi-medium license	136,680円	146,850円	170,000円
Limited release	98,690円	109,010円	99,000円

~This is the key point in the Tohoku area~

• Commuting fees are cheap compared to the national average! There are many schools in the Tohoku area that offer medium-sized licenses, so there are few benefits to going to a training camp.
• The Tohoku area is a training camp mecca, and if you want to gain speed, come to training camp! !
• Please note that there are some driving schools in your prefecture that do not allow training camps within the prefecture, as they are prohibited from entering the area.

For those living in the Kanto area

area	Tokyo (Tama City)	Yokohama-city kanagawa prefecture)	Kanto (Chiba Prefecture)
acquisition style	Commuting to school	Commuting to school	training camp
Driving school name	Tokyu Driving School	Minami Yokohama Driving School	Smart Driver School Kazusa
Ordinary car	223,500円	256,520円	189,200円
Semi-medium size 5t limited MT	193,100円	216,920円	170,500円
Semi-medium license	176,700円	195,800円	153,450円
Limited release	118,000円	139,700円	99,000円

~This is the key point in the Kanto area~

• A training camp is recommended. Especially in Tokyo and Kanagawa, there are very few driving schools that handle medium-sized driver's licenses, and it continues to be difficult to make reservations. The tuition fees for commuting schools are among the highest in the country and are relatively expensive.
• Even if you call it a training camp, you don't have to go all the way to the Tohoku area; the following are famous training camps in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
  Tochigi Prefecture (Nasushiobara): Nasu Driving School
  Saitama Prefecture (Kawagoe City): Smart Driver School Kawagoe
  Shizuoka Prefecture (Gotenba City): Smart Driver School Mt. Fuji Gotemba

People living in the Tokai area

area	Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City)	Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City)	Tokai (Nagano Prefecture)
acquisition style	Commuting to school	Commuting to school	training camp
Driving school name	Meitetsu Driving School	Aichi Driving School	Smart Driver School Shinshu Shiojiri
Ordinary car	227,910円	216,700円	189,200円
Semi-medium size 5t limited MT	194,910円	183,700円	170,500円
Semi-medium license	175,550円	167,200円	153,450円
Limited release	95,150円	103,400円	99,000円

~This is the key point in the Tokai area~

• A training camp is recommended. In fact, Aichi Prefecture is famous nationwide for its high tuition fees. Therefore, Driving Camp from Nagoya are very popular in the neighboring prefectures of Shizuoka and Nagano. Access is also good. There is no difference in price, but if speed is your priority, go to the training camp.

For those living in the Kansai area

area	Osaka-shi, Osaka)	Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture)	Kansai (Shiga Prefecture)
acquisition style	Commuting to school	Commuting to school	training camp
Driving school name	Hanwaho Driving School	Delta Driving School Shijo	Smart Driver School Biwako Seta
Ordinary car	206,900円	235,450円	189,200円
Semi-medium size 5t limited MT	174,780円	202,150円	170,500円
Semi-medium license	157,070円	185,350円	153,450円
Limited release	83,050円	135,300円	99,000円

~This is the key point in the Kansai area~

• There is not that much difference in price. Please check prices in your area for more details. The following driving schools are also recommended for training camps.
  Hyogo Prefecture (Kobe City): Smart Driver School Kobe West

For those living in the Chugoku/Shikoku area

area	Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture)	Okayama Prefecture (Okayama City)	Chugoku/Shikoku (Okayama Prefecture)
acquisition style	Commuting to school	Commuting to school	training camp
Driving school name	Numata Driving School	Okayama Driving School	Smart Driver School Katsuhide
Ordinary car	205,700円	256,400円	189,200円
Semi-medium size 5t limited MT	170,500円	206,240円	170,500円
Semi-medium license	151,250円	179,620円	153,450円
Limited release	83,050円	102,960円	99,000円

~This is the key point in the Chugoku/Shikoku area~

• A training camp is recommended. Even in this area, commuting fees are higher than the national average. On the other hand, training camps are very cheap.

For those living in the Kyushu area

area	Fukuoka Prefecture (Fukuoka City)	Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture)	Kyushu (Saga Prefecture)
acquisition style	Commuting to school	Commuting to school	training camp
Driving school name	Minami Fukuoka Driving School	Nishiko Driving School	Imari Driving School
Ordinary car	213,400円	196,240円	181,500円
Semi-medium size 5t limited MT	176,000円	161,040円	150,700円
Semi-medium license	147,950円	140,800円	Not available
Limited release	103,950円	80,080円	82,500円

~This is the key point in the Kyushu area~

• Commuting fees are cheap compared to the national average!
• Many people looking for Driving Camp in Kyushu can search within Kyushu, but training camp fees are not that cheap in the Kyushu area. However, if speed is your priority, it's a training camp.

[5] Illustrated thorough explanation of medium-sized licenses!

Professional driver qualification available from age 20

A medium-sized driver's license is a ``professional driver qualification'' that can be obtained by those who are 20 years of age or older and who have at least 2 years of experience driving a regular vehicle license. This medium-sized license was newly created in 2007. As shown in the diagram below, a medium-sized driver's license is a completely new driver's license created between a regular license and a large-sized driver's license.

In fact, the Road Traffic Act was revised again in 2017, and a semi-medium vehicle license was created once again, and there are currently four categories as shown below. In other words, two completely new driver's licenses have been created in the past 10 years.

First of all, let me explain in detail the meaning and contents of the medium-sized license.

According to the latest Road Traffic Law, Class 1 licenses are classified into six types as shown below.
There are four licenses (1.3.5.6.) and two limited licenses (2.4.) that were created by errors that occurred before and after the Road Traffic Law revision.

1. Ordinary car license
2. Semi-medium license (limited to 5t)...*1
3. Semi-medium license
4. Medium-sized license (limited to 8 tons)...*2
5. Medium license
6. large license

There are 6 categories:
*1: Those who obtained a regular vehicle license between June 2007 and March 2017 will be automatically transferred to a semi-medium vehicle license (limited to 5 tons).
*2: Those who obtained a regular vehicle license before June 2007 will be automatically transferred to a medium vehicle license (limited to 8 tons).
In 2007, a new “medium-sized license” was created, followed by a semi-medium-sized license in 2017. In other words, the licensing system has been significantly revised twice in the past 10 years, making it complicated to understand the licensing system.

Obtaining a medium-sized license can be done in one of four ways.

There are 4 ways to obtain a semi-medium license:

(1) If you have obtained a Regular Manual license (*The key point is the timing of acquisition.)

If you obtained a regular license after March 12, 2017

1. Graduated from a designated driving school (15 hours of Driving Lessons, 1 period of theoretical training)
2. Passed the written test and aptitude test at the driver's license center

(2) If you have acquired a semi-medium 5t limited MT (*The key point is the timing of acquisition.)

If you obtained a regular license after June 2, 2007 and by March 11, 2017

1. Graduated from a designated driving school (11 hours of Driving Lessons, 1 period of academic training)
2. Passed the written test and aptitude test at the driver's license center

(3) If you have a semi-medium license (*20 years or older, 2 years or more of driving experience)

If you obtained a semi-medium vehicle license after March 12, 2017

1. Graduated from a designated driving school (9 hours of Driving Lessons, no academic training)
2. Passed the written test and aptitude test at the driver's license center

(4) If you have a medium-sized license limited to 8 tons

If you obtained a regular license before June 1, 2007
Under the current system, the medium-sized license is automatically limited to 8 tons. Therefore, if this 8 ton restriction is lifted, it will become a proper medium-sized license.

1. Graduated from designated driving training (5 hours of Driving Lessons) *If your regular car license is limited to AT, you will need to separately cancel the AT limitation.
2. Passed the restriction release examination at the driver's license center

There are four ways to obtain a license, as listed above, and the length of time required for obtaining one differs greatly, so please be careful.
Next, I will explain the weight of the car you can drive with a medium-sized license.

This is the size and weight of the car you can drive with a medium-sized license! !

With a medium-sized license, you can drive a vehicle with a maximum payload of less than 6.5 tons and a total vehicle weight of less than 11 tons.

It's not a commonly used expression, so it's hard to get an image of it.
A medium-sized license is a size that fits a commonly known 4-ton truck.
A 4-ton truck is a medium-sized truck with a maximum load capacity of less than 5 tons and a gross vehicle weight of less than 8 tons.

This medium-sized truck is the most commonly seen logistics vehicle in the city. Due to its versatility and ability to carry a large amount of cargo and make it easy to drive around town, it is used in a variety of fields, including civil engineering and food (refrigeration), in addition to the transportation industry.

Next, we will explain the types of trucks that are compatible with medium-sized licenses. A must-see for anyone considering acquiring one.

Types of trucks that can be ridden with a medium-sized license

Trucks that can be ridden with a medium-sized driver's license are classified into five types, shape characteristics, and uses. A truck is a vehicle whose shape can change completely depending on what kind of finery you put on it.

[Flat body] Open orthodox shape. This flat body is often used in training cars used at driving schools.
[Refrigerated Freezer Vehicle] A van with refrigeration and freezing functions. In addition to fresh food, it is also used to transport precision machinery.
[Crane] A vehicle with a crane attached between the driver's seat and the loading platform. This type is also used by builders, civil engineering companies, and piano transporters.
[Van] The key point is the box-shaped loading platform. Vans are also essential for moving companies, florists, and transporting clothing and miscellaneous goods.
[Dump] A dump truck that uses hydraulic pressure to push up the loading platform and discharge the loaded material all at once. A must-have item for drivers involved in the construction industry.

There are also aerial work vehicles used at communication construction sites, packer trucks for garbage collection, mixer trucks for transporting ready-mixed concrete, and on-vehicle vehicles for transporting cars.

These medium-sized vehicles are suitable for employment and can be used in a variety of occupations. He is truly a professional driver.
As we have seen so far, medium-sized licenses can be expected to be used for various work purposes, but the following three points are also worth paying attention to! ! !

1. Twice the average for all industries! Super seller's market

   The labor shortage in the transportation industry is caused by an "increasing workload." With the shortage of drivers becoming a social problem, it is extremely advantageous for changing jobs and finding employment.
   Against this background, improvements in wages and other conditions are progressing! !

2. Due to supply and demand, there are many jobs with high income and high benefits! !

   The job of a truck driver is attractive because of its high pay. The working environment and the employment of young people and women are also undergoing dramatic evolution!
   In addition, logistics is an important social infrastructure that supports people's lives and industrial activities, and trucks play a central role in logistics.

3. High social and public status!

   Logistics is especially a social infrastructure that supports economic activities. In the event of a disaster, they also play a role as a lifeline, demonstrating mobility and transporting large amounts of relief supplies.

[6] Summary

In 2022, the effective job opening ratio for car drivers announced by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will more than double, and the driver shortage is increasing further. It is also predicted that this will lead to a rise in fare levels, which will have an impact on improving the treatment of drivers. This is good news for those who wish to obtain a medium-sized license to advance their career!

A medium-sized license is a high-level license that is good for finding employment. Whether you are considering applying as an individual or a corporation is considering having its employees do the work, it is possible to significantly reduce the burden by taking advantage of government and industry subsidies. I hope this article will help readers advance their careers.