Are you considering obtaining a large vehicle license, but are wondering how to reduce costs and obtain it quickly?
Here we will teach you how to obtain a large license as cheaply, smoothly, quickly, and reliably as possible. This is because the cost and period vary greatly depending on the acquisition method.
Here, we will tell you three points to keep in mind when acquiring a large license, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to select one. In the second half, we will discuss 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.
Once you have finished reading, you will not have to worry about having a large license. It would be great if you could find a way to get your license that you won't regret once in a lifetime. (Last updated: February 8, 2024)
1.What is the cost of a large license?
(1) What is the national price range for large licenses? For commuting
| Possession license | Price (tax included) |
| Ordinary car license | 402,568円 |
| Semi-medium license (limited to 5 tons) | 364,802 yen |
| Semi-medium license | 334,203 yen |
| Medium license (limited to 8 tons) | 299,076 yen |
| Medium license | 237,007 yen |
The above fees are the average value obtained by surveying the acquisition costs from 14 large driving schools that handle licenses in 10 major cities nationwide (Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka).
*Excluding provisional license fee (2,850 yen) (Last updated: February 8, 2024)
(2) What is the national price range for large licenses? In case of training camp
| Possession license | Price (tax included) |
| Ordinary car license | 359,354 yen |
| Semi-medium license (limited to 5 tons) | 326,669 yen |
| Semi-medium license | 305,360 yen |
| Medium license (limited to 8 tons) | 253,283 yen |
| Medium license | 207,774 yen |
The above prices are the average value obtained by researching the acquisition costs from 6 schools that handle recommended Driving Camp and large licenses from 7 areas: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Tokai, Kansai, Chugoku/Shikoku, and Kyushu.
*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.
*Excluding provisional license fee (2,850 yen) (Last updated: February 8, 2024)
(3) How to choose when obtaining a large vehicle license
How to choose when obtaining a large vehicle license
To obtain a heavy-duty driver's license, you must be at least 21 years old and have at least three years of driving experience. Currently, there are five types of licenses that can be held that indicate driving experience due to the amendment to the Road Traffic Act. Please note that acquisition times and costs vary. (Click here for details)
How to choose when obtaining a large license
① Keep costs down: Training camps > Commuting to school and training camps are often cheaper.
② Prioritize acquisition time and “quickness” over cost: Training camp > Commuting to school and training camp are overwhelmingly faster.
And in your area?
③The key points are the cost price and period for each region.
Here, we will focus on ① ``Reducing costs''.
In fact, in 2020, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare started a short-term qualification acquisition course project for the employment ice age generation. This subsidy will temporarily end in 2020, but if you qualify, it is a great deal as you will be able to obtain a large vehicle license for free.
2.Large license fees are free by using subsidies! ?
(1) Free for individuals using subsidies! ! !
1.What is the short-term qualification acquisition course program aimed at people of the employment ice age generation?
Those who are currently between the ages of 35 and 54 and are currently employed or unemployed are eligible.
In this project, we provide a set of services such as obtaining the heavy-duty license required for truck drivers, career consulting, and work experience, and the process until you can get a job as a full-time employee at a trucking company is free of charge (some costs such as Driver's License issuance fees are covered). ) are eligible for support.
``I want to get a heavy-duty driver's license and change jobs...'' This is the perfect system for people like that!
This system is only available for training camp plans.
Although there have been various subsidies, there has never been a system that does not require any burden on the applicant.
This is a very popular subsidy, so if you are interested, please hurry.
2.How much is the benefit?
This applies to training camp plans.
Transportation and meal expenses will be at your own expense. In addition, Driving Lessons /certification fees are guaranteed only for the specified time.
Any extension will be at your own expense.
3. Points to note
*Participation in the business briefing session is required. Please check the latest status here.
This kind of subsidy system exists because a large license is a necessary qualification for the job and a qualification that can lead to career advancement.
(2) Corporate customers can save up to 170,000 yen by using the career development promotion subsidy!
1.What is a 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 employees who have a regular car license obtain a large car license.
2.Subsidy 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 large driver's license, you will be required to take approximately 30 hours of training at a driving school, although this will vary depending on the license you have.
If the subsidies are used correctly, small and medium-sized businesses can receive an estimated 150,000 yen for training costs and 24,000 yen per employee as a wage subsidy, for a total of about 170,000 yen.
One thing to note is that this subsidy requires at least 20 hours of training, so if the training is less than 20 hours, such as lifting the limit, the training will be conducted in-house or at an external organization. It is necessary to add training related to the job. By the way, one period Driving Lessons and academic training is 50 minutes.
| 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 hours | Department hours | Target availability |
| Ordinary license holder | 30 | 0 | subject (30 hours x 50 minutes/60 minutes = 25 hours) |
| Semi-medium license (limited to 5 tons) | 26 | 1 | subject (27 periods x 50 minutes/60 minutes = 22.5 hours) |
| Semi-medium license | 23 | 0 | Additional training, etc. required (27 periods x 50 minutes/60 minutes = 19.1 hours) |
| Medium license (limited to 8 tons) | 20 | 0 | Additional training, etc. required (20 periods x 50 minutes/60 minutes = 16.6 hours) |
| Medium license | 14 | 0 | Additional training, etc. required (14 hours x 50 minutes/60 minutes = 11.6 hours) |
5.Flow of receiving benefits
This flow is the key. 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)
- Creation of in-house vocational skills development plan
- Creating an annual professional development plan
- Submission of Career Development Promotion Subsidy Training Implementation Plan Notification
- Conducting training
- Submission of career development promotion subsidy application form
- Receiving a subsidy
3. So different from a large license! Acquisition period (training camp vs commuting)
The period for obtaining a large driver's license differs greatly depending on whether you are commuting to school or at a training camp. The following is the acquisition period for commuting to school and training camp for each license held.
| Current license | Skill time | Department time | Acquisition period Commuting to school | Acquisition period training camp | What do you recommend? |
| Regular license MT | 30 | 0 | Three months~ | 14th~ | Driving Camp |
| Semi-medium license (limited to 5 tons) | 26 | 1 | Three months~ | 12th~ | Driving Camp |
| Semi-medium license | 23 | 0 | 2 months to 3 months | From the 11th | Driving Camp |
| Medium license (limited to 8 tons) | 20 | 0 | 1.5 months to 2 months | The 10th~ | Driving Camp |
| Medium license | 14 | 0 | 1 month to 1.5 months | The 7th~ | 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 Large license (semi-medium license limited to 5 tons): 11 nights and 12 days ~
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
| breakfast | ||||||||||||
| 1 period | Enrollment | Driving Test | Technique | Final Driving Test | ||||||||
| 2 period | Technique | Technique | ||||||||||
| 3rd period | Technique | Technique | Technique | |||||||||
| 4th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | Technique | ||||||||
| lunch | ||||||||||||
| 5th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | Technique | Technique | studies | Technique | Technique | ||||
| 6th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | |||||||||
| 7th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | |||||||||
| 8th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | |||||||||
| 9th period | ||||||||||||
| 10th period | ||||||||||||
| dinner | ||||||||||||
Model schedule example ① Large license (semi-medium license): 10 nights 11 days ~
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| breakfast | |||||||||||
| 1 period | Enrollment | Driving Test | Technique | Final Driving Test | |||||||
| 2 period | Technique | Technique | |||||||||
| 3rd period | Technique | Technique | Technique | ||||||||
| 4th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | Technique | |||||||
| lunch | |||||||||||
| 5th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | Technique | Technique | Technique | |||||
| 6th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | ||||||||
| 7th period | Technique | Technique | |||||||||
| 8th period | Technique | Technique | |||||||||
| 9th period | |||||||||||
| 10th period | |||||||||||
| dinner | |||||||||||
Model schedule example ① Large-sized license (limited to medium-sized 8 tons): 9 nights and 10 days ~
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| breakfast | |||||||||
| 1 period | Enrollment | Driving Test | Technique | Final Driving Test | |||||
| 2 period | Technique | Technique | |||||||
| 3rd period | Technique | Technique | Technique | ||||||
| 4th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | Technique | |||||
| lunch | |||||||||
| 5th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | Technique | Technique | ||||
| 6th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | ||||||
| 7th period | Technique | ||||||||
| 8th period | Technique | ||||||||
| 9th period | |||||||||
| 10th period | |||||||||
| dinner | |||||||||
Model schedule example ① Large vehicle license (medium vehicle type 1 possession): 6 nights and 7 days ~
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| breakfast | |||||||
| 1 period | Enrollment | Driving Test | Final Driving Test | ||||
| 2 period | Technique | ||||||
| 3rd period | Technique | Technique | Technique | ||||
| 4th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | ||||
| lunch | |||||||
| 5th period | Technique | Technique | Technique | ||||
| 6th period | Technique | ||||||
| 7th period | Technique | ||||||
| 8th period | Technique | Technique | |||||
| 9th period | |||||||
| 10th period | |||||||
| dinner | |||||||
Why does it take so many days to complete the exam while attending school?
(1) It is difficult to make reservations for lessons when commuting to school.
[1] Period:
Driving schools across the country are busy with high school and university students acquiring regular car licenses in January, February, March, August, and September, making it difficult to make reservations.
【2 hours:
Many driving schools have only 1 to 2 driving cars available for large driving lessons, so if you have reservations for lessons that overlap, such as after the evening, you will not be able to make a reservation.
[3] Day of the week:
In general, there is a tendency for more people to obtain large driver's licenses to be working adults. Reservations are often crowded on Saturdays and Sundays.
[4] Others:
In addition, the school will be closed on regular holidays, Obon holidays, and New Year's holidays.
(2) There are few driving schools offering large licenses, especially in urban areas.
In Tokyo, there are only six driving schools that handle large licenses.
- Tokyu Driving School (Tama City, Tokyo)
- Keisei Driving School (Katsushika-ku, Tokyo)
- Tanashi Driving School (Nishitokyo City, Tokyo)
- Heiwabashi Driving School (Katsushika-ku, Tokyo)
- Koyama Driving School Akitsu Campus (Higashimurayama City, Tokyo)
- Adachi Driving School (Adachi Ward, Tokyo)
In Kanagawa Prefecture, there are only four schools.
- Asuka Driving College Kawasaki (Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
- Minami Yokohama Driving School (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
- Isehara Driving School (Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
- Odawara Driving School (Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
Even within Osaka Prefecture, there are only four schools.
- Hanwaho Driving School (Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture)
- Hanna Driving School (Daito City, Osaka City)
- Takaishi Automobile School (Takaishi City, Osaka Prefecture)
- Ibaraki Driving School (Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture)
There is only one other school in Kyoto City, Nara City, Hiroshima City, etc. that offers this program.
Due to the revision of the Road Traffic Act in 2007, the standards for heavy-duty licenses became even larger, which resulted in larger training vehicles, and the training course had to be significantly renovated, making it impossible to meet the physical standards, so we had no choice but to give up. This was also due to the fact that there were many driving schools that did so.
4.Large 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 large driver's licenses.
We recommend commuting fees for Japan's 10 largest cities (Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka) and 7 areas: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Tokai, Kansai, Chugoku/Shikoku, and Kyushu. We have thoroughly compared costs at driving schools that handle Driving Camp and large licenses. *Excluding provisional license fee (2,850 yen) (Last updated: February 23, 2022)
So let's take a closer look.
・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 |
| Regular license MT | 358,050円 | 336,930円 | 337,590円 |
| Semi-medium license (limited to 5 tons) | 319,330円 | 300,190円 | 307,340円 |
| Semi-medium license | 288,090円 | 270,105円 | 297,660円 |
| Medium license (limited to 8 tons) | 261,530円 | 242,550円 | 228,690円 |
| Medium license | 213,830円 | 187,440円 | 194,810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 driving licenses for commuters, 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 | Miyagi Prefecture (Sendai city) | Fukushima Prefecture (Koriyama City) | Tohoku Area 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 |
| Regular license MT | 345,420円 | 368,610円 | 337,590円 |
| Semi-medium license (limited to 5 tons) | 310,770円 | 332,530円 | 307,340円 |
| Semi-medium license | 284,570円 | 302,390円 | 297,660円 |
| Medium license (limited to 8 tons) | 258,680円 | 275,330円 | 228,690円 |
| Medium license | 210,980円 | 221,210円 | 194,810円 |
~This is the key point in the Tohoku area~
・Commuting fees are cheap compared to the national average! The Tohoku area also has many large schools offering licenses, so there are few benefits to going to a training camp.
・The Tohoku area is a training camp mecca, so if you want to gain speed, go 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) | Kanagawa Prefecture (Yokohama City) | Kanto area Tochigi Prefecture |
| acquisition style | Commuting to school | Commuting to school | training camp |
| Driving school name | Tokyu Driving School | Minami Yokohama Driving School | Koganei Driving School |
| Regular license MT | 424,700円 | 482,020円 | 316,800円 |
| Semi-medium license (limited to 5 tons) | 385,500 yen | 431,420 yen | 286,000 yen |
| Semi-medium license | 354,900 yen | 393,470円 | 262,900円 |
| Medium license (limited to 8 tons) | 325,500円 | 354,200円 | 237,600円 |
| Medium license | 266,700円 | 278,300円 | 191,400円 |
~This is the key point in the Kanto area~
・ Especially in Tokyo and Kanagawa, there are very few driving schools that handle large vehicle licenses, and it is difficult to make reservations. The tuition fees for commuting to school are among the highest in the country, so we recommend a training camp.
・Even if you call it a training camp, you don't have to go to the Tohoku area; the following are famous training camps in the metropolitan area.
Tochigi Prefecture (Nasu Shiobara): Nasu Driving School (https://www.nasu-ds.jp/)
Saitama Prefecture (Kawagoe City): Smart Driver School Kawagoe (http://furuya.driver.co.jp/)
Shizuoka Prefecture (Gotemba City): Smart Driver School Mt. Fuji Gotemba (http://gotenba.driver.co.jp/)
・For those living in the Tokai area
| area | Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City) | Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City) | Tokai area Shizuoka Prefecture |
| acquisition style | Commuting to school | Commuting to school | training camp |
| Driving school name | Meitetsu Driving School | Aichi Driving School | Smart Driver School Mt. Fuji Gotemba |
| Regular license MT | 391,700円 | Not available | 374,000円 |
| Semi-medium license (limited to 5 tons) | 354,740円 | 371,800円 | circle |
| Semi-medium license | 324,270円 | 338,800円 | 320,100円 |
| Medium license (limited to 8 tons) | 296,550円 | 292,600円 | 253,000円 |
| Medium license | 219,110円 | 233,200円 | 231,000円 |
~This is the key point in the Tokai area~
In fact, Aichi Prefecture is famous for having the highest tuition fees nationwide. Therefore, Driving Camp from Nagoya are very popular in the neighboring prefectures of Shizuoka and Nagano. Access is also good. If you're looking for speed, a training camp is recommended.
Nagano Prefecture (Shiojiri City): Smart Driver School Shinshu Shiojiri
Niigata Prefecture (Shibata City): Matsuki Drying School Nishishibata School
・For those living in the Kansai area
| area | Osaka-shi, Osaka) | Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture) | Kansai area 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 |
| Regular license MT | 416,010円 | 423,550円 | 374,000円 |
| Semi-medium license (limited to 5 tons) | 372,010 yen | 381,950 yen | 341,000 yen |
| Semi-medium license | 337,580円 | 350,950円 | 320,100円 |
| Medium license (limited to 8 tons) | 304,580円 | 316,850円 | 286,000円 |
| Medium license | 238,580円 | 255,250円 | 205,700円 |
~This is the key point in the Kansai area~
Especially in the Kansai area, there are only four schools in Osaka Prefecture that handle large vehicle licenses, and only one in Kyoto City and Nara City. It continues to be difficult to make reservations. There are no driving schools in Osaka Prefecture or Nara Prefecture that offer training camps. Training camps are also cheap here.
Hyogo Prefecture (Kobe City): Smart Driver School Kobe Nishi (http://kobe.driver.co.jp/)
・For those living in the Chugoku/Shikoku area
| area | Hiroshima (Hiroshima city) | Okayama Prefecture (Okayama City) | Chugoku/Shikoku area 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 |
| Regular license MT | 431,200円 | 426,450円 | 374,000円 |
| Semi-medium license (limited to 5 tons) | 418,550 yen | 387,700 yen | 341,000 yen |
| Semi-medium license | 377,300円 | 349,200円 | 320,100円 |
| Medium license (limited to 8 tons) | 337,700円 | 325,900円 | 253,000円 |
| Medium license | 258,500円 | 271,900円 | 205,700円 |
~This is the key point in the Chugoku/Shikoku area~
Even in this area, commuting fees are among the highest in the country, but on the other hand, training camps are by far the cheapest. In particular Shoei Driving School is very famous as one of the best training camps in the country.
Hiroshima Prefecture (Fukuyama City): Binan Driving School
Tottori Prefecture (Kurayoshi City): Tottori Prefecture Kurayoshi Driving School
・For those living in the Kyushu area
| area | Fukuoka Prefecture (Fukuoka City) | Fukuoka Prefecture (Kitakyushu City) | Kyushu area Miyazaki prefecture |
| acquisition style | Commuting to school | Commuting to school | training camp |
| Driving school name | Minami Fukuoka Driving School | Nishiko Driving School | Umeda Gakuen DS Sadowara School |
| Regular license MT | 429,000円 | 399,740円 | 401,500円 |
| Semi-medium license (limited to 5 tons) | 385,000 yen | 355,740 yen | 363,000 yen |
| Semi-medium license | 341,000円 | 320,100円 | 319,000円 |
| Medium license (limited to 8 tons) | 308,000円 | 287,100円 | 286,000円 |
| Medium license | 242,000円 | 221,100円 | 231,000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. We recommend that you obtain this at school.
5. Conditions for obtaining a large license,
In order to respond to the recent increasing demand for trucks and driver needs, the Road Traffic Act was revised in 2007 and 2017, and medium-duty licenses and semi-medium-duty licenses were newly established for truck driver licenses. In order to correctly understand the current "new large-sized license," the lower-level licenses, medium-sized license and semi-medium-sized license, are also shown in the diagram below.
To put it simply, in 2007, a medium-sized vehicle license was created between the regular vehicle license and the large-sized vehicle license, resulting in three categories.
Then, in 2017, a semi-medium vehicle license was newly established between the regular vehicle license and the medium vehicle license, resulting in the current four-class system as shown in the diagram above.
The requirements for obtaining a large vehicle license are to be at least 21 years old and have at least 3 years of experience driving a regular car license, etc. Currently, those who aim to obtain a large vehicle license must have one of the following Driver's License: . Please note that the path to obtaining a license varies greatly depending on the license you currently have.
| Possession license | skill hours | Department hours |
| Ordinary license | 30 | 0 |
| Semi-medium license (limited to 5 tons) | 26 | 1 |
| Semi-medium license | 23 | 0 |
| Medium license (limited to 8 tons) | 20 | 0 |
| Medium license | 14 | 0 |
Gross vehicle weight and maximum loading capacity based on new license classification
Below is a quick reference list of the old and new Driving Lessons times until obtaining a large license. Here, we list the path to obtaining the top level: large license for each license you own. please refer.
old system
Those who obtained a regular license between June 2, 2007 and March 11, 2017 will automatically have a 5-ton semi-medium license, so if you drive a vehicle that weighs 5 tons or more and less than 7.4 tons, you must , it is necessary to cancel the semi-medium license restriction.
6.Summary
In 2023, 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 large license to advance their career!
A large license is a top-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.
