Are you aware of the existence of a large license for a variety of reasons, such as people with a large license being in demand, broadening your job search range, improving your skills and advancing your career?

However, large vehicles are difficult to drive, and some may have the impression that they are difficult to drive.

In this article, we will explain how to obtain a large vehicle license. We will also explain in detail the benefits, acquisition conditions, costs, etc., so if you are considering acquiring a large license, please use this as a basis for your decision.

What is a large license?

First, let's understand the exact definition of a large license.

A large vehicle license is a vehicle license that allows you to drive a vehicle that meets the following conditions.

• Gross vehicle weight 11 tons or more
• Maximum loading capacity 6.5 tons or more
• Capacity: 30 or more people

Vehicles that meet the above criteria are classified as large vehicles. The specific car models are as follows:

• 10t truck
• dump truck
• tank truck
• moving vehicle etc.

There are two types of large licenses:

• Large vehicle first class license
• Large vehicle type 2 license

Remember that a Class 1 license is for the transportation of cargo, and a Class 2 license is for the commercial transportation of people.

Eligibility and acquisition conditions for large license

We will explain the qualifications for taking the large vehicle license.

Basic examination qualifications

The conditions for obtaining a large vehicle license are summarized as follows.

However, the age and driving experience period requirements have been made more relaxed due to the 2022 amendment to the Road Traffic Act. We create an environment where even young people and people with little driving experience can aspire to career advancement.

From May 2022, it will be possible for people aged 19 to obtain a large vehicle license.

Due to the revised law, drivers over the age of 19 are now able to obtain a large driver's license as a special exception. This is only a special case, so you are required to take special training to qualify for the entrance exam.

Special training for entrance exam qualifications consists of up to 36 hours of skill and academic training (with a high proportion of skill training). This training can be taken at a driving school designated by the Public Safety Commission.

[Partial preferential treatment] Those who have had a regular driver's license for more than one year

The law revision targets not only age, but also drivers who have held a regular driver's license for more than a year, so it can be said that the hurdles are lower than before. Medium-sized (including 8t limited), semi-medium-sized (including 5t limited), and large special types are also applicable.

Advantages of obtaining a large license

Among the benefits, the following three can be said to be the most representative.

• Promote yourself through job hunting in the transportation industry
• Expanding the range of work
• Driving techniques are honed

Promote yourself through job hunting in the transportation industry

The transportation and distribution industry is an industry in which there is a shortage of human resources, so those who can drive large trucks and tank trucks are given favorable pay and easy work conditions.

If you also obtain qualifications such as ``forklift operator skill'', ``hazardous material handler'', and ``towing'', it will be easier to aim for career advancement in the industry. For those who want to work in the transportation industry, having a large license will be a big advantage.

Expanding the range of work

A heavy-duty license allows you to drive medium-sized and semi-medium-sized vehicles, so it is a valid qualification for driving a variety of vehicles in various industries.

You can drive any bus that does not incur a fare, such as an employee shuttle or a TV station location bus, with a Class 1 license. If you have a Class 2 license, you can also become a driver for a route or sightseeing bus that carries customers. The demand is not limited to the transportation industry, and it can be said that it is a very effective career.

Driving techniques are honed

Large vehicles are long and have many blind spots. The difference between the inner wheels is also large due to the length from the rear wheel to the rear (overhang) and the distance between the front and rear wheels (wheelbase).

For example, when you turn the steering wheel, the part of the car body in front of the rear wheels turns in the direction you turn the steering wheel, while at the same time the part of the car body behind the rear wheels swings in the completely opposite direction. Masu. The timing to start turning the steering wheel is also quite slow.

It is essential for drivers to be more attentive and use accurate driving techniques to drive safely.

However, it can also be said that you can acquire driving techniques by repeating training with the aim of obtaining this certification. A large driver's license also proves that you are a driver with excellent technique.

Difficulty and pass rate of obtaining a large license

The pass rate for large licenses was 92.6% ^*1 in the FY2021 exam. At first glance, most people seem to be able to break through, and you may wonder, "Is it really that easy?" or "Is it possible to just study on your own?"

However, this number includes people whose licenses have specifically expired and people who have reacquired them after their licenses have been revoked, in other words, experienced drivers and people who have graduated from designated driving schools.

Approximately 90% of successful applicants have graduated from driving schools. Only 10% of people pass the exam on the first try, that is, through self-study.

In the case of a one-shot test, you will be using an unfamiliar course. It is not uncommon for people to not be able to pass the exam in a straight line, and to take the exam multiple times.

^*1Driving license statistics

Means to obtain a large license

There are two main ways to obtain a driver's license: using a driving school and taking a one-shot test. Driving schools can provide you with solid insight and techniques, but they are relatively expensive, and although the cost of each one-time test is lower than that of a driving school, the hurdles are high.

Enroll in a driving school and obtain a large driver's license

If you enroll in a driving school and aim to obtain a certification, you can receive training from an instructor, and receive generous support such as a fully equipped training vehicle, curriculum, and certification course.

Below is the process for obtaining a license.

1. academic training
2. Driving Lessons
3. Final Driving Test
4. Main test

Another positive factor is that if you pass the skills-related Final Driving Test, you will be exempt from taking the skills test at the test center, and only have to take the written test. If you can utilize the courses you are familiar with in your regular curriculum, you will be able to demonstrate your technique without becoming overly nervous.

Please note that training hours vary depending on the type of license you currently have. For example, even if you obtain a regular driver's license, the time for Driving Lessons will change as shown below depending on whether it is limited to AT or MT (no limitation).

Cases of commuting to driving school

Even in cases where you use a driving school, you will have the option of choosing the commuting method or the training camp method.

Going to a driving school is a way to receive a curriculum that fits around your work, school, etc. schedule. You can choose a flexible way of commuting, such as taking Thursdays off and going to driving school on Fridays.

Cases of participating in Driving Camp

In cases where training camps are used, the curriculum is the same as that used in on-campus programs, but it is possible to concentrate on studying. You can get your license in a shorter period of time.

If you can prepare a consistent schedule, this is the recommended method.

Pass the exam on the first try

If you take the test in one shot at the test center and pass straight through it, it will be cheaper than taking the test at a driving school, and you will be able to get a large driver's license without having to spend time going to the driving school.

The process to obtain a license is as follows.

• aptitude test
• Provisional license skill test
• road practice
• Main test

In order to take the real license test, you must practice on the road for 10 hours over 5 days after passing the provisional license test. For on-road practice, you are required to have a practice car and a person who has had a heavy-duty driver's license for three years or more or a person who has a Type 2 driver's license, so preparation is essential.

It would be great if a friend or family member could provide the vehicle and people, but in other cases a rental fee will be required. In addition, those who take advantage of the relaxed conditions of the 2022 revision will eventually need to head to a driving school.

In the actual exam, you will be running on a certification course that you are not familiar with, so the hurdles can be said to be higher compared to the case where you went to a driving school. Consider whether to use the one-shot test based on the pass rate.

Average cost of obtaining a large license

Understand the cost of obtaining a large license and make a budget plan. When using a driving school, it is essential to be aware that the cost will vary depending on the type of license you currently have.

Cost of obtaining a large license from a regular license

If you go to a driving school to obtain a regular license, the average cost nationwide is about 400,000 yen.

The training camp case costs about 370,000 yen, and at first glance you may think that it's not that much different considering it's said to be cheap. However, training camps are actually cheaper because they include accommodation, food, some transportation costs, and a guarantee pack at no additional cost.

In addition to these driving school costs, a provisional license fee of 2,850 yen will be charged.

Cost of obtaining a large-sized license from a semi-medium/medium-sized license

Those who have a regular driving license or above can learn at a relatively lower price than the market price shown above. The national average prices are summarized in the table below.

Cost of obtaining a large license with a single license

The cost of the one-shot test is the same for all licenses. It costs 5,500 yen for the provisional license test, 8,650 yen for the permanent license test, and 22,000 yen for the training course (in the case of Tokyo). The total price is 36,150 yen, which seems much cheaper.

Keep in mind that the cost of the course you take when you take the course varies depending on whether you take the first aid course or are exempt.

How to obtain a large license as cheaply as possible

Using a driving school can cost over 200,000 yen, so there are ways to reduce costs by using public systems. Let's take a look at the public support available.

Utilizing Hello Work's education and training benefit system

You can receive benefits by using the education and training benefit system that you can apply for through Hello Work (Public Employment Security Office). This system aims to help workers quickly re-employ or stabilize their employment by improving their skills, and in some cases they may be able to receive career counseling.

To obtain a large-scale license, either general education training or specific general education training can be used.

The application process is as follows.

1. Check if you meet the payment requirements at Hello Work
2. Apply to driving school
3. take a course
4. Receive the required documents from the driving school
5. Apply to Hello Work
6. Benefits will be paid in about a week

The three required documents are an application for education and training benefits, a certificate of education and training completion, and a receipt. You can print the application form for education and training benefits from Hello Work's internet service, or you can enter the information on the application page and then print it.

Please keep in mind that you will need to enter personal information such as your My Number, name, and employment insurance insured number on the document.

Please note that this method is applicable only to cases where a driving school is used. Since the stipend will be paid in arrears, you will need to pay the entire tuition fee in advance.

general education training

General education training consists of the following:

• Other education and training that contributes to stable employment and promotion of employment are applicable.
• 20% of the course fee (up to 100,000 yen) will be paid upon completion of the training

The system is common, and many driving schools support it, with 341 schools nationwide as of December 2020.

Specific general education training

The content of specific general education training is as follows.

• Education and training that contributes to workers' prompt reemployment and early career development are particularly relevant.
• 40% of the course fee (up to 200,000 yen) will be paid after the training is completed.

Although you can receive a larger amount of money than general education and training, please note that there are only 16 driving schools nationwide that support this as of December 2020.

Get a job at a transportation company, etc. and have the driving school expenses covered.

If you work for a transportation company, the company may use subsidies from the Trucking Association to cover the driving school costs and support you in obtaining a heavy-duty license.

National trucking associations have established their own subsidy systems for each prefecture. However, please be aware that there are some regions that do not have a subsidy system.

Additionally, some companies may enter into a labor contract in the form of a loan to pay for the acquisition cost, with conditions such as ``continuing to work for several years after acquisition.'' If you are looking for a job under this system, be sure to check the conditions before signing a labor contract.

Obtaining a large license will give you an advantage in finding employment! Take advantage of training camps and stipends

Obtaining a heavy-duty license will allow you to operate dump trucks and tank trucks, expand your work styles, and increase your success as a driver. This will be a great advantage for you to showcase your skills in the transportation and distribution industries, which will lead to career advancement.

One way to obtain certification while keeping costs down is to take the exam in one go, but if you are not confident in your technique or are worried about self-study, we recommend attending a driving school.

Attending a driving school is expensive, but you can take advantage of the excellent curriculum and learn solid techniques. If you want to get your driver's license cheaper, try some creative ways, such as taking advantage of training camps or checking out public support.