According to a survey conducted by Japan Trend Research, the most common answer was that it took one to two months to obtain a driver's license. However, the minimum period and required number of days actually differ depending on the acquisition method. Also, by understanding the general process of obtaining a driver's license, it will be easier to make a more specific plan.
In this article, we will explain in detail the process of obtaining a driver's license. We will explain the process from choosing a driving school to obtaining a driver Driver's License, so please refer to it.
How to obtain a driver's license and how long it takes
There are three ways to obtain a driver's license. First, we will explain how long it takes to obtain a driver's license for each acquisition method.
attend a driving school
Approximately 95% of people who obtain a driver's license use the driving school commute.
You are free to choose a driving school that is convenient for you to get to and from work or school, is close to your home, or has flexible hours. The advantage of this program is that you can decide on your own schedule and take lessons, so you can use your time between work or school to make your own plans and go to school. Additionally, road lessons are generally held near the driving school, so by attending a driving school within your living area, you can get used to the roads you will frequently drive on after getting your driver's license. .
The minimum period of time it takes to obtain a license is 15 days for an ordinary car license (MT) and 13 days for an ordinary car license (AT). However, this is only a theoretical count of the number of days required for lessons and exams. In reality, many people may not be able to make a reservation for driving lessons at their desired time, may have other plans other than the driving school, or may have to retake lessons or take an exam. It takes about a month to two months to get it.
If you wish to participate in Driving Camp camp, you will stay at a designated accommodation facility close to the driving school, and from there you will attend the driving school every day with the aim of obtaining your driving license. Basically, the training time is often crammed into the whole day, including Saturdays and Sundays, and the advantage is that you can get your license in as little as two weeks.
These are often used by people who want to take advantage of long vacations or seasonal vacations to obtain a driver's license in a shorter period of time than at a commuting driving school. Some plans include not only going back and forth between the driving school and accommodation, but also allowing you to enjoy time outside of driving lessons as leisure time, and there are many cases where university students participate with friends as part of their graduation trip.
However, if you have to go home temporarily due to poor health or family circumstances, or if you fail an exam, you may need to stay overnight, so it does not necessarily mean that you will be able to obtain your license in the shortest possible time.
learn by yourself
According to driver's license statistics released by the Metropolitan Police Department, more than 90% of people attend a driving school to obtain a driver's license. However, this does not necessarily mean that you cannot obtain a license without attending a driving school.
It is possible to obtain a driver's license by studying subjects and skills on your own and taking the skills and theory tests at a driver's license center, which is sometimes called the "one-shot test." You will need to complete all the application procedures yourself, but it can be done in one day at most, and the cost is around 30,000 yen.
However, although it is possible to study subjects on your own, you will need a car to practice your driving skills. Moreover, you cannot pass the exam unless you can drive on the road, and it is not easy for people who have never obtained a driver's license to aim for one through self-study.
Many of the people who take the test directly at a driver's license center without attending a driving school are people who had a license in the past and drove a car, but whose license has expired for some reason, or whose license has been revoked. This is a person who has driving experience in the past, such as someone who has had a car accident and needs a new driver's license. However, the average passing rate is less than 10%, which means that even those who previously held a driver's license are in a difficult position. Some people think that it is more realistic to go to a driving school and retake the test, as it will cost you to take the test each time you fail the test.
Those who pass the skill test at the driving school and the written test at the driver's license center will be issued Driver's License on the same day. However, keep in mind that people who have not attended a driving school do not have a skill certificate, so even if you pass at a driver's license center, you will still need to take a course (specific course) at the time of acquisition.
Market price for obtaining a driver's license
So far, we have explained the three ways to obtain a driver's license and the period for each. So how much does it cost? Here, let's compare the costs for each method.
If you go to a driving school
If you go to a driving school, the cost varies depending on the driving school, and the cost also varies depending on the region, the type of license you obtain, and the timing. At driving schools, the so-called busy seasons are from February to March and from July to September, which are the seasonal holidays for students.
On the other hand, the "off season" is from May to July and from October to December, and many driving schools in rural areas and suburbs have different rates for the busy and off-season periods. The average costs for driving schools during busy and off-season periods are as follows.
| MT car |
|
|---|---|
| AT car |
|
Additionally, some driving schools in areas with a lot of snow charge additional fees during the winter season.
In the table above, you can see that there is a difference of several tens of thousands of yen between the busy season and the off-season. If you want to keep the cost as low as possible, we recommend enrolling during the off-season.
Please note that driving schools in metropolitan areas are always crowded throughout the year, so most do not set prices for busy and off-season periods.
When participating in Driving Camp
The big appeal of Driving Camp is that it is cheaper than commuting to a driving school from home. Since you can focus on getting your license, you can get it in a shorter period of time than going to a driving school. However, please be aware that if you do not pass the exam within a certain period of time, your stay may be postponed.
The average market price for Driving Camp is as follows.
| Busy season | 300,000 yen - 340,000 yen |
|---|---|
| Low season | 190,000 yen - 240,000 yen |
This is just the cost of lodging and training, and if the location is far from your home, you will also have to pay for transportation to and from your home. Additionally, depending on the driving school, there may be additional fees for transportation and make-up exams from the accommodation to the driving school, and the amount may vary depending on the type of room and meal plan you select. Please check what is included in the fee before applying.
For self-study
If you take the exam by yourself, you will only have to pay the exam fee, so it is quite cheap. It costs about 1/10 of the cost of attending a driving school.
| Examination fee | Test vehicle usage fee | Grant fee | total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provisional license exam fee | 2,900円 | 1,450円 | 1,150円 | 5,500円 |
| Ordinary license exam fee | 2,550円 | 800円 | 2,050円 | 5,400円 |
| Specific training (training upon acquisition) fee | – | – | – | 15,400円 |
| Examination and training fees for all courses (from provisional license to final license) | – | – | – | 26,300円 |
*Source: Driver's License Center: Metropolitan Police Department
As we have already explained, the pass rate for those who take the test directly without attending a driving school is less than 10%. If you can get your license in one go, it is cheaper than other methods, but if you have to take the test repeatedly, it will cost you money each time.
In addition, the "Upon Obtaining Course" is a course for people who are getting their license for the first time, and includes high-speed training, danger prediction training, and first aid training. However, medical personnel such as doctors and nurses are exempt from first aid training.
Process of obtaining a license at a driving school
The content of the training is basically the same whether you have a commuting driving school or Driving Camp. Here, we will explain the lesson content in detail.
The general training procedure at a driving school is as follows.
- Deciding on the acquisition method and driving school
- Entrance ceremony and orientation
- Skills 1st stage/Academic 1st stage
- Skills 2nd stage/Academic 2nd stage
- Written exam and Driver's License issuance
We will explain the process of acquiring a license at a driving school. The process for Driving Camp is almost the same.
1. Decide on the acquisition method and driving school
When you attend a driving school and obtain a driver's license, the first thing you do is choose a driving school. Depending on the driving school, there may be special benefits such as discounts through campaigns, or shuttle buses depart from designated stations, so you should not only check whether a commuting type is Driving Camp but also compare several driving schools. Choose a driving school that is easy for you to attend.
Depending on the driving school, you may not be able to enroll due to a fixed number of students, or it may be difficult to enroll on your desired date. Furthermore, during the busy season, even if you can enroll, it may be difficult to reserve lessons, and it may be difficult to obtain a license according to your desired schedule. When deciding on a driving school, be sure to do some research, including the reservation status of the lessons and the days you can enroll. required documents
The documents required to enroll in the course are as follows.
- A copy of your residence card (one that shows your permanent address and has been issued within the last three months)
- Identity verification documents (one of the following: health insurance card, My Number Card, passport, student ID if you are a student)
- Photo (height 30mm x width 24mm, taken within 6 months)
- Seal (registration seal)
- Fees (varies depending on the plan you apply for; if paying by credit card, use credit card)
- Auxiliary equipment necessary for testing such as glasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids
2. Entrance ceremony and orientation
Once you have gathered the necessary documents, you will apply for a driving school, and once the prescribed procedures are completed, there will be an entrance ceremony and orientation.
Generally, the date and time of the entrance ceremony and orientation are determined at the time of application. There will be an aptitude test during the entrance ceremony and orientation, so choose a date and time when you have plenty of time. In addition, many driving schools begin lessons on the day of the entrance ceremony, so it is important to be fully prepared for lessons.
The aptitude test includes the following:
- Visual acuity test (0.3 or higher in one eye, 0.7 or higher in both eyes, glasses or contact lenses allowed)
- Color discrimination ability test (must be able to distinguish the colors of traffic lights, red, blue, and yellow)
- Hearing test (must be able to carry out daily conversation, be able to hear sounds of 90 decibels from 10 meters away, be able to use hearing aids)
- Other driving aptitude tests (even if you have a physical disability, it is OK if it does not interfere with driving, you can use prosthetic arms and legs)
3. Skills 1st stage/Academic 1st stage
During Driving Lessons, you will learn driving techniques using courses within the driving school. One 50-minute lesson is required for 15 hours for MT cars and 12 hours for AT cars.
In academic training, you will learn about traffic rules, laws, etiquette, etc. Both MT and AT cars require 10 hours of training. Once you take the first period, there is no designated order for lessons from periods 2 to 10.
Additionally, there is no need to make a reservation for academic lessons, and there is generally no limit to the number of hours of lessons that can be taken in a day. Considering the driving school's schedule and your own convenience, it is ideal to take the academic lessons as much as possible when you have time and finish them early.
During the first stage of skill training, you will drive within the driving school. This course aims to learn the basics of driving skills and obtain a provisional license to take on-road lessons. Specifically, students will learn how to properly operate cars and driving equipment, how to drive at appropriate speeds, and how to run S-curves and cranks. In the case of Driving Lessons, there is a limit to a maximum of 2 hours of training time per day.
After completing the skills/subjects as prescribed, there will be a first stage exam. Skills check the skills learned in courses within the driving school. In the department, you will answer the knowledge you learned in the first stage using a mark sheet method.
By the way, the average pass rate for the first stage final exam is around 75%. If you fail, you will be required to retake the exam. In the case of skills, you will have to take the 1-hour lesson again and then take the re-examination. For departmental exams, you can take the exam immediately, but there will be a re-examination fee of 1,700 yen.
If you do not pass these exams, you will not be able to proceed to the second stage.
4.Skills 2nd stage/Academic 2nd stage
The second stage of Driving Lessons includes on-road practice on public roads and some courses at driving schools. Both MT and AT cars must pass the 19-time limit. In this lesson, you will learn driving techniques on highways, areas with a lot of car traffic, and local roads, including winter roads in northern countries.
Continuing from the first stage, academic training consists of 16 periods of study from courses 11 to 26. Just like in the first stage, the class lasts for 50 minutes, and in addition to traffic rules, students also learn how to provide first aid. This is very important knowledge that teaches you how to provide first aid, which is necessary not only for drivers but also for everyday life. Please note that medical personnel such as doctors and nurses are exempt from the first aid course.
After completing the above steps, students will undergo the second stage of effect measurement (academic test) and skill certification. This skill test involves actually driving on public roads. Usually, multiple test takers ride together, and each test taker conducts the practical test after an explanation from the examiner. This is the final and most important test of the course, and you cannot take the academic test unless you pass the skill test.
5.Academic examination and Driver's License issuance
After passing the skill test at the driving school, take the written test at the local driver's license center that has jurisdiction over the place of residence listed on your residence card. After graduating from a driving school, that is, passing the skill test, if you do not take the written test within one year, the skill pass certificate obtained at the driving school will be invalidated. In that case, you will have to go back to the driving school.
Documents required for Driver's License issuance
- Residence certificate with registered domicile (issued within 3 months)
- Identity verification documents (one of the following: health insurance card, My Number Card, passport, student ID if you are a student)
- Photo (height 30mm x width 24mm, taken within 6 months)
- Graduation certificate (skill test certificate issued by driving school)
- Fee: 3,800 yen (examination fee: 1,750 yen, license issuance fee: 2,050 yen, if you fail, a fee will be charged each time)
- writing utensils
After completing the application process, you will be given an aptitude test. The content of the aptitude test is the same as the one you took at the beginning of the driving school, which is a vision test, a color discrimination test, and a hearing test. After the aptitude test, the written test will begin.
The written test is 50 minutes long and a passing score is 90 out of 100. By the way, the average passing rate is around 70%.
You will know whether you passed or failed the written exam on the same day. If you pass the exam, you will receive a training course for successful candidates, and Driver's License will be issued after the training.
*Reference URL: Driver's License Center/Metropolitan Police Department
Q&A regarding obtaining a driver's license
Q: What is the passing rate for driving license?
A: It is said that the average pass rate for those who attend a driving school for the provisional license exam after completing the first stage and the regular license exam after completing the second stage is said to be around 70%. To put it simply, 3 out of 4 people pass the exam.
Even if you fail the first time, most people pass the second time. Don't worry, most people will pass the exam and get their license if they follow the curriculum. Similarly, the pass rate for Driving Camp is in the 70% range.
However, it is a narrow gate for those who take the one-shot test at a driver's license center. The average passing rate is less than 10%, and it can drop to around 5% depending on the region and time of year.
Q: When is the first renewal after obtaining a driver's license?
A: Driving Driver's License are color-coded into three types: green, blue, and gold, and the expiration date can be determined by each color. Those who obtain a driver's license for the first time will be issued a green Driver's License. Renewal Procedures In 2019, each driver will receive a postcard informing them of their license renewal, so they will need to bring it with them to complete the renewal procedure. The postcard will arrive one month before and after your third birthday from the time you got your driver's license.
With this renewal, Driver's License will turn blue. The expiration date of a blue Driver's License is 3 years, and if there are no accidents or violations during these 3 years, a gold Driver's License is valid for 5 years (for those under 70 years old), but if there is even one violation, it will be renewed after 3 years. I still have a blue Driver's License.
Things to check when getting a driver's license
We have explained in detail about obtaining a license above, but we have also picked out other important things that you should understand.
Acquisition conditions and driving school admission conditions
You must be 18 years of age or older to obtain a regular driver's license. Anyone over the age of 18 can obtain it, regardless of whether they are a student or an office worker.
The driving school accepts applications from two months before your 18th birthday. Other conditions include:
- Visual acuity: 0.3 or higher in one eye, 0.7 or higher in both eyes (glasses or contact lenses can be used)
- Color discrimination ability: Can distinguish red, blue, and yellow (can distinguish so-called traffic lights and signs)
- Hearing ability: Able to carry out daily conversation, able to hear 90 decibel alarm at a distance of 10 meters (can use hearing aids)
- Athletic ability: Must be able to drive a car without any problems; even if you have a problem, it is OK as long as you can drive while wearing a prosthetic arm or leg.
Ease of making reservations
There are many driving schools across the country. There are various differences in size, number of students, number of instructors, etc. In general, driving schools located in urban areas tend to have a large number of students, making it difficult to make reservations depending on the day and time of day. Especially on Saturdays, Sundays, and after the evening, there are many students as well as office workers, so it's best to make reservations early.
On the other hand, it is easiest to make reservations during the daytime on weekdays or at local driving schools. It seems that many local driving schools charge different rates between the ``busy season,'' when they are crowded, and the ``off-season,'' when it is relatively empty. It's tens of thousands of yen cheaper during the off-season, so if cost is your priority, we recommend enrolling during the off-season.
Various expiration dates related to license acquisition
If you attend on schedule, you can get your driver's license. However, the school has set deadlines as follows:
| Driving school enrollment expiration date | 9 months after entering school |
|---|---|
| Validity period from passing the provisional license skill test to the written test | Three months |
| Expiry date of Driver's License | 6 months from acquisition |
| Validity period from passing Final Driving Test (skills) to the written examination | Three months |
If you go to a driving school as planned, you can usually get your license in 1 to 2 months, but even if you are unable to attend for some reason, there is no problem as long as you can pass the skill test for your full license within 9 months.
If you do not go to a driver's license center and take a written test within one year after passing the skill test at a driving school, your license will become invalid.
Fees for obtaining Driver's License and taking the written exam
The fee at the driving school does not include the supplementary exam fee for the provisional license. Even if you fail once, you can take a make-up exam, but you will have to pay the exam fee each time. Additionally, if you fail Driving Camp three times, the training camp will end, and you will not be able to participate in the training camp until you return home and pass your provisional license at a local driving school. Additionally, in some cases, the number of make-up exams is limited. Go into the exam with the intention of passing it the first time.
By the way, the fees that must be paid separately for each make-up exam are as follows.
| Exam fee | |
|---|---|
| Temporary license fee | 5,500円 |
| Department fee | 3,800円 |
If you fail either the skill test or the written test, only the one who failed will be eligible for the make-up test.
The cost and number of days required to obtain a driver's Driver's License vary depending on the acquisition method.
As mentioned above, we have explained in an easy-to-understand manner the steps to obtain a driver's Driver's License and the points to be noted. There are three ways to obtain a license, and we explained how to choose the method that suits you, and the estimated time and cost for each.
There is a one-shot test that does not use a driving school, but this method is difficult even for those who have had a driver's license in the past, so if you are acquiring a driver's license for the first time, we recommend attending a driving school.
Refer to reviews, compare the differences between each driving school, and aim to obtain a driver's license using the method that suits you.
