There are three ways to obtain a medium-sized driver's license: attending a driving school, taking a training Driving Camp, and taking a one-shot test.
According to the ``Driver's License Statistics Reiwa 3rd Edition'' by the National Police Agency's Traffic Bureau Driver's License Division, of the 154,675 people who passed the medium-duty license (class 1), 45,076 were graduates of designated driving schools. I already know. There were 598 people who passed the one-shot test, excluding those with specific revocations, those with specific revocations, and those who changed their licenses from foreign countries. Statistics show that many people obtain their license by attending a driving school or training Driving Camp.
Some people who are considering obtaining a medium-sized driver's license may be worried about how to obtain it. Each has different characteristics, so it is important to choose the method that suits you.
In this article, we will explain whether it is recommended to attend a driving school or get Driving Camp when obtaining a medium-sized driver's license. We will also explain how to choose a driving school, so please refer to it if you are considering obtaining a medium-sized driver's license.
If you want to get a medium-sized license, which is better: a driving school or a training camp?
The medium-sized vehicle license is a new license created by the amendment to the Road Traffic Act that came into effect on June 2, 2007. The number of training hours required to obtain a license varies depending on the type of driver's license you currently have. For example, if you have a regular driver's license (AT only), you will have 1 period of academic training and 19 periods of Driving Lessons.
There is no difference in training hours and content between attending a driving school and Driving Camp. When choosing an acquisition method, it is important to consider what you want to focus on.
If speed and cost are important to you, join a training camp.
Driving Camp is a method of staying at a lodging facility for a certain period of time and receiving intensive training. When commuting to a driving school, it may be difficult to make a reservation and it may take a long time to graduate.
On the other hand, with Driving Camp, the schedule is set in advance and there is no need to make a reservation for training. The training can be completed in a few days to 10 days, so you can graduate faster than attending a driving school. Also, many of the places you stay are in rural areas far from the city, so depending on the location, you can experience the feeling of traveling.
Basically, the cost of obtaining Driving Camp includes training costs, accommodation costs, and food costs. As long as you don't worry about the grade of the accommodation, you can almost always save more money than commuting to school.
If you want to attend while balancing work and school, attend a driving school.
There are two types of driving schools: designated driving schools and registered driving schools.
A designated driving school is a driving school that has been designated by the Public Safety Commission and meets human, physical, and operational standards. The provisional license written test and Final Driving Test can be taken at the driving school. Since you will be exempted from the skill test, you will only need to take the written test after graduation.
On the other hand, a notifying driving school is a driving school that has registered with the Public Safety Commission. It does not necessarily mean that the above three criteria are met. Additionally, you cannot take the provisional license theory test or the provisional license skill test at a driving school, and you will not be exempt from taking the skill test after graduation.
According to the ``Driver's License Statistics 2021 Edition'' by the National Police Agency's Traffic Bureau Driver's License Division, 45,076 of the 45,668 people who passed the medium-duty driver's license test were graduates of designated driving schools.
If you want to obtain a medium-sized driver's license smoothly and without any hassle, choose a designated driving school.
At the driving school, you can take lessons according to your convenience. Therefore, it is possible to balance work and school. Additionally, if you choose a driving school near the area where you live, you can practice in the place where you usually live, so you can expect to get used to driving quickly.
On the other hand, it can be difficult to make reservations during spring and summer vacations for students. Make sure to leave some time in your schedule until you get it. For those who want to obtain a medium-sized driver's license while balancing work and school, we recommend attending a driving school where you can study at your own pace.
How to choose a driving school when getting a medium-sized license
When choosing a driving school, consider factors such as ease of access and price plans.
Access to driving school
When attending a driving school, it is important to consider whether the location is easily accessible from home, work, or school. Depending on the location of the driving school, you may not be able to make it in time even if you arrive after work or school.
Driving schools that are far from the nearest station or bus stop may take time to travel to, and commuting may become a burden. Therefore, be sure to choose a driving school based on location and availability of transportation. Many driving schools offer free shuttle buses. When using the shuttle bus, it is best to check the location of the bus stop.
Also, if you attend Driving Camp in a faraway place, the travel costs may be high. Some driving schools may cover transportation expenses, so be sure to check in advance.
Driving school price plan
Acquisition costs vary depending on the driving school and rate plan.
For example, in the case of a training camp, multiple accommodation plans may be available. Choosing a single room or a hotel tends to be more expensive than usual, so be sure to consider the overall cost of accommodation before making your decision.
Acquisition costs also vary depending on the time of year. Because students tend to gather during spring and summer vacations, the acquisition fee may be set higher than usual. If you want to keep costs down, choose a time that doesn't overlap with students' long vacations.
When obtaining a medium-sized driver's license, it will cost approximately 100,000 to 270,000 yen to attend a driving school, and 70,000 to 310,000 yen for Driving Camp. One way to reduce acquisition costs is to look for a driving school with a cheap price plan.
Education and training benefit system
The education and training benefit system is a system in which a portion of the expenses will be paid if you complete the education and training specified by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare.
In order to receive payment of benefits, the following conditions must be met.
| Current employment status | conditions | |
| Currently working | People using the system for the first time | Must have been enrolled in employment insurance for at least one year at the time of starting the course |
| People who are using the system for the second time or later |
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| unemployed | People who have worked in the past and are using the system for the first time |
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| People who were employed in the past and are using the system for the second time or later |
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Those who were not enrolled in employment insurance at their previous job or who have no work experience are not eligible for benefits. Medium-sized license training is designated as a course eligible for benefits.
Recommended driving schools in eastern Japan
From here, we will introduce recommended driving schools for obtaining a medium-sized driver's license. Recommended driving schools in eastern Japan are as follows.
Sakura Nasu Motor School
This is a designated driving school located in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture. It is about 60 minutes from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen. At Driving Camp, you will be provided with buffet-style meals that are nutritionally well-balanced.
There are no additional fees until graduation, so even if you have a problem with Driving Lessons you can receive the training with confidence until the end. Participants of Driving Camp will be invited to a welcome party with Utsunomiya gyoza and food. You can also soak in the hot springs, so you can enjoy your lessons in a resort-like atmosphere.
| Location | 3450 Ujiie, Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture |
| Commuting fee for medium-sized license |
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| Training camp fee for medium-sized license |
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*Reference information: https://i-drive.jp/schools/index/349
Matsuki Driving School Nagai Campus
Matsuki Driving School Nagai School is a designated driving school located in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture. From Tokyo Station, it takes 2 and a half hours by Shinkansen. There are plans for Driving Camp for people who want to keep the acquisition costs down and those who want to enjoy the feeling of traveling.
Self Cook is set at tens of thousands of yen cheaper than other plans because you prepare everything except lunch. Also, depending on when you enroll, you can receive subsidies for round-trip transportation, so it is recommended for those who want to keep their transportation costs down.
| Location | 7-45 Midoricho, Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Training camp fee for medium-sized license |
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*Reference information: https://i-drive.jp/schools/index/205
Hainan Driving School
Hainan Driving School is a designated driving school located in Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture. It is about 2 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen and about 2.5 hours from Osaka. There is a resort hotel plan for Driving Camp, so you can enjoy the feeling of traveling while taking lessons.
In addition to tennis and karaoke, the hotel also offers an indoor pool. In addition to hotels, there are women-only pensions and men-only vacation rentals.
| Location | 1731 Hosoe, Makinohara City, Shizuoka Prefecture |
| Training camp fee for medium-sized license |
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*Reference information: https://i-drive.jp/schools/index/645
Recommended driving schools in western Japan
Next, we will introduce recommended driving schools in western Japan.
Smart Driver School Kobe West
Smart Driver School Kobe Nishi is a designated driving school located in Nishi Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. A free shuttle bus operates between Kobe Sannomiya Station and Kobe Sannomiya Station. It is in a great location, just 3 minutes walk from the nearest station, Kobe Electric Railway Kizu Station.
There are many tourist spots around the driving school, so you can enjoy sightseeing while taking lessons. The medium-sized license is a course certified by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare under the education and training benefit system, so you can apply for the benefit after graduation.
| Location | 1-25 Mitsugaoka, Nishi-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Commuting fee for medium-sized license |
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| Training camp fee for medium-sized license |
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*Reference information: https://i-drive.jp/schools/price/888?license_id=10&year=2022&month=12&room_type=2&hotel_id=361
Smart Driver School Biwako Seta
Smart Driver School Biwako Seta is a designated driving school located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. It is about 15 minutes away from Kyoto by rapid train. If you are commuting to school, a free shuttle bus runs to and from the nearest station, Ishiyama Station.
The driving school is close enough that you can see Lake Biwa, so you can feel like a tourist while taking lessons. Additionally, since there are no regular holidays, the school is easy to attend even for busy students and working adults.
| Location | 6-5-7 Seta, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Commuting fee for medium-sized license |
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| Training camp fee for medium-sized license |
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*Reference information: https://i-drive.jp/schools/index/806
Smart Driver School Niimi
Smart Driver School Niimi is a designated driving school located in Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture. It is about an hour away from Okayama Station. A new dormitory for women opened on December 1, 2022. All rooms are equipped with a hairdryer, kettle, and microwave.
Participants in Driving Camp will receive amenities including bath towels and toothbrushing sets. Luggage can be delivered free of charge both ways, so you can go to the driving school with less luggage.
| Location | 2929-2 Nishigata, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Training camp fee for medium-sized license |
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*Reference information: https://i-drive.jp/schools/index/987
Choose the driving school that's right for you and get your medium-sized vehicle license smoothly
If you are confused between going to a driving school and getting Driving Camp when obtaining a medium-sized driver's license, choose based on what is important to you.
If you are concerned about the acquisition period and acquisition cost, we recommend Driving Camp where you can receive intensive training. If you want to balance it with work and school, you can choose to commute to the school and receive lessons at your own pace.
It is important to choose a location that is easy to get to, taking into account price plans and ease of access.
