To obtain a moped license, you must take a moped license exam.
In this article, we will explain the cost of obtaining a moped license and its breakdown, as well as the eligibility requirements and required documents. In addition, we will introduce the day-to-day process of taking the test, so please refer to it if you are planning to obtain a moped license.
Cost and breakdown when obtaining a moped license
When taking the moped license test and receiving Driver's License, you will need to pay 8,050 yen for the exam fee, Driver's License issuance fee, and moped course fee. The breakdown of each is as follows.
| Expense name | Amount of money |
| Examination fee | 1,500円 |
| Driver's License issuance fee | 2,050円 |
| Moped course tuition fee | 4,500円 |
*Consumption tax is exempt.
Examination fee
The examination fee is the cost required to take the moped license examination. In the unlikely event that you fail the test and take the test again, you will need to pay again.
Driver's License issuance fee
Driver's License issuance fee is the cost required to receive a moped Driver's License. Payment is made when you pass the moped license test and receive Driver's License.
Moped course tuition fee
In order to pass the moped license test and receive Driver's License, you will need to take a course using an actual vehicle. The moped course fee is the cost.
Similar to Driver's License issuance fee, you basically pay it when you pass the moped license exam. However, in areas where you are required to take a moped course before the exam, you will have to pay on the day of the course.
Qualifications and documents required to obtain a moped license
Let's take a look at the qualifications and documents required to take the moped license exam.
Eligibility for taking the exam
To take the moped license test, you must meet the following conditions:
- Be over 16 years old
- Those who have had their license revoked in the past must have taken the revocation course within one year before taking the exam and have completed the period of disqualification.
Please note that the moped license test is taken at the driver's license examination center or driver's license center in the prefecture where you are registered as a resident. Please note that you will not be able to take the test at a venue in a prefecture where you are not registered as a resident.
Required documents
The documents required to obtain a moped license vary depending on the applicant's situation.
First time person getting a driver's Driver's License
If you are obtaining a driver's Driver's License for the first time, you will need the following documents:
- Copy of residence card with registered domicile
- Documents that can confirm your identity (health insurance card, passport, My Number card, basic resident register card within the validity period, student ID, employee ID, etc.)
- 1 photo for application (3 cm high and 2.4 cm wide, no hat, front view, upper body, no background, taken within 6 months before application)
Documents that can be used to verify identity must be presented in order to confirm that the applicant for the moped license test is who he/she claims to be.
Persons not subject to the Basic Resident Registration Act
Those who do not have Japanese nationality and are not subject to the Basic Resident Registration Act will need the following documents:
- Passport, ID card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or other document certifying your identity issued by a competent authority
- Documents that can confirm your identity (health insurance card, residence card, special permanent resident certificate, student ID, employee ID, etc.)
- Documents that prove that you are staying in the place of residence (residence certificate that can be confirmed by the head of the household at the hostel, hotel manager, etc.)
- 1 photo for application (3 cm high and 2.4 cm wide, no hat, front view, upper body, no background, taken within 6 months before application)
You must present a document other than your passport to verify your identity.
People who already have a driver's Driver's License
If you have a driver's Driver's License for a small special vehicle such as a farm tractor or small snowplow, the following documents are required:
- Obtained driver's Driver's License
- 1 photo for application (3 cm high and 2.4 cm wide, no hat, front view, upper body, no background, taken within 6 months before application)
Since you will be submitting the driver's Driver's License you already own, there is no need for identification documents.
Flow of a day when taking the moped license exam
If you take the test at a driver's license examination center or driver's license center that offers moped training, you can obtain your moped license in as little as one day. The flow of the day is as follows:
- Apply for the exam
- take an aptitude test
- take a written exam
- Take moped training
I will explain each in detail.
1. Apply for the exam
Go to a driver's license examination center or driver's license center and apply during reception hours. Reception hours vary depending on the venue, so be sure to check the official website in advance.
Also, be aware that some venues may have limited days of the week or require advance reservations.
2. take an aptitude test
Aptitude tests are conducted to confirm that visual acuity, athletic ability, etc. meet certain standards, and to prevent accidents from occurring.
| Aptitude test items | Criteria for recognizing suitability |
| eyesight | 0.5 or more in both eyes (If you cannot see in one eye, the visual field of the other eye must be 150 degrees or more left and right, and the visual acuity must be 0.5 or more) |
| Exercise capacity | Must be capable of the cognition necessary for safe driving and be able to operate the steering wheel and other devices without difficulty. |
You must pass the aptitude test to proceed to the written exam.
3. take a written exam
The written exam will ask questions about correct traffic rules and etiquette. The time limit is 30 minutes, and the total number of questions is 48, of which 46 are word problems and 2 are illustration problems.
Each word question is worth 1 point, and each illustration question is worth 2 points, and you will pass if you get 45 points or more out of a possible 50 points.
Four. Take moped training
After passing the aptitude test and written exam, students will take a moped training course using an actual vehicle. If you do not take this course, you will not be able to obtain a moped license.
For moped training, please wear clothing appropriate for driving a moped, such as long sleeves and long pants. Shoes are required instead of sandals or high heels.
Depending on the region, the moped training course may be held on a different day. In addition, in areas where moped classes are not held at driver's license examination halls or driver's license centers, you may take a moped class in advance at a designated location and then take an aptitude test and written exam within a set period.
Q&A regarding moped license exam
We will answer frequently asked questions about the moped license exam.
What is the passing rate?
On average, only one in two people who take the moped license exam pass the exam. In order to pass the exam on the first try, it is important to understand the trends in the questions by using the textbook and question collection.
Can I ride immediately after passing the exam?
If you pass the aptitude test and written test and take the moped training course, you can receive Driver's License on the same day and start riding right away.
Are there cases where you cannot receive it on the same day?
In the following cases, you may not be able to take the test on the same day.
- If you have been arrested for driving without a license in the past
- If you are under administrative disposition such as refusal, suspension, cancellation, or suspension of your driver's license.
- If you are in the disqualification period (period when you cannot take the exam) due to driving without a license or revocation, etc.
- If you have a driver Driver's License, but the number of violation points meets the criteria for license revocation or suspension.
- If you have received a revocation in the past and have not taken the revocation course within one year, or if you have attended the revocation course but have not brought a certificate of completion of the revocation course.
- A person suffering from a mental illness with hallucinatory symptoms, an illness that causes consciousness disturbance or movement disorder due to a seizure, as specified by the Cabinet Order, or another illness specified by the Cabinet Order as a disease that may impede safe driving. If you fall under any disqualifying conditions, such as a person with dementia, or a person addicted to alcohol or drugs, etc.
Even if you take the test and pass, if these facts are discovered, your license may be revoked, refused, or suspended.
Understand the cost of obtaining a moped license in advance.
To obtain a moped license, an examination fee of 1,500 yen, Driver's License issuance fee of 2,050 yen, and a 4,500 yen moped course fee are required.
The qualifications required to obtain a moped license are to be at least 16 years old, and if you have had your license revoked in the past, you must have taken a course and completed the period of disqualification. Also, when applying for the exam, please prepare the documents that suit your situation.
You can obtain your moped license in as little as one day by taking the test at a venue that offers moped classes. Use the textbook and question set to understand the trends in questions and be fully prepared.
