Do you want to get a Regular Motorcycle license and ride a motorcycle, but are unsure of the specific method or period?
In this article, we will explain the acquisition process, acquisition cost, and acquisition period in an easy-to-understand manner for the three specific ways Regular Motorcycle license. We will also introduce three tips for successfully obtaining Regular Motorcycle license, so it is full of useful information for those aiming to obtain a driver's license for the first time.
Please use this as a reference and aim to obtain Regular Motorcycle license.
What is Regular Motorcycle license?
Officially, it is called a regular motorcycle license, and it is divided into four types depending on the type of motorcycle you can drive. There are four types: MT (manual), which has no restrictions, AT-limited license, which allows you to drive only AT (automatic) vehicles, and regular two-wheeled small-sized vehicle license (AT-limited/MT).
Types of motorcycles you can drive with Regular Motorcycle license
This applies to motorcycles with a displacement of 51cc or more and 400cc or less. In other words, Regular Motorcycle license is a license that allows you to drive any motorcycle that falls within this range. Applicable bikes include:
- Motorized bicycle (moped)
- Small special purpose vehicle
- Small motorcycle (51cc~125cc)
- Regular Motorcycle (126cc - 400cc)
MT bikes require clutch operation in addition to accelerator and brake. The clutch refers to the part that connects or disconnects power from the engine to the transmission that changes the speed of the bike. The appeal of this is that you can make detailed speed adjustments, but since you also have to operate the part that connects the power, a mistake can cause the engine to stop.
On the other hand, automatic transmission bikes are bikes in which this clutch operation part is automated. If you obtain a manual transmission license, you can also ride an AT motorcycle, but if you find it difficult to operate a manual transmission or plan to only use AT motorcycles, you may choose an AT-only license.
In addition, one of the characteristics of regular motorcycles is that they can be driven on expressways if their displacement exceeds 125cc (126cc or more). If you want to ride on the highway, choose a bike with a displacement that exceeds the regulations.
2-seater limit
In order to drive safely, different conditions apply for ordinary roads and expressways. If you violate either of these, you will be charged with a violation of how to ride large motorcycles, etc., or a violation of the traffic ban, and you will be required to receive points, fines, and fines.
The restrictions are as follows.
| road to drive | bike to ride | driver |
| General road |
|
1 year or more of driving experience since obtaining license |
| highway |
|
|
To ensure the safety of your fellow passengers, it is important to make arrangements such as helmets, clothing, and signals while driving. Also, check to see if your insurance policy covers unforeseen accidents.
Also, please be aware that some expressways, such as the Metropolitan Expressway, prohibit riding two people on a motorcycle.
Conditions for obtaining Regular Motorcycle license
Based on the Road Traffic Act, applicants must be 16 years of age or older to take the exam. No license history required.
In addition, a test will be conducted to determine whether the driver's eyesight, hearing, color discrimination ability, and motor skills meet the standards for obtaining a driver's license. The conditions for the aptitude test required to obtain Regular Motorcycle license are as follows.
| item | conditions |
| eyesight |
|
| Color discrimination ability | Can distinguish red, blue, and yellow |
| hearing |
|
| Exercise capacity |
|
For those who may not be able to meet the standards in the aptitude test, advance consultation at the driver's license examination center is available.
Also, each driving school may check in advance to see if you can handle the bike properly and if you are tall enough, so if you have any concerns before going to the driving school, it is a good idea to consult with us.
There are 3 ways to obtain a Regular Motorcycle license.
We will explain the three ways to obtain a Regular Motorcycle license, including the cost and acquisition period for each.
1. attend a driving school
The method is to make a reservation at a driving school during a time that you can attend, receive the necessary curriculum, and aim to obtain your license.
Process to obtain license
- Enter a driving school
- Receive Driving Lessons and academic training
- take Final Driving Test
- After passing, take a written test etc. at a driver's license examination center.
- Carry out procedures for license issuance
If you graduate from a designated driving school, you will be exempt from taking a skill test at a driver's license exam center. Furthermore, if you have a regular driver's license, you will be exempted from taking the written test, and if you pass the aptitude test, you will be issued your license.
Acquisition cost
It depends on the designated driving school you attend, but if you don't have a driver's license or have a moped license, the cost for a manual transmission is around 120,000 yen to 150,000 yen. If you choose AT only, it will be about 20,000 yen cheaper. Depending on the student or discount campaign, prices may be even cheaper, so if you have options, it's a good idea to compare each driving school.
Also, depending on the license you hold, you will be exempted from some of the academic training. Because the number of lessons you receive will be reduced, the acquisition cost will be around 100,000 yen, which will be cheaper than without a license.
However, if the driving school is at a busy time of year, or if you have to retake the lessons multiple times and incur an extension fee, the acquisition cost will increase.
In addition, a test fee is required to obtain a license at a driver's license center.
| item | commission |
| Examination fee | 1,750円 |
| License issue | 2,050円 |
| total | 3,800円 |
*Reference: Metropolitan Police Department “Motorcycle license examination (for those who have graduated from a designated driving school)”
Acquisition period
When commuting to a driving school, the schedule varies depending on the person, but the approximate time is around one month. If you have work or school during the day, it may take longer. This is because you must take a legally determined number of hours of training before you can obtain your license.
For those who have never obtained a license, 26 hours of academic training and 19 hours of Driving Lessons are required. Each period is 50 minutes long, and when you go to a driving school to acquire the qualification, you will receive lessons according to your schedule.
It consists of two parts, the first stage and the second stage, and Driving Lessons to learn practical driving etiquette is limited to two hours a day in the first stage and three hours a day in the second stage. There are no restrictions on academic training, so please consult with the driving school before proceeding.
In addition, if you have obtained a regular license, the academic training will only take 1 period and Driving Lessons will take 17 periods, so you can aim to obtain the license in a shorter period of time compared to those who have no experience in obtaining a license.
Please note that the training course has an expiration date, so the grace period from the start of the course to graduation is a maximum of 9 months. Once this period has passed, you will no longer have received any lessons and will have to attend again.
Recently, some driving schools have introduced online courses. You can take classes 24 hours a day, anytime, anywhere, reducing transportation costs and time spent commuting. Check to see if the driving school you want to use has it installed.
2. Participate in Driving Camp
This is a method of staying at a hotel or accommodation designated by the driving school and aiming to obtain Regular Motorcycle license in a short period of about 8 nights and 9 days, even if you do not have a driver's license.
Process to obtain license
Basically, it is no different from attending school and aiming to obtain a driver's license.
- Enter a driving school
- Receive Driving Lessons and academic training
- take Final Driving Test
- After passing, take a written test etc. at a driver's license examination center.
- Carry out procedures for license issuance
For Driving Camp, you will stay at a facility designated by the driving school and the training camp will take place according to a schedule, so the flow of the day is set to a certain extent. Generally, lessons are taught at fixed times in the morning and afternoon, with lunch in between.
Also, some driving schools have introduced online courses for training camps. By having more freedom in your time, you can enjoy sightseeing in your free time. Please consider using it.
As will be explained later, since the period for obtaining Regular Motorcycle license is short, there are cases where you may not have any days off.
Acquisition cost
The cost to obtain a Regular Motorcycle license with Driving Camp is around 120,000 yen to 200,000 yen. Just like when you obtain a license through commuting, depending on the license you obtain, such as a regular license, some of the academic training will be exempted, so there will be a difference in the acquisition cost.
Additionally, acquisition costs will vary depending on when you aim to acquire the certificate, so if you want to acquire it as reasonably as possible, be sure to check the timing, how to choose a plan, and whether there are any campaigns.
Then, just like when you aim to obtain a license by commuting to school, you will be required to pay the following test fee at the Driver's License Center after Final Driving Test.
| item | commission |
| Examination fee | 1,750円 |
| License issue | 2,050円 |
| total | 3,800円 |
*Reference: Metropolitan Police Department “Motorcycle license examination (for those who have graduated from a designated driving school)”
Acquisition period
If you want to obtain a regular Regular Motorcycle license using Driving Camp license, you can aim to obtain it in about 8 nights and 9 days, even if you do not have a license. This is because even though there is a set number of Driving Lessons that can be taken per day, you can take up to the limit every day.
However, depending on the progress of the training, the accommodation period may be extended.
3. Take the one-shot test at the driver's license center
The one-shot test is a method of taking the test directly at the driver's license center (driver's license test center) where the driver's license skill test is conducted, without going to a designated driving school.
Process to obtain license
Since you do not have to go to a designated driving school, the process to obtain one is different.
- Apply to take the test at the Driver's License Center (driver's license examination center)
- Take an aptitude test and a written exam (regular license holders are exempt)
- take a skill test
- After passing the exam, take the certification course and first aid course.
- License issue
If you attend a designated driving school, you will be exempt from the skill test, certification course, and first aid course as they are included in the curriculum. In the case of a one-shot test, you will not be exempted, so you must take and pass the test and attend the course.
Also, some driver's license centers do not allow you to take the skill test and aptitude test on the same day, so even if you say it is a one-shot test, it does not mean that it will be completed in one day, but will take at least several days.
Acquisition cost
There is no need to pay for attending a designated driving school, and you only need to pay for the exam. The breakdown of fees is as follows:
| item | commission |
| Examination fee | 2,600円 |
| Test vehicle usage fee | 1,450円 |
| Course fee at time of acquisition | 16,200円 |
| License issue | 2,050円 |
| total | 22,200円 |
*Reference: Metropolitan Police Department “Motorcycle license examination (for those taking the test directly at the test center)”
Please note that fees may vary depending on the prefecture. If you want to know the exact fee, please contact the driver's license center in your area.
Also, if you fail the skill test, you will be required to pay the test fee and test vehicle usage fee each time. If you are unsure about your driving skills, consider attending a designated driving school.
Acquisition period
In conclusion, the acquisition period will vary depending on whether you can pass the skill exam and the date of the training course you will take after passing.
Of course, if you fail the skill test, you will have to apply again. Furthermore, you can apply for both on the same day, and you will not be able to receive it immediately. We are fully booked, and even if you pass the skill test, it may take some time until you can take the course.
In addition, examination registration and skill tests are only held on weekdays. For example, if you take an aptitude test and a written exam on a weekday, and you are able to make a reservation to take a skill test on the same day the following week, that alone will leave you with one week.
For these reasons, one-shot testing can be done in a short period of time if you can make a reservation on a weekday, but otherwise it is a time-consuming method. The hurdles are high for beginners, and if anything, it is an exam for experienced people who are re-acquiring their license.
Cases where the written exam for Regular Motorcycle license is exempted
If you have the following licenses, you will be exempted from some of the academic training and the academic exam at the time of obtaining the license.
- Large license (class 1/class 2)
- Medium-sized license (class 1/class 2)
- Semi-medium license (class 1/class 2)
- Ordinary license (class 1/class 2)
- Large special license (class 1/class 2)
- Towing license (class 2)
Additionally, since you are exempt from academic training, the cost of attending a designated driving school will be about 10,000 yen compared to the case without a license, and the number of days may change by about 1 day.
Key points to successfully obtain Regular Motorcycle license
If you are going to pay the expense to get your license, you should aim to pass on the first try. Here we will explain three points to help you smoothly obtain Regular Motorcycle license.
Choose a driving school that is easy to use
Choosing a driving school and plan that suits you is the first step toward passing the exam. When comparing driving schools, check the following points:
- Whether it is a designated driving school: Exemption from skill test as you will receive a graduation certificate
- Schedule until Final Driving Test: Should you study in a short period of time or take it slowly?
- Ease of commuting: If commuting is difficult, choose Driving Camp
- Ease of making a reservation: Can you make a reservation on a date that is convenient for you?
- Acquisition cost: Think from the budget spent on acquiring a license.
- Whether there are additional fees: Additional fees will be charged for reexaminations, extended lessons, and night lessons.
There are two types of driving schools: designated driving schools, where you can obtain a provisional license, and driving schools where you can only practice. For those who want to practice for a one-shot exam, the latter has the advantage of being cheaper. However, for those who are obtaining a license for the first time, it may be difficult to choose because they cannot obtain a provisional license, are not exempt from the skill test, and must study on their own for the written test.
In order to create an environment that is as easy to learn as possible, it is important to choose a driving school that is easy for you to use.
Repeat what you learned in class
There are various hooks in the questions in both the driving school and driver's license center written exams. The shortcut to passing the academic exam is to study what you learned in the academic lessons over and over again so that you can read the questions calmly and be able to see through the confusing content.
For example, let's say the problem statement says, ``You must never brake suddenly at any time,'' and you have to judge whether it is true or false. The correct answer is yes, as long as the danger is avoided, and it is wrong.
Driving schools create reference questions that match the content of these written exams, so you can increase your accuracy rate by studying repeatedly.
Also, if you are not good at memorizing or are too busy to study, we recommend using Genki Talk. You can completely cover 22 hours of academic training in 2 hours, allowing you to efficiently prepare for academic exams. You can take online video lessons on your smartphone anytime, anywhere, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so you can use it while commuting to school or attending a training camp.
If you are unsure about your skills, take additional training.
Even if you have received Driving Lessons, if you are unsure whether you will be able to master the skill, you may want to take additional training or choose a plan that does not incur additional fees even if additional training is required.
If you fail Final Driving Test or the written test at the driver's license center many times, it will cost you additional time and fees to take it. Giving yourself enough practice time to pass the exam and choosing a plan with no additional fees will ultimately save you time and money.
Basic knowledge you need to know regarding Regular Motorcycle licenses
Do you know that after successfully obtaining your license, there are maintenance costs and procedures that need to be completed on a daily basis? Here we will explain two basic knowledge related to Regular Motorcycle licenses.
motorcycle maintenance costs
In order to have fun riding a motorcycle, it is important not only to have the driving skills and knowledge to drive safely, but also to have proper maintenance and insurance that can be used in the event of an accident or property damage. If you drive a lot of miles and use it frequently, you will also need to pay for gas and maintenance.
For example, if you purchase a small motorcycle (125cc or more and 250cc or less), the annual maintenance costs are as follows.
| name | cost | point |
| Automobile tax (light vehicle tax) | 3,600 yen (1 year) | This applies to those who own a motorcycle as of April 1st of the year. |
| car weight tax | Only when purchasing a new car: 4,900 yen | Varies depending on weight and number of years since new vehicle registration |
| Compulsory automobile liability warranty (12 months) | 8,650円 | The longer the subscription period, the cheaper it is. |
| Voluntary insurance | Different car insurance companies | To respond to personal injury or damage to property, etc. |
| Vehicle inspection cost | No vehicle inspection system | Motorcycles over 251cc require vehicle inspection once every two years. |
| Gasoline cost | Varies depending on bike characteristics and riding style | It is also influenced by the price per liter of gasoline. |
| Bicycle parking fee | Varies by region | Free if you can park your bicycle at home |
| Maintenance fee | Depends on the type of car you purchase and the repair shop you choose. | Consumable parts and oil replacement will be required. |
Gasoline and parking fees will vary depending on your living environment and the distance you use your bike. If you want to keep maintenance costs as low as possible, choosing a motorcycle based on fuel efficiency is a good idea.
Regular Motorcycle license renewal frequency
Driver's Driver's License have a fixed expiry date, and you must apply with the necessary documents before the expiry date. If you drive a car or motorcycle with an expired Driver's License, you will be driving without a license, even if you did not do so intentionally.
The frequency of license renewal differs when newly acquired and after renewal.
| classification | Renewal period required | Approximate update frequency |
| Validity period of new Driver's License | One month before and after your third birthday after the day you took the aptitude test for the driver's license test | Approximately 3 years after obtaining license |
| After updating at least once (under 70 years old) | 1 month before or after the 5th birthday after the expiry date of Driver's License before renewal | Every 5 years since the previous update |
| After updating at least once (age 70) | One month before and after the fourth birthday after the expiry date of Driver's License before renewal | 4 years since update |
| After at least one update (71 or above) | One month before or after the third birthday after the expiry date of Driver's License before renewal | Every 3 years from renewal |
When the renewal date approaches, a postcard will be sent to the address listed on your driver's Driver's License informing you of the renewal procedure. If you need to change your address, complete the procedure at your local police station or driver's license renewal center to ensure that your postcards are sent properly.
However, even if you are careful, you may forget to renew your license. At this time, if you have forgotten to renew your license within 6 months, you can renew your license without taking a written exam or skill exam.
If you forget to renew your license after 6 months, you will need to take the test again and get your license again. If more than a year has passed, you will need to retake the written and skill exams you took during the provisional license exam, so don't forget to update your license.
However, if the reason for not being able to renew your license is deemed to be due to ``unavoidable circumstances'' such as illness, pregnancy, home medical treatment, or living in a disaster-stricken area, you may be able to renew your license even after six months. Please contact the driver's license center of each prefectural police station to see if you can complete the procedure.
Consider carefully and decide how to obtain Regular Motorcycle license.
There are three ways to obtain a Regular Motorcycle license, and you can choose from attending a driving school, training Driving Camp, or taking a one-shot test. While commuting to school can be done at the same time as school studies and work, it is a time-consuming method. Driving Camp is suitable for people who can devote around 8 nights and 9 days to studying for the license.
The one-shot test is a difficult method for beginners due to the high hurdles such as the skill test, but for those with experience it has the advantage of being able to aim for certification in a short period of time without having to attend a driving school.
After obtaining the license, you will be able to drive a motorcycle with a displacement of 51cc or more and 400cc or less. If the conditions are met, you will be able to drive on highways and carry two people.
Learn how to drive safely in a way that suits you, get Regular Motorcycle license, and enjoy the time you spend with your motorcycle to the fullest.
