There may be some people who are aiming to obtain a semi-medium vehicle license, but are worried about how much it will cost to obtain it and what they can do to get it done cheaply, and are unable to take any steps toward obtaining it.

The semi-medium-duty license, which was newly established in 2017 with the revision of the Road Traffic Act, is one of the licenses that can increase the range of work as it allows you to drive 2-ton trucks and other vehicles. The acquisition cost and period vary greatly, from a few thousand yen to more than 400,000 yen, depending on the license obtained and the acquisition method.

In this article, we will introduce the cost of obtaining a semi-medium license, divided into cases such as those without a license and those with a license. We will also explain how to keep the acquisition cost low, so please use this article as a reference as you prepare to obtain a semi-medium license.

What is a semi-medium license?

This is a new driver's license category that was created by the revision of the Road Traffic Act on March 11, 2017. Simply put, it allows you to drive some of the vehicles that were previously permitted with a medium-sized license, and by obtaining it, you can drive more types of vehicles than with a regular license.

The point for a semi-medium license is if you obtained a regular license before March 11, 2017. Before the law was revised, if you obtained a regular driver's license, you could drive a car with a gross vehicle weight of less than 5 tons, a maximum payload of less than 3 tons, and a passenger capacity of 10 people or less. However, after the law has been revised, a regular license requires a total vehicle load of less than 3.5 tons and a maximum load of less than 2 tons.

Therefore, a rule was established that if you had obtained a regular driver's license before the revision, ``it will be a semi-medium 5-ton license that allows you to drive a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of less than 5 tons and a maximum load of less than 3 tons.'' .

In other words, those who obtained a regular driver's license before March 11, 2017 will need to complete the procedure to remove the restriction to be able to drive semi-medium-sized vehicles weighing 5 tons or more and less than 7.5 tons. As I will explain in detail later, there are two ways to release the restriction: by attending a driving school or by taking the test directly at a driver's license examination center (driver's license center).

Background of the semi-medium license

There are several reasons behind the creation of the semi-medium license.

To reduce traffic accidents involving freight vehicles

Before the law was revised, if you obtained a regular driver's license, you could drive a car with a gross vehicle weight of less than 5 tons, a maximum payload of less than 3 tons, and a passenger capacity of 10 people or less. However, even if you go to a driving school, you will only receive lessons in regular cars, so if you suddenly find yourself driving a truck with which you have no experience, it could lead to an accident.

By establishing a new semi-medium vehicle license and narrowing the range of vehicles that can be driven with a regular license, it is expected that the number of drivers with appropriate knowledge will increase, and that this will have the effect of reducing traffic accidents.

To resolve the serious shortage of human resources in the logistics industry

In the logistics industry, there are many cases where drivers are required to drive trucks with a maximum load capacity of 3 tons or more. However, to obtain a medium-duty license, you must be over 20 years old and have at least two years of driving experience. Because it takes time to obtain a driver's license, there is a strong tendency in the logistics industry to hire experienced drivers who already have a license, and the aging of drivers is becoming a problem.

For a semi-medium vehicle license, the age limit at the time of acquisition is 18 years, and the vehicle can drive a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tons or more and less than 7.5 tons, and a maximum payload of 2 tons or more and less than 4.5 tons. Because you also learn driving skills at driving school, it is thought that you will be able to work in the logistics industry more smoothly than before.

Types of vehicles that can be driven with a semi-medium license

Vehicles that can be driven are semi-medium-sized vehicles that meet the following conditions.

*Reference: Metropolitan Police Department “About the new establishment of semi-medium vehicle and semi-medium vehicle licenses”

Specific examples include 2-ton trucks used to transport cargo around town, backer trucks used as garbage collection trucks, and trucks with box-shaped carriers used by moving companies.

In addition, you will be able to drive regular cars, small special vehicles, and motorized bicycles (mopeds).

Conditions for obtaining a semi-medium license

The condition is that you must be at least 18 years old. Please check with the driving school regarding the age at which you can enter the driving school, as 17-year-olds may also be eligible if they are 18 years old at the time of Driving Test (provisional license exam).

In addition, you must pass an aptitude test to determine whether you can drive a car safely.

• 0.8 or more in both eyes, 0.5 or more in each eye (glasses or contact lenses are acceptable)
• Depth vision has an average error of less than 2.0 cm at a distance of 2.5 meters (glasses or contact lenses are acceptable)
• Can distinguish between three foods: red, blue, and yellow.
• 90 decibel alarm sound can be heard at a distance of 10 meters (hearing aids possible)
• No physical disability that interferes with driving

Depth vision is a test item that measures a person's ability to perceive depth and distance when viewing objects. This item is not measured when obtaining a regular driver's license, and is checked even for those who have already obtained a regular driver's license.

If you have a disability or chronic illness that may interfere with your ability to drive, please consult in advance at the safe driving consultation desk at the driver's license examination center in your area. This is because there are cases where it can be compensated for by adding certain conditions, and there are cases where it is possible to obtain a license by using auxiliary equipment.

Average cost when obtaining a semi-medium license

The acquisition cost will vary depending on the license you have obtained. This is because the number of Driving Lessons and academic courses you need to take at a driving school will change depending on your license. Here, we will explain the difference in costs depending on whether you have a regular license or not.

[If you have a regular license] About 70,000 to 120,000 yen

There are two methods, and the cost will vary depending on which method you choose.

• How to cancel restrictions at a driving license examination center (driver's license center) after taking a test at a driving school
• Apply for the test at the driver's license testing center, and if you pass, pay the fee to have your license removed.

When attending a driving school

If you obtained a regular license before the law was revised, it will be treated as a 5-ton limited semi-medium license after the revision. In other words, what is required is a series of procedures to attend a course at a driving school with the aim of lifting the 5-ton restriction.

At this time, the training fee will be around 70,000 yen for a regular license (MT), and 100,000 to 120,000 yen for an AT-only license.

Additionally, for those who obtained a regular driver's license after March 12, 2017, when the law was revised, it will cost around 150,000 yen for a manual transmission, and between 150,000 and 200,000 yen for an AT-only vehicle. Compared to people who had obtained a regular license before the law was revised, they have to undergo more Driving Lessons, and the cost is correspondingly higher.

For one-shot test

The one-shot test is a method of taking the skill test and aptitude test directly at a driver's license examination center and aiming to have the restriction lifted. The total cost is 2,850 yen including the exam fee and test car usage fee. Compared to going to a driving school, it is the cheapest way to obtain a semi-medium license if you can pass the test in one go.

However, if you fail the test, you will have to pay the test fee of 1,400 yen and the test vehicle usage fee of 1,450 yen each time and take the test again. To cancel the restriction

If this is your goal, we recommend a more reliable method using a driving school.

[If you do not have a regular license] About 350,000 to 450,000 yen

If you go to a driving school and aim to obtain a semi-medium driver's license, it will cost around 400,000 yen. This is because in addition to having to undergo academic training, they also have to spend more time in Driving Lessons.

If you choose to stay at the accommodation designated by the driving school and choose Driving Camp, which you aim to obtain in a short period of time, it will cost around 350,000 to 450,000 yen. In addition to lodging and meal costs, the cost tends to increase if students take long vacations, such as from late July to September, or from February to March.

It is also possible to aim for certification in one sitting. In addition to the examination fee, test vehicle usage fee, license issuance fee, and training course fee at the time of acquisition, it costs 26,450 yen. However, this is not a very practical method as you must acquire driving knowledge and skills on your own and take the test.

[By case] How to obtain a semi-medium license

Here, we will explain the process of obtaining a semi-medium license from two ways: those who have obtained a regular license and those who have not.

If you have a regular license

If you obtained a regular license after 2007 and before the 2017 law revision, the restriction will be lifted to make it a semi-medium license.

Commuting to a driving school/participating in a training camp

The flow is as follows.

1. Receive Driving Lessons at a designated driving school
2. Pass the skills examination
3. Pay the fee at the driver's license test center to remove the restriction.

The number of hours you can take at a driving school varies depending on the license you hold.

The number of days that can be obtained is also indicated, but the above is when reservations are made smoothly. Some driving schools have a small number of cars used to obtain a semi-medium license, so it may actually take longer.

take a one-shot test

The method is to make a reservation for the skill test, then head to the driver's license test center and take the test directly. You will be exempt from taking the written exam, but you will need to take the skills exam.

1. Create a restriction release examination application and reserve a skill test
2. Take an aptitude test at a driver's license exam center
3. Take an in-house skills test and get a score of 70 or more out of 100.
4. Limited release

You will know whether you pass or fail on the same day, so if you pass, you can have your license lifted to a semi-medium-sized license in one day.

If you do not have a regular license

If you obtained a regular driver's license after March 12, 2017, when the law was revised, or if you do not have a driver's license yet, you will need to aim to obtain a semi-medium driver's license from scratch.

attend a driving school

You will receive the necessary training to obtain a semi-medium license for each license you have obtained.

Commuting to school is convenient if you want to pursue your studies at the same time as work or school. Make a reservation on a date when you can take lessons and aim to obtain it. The process to obtain it is as follows.

1. Take admission procedures and aptitude test
2. Receive academic training and first stage Driving Lessons
3. pass Driving Test
4. Passed the provisional license examination and obtained a provisional license.
5. Attend the second stage of Driving Lessons and academic training
6. take and pass Final Driving Test
7. Take the written test at the driver's license center
8. driver's license issuance

If you have already obtained a regular driver's license, you will be exempted from taking the written exam.

Participate in Driving Camp

This is a method of staying at a driving school and aiming to obtain a license. Even if you do not have a license or only have a moped license, you can aim to obtain a semi-medium license in as little as 18 days. While you are not allowed to make other plans during Driving Camp, the advantage is that you can concentrate on the training, and you can shorten the training period by taking Driving Lessons at a time that does not overlap with other participants.

The flow and number of lesson periods are the same as when attending school. If you want to get your license as soon as possible, consider participating in Driving Camp.

take a one-shot test

This is a method of taking a test at a driver's license examination center and aiming to obtain a license on your own.

Those who have obtained a regular driver's license after the revision of the law on March 12, 2017 are exempt from the written test and can take the practical and aptitude tests. If they pass, they will be given a license after taking the license acquisition course. If you do not have a regular driver's license, you will need to take both the practical and written tests.

It is a test of driving skills, and the difficulty level is set high because the test is usually exempted by taking 41 hours of Driving Lessons. If you have the time to practice properly on private property, on the road, or at an unofficial driving school, and are able to study for the written exam, you may be able to pass the exam.

How to reduce the cost of obtaining a semi-medium license

Use the education and training benefit system

This is a system that provides up to 20% of the driving school entrance fee and tuition fee. The upper limit of benefits is set at 100,000 yen. For example, if you have Driving Camp that costs 300,000 yen, you will receive up to 60,000 yen if the system is applied, so you can obtain a semi-medium license at a lower cost.

This is a benefit system that utilizes employment insurance, and those using the system for the first time must have been enrolled in employment insurance for at least one year in total. In addition, even if you leave your job, you are still eligible as long as the course starts within one year. Please note that individual business owners and public servants are not eligible, as they must be insured by employment insurance.

Additionally, corporations that wish to promote the acquisition of semi-medium licenses have the option of using human resources development support grants (formerly known as career development promotion grants). This is a system that subsidizes the cost of attending a driving school and part of the wages during the training period.

Take advantage of campaigns and multiple discounts

Depending on the driving school, a campaign may be held at the time of enrollment, or the acquisition fee may be discounted if you obtain another license at the same time as obtaining a semi-medium license. For example, if you apply for a semi-medium-sized license and Regular Motorcycle license at the same time, you can receive a discount from the regular rate.

Some driving schools offer discounts to graduates who have obtained a regular driver's license when aiming to obtain a semi-medium driver's license. If you already have a regular driver's license, it is a good idea to use the same driving school.

Enter school during off-season

Driving schools have a busy season that coincides with students' long vacations. That is, from February to March or from July to August.

During the busy season, many students enroll even without recruiting, but during the off-season, there are not many enrollees. Therefore, many driving schools try to attract more students by offering discounts during the off-season. Campaigns and discounts vary depending on the driving school, but one advantage is that it is easier to book lessons because there are fewer people.

You can save on the cost of obtaining a semi-medium license.

The cost of obtaining a semi-medium license will vary depending on whether you acquired a regular license before or after March 12, 2017, when the law was revised, and whether you have a regular license.

For those who obtained a regular driver's license before the law was revised, the average cost is between 70,000 yen and 120,000 yen. If you take the test in one go, it will cost as low as 2,850 yen including the handling fee, but if you do not pass the skill test, you will have to pay for each retake, which could end up costing you more money.

For those who obtained a regular driver's license after the law was revised, the estimated cost is 150,000 to 200,000 yen. If you start without a license, it will cost around 400,000 yen if you go to school, and 350,000 to 400,000 yen for a Driving Camp. The cost varies depending on the driving school, so check with your local driving school for details.

In addition, ways to reduce acquisition costs include taking advantage of education and training grants, campaigns, and discounts, as well as enrolling during off-season periods. Please refer to the information introduced in this article and aim to obtain a semi-medium vehicle license.