If you participate in a driver's license training camp, you can obtain a driver's license in a short period of time. However, even though it is a short period of time, how many days does it actually take?
In this article, we will explain the minimum period of license training camp, an example schedule for obtaining a license in the shortest possible time, and points to help you graduate in the shortest possible time.
We will also explain what to do if you are unable to graduate in the shortest possible time and the main reasons for not being able to graduate, so you can deepen your understanding of license training camps and obtain your license in the shortest possible time.
Minimum period of license training camp
The minimum length of license training camp varies depending on the license you obtain. Let's take a look at the minimum periods for AT, MT, and motorcycles.
For AT limited license
For AT-only licenses, the minimum training camp period is 14 days. Some driving schools have holidays, so the period may be extended to 15 to 16 days.
Also, some places have special holidays during the New Year and the end of the year, even if they are not normally closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Please check in advance if the period includes the year-end and New Year holidays.
Please note that if the days of the week for Driving Test, Karimenkyo Written Test exam, or Final Driving Test are limited, you may have to wait until the day you can take the exam. Please note that in this case, you may not be able to graduate in the shortest period of time.
For MT license
To obtain a manual transmission license, the first stage of Driving Lessons is set at three hours more than for an automatic transmission-only license.
However, Driving Lessons that can be taken in the first stage is limited to two hours a day, so the MT license will take 1.5 days longer than the AT license.
Therefore, the minimum period for a MT license is 16 days.
For motorcycles
For motorcycles, the number of days required varies depending on the type of license you already have and the type of motorcycle license you are trying to obtain. For example, if a person who has obtained an MT Regular Motorcycle license attends an AT-only Heavy Motorcycle license training camp, he or she can graduate in as little as 5 days.
However, it takes 16 days for a person without a license to obtain a large motorcycle license.
Example schedule for a license training camp to get your license in the shortest possible time
We will introduce an example schedule for a license training camp that will help you obtain an AT limited license in the shortest possible time.
Day 1: Orientation
On the first day of the license training camp, there will be an orientation session where you will hear explanations about the training process and various procedures, and an aptitude test. An aptitude test is a test to check whether your eyesight, hearing, etc. are sufficient for driving a car.
After that, in the "preliminary course" you will learn the knowledge necessary for driving, such as observing traffic laws. At many license training camps, academic and Driving Lessons begins on the first day.
2nd to 6th day: Skills 1st stage/Academic 1st stage
From the 2nd to the 6th day, there will be lessons from around 8:00 a.m. to around 7:30 p.m., depending on the day. Even if you plan to get your driver's license in the shortest time possible, the first stage from day 2 to day 6 will have a relatively large amount of free time.
In the first stage of academic training, students are required to receive 10 periods of 50-minute group instruction, during which they study laws and manners.
During Driving Lessons, you will acquire basic driving skills through courses within the driving school. A 12-hour Driving Lessons is required for Regular Automatic limited license, and a 15-hour skill training session is required for Regular Manual license.
The Road Traffic Act stipulates that Driving Lessons is limited to two hours a day, and if you pass the first stage skill test, you will proceed to Karimenkyo Written Test exam, and if you pass, you will be able to obtain a provisional license.
There are some places where there are holidays after this, but if you want to get your license as soon as possible, the lessons will continue without any holidays.
7th to 14th day: Skills 2nd stage/Academic 2nd stage
Days 7 to 14 are the second stage. The academic training is for 16 hours, and students learn about traffic rules, applied knowledge for driving, and first aid methods.
In the second stage of Driving Lessons, you will learn driving techniques both at the driving school and on the road. You can take up to 3 periods per day, and it is not possible to take classes for 3 consecutive periods. Regardless of whether you choose Regular Automatic limited license or Regular Manual license, 19 hours of training is required.
Upon completion of the second stage, students will take Final Driving Test, and if they pass, they will receive a graduation certificate and graduate from the license training camp.
Written exam and Driver's License issuance
After graduating from the driver's license training camp, you will take a written test at the "driving license examination center" that has jurisdiction over the address where you registered your residence card. A driving school graduation certificate will exempt you from the skill test, but the graduation certificate is valid for one year. Therefore, you must pass the written exam within one year.
The required documents and things to bring for the driving license test are as follows.
- Residence card with registered domicile
- Identity verification documents
- Photo (height 3cm x width 2.4cm)
- Graduation certificate
- Fee: 3,800 yen
- writing utensils
You will know whether you passed or failed on the day you took the written exam. If you pass the written test, you will attend a 2-hour course at the "Successful Person Training Corner," after which you will be issued a driver's Driver's License.
Why can't you get your license in the shortest possible time during the license training camp?
Even if you participate in the training camp, you may not be able to obtain your license in the shortest possible time. I will explain the main reason.
I couldn't graduate
You cannot obtain a license just by attending a license training camp. After taking the required number of hours of academic and Driving Lessons, you must pass Final Driving Test.
However, approximately 10% of the participants at the license training camp fail the skill test or do not pass the written exam, so they are unable to graduate in the shortest number of days and are required to stay overnight. If you include extended stays, the pass rate is over 98%.
Missed class due to illness or other circumstances
Recently, as a measure to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, there has been a regulation requiring people infected with the new coronavirus to return home.
Therefore, if you have no choice but to go home and miss the required number of hours, you will have to take the required number of hours of lessons at a later date, so you will not be able to graduate in the shortest possible time.
There are also cases where students are forced to return home due to family circumstances, and are forced to miss classes, making it impossible for them to graduate in the shortest possible time.
I gave up on the way
License training camp is a short-term, intensive schedule with daily lessons. As a result, some people find it harder than they expected and give up along the way.
For example, there are cases where students are unable to pass written exams or skill exams, and become frustrated due to the limited time available.
In addition, some people quit midway because they find the accommodation environment stressful or find it difficult to live in a group.
I failed the probationary license three times.
There is a rule that if you fail the provisional license exam three times, you will be forced to go home. This is the same no matter which license training camp you apply for.
If you do not pass the test by the third time, you must pack your belongings, check out, and take the provisional license exam at the driving license examination center located in the jurisdiction of the address listed on your residence card. After that, once you get your provisional license, you will join the training camp.
What happens if I can't graduate from the license training camp in the shortest possible time?
Even if you attend a training camp with the aim of obtaining your license as soon as possible, you may not be able to graduate in the shortest possible time. I will explain in detail what will happen in that case.
graduate after staying overnight
Ideally, you would be able to obtain your license in the shortest possible time, but some people may not be able to graduate smoothly. It is said that the percentage of people who extend their stay is 10% to 20%, and if they extend their stay, the success rate is said to be over 98%.
In cases where you do not pass the test and have to wait for the next test, you may need to extend your stay by 2 to 3 days, but most people who extend their stay stay within 3 days. I will graduate with an extended stay.
Drop out of school and enter another driving school
If you have completed the first stage and obtained a provisional license, you can transfer to another driving school and start at the second stage. Therefore, if you are unable to stay overnight due to work or school commitments, you will have to return home and enroll at another driving school.
The validity period of a provisional license is 6 months. Even if you enroll at another driving school, you must continue your training before your license expires. Although transfers are not allowed during the first stage, from the second stage onwards, you can attend a driving school instead of attending a training camp, and you can also join another license training camp.
What will be the cost if I extend the license training camp?
We will explain what the costs will be if you are unable to graduate to the license training camp in the shortest possible time and have to stay longer.
Extra night charges will apply
Depending on the grade of the accommodation at the license training camp, if you extend your stay, you will be charged an additional fee of 3,000 yen to 10,000 yen per night.
In addition, a training fee of approximately 5,000 yen per hour will be added, and if you have to extend your training period, such as Driving Test or Final Driving Test, you may be required to take additional supplementary lessons depending on the reason.
If you are covered by the extended night guarantee, there will be no additional charges.
If you are unable to graduate within the minimum period of time and have to extend your stay, you will normally be charged an extension fee and additional training fees, but some training camp plans come with an "extension guarantee" that will not incur charges even if you extend your stay. There is also.
If you have an extended stay guarantee, the cost will not change even if the training camp is extended. Therefore, if you are worried that your stay may be extended, you can rest assured by choosing a plan that comes with an extended stay guarantee.
However, the length of time you can extend your stay varies depending on the warranty and plan, so be sure to check in advance.
Key points to graduate from license training camp in the shortest possible time
Here are some points to keep in mind in order to graduate from the license training camp in the shortest possible time without having to stay overnight.
Choose a license training camp at a driving school near your home
There may be cases during the training camp where you are forced to return home due to illness, work or family circumstances, etc. However, if you are far away, the round trip may take longer and you may need to stay longer.
However, if the driving school is close to your home, you may be able to travel back and forth during your free time during the training camp. If you can go home and finish your errands during your free time and it does not affect your training schedule, you can aim to obtain your license in the shortest possible time.
Focus on getting your license
You can aim to obtain your driver's license in the shortest possible time by participating in a driver's license training camp, but if you do not pass Final Driving Test, your graduation certificate will not be issued and you will not be able to obtain a driver's license.
Some people attend license training camps for graduation trips or sightseeing purposes, but in order to obtain a license in the shortest possible time, you need to concentrate on your studies.
In order to create an environment where you can concentrate on your studies, we recommend that you attend a license training camp alone or choose a single room, even if it costs more than a shared room.
You can obtain an AT-only license in as little as 14 days.
If you attend a license training camp, you can usually obtain a regular AT license in as little as 14 days and a MT license in as little as 16 days.
The advantage of a license training camp is that you can concentrate and learn more efficiently in a shorter period of time than going to a driving school and get it, and the cost is also lower. On the other hand, if you are unable to graduate within the shortest period of time, you may need to stay overnight, which may incur additional fees or postpone your future plans.
In order to graduate as smoothly as possible, choose an environment where you can concentrate on your studies and comfortable accommodations with less stress, and get your license in the shortest possible time.
