Introduction

Until now, the only license available for semi-medium-sized vehicles was a manual transmission (MT) license, which requires clutch and gear operation.
However, due to factors such as the shift to automatic transmissions in trucks and a shortage of professional drivers, a new "semi-medium-sized automatic transmission limited license" was established on April 1, 2026.
This means that even those who are unsure about clutch operation or gear changes in manual transmission vehicles can now obtain a semi-medium-sized vehicle license to drive automatic transmission delivery trucks and other vehicles.
On the other hand, the method of skill verification changes significantly when obtaining a semi-medium-sized manual transmission license by converting an existing foreign license.
This article provides a detailed explanation of the process for converting a semi-medium-sized vehicle license to a foreign license from April 2026 onwards, focusing particularly on the skills assessment procedure and points to note.

Starting in April 2026, a new limited-license for medium-sized vehicles with automatic transmission will be introduced.

From April 1, 2026, an automatic transmission-only license will be introduced for the semi-medium-sized vehicle license.
With a semi-medium-sized automatic transmission (AT) limited license, you can drive the following types of vehicles, but only those with automatic transmissions:

• Gross vehicle weight: 3.5 tons or more, less than 7.5 tons
• Maximum load capacity: 2 tons or more, less than 4.5 tons
• Passenger capacity: 10 people or less

As automatic transmissions (AT) become more common in small and medium-sized trucks used for delivery services and other purposes, the licensing system has become easier to obtain for those who only drive AT vehicles for work.
The National Police Agency has also introduced an automatic transmission-only license for various types of licenses, including the semi-medium-sized vehicle license, in light of the increasing prevalence of automatic transmission vehicles such as trucks and buses.

Differences in skills testing between a semi-medium-sized automatic transmission (AT) license and a semi-medium-sized manual transmission (MT) license.

As of August 2026, the following procedures are being followed at the driver's license centers in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba prefectures for the skills assessment required for converting foreign licenses.

If you wish to obtain a semi-medium-sized automatic transmission (AT) driver's license, the only requirement is a skills test using a semi-medium-sized AT vehicle.

On the other hand, if you wish to obtain a semi-medium-sized manual transmission license, the skills assessment will be conducted using a "2-step method" involving two different types of vehicles.

The skills assessment for the semi-medium-sized manual transmission license is a two-step process.

STEP 1: Skills check using a medium-sized automatic transmission vehicle

First, a skills assessment will be conducted using a medium-sized automatic transmission vehicle.
Medium-sized vehicles are larger than regular cars, resulting in greater turning radius and blind spots. Therefore, safe driving requires not just the ability to move the vehicle, but also an understanding of the vehicle's size.
The points to pay particular attention to are as follows:

• Safety checks before starting or changing lanes
• Check for blind spots when turning left
• Vehicle position when turning left or right
• Vehicle handling in S-shaped and curved turns
• Safe distance from obstacles
• Responding to traffic signals and stop signs
• Check for safety at pedestrian crossings and railway crossings.

The skills assessment uses a point deduction system with a maximum score of 100 points, and a score of 70 points or higher is considered "no impairment to driving."
If you do not meet the standards in STEP 1, the skills test using a standard manual transmission vehicle in STEP 2 will not be conducted.

STEP 2: Skill check using a standard manual transmission vehicle

If you pass STEP 1, the next step is a skills test using a standard manual transmission (MT) vehicle.
Here, in addition to driving in accordance with Japanese traffic rules, the following operations specific to manual transmission vehicles will be confirmed.

• Clutch operation
• Choosing the Right Gear
• Smooth starting and stopping
• Starting on an incline
• Operation to prevent engine stalling
• Gear shifting according to driving conditions

Previously, skills assessments were conducted using only medium-sized manual transmission vehicles, but under the new system, in principle, drivers must be able to handle both medium-sized automatic transmission vehicles and standard manual transmission vehicles.

Please note that if you already hold a driver's license that allows you to drive a standard manual transmission (MT) car in Japan, you may not be required to undergo a skills test using an MT car.

If you pass STEP 1 but fail STEP 2

In the skills test for obtaining a semi-medium-sized manual transmission (MT) license, it's possible to pass STEP 1 but fail STEP 2, which involves driving a regular MT vehicle.
In this case, the approach will vary depending on the applicant's wishes.

If a semi-medium-sized automatic transmission license is sufficient

Since you have passed the skills test using a semi-medium-sized automatic transmission vehicle in STEP 1, your driving skills for a semi-medium-sized automatic transmission limited license are judged to be "no problem for driving."

Therefore, if you have no problem with a semi-medium-sized automatic transmission license, you can obtain this license. In the Tokyo metropolitan area, same-day issuance is sometimes possible, but this may vary depending on the reception hours and the situation at the driver's license center.

If you wish to obtain a semi-medium-sized vehicle manual transmission license

If you wish to obtain a semi-medium-sized manual transmission license, you will need to retake the exam on a different day.
At driver's license centers in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the STEP 1 skills test using a semi-medium-sized automatic transmission vehicle is waived, and drivers only need to take the STEP 2 skills test using a regular manual transmission vehicle.
However, procedures for retaking the exam, validity periods, and reservation methods may vary depending on the prefecture and driver's license center. Please be sure to check with the driver's license center where you will be taking the exam.

The burden of skills testing for a semi-medium-sized manual transmission license will increase.

Under the new system, those seeking a semi-medium-sized manual transmission (MT) license must be able to handle both large semi-medium-sized automatic transmission (AT) vehicles and regular manual transmission (MT) vehicles that require clutch operation.
Because each vehicle has a different size and operating method, it is expected that the burden on test takers will be greater than before.
In particular, those who have driven trucks overseas should pay attention to the following points.

• Japan's unique safety verification method
• Responding to left-hand traffic
• Check for blind spots when turning left
• Check and signal when changing lanes
• Clutch operation required in Japanese exams
• Understanding the exam course and deduction criteria

Even if you have extensive driving experience overseas, the Japanese skills assessment will check whether you can drive in accordance with Japanese traffic rules.

Decide whether you want an automatic transmission (AT) or manual transmission (MT) license before taking the exam.

When applying to convert a semi-medium-sized vehicle license to a foreign license, it is important to confirm beforehand whether a manual transmission (MT) license is truly necessary.
If all the vehicles you drive at your workplace are automatic transmission (AT) vehicles, then a limited AT license for medium-sized vehicles may not be a problem for your work.

On the other hand, even if you currently only plan to drive automatic transmission (AT) vehicles, if there is a possibility that you may drive manual transmission (MT) vehicles in the future, you should consider obtaining a semi-medium-sized MT license.
After confirming with your employer, choose the necessary licenses.

Vehicle-specific practice is required before skills assessment.

If you're aiming for a semi-medium-sized vehicle manual transmission (MT) license, it's important to practice with both semi-medium-sized automatic transmission (AT) vehicles and regular MT vehicles separately.
When driving a medium-sized automatic transmission vehicle, focus on checking your vehicle's dimensions and safety. When driving a regular manual transmission vehicle, focus on clutch and gear operation.
In particular, during skill checks for regular manual transmission vehicles, it's easy to become so focused on the operation that safety checks are neglected, so extra caution is necessary.
The key to passing the exam is not just being able to drive a manual transmission (MT) car, but also being able to perform safety checks in accordance with Japanese traffic rules while operating the MT.

summary

From April 1, 2026, a new license category, limited to automatic transmission (AT) vehicles, will be introduced.
When converting a foreign driver's license to a semi-medium-sized automatic transmission (AT) vehicle, a skills test is conducted using a semi-medium-sized AT vehicle. On the other hand, if you wish to obtain a semi-medium-sized manual transmission (MT) vehicle license, you will generally undergo a skills test in the following two steps.

1. Skills assessment using a medium-sized automatic transmission vehicle.
2. Skills assessment using a standard manual transmission vehicle.

If you pass STEP 1 but fail STEP 2, you can choose to either receive a semi-medium-sized automatic transmission (AT) license or retake the exam to aim for a semi-medium-sized manual transmission (MT) license.
This is a significant departure from the previous skills assessment using a single medium-sized manual transmission vehicle. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the new procedures and practice thoroughly with each vehicle before taking the exam.

At ZIPLUS, we provide comprehensive support for converting foreign driver's licenses, from issuing Japanese translations to preparing for knowledge and skills tests.

[Japanese translation of a foreign driver's license]
[Foreign License Conversion "Peace of Mind Package"]
[Inquiries regarding foreign driver's license conversion]

*This article is based on the system and operational status in the Tokyo metropolitan area as of August 2026. The methods for conducting skills tests, making reservations, and handling of retakes may change. Please check with the driver's license center where you applied for the latest information.