Do you need to get your driver’s license in Japan?
Maybe you don’t know where to start, but I have already been through this myself, so check out this guide on how to get your license from the very beginning in Japan!
- Types of Licensure in Japan
- Class 1 License
- Class 2 License
- Learner’s Permit
- Selecting your Driving School
- Preparing for your first written exam
- Here are 10 tips to pass your first exam
- Here are some great study sites for the Karimen driving test!
- Preparing for your first driving test
- Preparing for your first written exam
- Preparing for your final driving test
- Picking up your license!
Types of Licensure in Japan
There are many licenses in Japan, but they can be divided into three main types. Each type has its own subdivisions.
Class 1 License
Class 1 License
This is probably the license that you will be going for if you are looking to get a license in Japan.
With this license, you can drive a motor vehicle or mopeds.
Subdivisions of a Class 1 License
| Types of class one driver’s licenses | Types of vehicles that can be driven |
|---|---|
| Large motor vehicle | Large motor vehicle, middle motor vehicle, semi-middle motor vehicle, regular motor vehicle, special light equipment and moped |
| Middle motor vehicle | Middle motor vehicle, semi-middle motor vehicle, regular motor vehicle, special light equipment and moped |
| Semi-middle motor vehicle | Semi-middle motor vehicle, regular motor vehicle, special light equipment and moped |
| Regular motor vehicle | Regular motor vehicle,special light equipment and moped |
| Special heavy equipment | Special heavy equipment, special light equipment and moped |
| Large motorcycle | Large motorcycle, regular motorcycle special light equipment and moped |
| Regular motorcycle | Regular motorcycle, special light equipment and moped |
| Special light equipment | Special light equipment |
| Moped | Moped |
Class 2 License
Class 2 License
With this license, you can operate motor vehicles to transport passengers or drive services.
| Types of class one driver’s licenses | Types of vehicles that can be driven |
|---|---|
| Large motor vehicle | Large sized passenger bus, middle sized passenger bus, large sized sightseeing bus, middle sized sightseeing bus, taxi, hire, etc. |
| Middle motor vehicle | Middle sized passenger bus, middle sized sightseeing bus, taxi, hire, etc. |
| Regular motor vehicle | Taxi, hire, etc. |
| Special heavy equipment | Passenger transportation business such as transporting skiers to the mountains |
Learner’s Permit
Learner’s Permit
This license is a permit that will allow you to practice driving on roads in Japan. With this permit, you must be accompanied by a person who has held a class one driver’s license for more than three years, a person who has a class two driver’s license or an instructor at a designated driving school.
Do you have the various classes and types of licenses memorized?
Actually, you should if you haven’t!
To get a license in Japan, you will have to pass two written exams in addition to the two driving tests. They often have questions about license classes on them.
Selecting your Driving School
The easiest and most guaranteed way to get your license from the start in Japan is by enrolling in driving school.
Nowadays, there are driving schools that offer English support, but if you live in a rural area like me, you will probably have to have at least a conversational understanding of Japanese to make it through school.
Some schools can offer English textbooks and practice tests, but not classes, so check around!
English and Japanese are the most commonly supported languages you can find, but you can also find support for other languages such as Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean.
It is also said that driving school driving exams are far easier than ones taken at the license center!
By the way, if you live in the Hiroshima area, I can’t recommend Royal Driving School enough!
What to bring with you on your first visit:
- Alien registration card or Residence card.
- JUMINHYO(住民票)、which includes your nationality, residence card number, and expiration date of the period of stay.
Please do not include your individual number (My Number)- For those who will register for the motorcycle course and already have a Japanese driver’s
license, you do not need the JUMINHYO.
- For those who will register for the motorcycle course and already have a Japanese driver’s
- Necessary fee for registration.
- Japanese driver’s license (if obtained).
- Wear glasses or contact lenses if necessary, for the eyesight check.
- Minimum age
Your age must be at least 17 years and 10 months (2 months before your 18th birthday). - Must have passed the school’s aptitude test (eyesight, hearing, and color recognition).
You can choose between the limited automatic-only license or the manual license.
You cannot drive manual-transmission vehicles if you obtain a limited automatic-only license.
Preparing for your first written exam
The first exam you will take is called 仮免 “Karimen” and it consists of 50 yes or no questions that must be answered within a 30 minute time limit.
During the test, you must not make any sounds, so turn off your phone or other things that may make noise.
You should also bring two sharp pencils, an eraser, and a photograph of yourself (3cm × 2.4cm)
Here are 10 tips to pass your first exam
- Study the official materials: Obtain and read the official driver’s license manual from Japan’s licensing authority. This manual covers traffic laws, road signs, and driving etiquette. Pay attention to any unique regulations or guidelines.
- Take practice exams: Practice with online resources or study guides that offer sample questions similar to the Karimen written exam. This helps you get familiar with the format, types of questions, and time limits.
- Focus on traffic signs: Memorize the meanings and shapes of traffic signs and signals in Japan. Flashcards or mnemonic devices can help.
- Learn road rules: Understand Japan’s specific road rules, including speed limits, right of way, and parking restrictions. Note any differences from your home country’s rules.
- Practice kanji: The exam may include kanji characters for road signs and terms. Practice reading and understanding kanji.
- Join study groups: Join online forums or study groups to discuss and share knowledge with others preparing for the exam.
- Simulate exam conditions: When practicing, set time limits and simulate exam conditions to improve time management and build confidence.
- Review mistakes: After practice exams, review incorrect answers to understand and learn from mistakes.
- Stay calm: On the exam day, stay calm and focused. Read each question carefully and answer thoughtfully. If a question is challenging, skip it and return later if time allows.
- Stay positive: Stay positive and keep practicing until you feel confident in your knowledge and skills.
Here are some great study sites for the Karimen driving test!
https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=mjyzntmwnq1oyi
Preparing for your first driving test
Your first driving test will be taken on the school grounds.
You will have had a lot of time to practice driving before this if you chose to enroll in driving school, and you would have had a chance to practice for the test during a mock exam called 見極め (mikiwame)
Paying attention to safety, following the rules, and staying calm will help you pass easily!
If you do not pass, you will be able to take supplementary classes and try again.
Preparing for your first written exam
The final written exam is called the honmen exam. It will have 90 yes or no questions, and 5 illustration-based questions. You will need to score at least 90% to pass.
Again, you will need to bring two sharp pencils, an eraser, and a photograph with you when you take the exam.
Make sure to keep your phone and other noise makers on silent mode.
Here is a great resource to practice for your honmen exam!
https://nihondrive.com/honmendrivingtest
Preparing for your final driving test
Your second and final driving test will be much like your first, but you will be driving on actual roads instead of on school grounds.
The instructors are looking for SAFE driving above all else, so even if you make a mistake, if you correct it safely, you will still be able to pass the exam.
You will have a chance to take a mock exam before this test if you choose to go to driving school.
Picking up your license!
If you passed your final driving test and final written exam, you can go to the license center to receive your license!
Make sure you bring all of your materials and certificates after completing your tests, and bring them to the staff at the license center.
You will be able to receive your license on the same day.
Congratulations and happy driving!
Wow, driving exams explained so good in Japan.