News / 2020.12.17

A thorough guide to get a driving license - How to get your Japanese scooter driving license from scratch

Holding a driving license can be one of the tools for foreign residents to improve their lifestyle in Japan. On this article of YOLO NEWS we will share some information on how to get a driver’s license for small motorbikes (50cc displacement or less). This will be helpful for those who are considering getting a driver’s license.

■How you can get a scooter driving license the same way as Japanese people do

Those who hold a license issued in other countries must know they cannot use it in Japan. Driving in Japan, without first obtaining a license or switching your license to a valid one, is against the law. If you want to drive a scooter, be sure to get your license first.

In this article, we will explain how you can obtain a driving license for scooters in Japan.

※If you hold a valid driving license, you have some different options. Check this other YOLO NEWS .

The steps to get a scooter license in Japan are the following:

・A practical course: Study about how to drive a scooter
・A theoretical course: Study about traffic rules in Japan
・Exams: After the courses, take the final exam. Upon passing you get the license

《Where to get a scooter driving license in Japan》

You can take the test or attending a course at one of the following places:

・Driver’s license centers

・Driver's license examination centers

《Procedures to get a scooter driving license》

①Prepare the documents for the application

・A residence track where is reported your Nationality

・Your Residence card, or alternatively a Special Permanent Resident Certificate

・Your official stamp

・An ID photo ※You can take one at the examination center (3.0cm x 2.4cm)

・Writing utensils to use during the exam

②Practice Short-course

The driving license course takes around 3 hours and contains many of the following subjects. Upon completing the course, you will receive a certificate of completion.

・Basic maneuvers

・Basic driving

・Practical driving

・Safety driving knowledge

③Written exam at the examination center

1）Fill in the application at the examination center

2）Purchase the stamp at the counter and line-up at the reception (ask for the right stamp at the counter

3）Aptitude test (eyesight and hearing check included) ※Glasses or contact lenses are necessary for those with bad eyesight

4）Written exam ※Duration: 30min (46 questions + 2 risk prediction problems)

5）Announcemnet of results

6）Procedures for issuing the driving license

《Difficulty of the exam》

Average pass rate of the written exam is 50%.

There should be no problems for those who have a grasp of traffic and safety regulations.

Scoring an overall score of 45/50 grants a pass.

For those who do not understand or cannot speak Japanese, there are few centers (limited in numbers) with courses in other languages (mostly English) and where the exam itself can be taken in English.

《Fees》

Exam fee: 1.500yen

Scooter practical driving course fee: 4.500yen

Issuing fee: 2.050yen

Total: 8.050yen

■Inconvenient points in getting a driving license in Japan

Without exceptions for a scooter driving license, the most troublesome point of getting a driving license in Japan for a foreign resident, is the Japanese language.

However, there are several driving schools where courses are taught in other languages. Even if not many in numbers, here it is a list of driving schools in Japan offering their services in other languages.

★Driving schools in Tokyo ★
★Driving schools in Kyoto ★
★Driving schools in Osaka ★

Of course those who understand Japanese can take the exam in Japanese. For the others, do not panic since you have the option to try the exam in another language.

■The benefits you get with a scooter license in Japan

Getting a driving license is not a hard task, and you can get one in a single day if you have a basic knowledge of traffic rules and some practice with driving. With a scooter license, your lifestyle in Japan can get a boost.

For example,
①More job opportunities
Japan has lots of jobs where a driving license is necessary, like delivery and courier positions. Without a driving license for scooters or cars, many of these positions are hard to access.

②Shorter commute time
If compared with commuting with a bicycle or by walk, commuting on a scooter greatly improves time. You get some spare time in the morning and, by reducing your commute, you can get more time to focus on business.

【Use your scooter driving license for work!】

Find here a selection of jobs requiring a scooter license:

YOLO Academia Demaecan Job Listing

YOLO News is YOLO JAPAN's new media blog service, bringing you all the best tips, trending information and interesting trivias about living in Japan as a foreign resident.

News / 2024.04.01