Method of Acquiring a Driver’s License in Japan – school or camp –

This post is also available in 日本語

Previously, we introduced “How to Drive in Japan” and “How to Obtain a Driver’s License in Japan”. When acquiring a driver’s license in Japan, it is normal to either regularly attend a driving school or participate in a driving school camp. In particular, if you lack proficiency in Japanese, you will need to choose a driving school or camp where foreign languages are supported. On this occasion, I would like to introduce you to driving schools and camps recommended for foreign nationals, and the flow from graduation to acquiring the license.

Things to note when choosing a driving school or camp

Even when there is foreign language compatibility, there are various different situations. You should check in advance which aspects are compatible with each language, such as textbooks, classes, or provisional (provisional license) tests etc.

Recommended driving schools

[Hokkaido] Asabu Driving School

WEB	http://www.asabu.co.jp/ Chinese http://www.asabu.co.jp/cn/
Textbook	Japanese, English, Chinese
Classes	Japanese only
Provisional license test	Japanese, English, Chinese
Remarks	One Chinese staff member If you can get a reservation, you can do the technical test in Chinese.

[Tokyo/Kanagawa] Koyama Drivinng School

WEB	http://www.koyama.co.jp/ English https://www.koyama.co.jp/english.htm
Textbook	Japanese, English
Classes	Japanese, English
Provisional license test	Japanese, English
Remarks	You can do the technical training in English

[Tottori] Yonago Driving School

WEB	https://www.yojiga.net/
Textbook	Japanese, English, Chinese
Classes	Japanese only
Provisional license test	Japanese, English, Chinese

[Tokushima] Kaifu Driving Schoolj

WEB	https://kaifu-ds.co.jp/
Textbook	Japanese, English, Chinese
Classes	Japanese only
Provisional license test	Japanese, English, Chinese

[Fukuoka] Jono Driving School

WEB	http://www.jschool-web.com/
Textbook	Japanese, English, Chinese
Classes	Japanese only
Provisional license test	Japanese, English, Chinese

Recommended camps for licenses

[Iwate] Ichinoseki first Driving School

WEB	https://ichinoseki-ds.co.jp/gassyuku/
Textbook	Japanese, English, Chinese
Classes	Japanese only
Provisional license test	Japanese, English

[Tochigi] Nasu Driving School

WEB	https://www.nasu-ds.jp/About/
Textbook	Japanese, English, Chinese
Classes	Japanese only
Provisional license test	Japanese, English, Chinese

[Gunma] Toyota Driving School Gunma

WEB	https://www.toyota-dst.co.jp/gunma/gasshuku/
Textbook	Japanese, English
Classes	Japanese only
Provisional license test	Japanese, English

[Chiba] Takanodai Driving School

WEB	https://www.takanodai-ds.jp/camp/
Textbook	Japanese, English
Classes	Japanese only
Provisional license test	Japanese, English

[Mie] Mie-Nanbu Driving School

WEB	http://gashukumenkyo.com/ Chinese http://www.gashukumenkyo.com/cn/
Textbook	Japanese, Chinese
Classes	Japanese, Chinese
Provisional license test	Japanese, Chinese

Flow from graduation until acquiring license

Once you graduate from the driving school or camp, you need to take your driver’s license test at a driving license test center in the prefecture in which you are registered as a resident within 1 year from the test graduation date.

Normally, the driver’s license test will consist of a technical test, a written test, and an aptitude test (sight and hearing examinations etc.). However, when graduating from specified driving schools or camps, you may be exempt from needing to take the technical test.

Taking the written test in a foreign language

Basically, you will take the written test in Japanese. However, depending on the prefecture, you may be able to take the written test in a foreign language. The situation regarding written tests in foreign languages is subject to change. Be sure to confirm before taking the test.

[By prefecture] Situation regarding availability of driving tests in foreign languages

Prefecture	English	Chinese	Others
Hokkaido	○	○
Aomori	○	○
Iwate	○
Miyagi	○	○
Akita	○
Yamagata	○
Fukushima	○
Ibaraki	○	○	Portuguese
Tochigi	○	○
Gunma	○		Portuguese
Saitama	○		Portuguese
Chiba	○
Tokyo	○
Kanagawa	○	○	Portuguese Vietnamese
Niigata	○	○	Portuguese
Toyama	○	○	Portuguese
Ishikawa	○	○	Portuguese
Fukui	○	○	Portuguese
Yamanashi	○		Portuguese
Nagano	○	○	Portuguese
Gifu			Portuguese
Shizuoka	○	○	Portuguese
Aichi	○	○	Portuguese
Mie	○	○	Portuguese
Shiga	○	○	Portuguese
Kyoto	○	○	Tagalog
Osaka	○	○	Portuguese
Hyogo	○	○	Portuguese
Nara	○	○	Portuguese Vietnamese
Wakayama	○	○
Tottori	○	○
Shimane	○	○	Portuguese
Okayama	○	○
Hiroshima	○
Yamaguchi	○	○	Vietnamese
Tokushima	○	○
Kagawa	○
Ehime	○
Kochi	○
Fukuoka	○	○
Saga	○
Nagasaki	○	○
Kumamoto	○	○
Oita	○	○
Miyazaki	○
Kagoshima	○	○
Okinawa	○