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

2019-09-30 LIFE

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

WEBhttp://www.asabu.co.jp/
Chinese http://www.asabu.co.jp/cn/
TextbookJapanese, English, Chinese
ClassesJapanese only
Provisional license testJapanese, English, Chinese
RemarksOne Chinese staff member
If you can get a reservation, you can do the technical test in Chinese.

[Tokyo/Kanagawa] Koyama Drivinng School

WEBhttp://www.koyama.co.jp/
English https://www.koyama.co.jp/english.htm
TextbookJapanese, English
ClassesJapanese, English
Provisional license testJapanese, English
RemarksYou can do the technical training in English

[Tottori] Yonago Driving School

WEBhttps://www.yojiga.net/
TextbookJapanese, English, Chinese
ClassesJapanese only
Provisional license testJapanese, English, Chinese

[Tokushima] Kaifu Driving Schoolj

WEBhttps://kaifu-ds.co.jp/
TextbookJapanese, English, Chinese
ClassesJapanese only
Provisional license testJapanese, English, Chinese

[Fukuoka] Jono Driving School

WEBhttp://www.jschool-web.com/
TextbookJapanese, English, Chinese
ClassesJapanese only
Provisional license testJapanese, English, Chinese

Recommended camps for licenses

[Iwate] Ichinoseki first Driving School

WEBhttps://ichinoseki-ds.co.jp/gassyuku/
TextbookJapanese, English, Chinese
ClassesJapanese only
Provisional license testJapanese, English

[Tochigi] Nasu Driving School

WEBhttps://www.nasu-ds.jp/About/
TextbookJapanese, English, Chinese
ClassesJapanese only
Provisional license testJapanese, English, Chinese

[Gunma] Toyota Driving School Gunma

WEBhttps://www.toyota-dst.co.jp/gunma/gasshuku/
TextbookJapanese, English
ClassesJapanese only
Provisional license testJapanese, English

[Chiba] Takanodai Driving School

WEBhttps://www.takanodai-ds.jp/camp/
TextbookJapanese, English
ClassesJapanese only
Provisional license testJapanese, English

[Mie] Mie-Nanbu Driving School

WEBhttp://gashukumenkyo.com/
Chinese http://www.gashukumenkyo.com/cn/
TextbookJapanese, Chinese
ClassesJapanese, Chinese
Provisional license testJapanese, 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

PrefectureEnglishChineseOthers
Hokkaido
Aomori
Iwate
Miyagi
Akita
Yamagata
Fukushima
IbarakiPortuguese
Tochigi
GunmaPortuguese
SaitamaPortuguese
Chiba
Tokyo
KanagawaPortuguese
Vietnamese
NiigataPortuguese
ToyamaPortuguese
IshikawaPortuguese
FukuiPortuguese
YamanashiPortuguese
NaganoPortuguese
GifuPortuguese
ShizuokaPortuguese
AichiPortuguese
MiePortuguese
ShigaPortuguese
KyotoTagalog
OsakaPortuguese
HyogoPortuguese
NaraPortuguese
Vietnamese
Wakayama
Tottori
ShimanePortuguese
Okayama
Hiroshima
YamaguchiVietnamese
Tokushima
Kagawa
Ehime
Kochi
Fukuoka
Saga
Nagasaki
Kumamoto
Oita
Miyazaki
Kagoshima
Okinawa

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