How to Get a Japanese Driving Licence From Scratch

The two main routes

Learner permit and full licence stages

The process has two broad stages. First, you qualify for a learner's permit through an aptitude check, knowledge test and practical test or equivalent school assessment. You then complete supervised road practice and proceed to the full-licence stage.

For ordinary licence testing, the final written examination is commonly described as 95 questions: 90 written statements plus five hazard-prediction/illustration problems, with 90 points required. Our practice app focuses on the 90 True/False question portion. Confirm the exact format and language offered by your prefecture.

Designated driving school route

1. Choose AT or manual and enroll in a designated school.
2. Complete stage-one classroom and on-course lessons.
3. Pass the school learner-permit assessments and official knowledge requirements.
4. Complete stage-two road lessons and required safety training.
5. Pass the school's graduation skills test.
6. Take the final knowledge test and aptitude check at the licence centre.
7. Receive the licence after completing the required issuance procedure.

OIST's practical guidance reports an average total around ¥300,000 and suggests that intensive students may finish in roughly one to two months. Actual prices vary significantly by location, season, AT/manual choice, age, lesson package and language support.

Direct-test route

The direct route can avoid full school tuition, but the applicant must pass each official stage and arrange legally compliant supervised practice. Examiners assess routine details such as mirror checks, blind-spot checks, stop position, lane placement, speed control and pedestrian scanning.

Repeated test fees, practice lessons and travel can erase the expected savings. A sensible strategy is to buy targeted lessons at a driving school familiar with direct-test candidates.

What you will normally need

• Proof of address and identity accepted by the prefecture.
• Application photographs where required.
• Appropriate eyesight and other aptitude standards.
• Reservation for knowledge or skills examinations where the prefecture uses booking.
• Fees for each application, vehicle use and licence issue.
• School graduation documents if following the designated-school route.

From April 1, 2026, Tokyo lists 17 years 6 months as the examination eligibility age for certain ordinary-licence processes, although the licence itself is issued from age 18. Check the rules applicable to your date and prefecture.

Which route should you choose?

• Choose a driving school when you are new, need predictable instruction, have limited access to a practice vehicle, or want the school to organise most of the process.
• Consider direct testing when you already drive confidently, can study Japanese rules, can arrange supervised practice and accept the risk of repeated attempts.