Conversion Process and the New Exam

Chapter 1 · Lesson

Japanese licence types and what you may drive

Learning goal

Know what each Japanese licence can drive.

Each licence covers certain vehicle types

Japan sorts vehicles into categories, and each driving licence covers a set of them. When you convert a foreign licence you usually receive an ordinary licence (普通免許).

How Japan classifies vehicles (車など): vehicles and trams; vehicles split into automobiles, mopeds and light vehicles; automobiles into large, medium, semi-medium, ordinary, large/small-special and motorcycles.
How Japan classifies vehicles (): vehicles and trams; vehicles split into automobiles, mopeds and light vehicles; automobiles into large, medium, semi-medium, ordinary, large/small-special and motorcycles.
  • Large (大型免許): large, medium, semi-medium, ordinary and small-special vehicles, plus mopeds.
  • Medium (中型免許): medium, semi-medium, ordinary, small-special, plus mopeds.
  • Semi-medium (準中型免許): semi-medium, ordinary, small-special, plus mopeds.
  • Ordinary (普通免許): ordinary cars, small-special vehicles, plus mopeds.
  • Large special (大型特殊免許): large-special, small-special, plus mopeds.
  • Large motorcycle (大型二輪免許): large and ordinary motorcycles, small-special, plus mopeds.
  • Ordinary motorcycle (普通二輪免許): ordinary motorcycles, small-special, plus mopeds.
  • Small special (小型特殊免許): small-special vehicles only.
  • (原付免許): mopeds only.
⚠️ An ordinary car licence does NOT let you ride a motorcycle. A motorcycle needs its own licence (普通二輪 or 大型二輪).

Towing (けん引) and the 750 kg rule

To tow another vehicle with a large, medium, semi-medium, ordinary or large-special vehicle, you normally need a towing () licence in addition to the licence for the towing vehicle.

⚠️ Exam point: you do NOT need a towing licence when the towed vehicle's total weight (the whole vehicle including people and load) is 750 kg or less, or when towing a broken-down vehicle by rope, crane and the like. (Note: 750 kg is a weight, not an engine size.)

Comprehension self-check

  1. Q1.

    With an ordinary licence (普通免許) you may drive an ordinary car, a small-special vehicle and a moped. (True/False)

  2. Q2.

    You need a towing (けん引) licence to tow a vehicle whose total weight is 750 kg or less. (True/False)

  3. Q3.

    An ordinary car licence also lets you ride a large motorcycle. (True/False)