Types of driver's license in Japan

There are three types of driver's licenses in Japan, as follows.

1. Class one driver's license
2. Class two driver's license
3. Learner driver's permit

1.Class one driver's license

Class one driver's license is a license to drive motor vehicles or mopeds.
The different types of class one drive's licenses are as follow.

Types of class one
driver's licenses
Types of vehicles
that can be driven
Large motor vehicle Large motor vehicle, middle motor vehicle, semi-middle motor vehicle, regular motor vehicle, special light equipment and moped
Middle motor vehicle Middle motor vehicle, semi-middle motor vehicle, regular motor vehicle, special light equipment and moped
Semi-middle motor vehicle Semi-middle motor vehicle, regular motor vehicle, special light equipment and moped
Regular motor vehicle Regular motor vehicle,special light equipment and moped
Special heavy equipment Special heavy equipment, special light equipment and moped
Large motorcycle Large motorcycle, regular motorcycle special light equipment and moped
Regular motorcycle Regular motorcycle, special light equipment and moped
Special light equipment Special light equipment
Moped Moped

2.Class two driver's license

Class two driver’s license is required to drive motor vehicles to transport passengers or to operate a duly designated driver service.
The different types of class two driver’ licenses are as follow.

Types of class one
driver's licenses
Types of vehicles that can be driven
Large motor vehicle Large sized passenger bus, middle sized passenger bus, large sized sightseeing bus, middle sized sightseeing bus, taxi, hire, etc.
Middle motor vehicle Middle sized passenger bus, middle sized sightseeing bus, taxi, hire, etc.
Regular motor vehicle Taxi, hire, etc.
Special heavy equipment Passenger transportation business such as transporting skiers to the mountains

Middle motor vehicle

Class two large motor vehicle

Special heavy equipment

3.Learner driver's permit

A learner driver’s permit is required for people practicing in order to practice to acquire a class one driver’s license for a large motor vehicle, a middle motor vehicle, a semi-middle motor vehicle or a regular motor vehicle, as well as for people need to drive a large, middle or regular motor vehicle while taking a driver’s license examination for a large, middle, semi-middle or regular motor vehicle.

When people who have been issued a learner driver’s permit intend to practice driving a large, middle, semi-middle or regular motor vehicle, they must be accompanied by a person who has held a class one driver’s license for more than three years, a person who has a class two driver’s license or an instructor at a designated driving school. The person must sit on the front passenger seat next to the driver.