A non-designated driving school is a way to learn how to drive and navigate the process to get a driver's license in Japan on your schedule. They provide customized learning plans based on your needs. These are like a private tutor for driving.
If you have a flexible schedule and can already drive, these are a good choice.
📅 These schools offer the best in flexibility because they don't operate only a fixed schedule. If you want only one or two lessons, schedule them. If you want more lessons, schedule them.
💵 These schools are usually hourly. If you need to be on the practice course because you have no provisional license, expect about ¥20,000 per hour. If you are doing your practice driving on the road, expect around ¥10,000 per hour.
Non-designated driving schools offer the very best in flexibility.
You will take your practical test with your driving school instructors, then present a certificate at the driving center which exempts you from the famously strict practical tests at the driving center. If the school has availability, it can be completed in as little as three months.
Non-designated driving schools are less structured and quality is not evaluated by government regulators.
First-aid training is part of the standard process, these schools usually don't have a first-aid class and will refer you to another provider.
These schools cannot exempt you from the technical test to get either your provisional or class 1 license. You will be required to take the practical tests at the driving center.
The time from start-to-finish is highly variable and dependent on available test times at your local driving center.
Pass the Aptitude Test
You will take the Aptitude Test at the driving center
Obtain the Provisional License
You will go to the driving center, fill out the forms and take the provisional license test with 50 questions and require 90%
If you pass the provisional written test, you will make a reservation for the technical test
When your reservation time has arrived, which can be up to a month later, you will take technical test on the closed course at the driving center
If you pass the provisional license practical test, you will receive your provisional driver's license
Practice Driving
After you obtain your provisional license, you'll be able to practice with your instructor on public roads
Obtain the Driving License
You will go to the driving center, then take the class 1 driver's license written test of 100 true-false questions, scoring at least 90%
If you pass the provisional written test, you will make a reservation for the technical test
When your reservation time has arrived, which can be up to a month later, you will take technical test on the closed course at the driving center
If you pass the class 1 driver's license techical test, you will receive your driver's license