[Tokyo edition] 6 best driving training schools for foreigners How to make a successful choice
Recently, the number of foreigners who want to obtain a Japanese driver’s license is increasing.
Especially in Tokyo, where about 560,000 foreigners, 20% of the resident foreigners live, the number is increasing
significantly.
Here, we will introduce the best driving training schools for foreigners especially from China, Vietnam, the
Philippines, Brazil, and Nepal, since these are the top five countries whose nationals reside in Japan.
It is not easy to obtain a driver’s license in Japan, but once you get one, it can be used effectively as an
identification card. You will also be able to switch it to an international license and drive around the world.
I hope this article will help you to acquire a license in Japan.
How to choose a “right” driving school for you
If you can find a driving school just right for you, obtaining a driver’s license is not too difficult. The question is
how do you find the right school for you?
In this page, I would like to introduce three articles that are popular among foreigners who want to obtain a driver’s
license in Japan.
How to choose a driving school in 5 minutes! Only one important point you should know
“Complete Edition” of a driving school process: from admission to graduation test, and license acquisition
Here, we explain the flow of the license acquisition at the designated driving school in detail than anywhere else.
＞ Click here
Which is better to get a driver’s license, “Camping” or “Going to School “?
Well, which do you choose? We tried to put together the merits and demerits of the driving training camp and the driving
school by items.
＞ Click here
Is it possible to take an English writing test in Tokyo?
Currently, examinations in Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Portuguese are not permitted at the licensing centers in Tokyo or at the designated driving schools. The only language permitted is English. If you are not good at Japanese and want to take writing test in other language , it is highly recommended to obtain a driver’s license in a training camp in other prefectures.
| prefectures | The Driver and Vehicle License Centre (DVLC) edition For the foreign languages used for the driving test. |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 中文简体 | 한국어 | Việt Nam | Português | Tagalog | |
| Hokkaido | ● | ● | ||||
| Aomori | ● | ● | ||||
| Iwate | ● | |||||
| Miyagi | ● | ● | ||||
| Akita | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Yamagata | ● | |||||
| Fukushima | ● | |||||
| Ibaraki | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Tochigi | ● | ● | ||||
| Gumma | ● | ● | ||||
| Saitama | ● | ● | ||||
| Chiba | ● | ● | ||||
| Tokyo | ● | |||||
| Kanagawa | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||
| Yamanashi | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Shizuoka | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Nagano | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Niigata | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Ishikawa | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Toyama | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Gifu | ● | ● | ||||
| Aichi | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Mie | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Fukui | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Shiga | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Kyoto | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Nara | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||
| Wakayama | ● | ● | ||||
| Osaka | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Hyogo | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Okayama | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Hiroshima | ● | |||||
| Shimane | ● | ● | ||||
| Tottori | ● | ● | ||||
| Yamaguchi | ● | ● | ||||
| Ehime | ● | ● | ● | |||
| Kochi | ● | |||||
| Kagawa | ● | ● | ||||
| Tokushima | ● | ● | ||||
| Nagasaki | ● | ● | ||||
| Fukuoka | ● | ● | ||||
| Saga | ● | ● | ||||
| Kumamoto | ● | ● | ||||
| Oita | ● | ● | ||||
| Miyazaki | ● | |||||
| Kagoshima | ● | ● | ||||
| Okinawa | ● | |||||
Then, we will explain about the price of a typical training school in Tokyo.
Unauthorized training schools recommended by JDL
There are not many Japanese who obtain a driver’s license at unofficial training schools. If you are thinking about
choosing an unauthorized training school, you better understand the amount of money required to obtain a license
correctly otherwise you may regret later. In unauthorized training schools, the temporary exam, the final exam, the
graduation exam, and the writing exam will be all taken at the licensing center.
Ogikubo Driving School (Tokyo: Ogikubo)
Wallet-friendly plan: regular driver’s license
- MT 258,000 yen (excluding tax)
- AT 238,000 yen (excluding tax)
FCA Driving School (Tokyo: Ikebukuro)
※ There is no detailed charge on the website, and even if you make an inquiry by phone, there is no clear explanation of
the tuition fee.
- MT/AT 200,000 yen (excluding tax)〜
JDL’s recommended training school (schools near by)
In Japan, it is common to obtain a driver’s license at the driving school near by. However, tuition fee at schools in
the city are very expensive.
Koyama Driving School (Tokyo: Futako Tamagawa, Seijo, Shakujii Akitsu)
The famous driving school in Tokyo. There are 4 schools in Futako Tamagawa, Seijo, Shakujii, and Akitsu. The following
rates are for English language students.
- MT 373,600 yen (excluding tax)
- AT 360,400 yen (excluding tax)
Musashisakai Driving School (Tokyo: Musashisakai)
English speaking teachers teach lessons in English one-on-one.
- MT 476,250 yen (excluding tax)
- AT 463,680 yen (excluding tax)
JDL recommended official training school (training camp)
It is recommended to obtain a driver’s license at training camps if you have a time for two weeks. Especially from April
to July and October to December, there usually is a discount campaign so that you can receive trainings at the best
price. In fact, many foreigners obtain a driver’s license at training camps.
Matsuki Driving School (Yamagata, Niigata, Fukushima)
A huge school in Tohoku area. There are 11 schools in Yamagata, Fukushima, and Niigata. If you want to incorporate
travel elements into your training license, this is the school you choose!
- MT 188,000 yen (excluding tax)
- AT 170,000 yen (excluding tax)
SDS group (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Tochigi)
The group has 8 school in Tokyo and in a area near Tokyo such as Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba and Tochigi. Easy to access
and provides very reasonable price. You can take the writing test in Chinese at Chiba and Tochigi School. English
writing test is available in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba and Tochigi and Vietnamese in Kanagawa.
- MT 200,000 yen (excluding tax)
- AT 185,000 yen (excluding tax)
Summary of driving school recommended by JDL
| Type | School Name | Location | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unofficial training school | Ogikubo Motor School | Tokyo (Ogikubo) | MT：258,000 yen (excluding tax) MT：200,000 yen (excluding tax) |
| Unofficial training school | FCA Driving School | Tokyo (Ikebukuro) | MT/AT：200,000 yen (excluding tax) |
| Official training school | Koyama Driving School | Tokyo (Futako Tamagawa, Seijo, Ishigamii, Akitsu) | MT：373,600 yen (excluding tax) MT：360,400 yen (excluding tax) |
| Official training school | Musashisakai Driving School | Tokyo (Musashisakai) | MT：476,250 yen (excluding tax) MT：463,680 yen (excluding tax) |
| Certified Training camp (JDL recommended ★) | Matsuki Driving School | Tohoku area (Yamagata, Fukushima, Niigata) | MT：188,000 yen (excluding tax) MT：170,000 yen (excluding tax) |
| Certified Training camp (JDL recommended ★) | SDS Group | Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Tochigi | MT：200,000 yen (excluding tax) MT：185,000 yen (excluding tax) |
Summary
How was it? Have you chosen and understood the most appropriate licensing method and training center? Please feel free
to contact JDL if you have any questions. JDL supports foreigners who want to get a driver’s license in Japan!
JapanDriversLicense Contact：https://jdl.asia/ja/contact
Facebook Messenger：https://m.me/japandriverlicense
LINE：line://ti/p/@do-live
WeChat：weixin://dl/chat?zip0803
