Stage 2: How to Obtain Your Full Japanese Driver’s License (本免許)
EDS International Driving School | Student Learning Resources
For students who have passed Stage 1 and obtained their Learner’s Permit (仮免許)
Congratulations on completing Stage 1!
After obtaining your Japanese Learner’s Permit (仮免許 / Karimenkyo), the next step is Stage 2 — preparing for and obtaining your full Japanese driver’s license (本免許 / Honmenkyo).
As EDS International Driving School is a non-designated driving school, students must complete their official examinations at the driver’s license examination center in their prefecture of residence.
This guide explains the process from supervised on-road driving practice to the final examinations, including the mandatory training requirement known as 特定教習 (Tokutei Kyoshu) or 取得時講習 (Shutokuji Koshu).
1. Complete the Required On-Road Driving Practice
Before taking the final practical examination, you must complete at least five days of supervised on-road driving practice within the preceding three months.
During this period:
Carry a valid Learner’s Permit.
Drive under the supervision of a qualified accompanying driver or instructor.
Follow the legal requirements for learner driving, including displaying the required 仮免許練習中 signs.
Record your driving practice using the required Road Practice Declaration Form (路上練習申告書).
For private supervised practice, the accompanying driver generally must hold the appropriate driver’s license for at least three years or hold the relevant second-class license.
Important: Five days is the minimum legal requirement, not necessarily sufficient preparation to pass the practical examination.
2. Prepare for the Final Written Examination (本免許学科試験)
The final written examination evaluates your understanding of Japanese traffic laws, road signs, hazard recognition, and safe driving responsibilities.
For the ordinary first-class driver’s license, the examination generally consists of:
90 written questions worth one point each
5 illustrated hazard-prediction questions worth two points each
100 points in total
Passing score: 90 points or higher
Continue reviewing your EDS Stage 2 theory materials and practice examinations before scheduling the official test.
3. Take the Final Practical Examination (本免許技能試験)
After meeting the examination requirements and passing the written test, applicants must take the official on-road practical examination.
The examination typically evaluates:
Vehicle preparation and safety checks
Correct lane positioning and speed control
Left and right turns at intersections
Traffic lights, stop signs, and pedestrian crossings
Mirror checks, blind-spot checks, and safe lane changes
Obstacle avoidance and hazard recognition
Safe driving in actual traffic conditions
Additional maneuvering tasks may be conducted at the examination center, depending on the examination format.
EDS recommends completing sufficient on-road practice before booking the final practical examination.
4. Mandatory Training: 特定教習 or 取得時講習
This is an important requirement for students obtaining their driver’s license through the direct examination system (一発試験).
Passing the written and practical examinations alone does not normally complete the licensing process.
Unless you qualify for an exemption, you must complete the prescribed training before your Japanese driver’s license can be issued.
There are two main ways to fulfill this requirement.
Option A: 特定教習 (Tokutei Kyoshu) — Before Passing the Final Practical Exam
特定教習 is approved training that can be completed before passing the final practical examination, through an authorized training provider offering the appropriate course.
For an ordinary first-class driver’s license, the training generally covers:
Hazard prediction and defensive driving
Expressway driving and related safety procedures
Emergency first aid and accident response
The standard training comprises approximately seven instructional hours, including the applicable first-aid component.
After completing the course, you receive a training completion certificate.
Main advantage: If you complete the approved training in advance and satisfy all other requirements, you may be able to receive your driver’s license on the day you pass the final practical examination, subject to the license center’s procedures.
Option B: 取得時講習 (Shutokuji Koshu) — After Passing the Final Practical Exam
If you have not completed the approved 特定教習 beforehand, you will generally need to attend 取得時講習 after passing the final practical examination.
This includes:
Ordinary-car driving instruction — 4 hours
Emergency first-aid instruction — 3 hours
Total: 7 instructional hours
After passing your practical examination, the license center will explain how to reserve the required training at an authorized provider.
Once you complete the training and submit the required certificate, you can proceed with driver’s license issuance.
Which Training Option Should You Choose?
特定教習
Completed before passing the final practical exam
Arrange through an approved training provider
Can help avoid a post-examination training delay
Completion certificate required
取得時講習
Completed after passing the final practical exam
Follow the license center’s instructions after passing
License issuance waits until training is completed
Completion certificate required
EDS Recommendation: Consider arranging 特定教習 while preparing for the final examination, particularly if you want to minimize delays after passing.
Some applicants may qualify for partial or full training exemptions based on existing licenses, qualifications, or other legally recognized circumstances. Confirm your eligibility with the license center.
5. Apply at Your Prefectural Driver’s License Examination Center
Students must follow the procedures of the prefecture where they are officially registered.
Tokyo
Fuchu or Samezu Driver’s License Examination Center.
Saitama
Saitama Driver’s License Center, Konosu.
Chiba
Chiba Driver’s License Center, Mihama-ku.
Kanagawa / Yokohama
Kanagawa Driver’s License Center, Futamatagawa.
Other Prefectures
Students residing in Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Nagano, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, Okinawa, and other prefectures should contact their local driver’s license examination center.
Reservation methods, examination schedules, training providers, and document requirements vary by prefecture.
6. Documents to Prepare
The following are generally required for Stage 2 applicants:
Valid Learner’s Permit (仮免許証)
Road Practice Declaration Form (路上練習申告書)
Resident Record (住民票), if required
Valid identification and Residence Card, if applicable
Application photograph (3.0 × 2.4 cm)
Examination reservation confirmation, if applicable
特定教習 completion certificate, if already completed
Examination and license issuance fees
Glasses or contact lenses, if required
Confirm the complete document list with your examination center before visiting.
7. Receive Your Japanese Driver’s License
Once you have:
Completed the required on-road practice
Passed the final written examination
Passed the final practical examination
Completed 特定教習 or 取得時講習, unless exempt
Fulfilled the remaining administrative requirements
—you can receive your full Japanese driver’s license (普通自動車第一種運転免許).
Congratulations! You are now qualified to drive independently within the conditions and vehicle categories stated on your license.
8. How EDS Can Help You Prepare
EDS International Driving School provides Stage 2 theory learning resources and practical on-road driving lessons to help students prepare for their final examinations.
Our instructors focus on safe driving habits, Japanese traffic rules, proper observation, lane positioning, intersections, and other essential examination skills.
Once you obtain your Learner’s Permit, please inform EDS so we can help coordinate your Stage 2 lessons and examination preparation.
EDS does not issue official examination passes or the mandatory training completion certificates unless separately authorized. Students must arrange the required 特定教習 or 取得時講習 with an approved provider.
EDS International Driving School
Helping you prepare for your Japanese driver’s license — from Learner’s Permit to Full License.
Information updated: November 2026. Procedures, training requirements, fees, and reservations may change. Always follow the latest instructions from your prefectural driver’s license examination center.
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