How to Get a Japanese License
Stage 2
(On-Road Training)
Once you pass the provisional license, you enter Stage 2. You'll drive on actual public roads. 16 hours of written instruction + 19 hours of practical training, including emergency care and highway driving.
🛣️ What's in Stage 2
Written Instruction
16 hours (highways, hazard prediction, emergency care, etc.)
Practical Training
19 hours (on-road training, highway training, night training)
Emergency Care Course
3 hours (emergency first aid at traffic accident scenes)
📌 Key Points
On to Public Roads
With your provisional license and a qualified supervisor, you drive on actual roads.
Comprehensive Practice on the Road
Practice intersections, overtaking, stopping and parking, lane changes, and more on public roads.
Estimated Duration
About 1 week at a training camp, 1–3 months commuting to a driving school. Once completed, you proceed to the graduation test.
FAQ
Do I drive on public roads starting in Stage 2?
Yes. After obtaining your provisional license, you drive on actual public roads accompanied by a qualified person.
What is the emergency care course?
A 3-hour course on emergency first aid at traffic accident scenes (CPR, stopping bleeding, etc.). It is included in the Stage 2 written instruction.
What topics should I watch out for in the written instruction?
Highways, hazard prediction, and emergency care expand the scope beyond Stage 1. Studying the later chapters in MenkyoQuest ahead of time reduces the burden before the graduation test.
Stage 2 written instruction covers a broad range. Reviewing the later chapters in MenkyoQuest—hazard prediction and highways—in advance makes the effect test and full-license written test much easier.
If you come across an unfamiliar term, check the 📖 glossary for full definitions.
Last updated 2026-06-04. Costs, durations, and rules vary by driving school and season. Always confirm the latest conditions with each school's or prefecture's official information.