Driving Schools Gain Importance Amid Review of Foreign License Exchange System: Tsukinowa Driving School Trains 4 Foreign Skilled Workers Through Same Curriculum as Japanese Trainees

In recent years, growing interest in cultivating foreign drivers capable of safe driving in Japan has emerged within the logistics industry, driven by expanded acceptance of foreign workers and revisions to the foreign driver’s license exchange system.

Tsukinowa Driving School (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture; President: Toshifumi Maehara) announced that four Indonesian Specified Skilled Workers (three for large vehicles, one for medium) have successfully completed a full training program—from obtaining a standard driver’s license, lifting AT restrictions, to acquiring large and medium-sized vehicle licenses—in approximately one and a half months, all under the same training curriculum and safety standards as Japanese trainees.

(Graduates: Fikri and Jerry)

Meeting the Demand for Foreign Driver Training Within Limited Preparation Periods

Under the Specified Skilled Worker program for the motor transport sector, foreign workers are granted a "Designated Activities" residency status to prepare for obtaining a Japanese driver’s license. The permitted stay is six months for truck drivers and one year for taxi and bus drivers, with no possibility of renewal or extension. During this period, individuals may either use the foreign license exchange system or attend a Japanese driving school to obtain their license. There is a growing need for educational systems that ensure foreign drivers can reliably acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for safe driving within this limited timeframe.

Tsukinowa Driving School provides a continuous training program from standard license acquisition to AT restriction removal and large/medium license acquisition. By combining this structured curriculum with personalized learning support tailored to each trainee’s comprehension level, the school creates an environment where even within a short period, trainees can solidly master Japan’s traffic rules and essential safe driving knowledge and skills.

Learning Environment That Supports Comprehension

The Specified Skilled Worker program for motor transport requires a minimum Japanese language proficiency equivalent to JLPT N4 or higher. However, in actual training, there are individual differences in understanding specialized terminology and Japan-specific traffic rules.

To address this, the school offers learning support tailored to each individual, including Indonesian subtitles for online theory classes, original practice materials, and individual follow-up by instructors. This support helps deepen understanding of Japan’s traffic regulations and safe driving principles, enabling trainees to approach their training with confidence.

(Online theory class scene – illustrative image)

Indonesian Subtitles Introduced for Online Theory Classes

During the training period, trainees can repeatedly view online theory classes, allowing them to review difficult sections as many times as needed. By using Indonesian subtitles, trainees can verify and study traffic rules and safe driving concepts that might otherwise be difficult to grasp through Japanese alone.

Completion of Full Training from No License to Large/Medium Licenses in Approximately 1.5 Months

These four trainees completed the entire sequence—from obtaining a standard driver’s license, lifting AT restrictions, to acquiring large and medium-sized vehicle licenses—in about one and a half months. Support such as Indonesian subtitles for online theory classes and individualized follow-up enabled them to successfully obtain their licenses within the limited preparation period.

(Graduate: Jerry)

Graduate Testimonial

"My biggest concern was that my driving habits from Indonesia might resurface. In Japan, the methods for safety checks and traffic rules are different, so I had to consciously relearn driving step by step. I struggled with Japanese expressions and translations during the written exam, but I solved practice problems every day, wrote down my mistakes in a notebook, and reviewed them repeatedly. When I passed the large vehicle license exam, I felt truly happy that my efforts had paid off."

Supporting the Future of the Logistics Industry Through Safety Education

Tsukinowa Driving School aims to make this initiative sustainable rather than a one-time effort. The school will continue enhancing its learning environment to support foreign trainees’ comprehension. Regardless of nationality, the school is committed to training commercial drivers capable of practicing safe driving under the same curriculum and safety standards, contributing to human resource development in the logistics industry.

Inquiries

For media inquiries, consultations regarding foreign driver training, or questions from registered support agencies, transportation companies, or media organizations, please contact us below:

Seta Tsukinowa Driving School Co., Ltd.

Contact: Kohei Koshimitsu, Planning and Public Relations Department

TEL: 077-545-2222

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.tsukinowa.co.jp/