Hi, I’m currently living in Tokyo for over 4 years now and finally decided to get my driving license. I have 0 experience and never driven a car before.
After some research I saw that the Koyama driving school was the most recommended school for foreigners who want to do the test in English. My Japanese is ok (N2) level but especially when it comes to the written tests I would prefer to do them in English which seems to be quite expensive (400,000 JPY) at the Koyama school.
I found some pretty nice reviews about the Ogikubo school and its also not so far from my home. The AT Basic plan only costs 228,000 JPY which is really cheap. So wanted to ask if anyone has experience with this school? I also saw some negative reviews as this school is not a designated one.
Also side question, is it recommended to get a MT driving license or is an AT one enough. Heard that most Japanese only go for the AT one.
7 comments
If it’s not designated then you’ll have to take the practical tests at a license centre. This will add to the overall cost and may also take you many attempts each time.
It also seems pretty crazy that their practice course is like an hour away in Saitama.
Paying extra for designated school with an actual course in the same place will probably be worth it.
As for MT/AT, at this point in Japan MT is only useful for actual car enthusiasts and people who will later need licenses for heavier duty vehicles. If you just want a license for travel/commuting convenience then AT is enough.
I agree with other poster, do not go to a non-designated school. You got no benefit at all in regards on passing the practical exam, since you’ll be taking the exam at a police center with real police as your examiner, and they are tough with zero toleration.
In a designated school your examiner will be your every day instructor. They will tell all the tricks you need on how to pass and overall are more lenient with you.
You’re not really saving that money, it’s just being transfered to your time spent and exam cost at the police center. Go to a real school or none at all.
You will hardly ever encounter any MT cars, unless you’re into racing and stuff. Driving stick has become something of a hobby rather than a norm.
And as people have already mentioned above, you might wanna check if your school is a designated one, i.e has been accredited by a driving license center. Otherwise you’ll have to take a driving exam again at the license center (and theory).
Passed it at Ogikubo Driving School two years ago.
As others pointed out, having to do all the procedures and registration by yourself is quite a hassle but my experience was overall very good. I passed the four exams (two written tests and two driving tests) on the first try and I didn’t consider myself a very good driver at the time. The police officers conducting the driving tests, although very strict, were very benevolent.
The lessons taught at the school were solid and really prepare you well for the driving tests. You have to study the written tests by yourself with the material provided by the school, which includes access to an online mock test platform. The staff was mostly nice except maybe for one of the driving instructors.
Cost wise, you have to consider that there is usually a gap of around 100k yens between designated and non designated schools, including all the side costs (registration and tests at the driving center, etc.). This is what played the most for me.
This assuming you have a very good command of the Japanese language.
Not for this particular school but as long as your prefecture offers the theory test in a foreign language (in this case English) you could just call up any school you’re interested in and ask them to arrange for your tests to be in English so don’t limit your choices to the first school with decent reviews you see.
That said unless you have very specific reasons to settle on this one (or any other non-designated schools) DO NOT go to one, it’s not just about how strict the proctors are with the test, if you go to a non-designated school you’d also have to make a reservation with long waiting time just to even ATTEMPT the test even after forking out for driving school lol.
If you have 2 weeks to spare, a really good option is a driving camp, you pay 250~300k since it’s low season for schools right now, and that covers school fees and board, once you graduate you’d only have to go to your nearest license center for the final theory test and get your license!
> but especially when it comes to the written tests I would prefer to do them in English which seems to be quite expensive (400,000 JPY) at the Koyama school.
You can take the test in English everywhere. Not every school offers it on premise but if you go to the local driving center you can always take it in English and your school should have no problems making the reservation for you.
If you speak half decent Japanese I wouldn’t bother with a English specific school. Just sign up with a school that works for you and tell them you want to take the tests in English.
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>Also side question, is it recommended to get a MT driving license or is an AT one enough. Heard that most Japanese only go for the AT one.
Most Japanese also think brakes/accelerators are an on/off button… AT never teaches you have to anticipate. AT only licenses shouldn’t even exist.
Getting a MT license also has the advantage you’ll be able to drive pretty much everywhere in the world. For example a lot of cars in Europe are still manual. Its not like getting a MT license is hard either.
I’ve also been to this school.
They are ok. For the price is ok.
You’ll get a lot more help from places like Koyama.
I assume you’re looking into such places for English. As I did back in the day.
With N2 you should look into regular schools. Just ask in advance if they have English texts English tests.
The ogikibo school will use a practice course in Saitama so it’ll be a ride to Saitama and back. (it’s also called Saitama driving school I believe)
The instructors speak broken English so the relief of having English fluency will not be there. But as mentioned n2 is not an issue.
The material they get you to buy is separate and English.
They fill your form for the first tests at the police centre.
Just copy the form.
All in one schools like Koyama are far far more convenient but double the price.
If you’re looking at prices look for Japanese schools and ask if they have stuff in English.