Job Discussion Forums

dtomchek · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 135

Hey everyone:

I know this is my 2nd posting concerning this topic but I am still a little confused.

I checked my driving book and it said that a car liceanse in good for "mopeds (motorized bicycles). It is not good for "large" or "regular" size motorcycles.

I cannot for the life of me define these terms. What does at 120cc scooter fall under? Moped or "regular" size (cannot imagine large size but then again, I have seen stranger things happen)? Thanks for the help!!!

Dave

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Did you read the info on the web site I think I gave you?
http://japaninfo.esmartweb.com/bikerfaq-classes.html

Engine size: Up to 50cc
Motor Vehicle Law: 第一種原動機付き自転車 (第一種原原付き) DAI ISSHU GENDOUKITUKI JIDOUSHA (DAI ISSHU GENTSUKI)
Class 1 Engine-Attached Bicycle
Road Traffic Law: 原動機付き自転車 (原原付き) GENDOUKITUKI JIDOUSHA (GENTSUKI) Engine-Attached Bicycle
Common names: Scooter, gentsuki

Engine size: Over 50cc up to 125cc
Motor Vehicle Law: 第二種原動機付き自転車 (第二種原原付き) DAI ISSHU GENDOUKITUKI JIDOUSHA (DAI NISHU GENTSUKI)
Class 2 Engine-Attached Bicycle
Road Traffic Law: 小型自動二輪車 (KOGATA JIDOU NIRINSHA)
Small-Size Auto-Mobile Two-Wheeled Vehicle.
Common names: Small class, KOGATA (小形)

Engine size: Over 125cc up to 400cc
Motor Vehicle Law: 自動二輪車 (JIDOU NIRINSHA)
Road Traffic Law: 中型自動二輪車 (CHUUGATA JIDOU NIRINSHA)
Mid-Size Auto-Mobile Two-Wheeled Vehicle.
Common names: Mid-class, CHUUGATA (中型)

Engine size: Over 400cc
Motor Vehicle Law: 自動二輪車 (JIDOU NIRINSHA)
Road Traffic Law: 大型自動二輪車 (OOGATA JIDOU NIRINSHA)
Large-Size Auto-Mobile Two-Wheeled Vehicle.
Common names: Large class, OOGATA (大型)

dtomchek · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 135

Hello:

Man, is this frustraiting Evil or Very Mad

I read that whole thing and I still don't get it. Then again, none of the Japanese people I have asked seem to understand their own system.

Can anyone spell out for me exactly what kind of liceanse you need for a 120cc bike/scooter/motorcycle/moped or whatever the hell they call it here. Shocked

Thanks!!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Read what the JET programme says about motorbike licensing.
http://www.jetsetjapan.com/infozone-trans-lice.shtml

If none of this helps, I STRONGLY suggest that you stop wasting time on a board and get a Japanese person to make a simple phone call to a licensing bureau to ask for you.

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

dtomchek · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 135

Hey:

Yeah, asking the Japanese version of the DMV was the 1st thing I tried (concerning something else though). They told me one thing over the phone and then it was completely different when I got there so that route is a total loser. Shocked

Then read 2 books, visited the JET website, visited that other website and still don't have an answer to the question. Maybe that is just one of the many mysteries of Japan.

And as far as wasting time goes, hell I have 7 hours a day for the next month to just sit here at my desk and play on the net (suppose that is one attractive aspect about my life here as driving obviously is not going to be one of them Laughing

).

Later on

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

You need a 50-125cc motorbike permit... Plain and simple.

A 120cc scooter is NOT classed as a scooter or moped. It doesn't matter HOW you ride the thing -- but rather the engine size. Anything 50cc and over requires a specialized motorbike license that falls into several categories as Glenski pointed out.

For a small 0 to 49cc scooter/moped/motorbike you need only a standard Japanese automobile license.

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

dtomchek · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 135

Hello:

Now see there. JimDumLap answered the ? and all it took was 6 weeks and numerous trips to hell and back. Shocked

I read some place that it takes an avg of 10 times to pass that baby. I, for one, and not going to spend half my Nenkyu and 5,000 yen a pop and never pass it. I will stick to the bus and write it off as a bad investment.

Thanks for the help everyone and stay Genki.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

"10 times to pass" -- yah -- that was me who said it.... in your previous scooter question thread. Smile

If you have any more ?? just let me know by PM. Like I've said before, I ride a scooter here in Japan, have a (JPN) mechanic friend that gave me all the relevant info, plus my foreigner friends all ride motorcycles here so they are a wealth of info. So chances are, that one of us has had the experience, or knows the answer to the question.

Good luck!

ARJ