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Class of driver's license

Age requirement

Class 1 Large

Class 1 Special

Nineteen or older, and a holder of a Class 1 or 2 Regular Driver's License for at least a year

Class 1 Regular

Class 2 Regular

Class 2 Small

Eighteen or older

Class 2 Motor Bicycle

Sixteen or older

Classification

Disability or impediment

1

Mental disorder or stunted mental development such as dementia, schizophrenia, schizotypal personality disorder, bipolar affective disorder, or depressive disorder; other impairments medically diagnosed as impairing safe driving ability, such as epilepsy.

2

Deafness (Class 1 for large or special vehicles), blindness (a person with monocular vision shall only be applicable to a drivers' license for large or special vehicles among Class 1 driver's licenses), inability to sit down due to physical disability of the legs, head, or spine.

However, a person who is capable of driving under normal conditions by using a motor vehicle manufactured to suit his/her physical handicap and approved as such shall be excluded therefrom.

3

Disorder of the elbow joint in both arms; complete disability of both arms. An exception can be made when normal driving is enabled by a vehicle designed and approved to accommodate a specific physical disability of the driver.

In such an instance, the types of vehicles that can be driven may be limited. An exception can be made when normal driving is enabled by a vehicle designed to accommodate a specific physical disability of the driver. (Articles 54-2, 61, and Attached Table 20 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Road Traffic Act)

4

Medically diagnosed inability to drive safely due to the use of controlled substances or alcohol.

Classification

Violation

Disqualification period

(1)

Driving a motor vehicle, etc. in violation of Article 43 or 96(3) of the Road Traffic Act

One year (or six months from the date on which the driver intends to obtain a driver's license for a motorcycle and one year from the date of violation in cases of a violation of Article 46 of the Road Traffic Act) (cases in which the driver drives illegally during the period of license suspension; hereafter the same shall apply): For cases in which the driver fails to take necessary measures and properly report under Article 54 (1) or (2) of the same Act after killing or injuring another person, five years from the date of violation

Three times or more of driving a motor vehicle, etc. in violation of Article 43 or 96 (3) of the Road Traffic Act

Two years from the date of violation.

(3)

Failing to take proper measures or report under Article 54 (1) and (2) of the Road Traffic Act after killing or injuring another person in violation of Article 44, 45, or 46 of the same Act

Five years from the date the driver's license is revoked

(4)

Failing to take proper measures or report under Article 54 (1) and (2) of the Road Traffic Act after killing or injuring another person on any grounds, other than those specified in Articles 43 through 46 of the same Act

Four years from the date the driver's license is revoked

(5)

Three times or more causing a traffic accident while driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated in violation of Article 44 (1) or (2) of the Road Traffic Act (includes the simultaneous violation of Article 43 or 96 (3) of the same Act

Three years from the date the driver's license is revoked (includes simultaneous violation of Article 43 or 96 (3) referring to the date of the such violation)

Committing any crime using a motor vehicle, etc., stealing of another person's motor vehicle, etc., or robbing another person of his/her motor vehicle, etc.; driving a motor vehicle in violation of Article 43 of the Road Traffic Act

Three years from the date of violation

(6)

Revoking of driver’s license for violating Article 44 (1) or (2) of the Road Traffic Act at least three times (including the simultaneous violation of Article 43 or 96 (3), or Article 46 at least twice revoking of a driver's license for any other reason specified in Article 93 (1) 8, 12, or 13 of the same Act

Two years from the date the driver's license is revoked (where Articles 43 or 96 (3) is violated simultaneously, referring to the date of violation)

(7)

Revoking of a driver's license based on grounds other than those specified above

One year (or six months from the time when the driver intends to obtain a driver's license for a motorcycle and one year from the date of revocation in reference to Article 46 of the Road Traffic Act

(8)

Person remains subject to a disposition taken to suspend the effects of the driver's license

Effective for the period of suspension

(9)

Where a driver having an international driver’s permit or mutually recognized foreign driver’s license becomes subject to a driving suspension disposition

Effective for the period of suspension