If you want to work as a truck driver in Japan but don’t know what to do, this article is the perfect guide for you! To become a truck driver, it's essential to have a driver's license. However, depending on the type of cargo you transport and the company you work for, additional certifications may be required.

This article introduces the qualifications necessary to become a truck driver, including the driver's license.

What Visa is allowed to become a Truck Driver?

Specified Skilled Worker (Tokutei-Ginou) Visa

The Specified Skilled Worker visa is a visa introduced in 2019 to promote the acceptance of foreign workers.

To obtain it, a Japanese language requirement of at least JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic A2 level result is necessary. Additionally, passing the "Specified Skilled Worker Evaluation Test (Truck)" is required as a skills requirement.

Permanent Resident / Spouse of Japanese National Visa

The visas based on the status of "Permanent Resident," "Spouse or Child of a Japanese National," "Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident," and "Long-Term Resident" generally allow the holder to work without restrictions, similar to Japanese citizens, including working as a truck driver. The number of foreign truck drivers holding these visas is also relatively high.

Student Visa

Foreign students with a student visa can also work as truck drivers on a part-time basis. The "Student" status of residence is one of the visa categories that allows foreign nationals to study at Japanese universities, junior colleges, vocational schools, or Japanese language institutions.

Overseas Dispatched Worker Visa

When a driver employed by a foreign company is dispatched to Japan, an Overseas Dispatched Worker Visa is required. This visa allows for a maximum stay of up to three years in Japan and is applicable even when the dispatching company and the host company are different.

However, this visa comes with several requirements, including securing an employment contract with the host company, providing proof of the foreign worker's skills and expertise, and arranging for necessary insurance and social security.

Licenses You Need to Become a Truck Driver

To become a truck driver, you need to start with a standard driver's license, and the required license varies depending on the size of the truck you will be driving.

Standard Driver's License

Standard Driver’s license is essential for driving a truck. With the current standard driver's license, you can drive vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of less than 5 tons.

Under the latest licensing system, individuals aged 18 or older can obtain it by undergoing training and testing at designated driving schools.

There are age restrictions and license holding period requirements for medium and large vehicle licenses, so it’s recommended to acquire them as early as possible before stepping up. Additionally, while nearly half of the trucks sold recently are equipped with AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) that accommodates automatic-only licenses, the majority are still MT (manual transmission). Therefore, it is wise to obtain a standard license with a manual transmission for your future career.

Medium Vehicle Driver's License

The Medium Vehicle Driver's License is an essential qualification commonly known as the "4-ton truck" license. With this license, you can drive trucks with a gross vehicle weight of less than 11 tons.

Required qualifications are: "At least 20 years old and have held a standard or large special driver's license for a total of at least 2 years."

When obtaining this license, if you have a standard driver's license with an automatic-only restriction, you will need to remove that restriction, so make sure to address this in advance.

The Medium Vehicle Driver's License is highly valued not only by transportation companies but also in manufacturing and construction industries due to its convenient size that meets various needs. The demand is very high, and having this qualification is highly appreciated by transportation companies.

Large Vehicle Driver's License

The Large Vehicle Driver's License removes the limitations on payload capacity and gross vehicle weight that were present with the Medium Vehicle Driver's License.

Required qualifications are:"At least 21 years old and have held a standard or large special driver's license for at least 3 years."

Although it takes some time after obtaining a standard license, the earnings can be nearly double those of a small truck driver. Therefore, it is a qualification that anyone aiming to become a truck driver should definitely acquire.

Other Useful Qualifications

Basically, if you meet the visa requirements and have the licenses mentioned above, you can work as a truck driver in Japan. There are also other qualifications that, while not required, can broaden your job opportunities and be quite useful.

Towing License

The Towing License is available to individuals who are 18 years or older and hold a standard, large, or large special driver's license.

It is widely known for towing camping trailers or small boats, the Towing License is a highly important and well-known qualification for truck drivers, especially in the context of transporting extremely large loads.

Obtaining the Towing License itself is relatively easy, but utilizing it effectively requires a high level of skill. Therefore, the most common pattern for truck drivers obtaining the Towing License is to acquire it after honing their skills with a large truck. In terms of wages, it can surpass those earned by large truck drivers, making it one of the most lucrative qualifications.

Slinging Operator

As a truck driver, loading and unloading are part of the job. When working with clients in the construction or steel industries, loading and unloading are often done using cranes, making the Slinging Operator qualification essential.

The qualification is available to anyone 18 years or older, so basically any truck driver can obtain it. Additionally, since it’s relatively easy to acquire and applicable in various industries, it’s highly recommended.

To obtain it, you need to complete the “Slinging Operation Skill Training Course”. The training for the Slinging Operator qualification is available in various languages, including Japanese, English, Portuguese, Spanish, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Burmese (Myanmar), Khmer (Cambodian), Mongolian, and more.

Be a Truck Driver in Japan!

Currently, due to labor shortages in Japan, the demand for truck drivers has been very high, and the hiring of foreign workers has been actively encouraged. Since it is not a job that involves much interaction with people, the required level of Japanese language proficiency is not as high compared to other jobs.

If you want to work as a truck driver in Japan, please refer to this article and find truck driver jobs in Guidable Jobs!