Which driving licence I need?

[8BB76E1]

Hi everyone.

I don't even have a driving licence yet (in Japan), though I want to get gentsuki licence soon, but there's one thing that really confuses me: I discovered Honda Gyro Up, which I would really like to get. However, I have no idea, which driving licence I actually need for this vehicle. As for engine size, it's in gentsuki category - 49cc, but I've seen some of them with blue number plate - which is not gentsuki, but "minicar". And I've also seen some with normal white number plate. How is possible that some vehicle is in two different categories? May it be because the white ones got registration number long time ago, when blue plates didn't exist? And do you know if gentsuki licence is sufficient for this, or do I need some other class?

Thank you..

[rtfm]

I don't even have a driving licence yet (in Japan)

Does that mean you do have a license from another country?

Yes: Go to your local license center and get a Japanese license. Depending where you are from, you may or may not need a road test. You can ride 50cc bikes and drive all other vehicles up to 8 tons, including the blue-plate gyro.

No: You can get a scooter license in one weekend at the same license center. You cannot drive a car (or any bike with a larger motor). No idea about the Gyro. Will cost WAY less than a regular car license through one of the schools.

About the Gyro, unless you are delivering things it seems to have no advantages over a 2-wheel scooter and several disadvantages. Like being much wider - that's an issue in traffic here. Same engine + heavier vehicle = slower. Pizza Hut doesn't care that much as they don't go far, you might.

[8BB76E1]

Does that mean you do have a license from another country?

well.. somehow.. I had a car driving licence in Czech Republic, but I lost it somewhere when I was moving to Japan. I don't think I will need a car driving licence in Japan anytime soon (there are other things with higher priority), so I was thinking getting just a gentsuki licence would be much easier than recovering my overseas car driving licence.

About the Gyro, unless you are delivering things it seems to have no advantages over a 2-wheel scooter and several disadvantages. Like being much wider - that's an issue in traffic here. Same engine + heavier vehicle = slower. Pizza Hut doesn't care that much as they don't go far, you might.

Yup, I'm aware of all that. I don't care about speed that much, since in Japan, you can't really ride "fast" anyway. Be it for narrow roads, or more importantly, because Japanese themselves break the road rules very often. On the other side, I wanted Gyro because being able to transport items that are too big for normal gentsuki would really help me. (I'm running a small business)

[dmizer]

According to Honda's site here: http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/license/#index4 ... the Gyro X (same as the Gyro UP) does fall under the Gentsuki (50cc scooter) license category.

[8BB76E1]

According to Honda's site here: http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/license/#index4 ... the Gyro X (same as the Gyro UP) does fall under the Gentsuki (50cc scooter) license category.

I was thinking the same until I saw some guy at yahoo auction writing about minicar licence in the description. ^_^ Then I started noticing that I actually see a lot of them with blue plates. (maybe there's a difference between personal and business use?)
I'm wondering if I should actually try asking at police about this..

[Mersontheperson]

I was thinking the same until I saw some guy at yahoo auction writing about minicar licence in the description. ^_^ Then I started noticing that I actually see a lot of them with blue plates. (maybe there's a difference between personal and business use?)
I'm wondering if I should actually try asking at police about this..

just find a seconds hand dealer who is selling one, they will tell you what license you need.

There is a place in Tokyo that specialises in these and have loads in stock

[rtfm]

According to Honda's site here: http://www.honda.co.jp/motor-lineup/license/#index4 ... the Gyro X (same as the Gyro UP) does fall under the Gentsuki (50cc scooter) license category.

just find a seconds hand dealer who is selling one, they will tell you what license you need.

Somehow I seriously doubt that Honda got their license categories wrong on their website. Largest bike maker in the country, huge multinational vehicle maker etc. etc. I would take their written statement over any dealer's opinion.

[8BB76E1]

Thank you. I guess I'll get gentsuki licence anyway. It's best solution right now. I hope it will be enough. I wouldn't even think about that, but that blue number plate confused me..

[haildamage]

I think the blue plates have been registered as over 50cc whether they were actually modified to be over 50cc or not. Under the old law, any vehicle with more than two wheels is a car. therefore, they can ride without a helmet, etc.


the law has been changed to allow 3 wheeled vehicles to be registered as a car or motorcycle now.

[rtfm]

If that's correct it would also get them out of the 2-step turn and allow use of various over/underpasses. Probably costs more but for a business worth it for the time.

Interesting idea, will look for them next time i go through the no-gentsugi zones.