Policy

Policy & Regulation

Overtime caps, the Improvement Standards, the Logistics Efficiency Act and other rules that shape driving and logistics work, reported with their effective dates.

3days
Minimum training days for a standard Class 2 license (from Sept 1, 2025; previously 6)
Licenses · Policy
New to driving? The door is wider — Large and Class 2 licenses from 19; a standard Class 2 in as little as 3 days
The ways into truck, taxi and bus driving have widened over the past few years. With special eligibility training (受験資格特例教習), you can sit the test for a large vehicle license (大型免許) or a Class 2 license (二種免許) at 19 with one year of driving experience (in force May 13, 2022). Since Sept 1, 2025, driving-school training for the standard Class 2 license (普通二種免許) that taxi drivers need can be finished in as little as three days. Here are the license classes, and the steps between being hired and driving on your own.
Sept 25, 2026 · 13 sources
960hours
Annual overtime cap for motor vehicle driving work (from Apr 1, 2024)
Policy
The “2024 problem,” two and a half years on — Transport shortfall outlook revised from “about 34%” to “7–25%”
Two and a half years have passed since truck, bus and taxi driving came under an overtime cap of 960 hours a year and new Improvement Standards on working hours (改善基準告示). In March 2026 the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) revised its outlook for the FY2030 transport capacity shortfall, from the original “about 34%” to “about 7% on average, up to about 25%.” Here is what has been decided in the meantime and what starts next, with effective dates.
Sept 25, 2026 · 13 sources

New to driving? The door is wider — Large and Class 2 licenses from 19; a standard Class 2 in as little as 3 days

The “2024 problem,” two and a half years on — Transport shortfall outlook revised from “about 34%” to “7–25%”