TOKYO - Driving school fees in Japan have been steadily increasing. Over the past decade, the nationwide average has risen by about 15%. According to the Internal Affairs Ministry’s Consumer Price Index, as of July, the average cost for automatic transmission training in Tokyo stood at 335,078 yen.
While higher fuel and vehicle maintenance costs play a role, a more significant factor behind the increase is the growing pressure on labor costs and instructor shortages.
At Fine Motor School Nishi-Omiya in Saitama Prefecture, tuition has risen by about 30,000 yen since 2015, amounting to roughly a 10% increase. The school attributes this to two main reasons: returning value to employees and the community, and investing in employee training to provide higher-quality instruction.
The school has been successful in securing a stable workforce, including younger instructors, by maintaining consistent recruitment efforts. However, labor costs such as wages are directly reflected in tuition fees.
Nationwide, many driving schools are facing difficulties in securing enough instructors. The number of applicants has decreased, and retirements among older instructors are increasing. Without raising wages, it is becoming harder to attract new personnel.
The rise in tuition is therefore linked to both the shortage of instructors and the need to secure sufficient labor costs.
As of 2023, there were 30,866 certified driving instructors in Japan, a decrease of about 6% compared with 2014. Meanwhile, the number of students graduating from driving schools was 1.528 million, down 4% from the same year. The decline in instructor numbers outpaces that of students.
Demand for driving instruction is also being sustained by elderly drivers. Since 2022, drivers aged 70 and older are required to attend designated courses when renewing their licenses. Those aged 75 and above must also undergo cognitive and driving skills tests.
The number of elderly participants is growing, and some schools, including Fine Motor School, have established dedicated programs for senior drivers. Although these courses provide a stable source of income, each session typically brings in around 7,000 yen—considerably less than standard driving lessons.
Source: テレ東BIZ
