Can people in Japan today not drive manual cars?
Many people around the world might associate Japan with cars, especially since major automotive companies like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are leading enterprises in Japan.
Japan has also produced many cars that are admired by car enthusiasts globally, such as the Skyline GT-R, Supra, and NSX. Despite this, 98% of new cars sold in Japan today are automatic (AT) cars.
This article explains why the demand for manual cars has decreased and provides an explanation of the automatic transmission (AT) limited driver’s license.
Why has the demand for manual cars decreased?
Nowadays, it’s said that 98% of new cars sold in Japan are AT cars, and it’s not uncommon for people driving manual cars to be seen as rare.
The decline in manual car production is largely influenced by Japan’s unique traffic conditions. Japan is known for frequent traffic jams, and in such conditions, driving a manual car can feel more cumbersome than enjoyable. Compared to AT cars, which have a “creep” function, manual cars require frequent clutch and gear shifts, making stop-and-go driving tedious and exhausting.
Additionally, since 2021, automatic braking has become mandatory for new cars sold in Japan. This system automatically applies the brakes when it detects an imminent collision with a person or another vehicle, effectively helping avoid or mitigate accidents. However, when a manual car stops due to the automatic braking system, the driver must engage the clutch, or the engine will stall. Because of this, the combination of manual cars and automatic braking is not very compatible, which is another reason why manual cars are not as widespread.
What is an AT-limited driver’s license?
In Japan, there are two types of driver’s licenses: one that allows driving both manual and AT cars, and an AT-limited license that allows driving only AT cars but not manual cars. The AT-limited license was introduced in November 1991. Recently, more people are opting for the AT-limited license, mainly because it requires fewer training hours and is less expensive compared to obtaining a manual license.
| AT-limited | Manual car | |
|---|---|---|
| Skills training | 31 hours | 34 hours |
| Cost | Approx. ¥180,000 | Approx. ¥200,000 |
As shown in the table, the lack of clutch operation reduces the training hours, making the cost of obtaining a license cheaper.
What percentage of people obtain an AT-limited driver’s license?
In 2022, more than 70% of people obtained an AT-limited driver’s license, while only about 30% obtained a license that allows driving manual cars. As explained above, over 90% of passenger cars in Japan are automatic, while only around 10% are manual, which clearly shows that manual cars are rarely seen in daily life. As a result, more people believe there is no problem with having an AT-limited license.
In the past, there was a time when it was considered “embarrassing” to have an AT-limited license, or when some companies had job requirements that excluded those with AT-limited licenses, making it seem better to obtain a manual license. However, this has changed significantly. Today, the majority of company cars are AT.
It is not uncommon for foreigners who come to Japan for the first time to be surprised when they see a rental car, exclaiming, “What?! It’s an automatic car!” If you’re planning to stay in Japan and need a rental car, be sure to contact ASAHI MOTORS Rent a Car. All of ASAHI MOTORS Rent a Car’s vehicles are 100% automatic. If you want to drive a manual car, please consult with them in advance. They will arrange a manual car depending on the rental period and cost.
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