Chartered bus: New permit
Updated: July 2026, 8
In order to carry out a business in which buses with a passenger capacity of 11 or more people are chartered under a single contract to transport passengers for a fee, it is necessary to obtain a general charter passenger motor vehicle transportation business permit based on the Road Transportation Act.
Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation handles the application process for permits for passenger transportation businesses.
Please contact us for a smooth permit acquisition process.
The process leading up to approval
To obtain a charter bus permit, you will need to determine the business area for each prefecture and submit an application for a general charter passenger motor vehicle transportation business management permit to the transportation branch office of that business area.
Application
We conduct on-site inspections of garages, offices, etc., prepare financial planning budgets, and confirm whether permit requirements are met.
Create an application form, business plan, financial plan, etc., and submit the application along with the attached documents to the Transportation Branch Bureau.
legal exam
The legal examination will be held approximately one month after the application is accepted.
This applies to executives and business owners (individuals) involved in the transportation industry.
The examination will begin after passing the legal examination.
Examination
After passing the legal examination, an examination will be conducted for approximately 3 to 4 months, and permission will be granted.
If you receive correction instructions due to missing documents or corrections, you will need to respond.
Preparation for opening → Opening
The business will open once the following procedures have been completed.
・Notification of operation manager and maintenance manager
・Car license plate change procedure
・Participate in voluntary automobile insurance (voluntary insurance that covers a certain amount or more)
・Enrollment in social insurance (depending on the case)
・Fare list and notification of start of transportation business
Standards for permission for general chartered passenger car transportation business
In order to obtain a general charter passenger car transportation business permit and operate a charter bus business, you must meet the following criteria.
| 1.Business area | As a general rule, we operate a general chartered passenger car transportation business.Prefectural unitIt has been with. Basically, we can only carry out transportation that starts and ends within the business area defined as a prefecture, or where either the origin or destination is within the business area. However, if a business office is established in a city, ward, town or village that borders a prefecture (or an adjacent ward if it borders a special ward of Tokyo or a city designated by ordinance; the same shall apply hereinafter), The business area can be an area that includes neighboring cities, towns, and villages in neighboring prefectures that are not separated by topographical or topographical factors such as rivers, straits, etc., and that are considered to be the same area in consideration of economic circumstances. For example, if you set up a business office in Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, you will be able to charter transportation to and from Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture. In addition, if after establishing an area that includes adjacent municipalities in neighboring capitals, prefectures, the area of the municipality is expanded due to merger, etc., the area that includes the expanded municipality will be the business area, and conversely, the area that includes the expanded municipality will be the business area. After establishing an area that includes adjacent municipalities, if the area of the municipality is reduced due to division of administrative districts, etc., the previous area shall be the business area. |
| 2.Sales office | ① Must be within the business area ② Regarding the land and building of the business office,More than 3 yearsHave the right to use the property (registry, lease agreement, etc.) ③Do not conflict with related laws and regulations such as the Building Standards Act, City Planning Act, Fire Service Act, Agricultural Land Act, etc. ④It is of sufficient scale to carry out the business plan accurately; Be in a position that allows for appropriate operation management |
| 3. Business vehicles | ①About vehicle classification Large vehicle: vehicle length9 meters or moreor more than 50 passenger seats Medium-sized car: Anything other than large or small cars Small car: vehicle length7 meters or less, and the number of passenger seats is 29 or less. ②About business vehicles (b) Having the right to use (b) In the case of used vehicles, there is a plan to carry out periodic inspection and maintenance based on Article 48 of the Road Transport Vehicle Act before the start of transportation. |
| 4.Number of vehicles | For each business area that requires a business officeMinimum 3 carsvehicle must be prepared. If you use a large vehicle, please note that each business area requires a business office.5 carIs required. If the number of vehicles is 3 or more but less than 5, there will be a condition that the transportation must be limited to medium-sized or small-sized vehicles. |
| 5.Car garage | ①In principle, it must be attached to a business office. If it is not possible to have one in the same building, there is a direct line from the office.2 kilometersbe within the scope of the above, and management including operation management is sufficiently possible. ② The boundaries between vehicles and garages and the distance between vehicles50 centimetersThe above must be secured and all business vehicles to be placed at the business office can be accommodated. ③It must be clearly separated from areas used for other purposes. ④About land and buildingsMore than 3 yearshave the right to use the ⑤It must not conflict with related laws and regulations such as the Building Standards Act, City Planning Act, Fire Service Act, and Agricultural Land Act. ⑥It must have sufficient space to inspect, clean, and adjust business vehicles, and be equipped with measuring instruments, etc. that can perform necessary inspections. ⑦The structure of business vehicles does not impede access to and from the garage, and the front road does not violate vehicle restriction ordinances. If the front road is a private road, the consent of the right-of-use owner is obtained, and the public road connected to the private road does not violate the Vehicle Restriction Ordinance. |
| 6. Nap facility for rest | ①In principle, it must be attached to a business office or garage. If it is not possible to install2 kilometers in a straight line from both the office and garagebe within the scope of and capable of sufficient management. ②Sufficient scale and appropriate equipment to carry out the business plan accurately ③For land and buildingsMore than 3 yearshave the right to use the ④It must not conflict with related laws and regulations such as the Building Standards Act, City Planning Act, Fire Service Act, and Agricultural Land Act. |
| 7. Management and operation system | ①For corporations, among the officers of the corporation1 peoplebe exclusively employed by ②Safety Management There is a plan to establish safety management and appoint a safety supervisor. ③ Each business office must have a management plan to ensure the number of full-time qualified operation managers, as required by the number of business vehicles deployed. ④The chain of command regarding operation management, including the officer in charge of operation management, is clear. ⑤ If it is not possible to have a garage attached to the business office, a system must be in place to maintain close contact between the garage and the business office at all times, and a system must be established to ensure roll calls, etc. ⑥ An education and guidance system for accident prevention, etc. is in place, and a responsibility system for accident handling and reporting based on the automobile accident reporting regulations, as well as other emergency communication and cooperation systems, are clearly established. ⑦ Operation management regulations, etc. that specify the matters ③ to ⑥ above have been established. 8. In principle, there must be a plan for training and selecting a full-time qualified maintenance manager. However, if maintenance management is outsourced to a group company that meets certain requirements, a system must be established to ensure that operations related to maintenance management, such as determining whether or not business vehicles can be operated, are carried out reliably. ⑨ A system for handling complaints from users, etc. is in place. |
| 8. Driver | ① There is a plan to always appoint a sufficient number of qualified drivers to carry out the business plan. ②The driver does not fall under any of the items of Article 36, Paragraph 1 of the Transportation Regulations for Passenger Motor Vehicle Transportation Business, etc. |
| 9.Safe investment plan | ① The plan is to appropriately make the necessary investments to properly carry out the project while ensuring transportation safety. ■The safety plan shall include each of the following: (b) Business outlook during the period until renewal (b) Overview of projects and safety investments to be implemented during the period until renewal (c) Expected number of drivers, operation managers, and maintenance managers (d) Number of vehicles planned to be acquired and number of vehicles owned (e) Plans for vehicle inspection and maintenance (f) Drive recorder introduction plan (g) Aptitude diagnosis consultation plan for novice drivers and elderly drivers (H) Charter bus operator safety evaluation certification application plan implemented by the Japan Bus Association, a public interest incorporated association (li) Transportation safety management evaluation consultation plan by certified operators (n) Other investment plans for ensuring safety ② The safe investment plan shall be a plan for each business year from the start of the business year in the year in which permission is sought to the expiration date of the validity period of the license. |
| 10.Business income and expenditure estimate | ①Having a sufficient accounting basis for conducting business in accordance with a safe investment plan ■The business income and expenditure estimate shall include each of the following (a) to (f). (b) Operating revenue (b) Costs related to (c) to (n) of the safe investment plan (c) Amount of contribution to be paid to the appropriateness organization (2) Non-operating income (E) Non-operating expenses (f) Transfer from other businesses ② Regarding costs related to (c) to (n) of the safe investment plan The revenue and expenditure estimate is not based on a unit price lower than the required unit price. ③ The business income and expenditure estimate must not be in the red every year consecutively during the plan period. ④ The financial status of the applicant is not in excess of debt in the most recent business year of the year in which the license is applied for. ⑤ Whether or not the company has a sufficient accounting basis for conducting business in accordance with the safe investment plan is appropriate from the perspective of a person with specialized knowledge. |
| 11. Financial planning | ① The estimate of the required funds is appropriate and the financial plan is reasonable and certain. The required funds shall be the total amount of the following (a) to (g), and each expense shall be calculated as shown below. (b) Vehicle cost: acquisition price (including accrued amounts) or in the case of leaseFor 1Rent fees, etc. (b) Land costs: Acquisition price (including unpaid amounts) orFor 1Rent fees, etc. (c) Building costs: Acquisition price (including accrued amounts) orFor 1Rent fees, etc. (d) Machinery, fixtures and fittings: Acquisition price (including accrued amounts) (e) Working capital: personnel costs, fuel oil costs, repair costs, etc.2 months (f) Insurance premiums, etc.: Insurance premiums and taxes and public dues (For 1） (g) Other costs required for opening a business, such as start-up costs (Full amount） ② Required funds50% or moreof the funds required at the beginning of the business.100% or moreThe applicant's own funds must be secured at all times from the date of application. The funds required at the beginning of the business shall be the total amount of the following (a) to (c): (a) The down payment and6 monthsinstallment payments, or in the case of a lease.6 monthsRent fees, etc. However, if the acquisition is made by lump-sum payment, the amount will be the same as ①(B). (b) The down payment and6 monthsinstallment payments, or6 monthsRent fees and security deposits, etc. However, if the acquisition is made by lump-sum payment, the amount shall be the same as ① (B) and (C). (c) Total amount related to ①(ii) to (g) |
| 12. Legal compliance | ① In the case of a corporation, the full-time executive officer who has the right to represent the corporation must have the knowledge of laws and regulations necessary to properly carry out the general chartered passenger motor vehicle transportation business. ② Persons obligated to enroll in social insurance, etc. based on the Health Insurance Act, Employees' Pension Act, Workers' Accident Compensation Insurance Act, and Employment Insurance Act must enroll in social insurance, etc. ③ In the case of a corporation, a full-time officer who executes the business of the corporation (regardless of the name, this includes any person who has the same or greater authority or control power; the same shall apply hereinafter) (hereinafter referred to as the "applicant, etc.") However, all of the following (a) to (d) apply, and there is no problem in terms of legal compliance. (b) Violation of the Act, the Motor Vehicle Transportation Business Act, the Act on Special Measures for the Appropriation of Taxi Operations, and the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Appropriation and Revitalization of the General Passenger Motor Vehicle Transportation Business in Specified and Semi-Specific Areas, etc.3 months before the application date and 50 days after the application date, is not a person who has been suspended or restricted (prohibited) from using a transportation facility smaller than a car (in the case of a corporation, this includes a person who was currently in office as a full-time officer executing the business of the corporation at the time of occurrence) thing (b) Violation of the Act, the Motor Vehicle Transportation Business Act, the Act on Special Measures for the Appropriation of Taxi Operations, and the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Appropriation and Revitalization of the General Passenger Motor Vehicle Transportation Business in Specified and Semi-Specific Areas, etc.6 months before the application date and 50 days after the application dateA person who has been suspended from using or restricted (prohibited) the use of a transportation facility that exceeds a vehicle for 190 days or less (in the case of a corporation, a person who was currently serving as a full-time officer executing the business of the corporation at the time of occurrence) (including) (c) Violation of the Law, Truck Transportation Business Law, Taxi Business Appropriation Special Measures Law, and Special Measures Law Concerning the Appropriation and Revitalization of General Passenger Motor Vehicle Transportation Business in Specified Areas and Semi-Specific Areas, etc.1 year before the application date and 190 days after the application dateThe person is not a person who has been punished with suspension of use or restriction (prohibition) of use of transportation facilities exceeding vehicles (in the case of a corporation, including a person who was currently in office as a full-time officer executing the business of the corporation at the time of occurrence) thing (2) A person who was the operation manager at the time when the matter that caused the cancellation occurred in a business operator whose license for general passenger motor vehicle transportation business or specified passenger motor vehicle transportation business was revoked;5 years before application dateThe person is not a person who has been ordered to return the operation manager qualification certificate pursuant to the provisions of Article 23-3 of the Act. |
| 13.Ability to compensate for damages | There is a plan for all planned vehicles to enroll in voluntary insurance or mutual aid that meets the standards specified in Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Notification No. 17 of 503. *However, this does not apply to public businesses. |
| 14. Conditions attached to permission etc. | ① Transportation on remote islands, transportation of mourners, transportation using vehicles equipped with special equipment such as wheelchair getting on/off devices and wheelchair fixing equipment, and shared transportation with permission based on Article 21, Item 2 of the Act. In the case of special applications such as transportation, decisions will be made based on the characteristics of each, and when permission is granted, conditions such as limiting the scope of business to the transportation concerned will be attached as necessary. ② A condition will be attached that those obligated to enroll in social insurance, etc. will enroll in social insurance, etc. before the start of transportation. ③In addition to installing computers at all business offices that are permanently installed and connected to the Internet, we will provide the Transport Bureau, etc. with an email address (up-to-date) for distributing information on system revisions, etc. to the computers. The condition shall be attached that notification will be given to |
| 15.Application period | To apply for a permit,At any timeshall be accepted |
After receiving permission
After receiving the license, there are various steps to go through, such as paying the registration tax, submitting a fare notification, applying for approval of the terms and conditions, and submitting and obtaining other documents.
Business license renewal
Conditions for renewal
(1) The examination will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of (1) to (14) above (excluding (10) ④, (11) and (12) ③).
*(12) ① will not be checked for businesses that have received one star or higher in the Chartered Bus Operator Safety Evaluation Certification System.
(2) Does not fall under any of the following.
*However, regarding (a), this does not apply if it is objectively explained that the company will receive support for business continuity, such as ensuring that it will be able to obtain financing from the parent company, etc.
(b) In the case where the financial situation of the business operator is in excess of debt in the most recent business year of the year in which the license is applied for, and the balance of income and expenditure in the most recent three business years has been in the red consecutively.
(b) Continuously every year from the time of the previous license to the time of renewal application, the law, the Motor Truck Transportation Business Law, the Act on Special Measures for Proper Taxi Business, and the appropriateness of the general passenger motor vehicle transportation business in specified areas and quasi-specific areas have been verified. If the transportation facility is subject to a punishment beyond suspension of use or restriction (prohibition) of use due to violation of the Act on Special Measures Concerning Promotion and Revitalization, etc.
(c) During the period from the time of the previous license to the time of application for renewal, the law, the Motor Truck Transportation Business Act, the Act on Special Measures for Proper Taxi Business Operations, and the optimization and revitalization of the general passenger motor vehicle transportation business in specified areas and quasi-specific areas. If you have received a punishment worse than suspension of use or restriction (prohibition) of use of a transportation facility due to violation of the Act on Special Measures, etc. concerning (October 21, 10 Kokukan Anan No. 16, National Self-Answer No. 156, Kokukyuan No. 88)" has not undergone a transportation safety management evaluation by a certified business operator.
Documents to be submitted
For renewal, you will be required to submit the following documents.
・Safe investment plan
・Business income and expenditure estimate
・Safe investment performance
・Business income and expenditure performance report
Application procedure
Application procedure
■Application destination
Transportation Supervision Department or Transportation Branch that has jurisdiction over the land where the main office is located
■ Application period
It shall be determined separately.
For transportation business applications, please contact Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation
Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation provides application support and consulting services related to transportation businesses, from those newly registering and obtaining permits for transportation businesses to those already operating transportation businesses.
The transportation business has moved from the stage of simply receiving a permit to the stage of requiring the establishment of a compliance system.
Our staff have experience applying in all prefectures across the country.
Our dedicated staff handles cases nationwide.
