Q&A regarding special vehicles
Updated: July 2025, 10
Table of contents
- ①What kind of vehicle is a special vehicle?
- ②How long will it take to receive permission?
- ③How long does it take at least from the time I make a request until I receive permission?
- ④If I obtain a permit, how long is it valid?
- ⑤Where do I apply for a special territory permit?
- ⑥Is there a possibility that permission will not be granted even if I apply?
- ⑦I have replaced the vehicle, the president has changed, the route has changed, do I need to take any procedures?
- ⑧It looks like my vehicle inspection will expire before I can apply for a permit. What should I do?
- ⑨I have lost my permit, what should I do?
- ⑩I contaminated or damaged my permit while I was working.
- ⑪What are the traffic conditions?
- ⑫I heard that new standard cars don't need permission, is that true?
- ⑬Can I apply from my home computer??
- ⑭Is there a fee for application?
- ⑮How much is the fee specifically?
- ⑯What will happen if I drive without a permit?
- ⑰What documents are required when making an application request?
- ⑱Please tell me the advantages of having a traffic route created for you.
- ⑲Once the route has been created, is it possible to change it? Is there a fee?
①What kind of vehicle is a special vehicle?
Vehicles with a special structure or special cargo to be transported that exceed the general limits for width, length, height, or total weight, or on bridges, elevated roads, tunnels, etc. Vehicles that exceed either the gross weight or height limits are called "special vehicles," and require a special vehicle permit to drive on the road. (Article 47-2 of the Road Act)
②How long does it take to receive permission?
Normally, it takes about 3 weeks for new applications and 2 weeks for renewals, but individual examinations (for example, if the application route includes a road that is not included in the road information handbook, or the vehicle has dimensions that exceed the regulations) If required, it may take 1 to 3 months, so it is important to apply early.
③How long does it take from request to approval?
We will try our best to process the application as soon as possible, but the final decision will be made by the road administrator at the counter based on the details of the route, congestion, etc., so we cannot guarantee that you will receive the application by this time. Please make your request as soon as possible before this situation arises.
4If I obtain a permit, how long is it valid?
Usually it is 2 years, but for vehicles exceeding a certain size, it may be less than 1 year. We will look into this for you, so please feel free to contact us.
⑤Where do I apply for a special territory permit?
If you are traveling on an expressway, please contact the expressway office, if you are traveling on a national highway, please contact the national highway office, and if you are traveling on a municipal road, please contact the road management division of your city hall. There are cases where you can apply all at once, and cases where you have to apply individually, so please leave it to us as the procedure can be cumbersome.
⑥Even if I apply, is it possible that permission will not be granted?
The road administrator will examine whether or not the vehicle is allowed to pass, based on the special vehicle permit standards, and if it is determined that the requested vehicle cannot pass, the permit will be denied. In that case, you will be notified with a "Notice of Disapproval" stating the reason.
⑦I have changed my vehicle, my company president has changed, my route has changed, do I need to do anything?
A change application is required. You must apply promptly.
⑧It looks like my vehicle inspection will expire before I can apply for a permit. What should I do?
A vehicle inspection is always required for a permit, so please pass the vehicle inspection first before applying for a permit. If you are in a hurry, you can apply first and submit your vehicle inspection certificate when you receive your permit, but in that case, you will need documents that can confirm the specifications of your vehicle.
⑨I have lost my permit, what should I do?
If you have lost your permit, please immediately apply to the road administrator where you obtained the permit to have it reissued (Permit Reissue Application Form) and have your permit reissued.
⑩I contaminated or damaged my permit while I was working.
If your permit is soiled or damaged, you can have it reissued. In this case, the current permit must be submitted along with the "Permit Reissue Application Form."
⑪What are the traffic conditions?
As a result of the examination, if the road administrator deems that it is unavoidable for the road to pass, it will grant permission with the necessary conditions attached. This condition is called the traffic condition. There are conditions such as driving slowly and placing guidance vehicles in front of and behind the vehicle.
⑫I heard that new standard cars don't need permission, is that true?
If the vehicle is within the general limit and only the gross weight has increased from 22 to 26 tons, and the vehicle is not driven on expressways other than national highways and weight-designated roads, a permit is not required. However, such routes are rare. If you are going to drive on city roads, you will still need a permit, so even if it is a new standard vehicle, you will need a permit for most vehicles.
⑬Can I apply from my home computer?
You will need an environment that can connect to the Internet and a computer that can be configured to use the online application support system, but if you have the necessary equipment, you can apply from home. Please take a look at the detailed information in the section ``Online Application for Special Vehicles'' on our website.
⑭Is there a fee for applying?
If the traffic route spans two or more road administrators, a fee will generally be required at the time the application is accepted. This fee covers the costs of consultation with the relevant road administrators, etc., and is determined by taking into account the actual costs. The amount is 2 yen (one route) at the counter of a national institution, and the amount may differ slightly depending on the ordinance at the counter of the prefecture. (Article 200-1, Paragraphs 47 and 2 of the Road Act)
⑮How much does it cost?
The fee is calculated as number of vehicles applied for x (number of routes applied for) x 200 yen.
The number of vehicles applied for is the number of trucks or tractors applied for.
《When applying for 6 routes》
If you apply for 6 routes as a round trip, the number of routes applied will be treated as 12 routes. Fees are calculated as follows:
If the number of vehicles applied for is 4, 4 vehicles x (12 routes) x 200 yen = 9,600 yen
In addition, in the case of a one-way application, the application route will be treated as 6 routes.
⑯What happens if I drive without a permit?
Violations vary from warnings to criminal charges. There may also be fines. For more information, please see the section ``Crackdown on Special Vehicles and Administrative Disposition'' on our website.
⑰What documents are required when requesting an application?
Special vehicle traffic permit application, vehicle manual, traffic route chart, route map, copy of vehicle inspection certificate, vehicle breakdown, etc. are required, but depending on the application type, such as ordinary application, comprehensive application, change application, etc., required documents are required. Please feel free to contact us as these are subject to change.
⑱Please tell me the benefits of having traffic routes created for you.
I think you will be using the Road Information Handbook to create your route map, but not all roads are listed in the Road Information Handbook. If you want to travel on an unrecorded route, additional documents are required (creating a map, researching the names of unrecorded roads, etc.), which takes a lot of effort and time, and prevents you from doing other tasks. By outsourcing complicated applications, we will help reduce the workload of the person in charge.
⑲Is it possible to change the route once it has been created? Is there a fee?
In principle, route corrections are free of charge until the application is submitted. Additional charges will apply for additional routes.
Please leave the complicated application for special vehicle traffic permission to Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation.
Our highly experienced dedicated staff will support your application for special vehicle traffic permits. We are especially good at managing applications for businesses that operate on a nationwide scale.
・Management cannot keep up due to frequent vehicle changes
・There are no employees who are aware of the transfer or retirement of the person in charge.
We will help you reduce your workload by outsourcing your complicated applications. Please contact us for more information.

Our dedicated staff handles cases nationwide.



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