semi-medium vehicle license
Abbreviation of 準中型自動車免許. A Japanese driver's license category for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5–7.5 tons and a maximum load capacity of 2–4.5 tons, introduced in 2017.
If you get a semi-medium vehicle license, you can also drive moving trucks.
中型免許 covers larger vehicles (gross weight 7.5–11 tons, max load 4.5–6.5 tons) and requires a higher age and experience threshold.
普通免許 is the standard car license, covering vehicles up to 3.5 tons gross weight and 2 tons max load, which is a step below 準中型免許.
Compound of 準 (semi-), 中型 (medium-sized), and 免許 (license). The term was introduced with the 2017 revision of Japan's Road Traffic Act.