1.
driving school, training school
A school where people learn to drive and prepare for their driver's license. By extension, any training facility for learning specific practical skills.
教習所に通っている。
I am attending driving school.
自動車教習所で仮免を取った。
I got my learner's permit at the driving school.
夏休みに合宿免許で教習所に行くつもりだ。
I plan to go to a driving school for an intensive residential course during summer vacation.
USAGE:
Almost always refers to 自動車教習所 (automobile driving school). In everyday speech, people often just say 教習所 and the driving school meaning is understood. In Japan, most people obtain their driver's license through a 教習所 rather than by taking the test directly.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 自動車教習所: automobile driving school
- 教習所に通う: to attend driving school
- 教習所を卒業する: to graduate from driving school
CULTURAL NOTE:
Japanese driving schools offer both regular courses (where students attend several times a week over a month or more) and 合宿 courses (intensive residential programs, popular with students during school breaks).