Hey, everyone! Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I figured since I have the day off and actually have no plans, I could post something!
So, some have asked about what I had to do to get my license in Japan. Fortunately, getting a license in Japan is a bit easier for and American that already has a license than it is to start from scratch like a native Japanese. They make the tests a LITTLE bit easier as well. That doesn`t really stop us from having to take it multiple times though.
So first, if you`re reading this as someone applying for the JET program or someone that is thinking of moving to Japan, make sure you get an international driving permit so you can practice whenever you want! The other ALT here didn`t have one so his only practice was paying for a practice session at the license center (about ¥5,500) and the actual day of the driving test. He was not able to drive on the roads here. I did not go to the practice session because I was able to drive around my town when going between schools. So, get an international driving permit. Go to AAA. It`s around $30 for non-members and totally worth it.
Anyway, so as an American we are not one of the lucky countries that gets to just walk in and get a license (looking at you, Canada). We have to take both the written and practical driving exam. The written exam at our driving center cost (I believe) about ¥2,600. I could be completely wrong. I did this about 2 months ago and my memory isn`t exactly the greatest. The written test is only 10 questions instead of the dreaded 100 questions the Japanese have to take. On the downside, this means you can only miss 3 questions before you fail. Everyone goes on about how easy the written exam is. While it was easy, don`t expect to just go in and pass. Actually study a little bit. There are really small details they may ask you about. Also, some of the translations are a little wonky. If you know Japanese it`ll really help you out in the end. I recommend reading the Japanese question to see what they actually mean. This saved me on one or two questions. (maybe could`ve helped more, but kanji is the devil.) I had to take the test twice to pass. I got 6 answers right the first time, so I was one point away and had to pay the fee to take it again.
After passing the written exam, it is time to schedule the practical exam. This is the most difficult of the two exams. There are lots of little details and you have to put on this kind of facade for the driving instructor. No one drives like you have to drive for the exam. It`s a test to see if you can drive and be aware of any possible danger at any given moment, even if the impending danger is impossible or unrealistic. Most do not pass the first time. I`m convinced that foreigners are not allowed to pass the first time they take the test at our driving center. The first time is free, like they are expecting you to fail. I haven`t talked to any foreigners who have passed their first time though. After the first time, the test is ¥2,200 each time.
Getting ready for the test, I practiced and studied every day (yes, studied). There is a proper order things need to be done in. The test begins before you even sit in the car and continues until the next person starts.
I`m going to go through general test things but am not going to lay out the entire test because that would take WAY too long and I`m not patient enough or willing to relive the test.
Before getting in the car, you need to make sure to look under the back side of the car. If you decide to walk along the drivers side of the car to get to the front, look both ways before doing so. If you walk along the passenger side, you`re fine. Then, look under the front of the car. After that, walk towards the driver`s side, look both ways for traffic, walk to the door, look to make sure no cars are coming and will take your door off, then open the door and get in.
After getting in the car, it is time to do driving preparation things. This means you need to adjust your seat, put on your seatbelt, make sure everyone else is wearing a seatbelt, check your mirrors, lock the door, make sure the emergency brake is on, press down on the foot brake and start the car, put on your turn signal on to let traffic know you will be moving, put the car in drive, take off the emergency brake, do a full head spin (look over your left shoulder, look in the passenger mirror, rearview mirror, driver`s side mirror, and then over your right should to make sure there is no one around you and no cars approaching), then you may move.
The driving is actually the easy part. However, one note. This is only for the Tsu Driving Center. I have no experience with others. But everything you will read and everything you will hear tells you to stay far left. Many people in the past have failed for not staying left enough. However, it appears things may have changed. I failed for being too far left. Not only that, everyone who passed stayed in the center. Literally everyone I talked to before taking my test the first time said that you want to stay left. No one has ever failed for being too far left. Well, I did. Stay in the center. Next, ALWAYS use a turn signal. You don`t need to when going around a curve. But if you forget, it`s an automatic fail. Next, when making lane changes or turns, always signal early, look in your rearview mirror, the mirror in the direction you are turning (if turning left, driver`s mirror; right, passenger), and then over the correlating shoulder to make sure a bike isn`t making it`s way along the side of your car. THEN, you can turn. Also, you apparently don`t want to check too slowly. It`s another way to fail. When stopping or slowing down, make sure to pump your brakes. Don`t just push down once. Make it noticeable. Your drive will not be a smooth one and it`s okay. Speaking of stopping, reason number 2 I failed the first time. When the stop light turns green, count, “1, 2, 3,” look both ways, look in your mirrors and over your shoulder, then turn. I did not sit there for three seconds before looking. The light turned green, I looked everywhere, and went. Running red lights is common in Japan. You need to be careful. But this may be a little overboard.
Now, the two parts people often freak out about, The S-curve and the crank. Personally, I found them pretty easy. The description makes them sound terrifying though. So first, the crank. The crank is a very narrow and sharp turn. The road is big enough for one car and the turn is at a 90-degree angle. Take it very VERY slowly and everything is fine. If you hit a curb, back straight up and try again. Make sure to check your rearview mirror before backing up. You can backup three times before you fail. However, hitting the curb while exiting the crank or in any other part of the exam will cause you to automatically fail. Next, the S-curve. It`s exactly what it sounds like, a curve shaped like an “S.” The road is also very narrow. It is recommended you stay to the right because it is easier to see. If you hit a curb, you fail. After leaving these, the rest of the exam is easy. Just make sure to stop for 3-seconds at every stop sign before looking both ways. At the blind turn (area where you can`t see traffic from one or both directions, make sure to completely stop TWICE. Once at the marked spot and another time at a point where you can see.
Now, the end of the exam. Make sure to turn on your left signal when exiting the course. The instructor will give you a number to pull up to. Make sure you do not park anywhere in front of the number. Not even an inch! You are suppose to part the front of your car within 30CM BEHIND the number. So line up perfectly, or barely behind the number. After stopping, put on the emergency brake, put the car into park, and turn off the car. Wait for your instructions and then make sure to look in the rearview mirror and over your shoulder before SLOWLY opening the door to make sure no one will come and take your door off. Congratulations, you now have an 30-minute or hour long wait to find out if you pass or not.
Oh, and did I forget to mention you are possibly the ONLY car and you are on a course where public traffic is not allowed? It`s all pretend. Also, if you thought American driver`s license pictures were bad, wait until you get a Japanese one.
Meiwa fill you in 