DRIVING IN JAPAN AND PASSING THE DRIVER'S TEST

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Chapter 5
The Practical Test

Contents:

  1. Introduction
  2. Q & A
  3. General Advice
  4. Taking the Test [Advice for Manual Transmission in Brackets]
    1. Before You Get In The Car
    2. Before You Start the Engine
    3. Before You Pull Out
    4. On The Road
      1. Stay Left
      2. Stay Really Left
      3. Pump Those Brakes!
      4. Signal Early and Often
      5. Look Over Your Shoulder!
      6. Stop for Three Seconds
      7. The S-Curve and the Crank
      8. Obstacles in the Road
      9. Additional Advice
    5. At the End
    6. Passing and Failing
  5. Conclusion and Survey Results


INTRODUCTION

"THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT THE TEST IS NOT TO GET FRUSTRATED WITH THE RIDICULOUSNESS OF THE TEST. THERE IS NOTHING PRACTICAL ABOUT THE 'PRACTICAL TEST'"
- HIROSHIMA JET

For those of you who have to take the practical test - mainly those from the U.S., South Africa, and Jamaica - the practical test is not so much a test of your driving ability as it is a test of your ability to navigate a set course in the proper manner. Sometimes the skills overlap, sometimes they do not. It tests your ability to control the car, whether it is going fast or slow. It tests your ability to navigate very narrow sections of road. It is a test to show that you are aware of any possible danger at any time, even if it is physically impossible. It is a test to show that you are patient and careful. Opinions differ on which prefectures have harder tests, the cities or the inaka. Every prefecture will have different levels of strictness about different things. In the end, it usually depends on the proctor, so try to make a good impression. The practical test is taken on a private course. The giant course resembles one at a driving school or at a go-cart park. The turns tend to be marked with small signs indicating "B1" or "D2" or such so the proctor can be specific. You take the test in their vehicle, not your own. The vehicles are full-sized white-plate cars that used to be taxis, so if you are used to a narrow car, be especially cautious. If you drive a manual, you must take the test in a manual. Otherwise, you may take it in either. Your reservation is not based on which type of car you choose. Manual drivers have to adjust to the clutch quickly, but the proctors are aware of that. You will most likely be taking the test with other foreigners since there is often a limit to the number of foreigners who take it per day and you are all tested together. In some prefectures, you ride in the back of the car as someone else takes their test and vice versa. The proctor will usually be male. He may get out of the car and politely explain as much as he can about the test beforehand or he might just wave you in curtly from the car. He may try to use a little English, but more likely he will use none at all. Every prefecture has a different course and different levels of difficulty. Try to talk to as many people you know who have taken the test, so you have an idea which details your prefecture is strict about. There is often a wait between every step of the process. You have to wait in line to pay the fee, wait to turn in the application, wait to take the test, wait until everyone is finished, wait to be called back to the window and, if you pass, you have to wait to take your eye exam, wait to have your picture taken, wait as they confirm all your information, then wait to receive your license. Bringing a book and snacks is a wise idea (though many driving centers have their own snack bars, sometimes restaurants.)

"THE TIME I PASSED, I WAS THE ONLY ONE TAKING THE TEST. NO ONE WAS AHEAD OF ME OR BEHIND ME. I HAD ONE STAFF MEMBER PERSONALLY PROCESSING MY LICENSE. STILL, FROM START TO FINISH, I WAS THERE TWO HOURS."



Q & A

Do I need a reservation for the practical test?


Almost always. If you get lucky, there may be a slot open to take the practical test on the same day you take your written test, but not every prefecture will allow that. Prepare to have to make a reservation.


Can I make the reservation for whenever I want?


Usually yes. Some prefectures assign you a time, but most will let you choose. Keep in mind that the next open time might not be for a week, two weeks, three weeks, or even a month! Summers are especially busy. The reservations will almost always be on work days during business hours either in the morning session or the afternoon session. You will have to take a day (or at least a morning or afternoon depending on how far away you live) off work.


Do I have to take nenkyuu (paid yearly leave) to take my driver's exam?


It depends on your contracting organization. Many will let you take a special day of leave without having to take a paid holiday. If you have to drive to get to your places of work then you have a good argument. Ask for it. If you fail more than 4 to 6 times, however, even a nice contracting organization might not be willing to give you any more special days of leave.


What should I wear?


Do NOT wear sandals or any shoes where your toes are exposed. Do not wear heels. People have also been turned away for wearing a skirt or clothing that is very loose or hanging (though some people recommend wearing a short skirt). Wear practical, non-restrictive clothing. Dressing nice doesn't hurt.


Can I drive to the Driver's Center to take my practical test?


Sure, as long as your International Driver's Permit is still valid. Otherwise, take the bus or train, just in case they are watching you. There are usually a lot of buses and trains that go to the driver's center for obvious reasons.


What if I don't know any Japanese?


Although it helps put the proctor at ease, knowing Japanese is not necessary. If you know the course well, then you don't need to understand his instructions (though it might be unnerving to hear him give an instruction and not know for sure what he is saying). A simple 'hai' might do after he issues an instruction. At the end, he may explain to you what you did wrong. He will draw a diagram if necessary, but the more Japanese you have, the better you will understand why you failed so you can avoid it next time. If you can, bring a friend to translate. Although the friend cannot be with you in the car during the test, he or she can translate his remarks afterwards. A decent grasp of beginner Japanese and knowledge of a few key terms will help you understand if you cannot bring a Japanese speaker with you. See the chapter on "Handy Japanese" in this book.


How much money should I bring?


Bring no less than 5,500 yen. You may not need it all. The fee for processing is 2,400 yen every time you take the test and the license fee if you pass is 1,750 yen. Both are usually paid at a separate window, where you will receive stamps as proof of payment. Often, you will have to pay for the rental of the prefecture's car to take the test. That's 1,100 yen and you may have to use a ticket machine. If you are getting a motorcycle license, etc, in addition, it will be another 3,300 yen.





GENERAL ADVICE

  1. Know the Course. If it's the same course every time, try to get a course map from your predecessor, a fellow JET, your supervisor, or a driving school. Be able to drive the course in your head without looking at the map. If you are unable to get the map ahead of time, or if the course changes every time, you will receive the proper course at the center. Give yourself time to walk the course. Most centers will have an hour preceding the morning test block (usually 8-9) and an hour preceding the afternoon testing block (usually 12-1) when the course is closed to cars and open to people. Walk it. Not only does it get the blood moving, it dramatically reduces the chances of ambiguity. Things that are obvious on the map might not be so clear on the course, but you may see things on the course that aren't specifically outlined on the map, either. Walking the course leisurely takes about 25 to 30 minutes. You'll usually see a few other people doing the same thing. Ask if you're not sure if it is okay.
  2. Exaggerate. Everything you do in this test (from checking over your shoulder to untwisting your seatbelt to hitting the brakes) should be done in a slow, obvious, or exaggerated manner. Make it clear that you are looking around a lot and checking your mirrors often.
  3. Be Polite and Japanese. Try to use as much Japanese as you can to make the proctor feel comfortable. Even simply saying "hai" after a command will help. Saying "arigatou gozaimasu" afterwards is a good idea too. Questioning the proctor too much (beyond what you need to understand) might not be wise. Getting angry or defensive will not help. You are more likely to pass if you are polite and look remorseful about your errors.
  4. Verbalize actions. In some prefectures (like Ehime) the proctors like to hear what you are doing and, in general, verbalizing actions is a good way to avoid ambiguity later. If you do not know a lot of Japanese, saying yoshi ("all right; OK") every time you check your mirrors is one way to be sure the proctor knows that you checked. Saying what you are doing is not always necessary, but it is never a bad idea if you are able to.
  5. Don't be in a hurry. The course is short and will be over in minutes, you do not need to rush. It is easy to slip into natural driving when you know you are on an extremely safe course and do not need to check for people/obstacles/bikes/crazy drivers, but keep alert. Remember that you are demonstrating how to be a paranoid, careful driver even when your instinct tells you that you are on the safest road in Japan.
  6. Note Hand Placement on the Steering Wheel. Keep both hands on the wheel at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. Do not let your hand rest long on the gear shift or anywhere else. When you turn, do hand-over-hand. IMPORTANT: Do not turn your hand palm-upwards on the steering wheel. It will count against you.

"IT MIGHT NOT BE RELEVANT, BUT I PASSED THE TEST THE ONE TIME I SAID "YOROSHIKU ONEGAI SHIMASU" BEFORE I BEGAN."




TAKING THE TEST [Advice for Manual Transmission in Brackets]

Before You Get In The Car
Walk around car and do the following:

"IT MAY FEEL SILLY TO LOOK FOR STRAY CATS OR PLAYING CHILDREN ON A CLOSED COURSE, BUT JUST DO IT. I FAILED ONCE BECAUSE I DIDN'T BEND DOWN LOW ENOUGH WHEN CHECKING."

Before You Start the Engine
Sit in the driver's seat and do the following (in any order)

"I WAS SO BUSY LOOKING AROUND THE CAR, DEMONSTRATING HOW GOOD I WAS AT GETTING TO KNOW THE CAR BEFORE I DROVE IT, THAT I ACTUALLY FORGOT TO PUT ON MY SEATBELT. I FAILED. REMEMBER THE IMPORTANT STUFF OVER THE DETAILS."

Before You Pull Out
When the proctor has given you the okay (or if he seems ready) do the following in order:

  1. Check that emergency brake is in place, visually or with your hand
  2. Start the car with the brake pressed in [with clutch and brake pressed in]
  3. Release the emergency brake
  4. Put your turn signal on
  5. Put the car into Drive [1st gear]
  6. Before you move the car, do the "full head spin"
    • Look over your left shoulder
    • Look in your passenger side mirror
    • Look in your rear-view mirror
    • Look in your driver side mirror
    • Look over your right shoulder
  7. If you're clear, really clear, slowly pull forward

On The Road




CONCLUSION AND SURVEY RESULTS

The advice above is a conglomeration of information from different prefectures. To find out about your own prefecture's test, ask your supervisor, ask other JETs, check the internet, do as much research as you possibly can. Try to practice in your own car (if you can) to make some of the important tricks habitual and to lose bad habits. Expect that the first time you will be turned away or fail. It will be the hardest on your nerves. The second time will be easier.

Some prefectures that are known to be particularly strict (there may be more): Ehime, Toyama, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Niigata, Chiba, Oita, Nagoya, Kagoshima, Fukushima

Theories
There are a lot of conspiracy theories about why it takes foreigners so long to pass. Some say that you will never pass your first (or second or fifth) try no matter what. Some say that it is all up to the proctor - either you get a nice one or you don't. Some say that all depends on timing - you will only pass on a day when it is relatively empty and the staff do not have anything better to do and therefore you should go off-season (instead of early-mid summer like most of us). These all may be true at some centers / for some proctors, but keep in mind that these are certainly not exclusively true and that the test is difficult for the Japanese as well.

Survey Results
According to a survey of JETs in Japan in 2004 (including 85 respondents from 23 prefectures) the average number of times one must take the practical test before passing is approximately 2.4 times.

Approximately 35% of respondents passed their first time.

Of those who left advice, almost 15% recommended that you be polite, speak as much Japanese as possible, have a positive attitude, or feel out your proctor before proceeding. Nearly 40% recommended taking one to three lessons at a driving school or doing a practice course (on the actual site or elsewhere) with a Japanese person you know (friend / supervisor / contact) who can point out mistakes.

Good luck!


END OF CHAPTER

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