Suggestions for Passing the Driving Test in Japan

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Suggestions for Passing the Driving Test in Japan
By: Hershey Wier
The UMJ Volume 2.8

Background of My Situation: American trying to obtain a Japanese driver's license. Already holds valid US license and international driving license. Has 20 years driving experience in the US and 8 months driving experience in Japan.

1) First go for one or two driving lessons at a driving school, preferably with an English speaking instructor. Usually a cost of ( 5,000 per hour or so. I spent a total of ( 9,600 for a 2 hour lesson. For Kansai readers, there is a driving instructor in Kobe, listed in the Town Pages, who speaks some English. As always, it's best that the examinee speak some Japanese. Japanese ability also does wonders in putting the driving license examiner at ease during the test.

2) Ask the instructor what the most common mistakes and reasons for failure are. Remember the marking points when making the "crank" and "s" curve turns - don't just leave them to chance. There are definite points at which the steering wheel needs to be turned. Know them.

3) Take the driving test as soon as possible after completion of the driving lesson, so what is learned is not forgotten.

4) During the test, verbalize all of your actions from the start of the test to the finish. I actually said (in Japanese): "Lock door, adjust mirrors, put on seatbelt, release emergency brake, put on signal, look left right... Okay, now we need to make a right turn so go to the center line...," etc. There have been many a disagreement and test failure because of the disparity between what the examiner thought and what the examinee thought. Verbalizing minimizes the chance for doubt.

I met several non-Japanese examinees taking their driving test multiple times - at a not so small cost of time, self-confidence and money. The best tip I got was to take a driving lesson before even attempting the test, no matter how many years of driving experience one has.