I just passed driving test in Japan!

[caraway33]

without knowing Japanese. Very surprised it’s actually possible.
Took 3 months in total,
about 40 hours of driving (i’m almost 40 btw, zero previous experience).
At driving school was supplied with theory book in English- written test was in English (also available in several other languages).
Driving lessons were in basic/broken Japanese. Teachers in rotation, around 7 in total. Fascinating how teacher’s personality affects driving experience, glad it was so many. Some made me very nervous which resulted in more mistakes.

You start driving at school, then after obtaining learner’s license, go on the road. Then that driving test- was super easy, the route i’ve done dozens of times but due to nerves still managed to make mistakes. Was certain of failing but got a pass?! Cringed for days as it felt so underserved.
After that, mock written exam at school (100 questions) and then final written test at prefectural police driving centre.

other details: MT gear box, driving in JP is on the left side. School fee (including driving lessons) about £1700 .

Anyone would like to share experience of passing a driving test in different country/language?

or any questions regarding the one in JP?

oh sorry for typos etc
also mixed up sequence/steps: mock written test first, then driving exam.

Wow. Well done!!

Do you have a DL from anywhere else already?

Wow, congratulations, now that's an ice breaker! Do you live in Japan or are you a tourist?

Congratulations! I'm also nearly 40 and learning to drive abroad, but I failed my test for the second time last week.

I'm almost 60 hours in and it's been more than a year. Fingers crossed it'll be third time lucky!

i’ve never driven or even tried to, before.
And yes, i live here but embarrassingly, still
can’t really speak.

@LondonQueen
@JugglingJanuary
Thank you!

Ooo that’s brilliant, well done!

Absolutely fantastic! Aah it's the country I want to visit most ❤️

@badalmond 🤞good luck for the next time!
i’m sure i’ve only managed so easily because of combination of factors. One of them is that JP driving license system (and schools) doesn’t benefit from repeated exams/continuous students.

@LizBennet Japan is a must visit country! (although living here is very challenging)

Well done. That's a real feat!

I used to live in Japan, only for 2 years but it was only in the last few months there that I started to really get the hang of the language - which I loved!

Congrats! I just passed in England in my 40s and I'm proud just of that. I did fail many years ago in Belgium....

Well done OP!

I took a driving test in the US a long time ago in the early 2000's. I was already a driver in the UK but it was the same test for everyone and very odd. Turn up (no appointment) get in a couple of hours long queue, drive around a car park for literally about 5 minutes, pull into a parking space at the end, pass or fail and drive yourself home regardless! Must provide own car.

I'm delighted to say I passed first time!

If you came to the U.K. would you have to take a U.K. test or can you convert your Japan licence to a U.K. one. Does it allow you to drive here?

@CovidCorvid i think JP and UK has bilateral agreement regarding driving license- so it would be possible to convert, yes (also- international license!)
Although at the present can’t comprehend how people manage to drive in different countries- there are many various differences and nuances, in terms of rules/behavioural/roads.
For example, roundabouts here are almost unheard of here…maybe if you are an experienced driver, can figure things out as you go?!

Well done, OP! I had a Japanese license for years, but it has expired now. I converted mine from a UK license though.

Do invest time in learning the language if you can. It will make your life there so much easier. And despite what people think, it really isn't that difficult.

sounds very random indeed @TokyoSushi! No wonder americans complain about converting us license to jp as its very elaborate and choreographed procedure.

God well done! It took me several tries without the language barrier so I'm extra impressed!

Well done!!!

I already had a British DL but needed a Thai one. I had to give my British DL and a medical form (was a very quick check and I'm still not sure what they actually wrote down) and was then given a coloured number (purple 20). When they called purple I had to get into position 20 in the queue (was actually last) and file into a room for the tests. These were naming flashing colours at the side of your head, a reactions test of pressing a brake when a light flashed and a depth vision test of lining two sticks in a box. That was the complete test for me. As I was last I could watch everyone else first to see how to do it. I think you got one extra chance of you failed first time.

Then I was ushered to a different part of the room and a photo taken for my license. I got told off for not smiling so they had to retake it

I don't live there now but still keep my Thai licence in my purse Reminds me if I'm capable of Bangkok driving I can do anything!!

@AlexaShutUp oh did you let it expire because came back to uk? people tend to hold on to it for dear life since it’s so bothersome and expensive.

100% about the language thing- have dozens of reasons how it all came down to this but it’s trumped by the fact that one must learn the language of residence. I haven’t given up!

@Anatomical That’s a great story!

[quote caraway33]@AlexaShutUp oh did you let it expire because came back to uk? people tend to hold on to it for dear life since it’s so bothersome and expensive.

100% about the language thing- have dozens of reasons how it all came down to this but it’s trumped by the fact that one must learn the language of residence. I haven’t given up![/quote]
Yes, back in the UK now. I do miss Japan!

I have USA also - incredibly simple! DH has Spainish, German, USA and Indian!

@caraway33

i’ve never driven or even tried to, before. And yes, i live here but embarrassingly, still can’t really speak.

Extra well done as you've never driven before! I can't imagine learning to drive in a foreign language!

How long have you lived there? Do you live with a native speaker?

Well done OP! I had a bit of a panic that I would have to retake my driving licence after Brexit as I live in Italy but luckily they allowed me to swap it in the end - phew!