Japanese driver’s license

DougP · 09-04-2007, 05:14 PM

Ok I've been brushing up on my road signs and rules etc. But am still a little confused on the steps, processes, cost etc of obtaining my japanese driver's license. I had a SOFA driver's permit for over 5 years but I hear that doesn't mean squat and I'll still have to take the writen and road test. Has anyone out there done this before? How long does it take and what are the costs etc? Have any tips?

Asshat · 09-04-2007, 05:18 PM

You will need to take all of the tests. You will fail the driving test at least three times. I believe that is mandatory. In the end, you will be forced to do the ugly gaijin thing and get in the face of the tester. But don't do it until you have failed enough times to prove without a shadow of a doubt your inferiority as a gaijin.

For steps and processes, recommend you get with she who holds the gaijin torokusho over your head. Heck, that's why you put up with this s5it isn't it.

dk · 09-04-2007, 05:24 PM

I'm currently in the process of getting mine. 0/4 on the driving test so far and I have another one on Friday. I'll post more about it as soon as I pass the stupid thing...

And it won't be pretty.

The paperwork is a pain in the butt, but it's nothing compared to the waste of time that is the driving test. You could do the written test braindead and blindfolded without even knowing the questions and would probably pass...

DougP · 09-04-2007, 05:24 PM

Hope I don't have to fail it three times

My wife got it on her first go.
I used to know another American who had a japanese license but he got it quite some time ago when it wasn't required for Americans to take any of the tests. If only I was Canadian.

DougP · 09-04-2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dk

I'm currently in the process of getting mine. 0/4 on the driving test so far and I have another one on Friday. I'll post more about it as soon as I pass the stupid thing...

And it won't be pretty.

Wow so is it hard to read or do they fail you on purpose?

dk · 09-04-2007, 05:26 PM

They fail you for stupid stuff.

DoctorP · 09-04-2007, 05:30 PM

If you had gone down before your SOFA license expired, you could have just switched it over. You pretty much just have to drive anal. Do that and you will be ok...oh, and don't drive angry at all, they don't like that!

DougP · 09-04-2007, 05:32 PM

darn missed that window.

dk · 09-04-2007, 05:33 PM

Here's what I've been failed for so far.

Test 1: Not using the side mirrors or looking over my shoulder (BS) and not veering to the side of the lane before turning. Yes, you have to do the veer. Yes, it is retarded and nobody actually does this on the road because it limits your turning angle and because it is retarded.

Test 2: Same as above. I was furious. Waste of two hours.

Test 3: Rounded the corners too fast. You need to go 20km or less. Screw driving naturally, YOU NEED TO GO 20KM OR LESS. Also, didn't use turning signals soon enough (I'll give him that much, but it didn't feel natural to use my turning signal when I couldn't even see the turn)

Test 4: Did EVERYTHING perfectly according to the tester except I didn't look over my shoulders (BS).

On my last test (#4) the teacher kept saying that it was so sad that he couldn't pass me and even patted me on the back (about bit his arm off) and that I'd very likely pass next time if I could just fix that one thing.

One piece of advice: say everything out loud. Say, "Rearview, Side View, Shoulder, Swerve, Turn". Say everything out loud not just for the tester, but because it'll make you make a conscious effort at everything.

Exaggerate every action.

And resist the urge to tear your paperwork up after the third test. I came so close to throwing my paperwork at the desk clerk on a few occasions and after test #3 I was pissed off to the point I think I could very well have hurt someone. On test #2, I straight up called the tester a liar and a thief.

Be prepared to blow about 2.5 hours and Y4000 every two weeks until you pass. Tests are usually at 1pm, so you will most likely be missing a lot of work.

DougP · 09-04-2007, 05:34 PM

Also read I have to go to JFA and get my state side license translated and then go to the police station after that... wtf?

09-04-2007, 05:14 PM	#1
DougP t(-_-t) MOD, Bitch Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: 北谷 Posts: 10,683 My Mood: Thanks: 5,761 Thanked 9,827 Times in 4,550 Posts Groans: 83 Groaned at 520 Times in 505 Posts Credits: 1,556,147,260	Japanese driver’s license Ok I've been brushing up on my road signs and rules etc. But am still a little confused on the steps, processes, cost etc of obtaining my japanese driver's license. I had a SOFA driver's permit for over 5 years but I hear that doesn't mean squat and I'll still have to take the writen and road test. Has anyone out there done this before? How long does it take and what are the costs etc? Have any tips?

09-04-2007, 05:30 PM	#7
DoctorP Forum Moderator Tournaments Won: 1 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Uruma-shi Posts: 9,308 My Mood: Thanks: 1,659 Thanked 5,514 Times in 2,889 Posts Groans: 285 Groaned at 393 Times in 348 Posts Credits: 1,598,071,885	If you had gone down before your SOFA license expired, you could have just switched it over. You pretty much just have to drive anal. Do that and you will be ok...oh, and don't drive angry at all, they don't like that! __________________ "We must be the change we wish to see in the world"- Mahatma Gandhi Global warming will strike 2 days before the day after tomorrow! "Usually I pw3n this board when it comes to debates" -RB

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09-04-2007, 05:18 PM	#2
Asshat Dumber than a soap dish! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Somewhere in Utah Posts: 5,833 My Mood: Thanks: 1,073 Thanked 3,072 Times in 1,598 Posts Groans: 24 Groaned at 239 Times in 229 Posts Credits: 41,163,351	You will need to take all of the tests. You will fail the driving test at least three times. I believe that is mandatory. In the end, you will be forced to do the ugly gaijin thing and get in the face of the tester. But don't do it until you have failed enough times to prove without a shadow of a doubt your inferiority as a gaijin. For steps and processes, recommend you get with she who holds the gaijin torokusho over your head. Heck, that's why you put up with this s5it isn't it.

09-04-2007, 05:24 PM	#4
DougP t(-_-t) MOD, Bitch Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: 北谷 Posts: 10,683 My Mood: Thanks: 5,761 Thanked 9,827 Times in 4,550 Posts Groans: 83 Groaned at 520 Times in 505 Posts Credits: 1,556,147,260	Hope I don't have to fail it three times My wife got it on her first go. I used to know another American who had a japanese license but he got it quite some time ago when it wasn't required for Americans to take any of the tests. If only I was Canadian.

09-04-2007, 05:32 PM	#8
DougP t(-_-t) MOD, Bitch Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: 北谷 Posts: 10,683 My Mood: Thanks: 5,761 Thanked 9,827 Times in 4,550 Posts Groans: 83 Groaned at 520 Times in 505 Posts Credits: 1,556,147,260	darn missed that window.

09-04-2007, 05:34 PM	#10
DougP t(-_-t) MOD, Bitch Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: 北谷 Posts: 10,683 My Mood: Thanks: 5,761 Thanked 9,827 Times in 4,550 Posts Groans: 83 Groaned at 520 Times in 505 Posts Credits: 1,556,147,260	Also read I have to go to JFA and get my state side license translated and then go to the police station after that... wtf?

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