Lee Can Drive

Getting a Japanese drivers license  --Written by Lee

Even before we arrived in Japan we were told how difficult it would be to get a Japanese drivers’ license. 

Nagoya has a high incidence of traffic accidents involving older people, hence the reported bias against older drivers. 

It often takes 4 to 7 times to pass the driving test. 

Japanese who do not already have a license, must take driving school and pay over $3,000 to learn to drive and prepare for the practical driving test.  

For foreigners the cost depends on how many times one fails, and how many driving practice sessions they purchase.

Warning: If you lack patience, and are not really interested in knowing what it takes to get a Japanese Driver’s License, skip to the end.

To get a license, patience is required due to the bureaucracy. 

The steps to get a license are:

1.       Get your passport and USA state issued drivers license translated at the Japan Automobile Association, like AAA.  Pay $30 and you walk out with a “translation.”  Remember to pick up the step-by-step instruction for getting through the bureaucracy, and a driver’s manual. 

2.       Next stop at city hall, to get a certificate to prove you are a resident of Nagoya.  Simple--pay $5 and walk out with documentation.  Note: due to time restrictions and travel, the first two steps took two half days.

Window 1 (across the way in this photo)  is an information  booth that helps get us started.

If in doubt you can always just read the signs. The number in the circle is the window number.  It obvious you start at #1.  There I was told to go to #12.  I got to know windows #12, #11, #14, #2, #3, #17, #16 very well.  This DMV is a big building that handles large crowds.  Literally all the drivers seeking licenses in Nagoya must come here.

3.       Then drive nine kilometers to the DMV.  I arrived at 9:00 am to a beehive of activity.  I went to station #1 where I was told to go to window station #12-- the window for Foreign Drivers who already had a license.  Take a number and wait. Continue to wait.

Window 12 - Having a license already gets  Foreigners their own window.

4.       Finally a nice 40-year old Japanese lady official asked for my passport, Japanese resident card, translated American driver’s license, and address document, etc.  She helped fill out a “white” processing form that will record the key steps in the process.  Automatic (AT) or manual transmission (MT)?  My initial thought is a manual transmission license, but on second thought I will not be driving a manual transmission car in Japan. Do I really want to learn to shift with my left hand?  “AT please!!!”  

To my surprise--the nice official pondered my entry/exit stamps in my passport.  Her purpose was to verify that I had driven for at least one year in America.  No brainer, right?  Wrong.  She had to verify it based on date stamps in my passport.  My passport had me departing and returning from Mexico.  200 and some days later, we departed for Europe.  There was a clean Homeland Security Stamp documenting our departure.  But, not my return in June of 2008.  The official could not document from my passport that I was in America between 2008 and 2012 from my passport.   What did this mean anyway?   For drivers with less than a year’s experience, I would need to display a green and yellow novice driver marker on the front and back of my vehicle for 12 months of driving in Japan. This marker is a warning to other drivers.  Oh well, I just smiled.   After completing the form, I was then told to go to Window 11.

6.       At Window 11, I paid the initial processing fee. 

Window #11:  Cashiers.  This line leads to the cashier windows.  I returned to these windows at least three times in the process. 

7.       Next go to Window #14.  There was a long snaking line of mostly Japanese. I did not know what the line was for.  It turns out about an hour later, I learned that it was for verifying that a) the “white” form is complete, b) processing fee is paid, and c) the required documents are attached.  Everything except for the white form is kept at Window 14. 

Window 14: snaking line to verify the Window 12 processor did the documents properly.  Actually Window 12 and 14 look in the same room.  The processor and person verifying sit back to back.  Indeed switch roles to likely break the boredom.

8.       Next go to station #15 for an eye exam.  My “white” paper was double checked to make sure it was complete and date stamped.  So I was admitted to the eye exam area.  In the large eye exam area, I commenced my eye exam.  I did not understand exactly the Japanese description of how the eye test worked.  How difficult could it be?  After missing the first several images, the official asked if I could see at all.  In Japanese he mentioned a break in the circle symbol.  I thought, oh, I guess he is asking if I can see the location of the break of the various sized circles.  With that clue, I was able to pass the eye exam. By now it was 11:45 am.

Station 2: Eye Exam area.  Rare moment when the lines are short.  The machines in the background are the eye exam  machines. 

9.       Next I was lead to the station to schedule the written exam.  When I received the schedule, I realized my exam was for 1:30 pm. Problem--I had promised Sister Barney that I would be back around noon to take her to Sister Endo’s home in the city of Inuyama.  When I told the clerk I could not be there at 1:30 pm, I caused confusion.  They called another official over; I explained that I had a conflict.  He then escorted me back to Window #12 where I met the original lady official.  She explained that the eye test and written driver’s test had to be on the same day.  She retrieved all the paper work that I had turned in at window #14, and crossed out the verification stamped date.  And, I left the DMV.

10.     The next day, I arrived at the DMV early.   By 8:15 am I went to Window 12, and the nice lady looked over my papers again.  Then out of nowhere she said to me “last evening I was singing Gospel hymns and I like them so much.”  She obviously knew I was a missionary and wanted to share a personal experience.  I told her that I liked to sing hymns too. I thanked her for sharing her thoughts with me.  I thought to myself, I am sure glad I did not get irritated with her the day before when she was laboring over my passport. A smile is best when we find ourselves in lengthy process.

Window #14 again.   A fun conversation in line with a young Japanese man makes the line "seem" shorter.

11.  This time I ended up standing in a much shorter line at Window #14.  It only took about 30 minutes in line. Plus I had an interesting conversation with a young man in his early thirties who worked for a car dealership.   The wait seemed much shorter.  Again my paper work was validated, and I got my “white paper” re-stamped with a new date. They again kept the other papers.

12.     Back to the eye exam station. Passed it with ease having practiced the day before.

13.     Back to the written driving test scheduler.  Now I was scheduled for 10:30 am that morning.  It turns out they only give the written test twice a day to foreigners at 10:30 am or 1:30 pm.   But by getting an earlier start, I would make the 10:30 test.  So I sat and waited for the test outside a single door with the sign, Foreigner’s Exam Room. As I sat in the waiting area, all the people passing were carrying their own “white” paper.

Solo Door for foreigner's exam room.  Fortunately the test is in English.

I sat in the waiting area across the hall and watch the door to the Foreigner's exam room as others walked by with their "white" paper.

Still waiting to enter the Foreigner's exam room.  These Japanese have their "white" paper and are waiting to take their written exam in a nearby room.  There are two of us foreigners waiting to take our exam.  One frustrated Brazilian lady asked me where I got my driver's manual in my own language.  My Portuguese is non-existent, but in English and Japanese I tried to help her as she was not strong in ether language.  The blind leading the blind.

14.     At 10:30 am, the single door opened and a Brazilian and I were invited in.  After a practice test on the computer, I took the ten question test and scored 100%.  If you learned how to read traffic signs, and used simple logic, it was possible to get the 70% passing score without reading the manual.  But, I left nothing to chance, so I had read the whole manual.  On the computer generated score sheet was the date and time for my practical driving test.  Oops, I had a conflict. This date conflicted with a missionary transfer day – these are the busy days.  To change the date and time of my driving test, I needed to go to Window #17.

15.     At Window #17, a uniformed official listened to my conflict and identified a date and time on Thursday of the same week that worked for me.  So I had two weeks to get ready for the challenging practical driving test. 

16.     Then I was given a “yellow” ticket that needed to be paid to take the driving exam.  Back to Window #11, the cashier’s office.  Once the fees were paid, I was officially ready for the driving test.

17.     But based on other people’s experiences of failing the test multiple times, I chose to go to the local driving school.  This was located in another building near the DMV.  There I paid $150 for two driver’s training sessions that week.

18.     The first step in preparing for the exam is to take a printed layout of the driving closed course, and to trace the two possible driving courses: Course A & B on the layout paper.  Objective: memorize the course to be able to drive it without any instructions from the tester.

This is fly over view of this large facility. The main  building is  two football fields long.  There are multiple driving courses on the roads of his facility.

19.     First day of Training – my first trainer was a white haired Japanese trainer who reminded me of a drill sergeant.   He first drove the course and then told me to try.  [I came to understand that the Japanese driving test was an artful combination of rules and nuanced driving.  If you could negotiate the course smoothly and demonstrate the ability to do all the maneuvers, you could pass the test.  The sequence and order of things mattered.]  

The course is large maze of streets laid out to create a range of driving situations.  The white Toyota Crown Car on the right is what you drive for the vehicle test.   Drivers of Fork Lifts and semi-trucks can be on the course at the same time taking their tests for their commercial licenses.

This first instructor impressed upon me the importance of checking my mirrors and looking back to verify that the road is clear.  For example, if changing lanes to the right, confirm that the way is clear by 1) using the rearview mirror, then (2) the right side mirror, and then (3) look over the right shoulder.  When it came time to check, drill instructor (I mean instructor) would bark in a loud voice in Japanese, “Confirm 1,2,3”.   Depending on direction, he would yell, “Confirm 1, 2, 3” expecting the use of the correct mirrors for the situation. 

He would also remind me to signal in a timely manner, since the blocks of the course are fairly short.  The first lesson reminded me that this would not be easy.  And I needed to be prepared to know exactly which way I needed to turn next and anticipate the next turn or action, so I could have the car in the right place after each turn.

20.     After the first session, I decided to take advantage of a time slot each day to walk two courses, A & B.  The courses were different, but similar.  As I walked the course, I mentally signaled, Confirmed 1, 2, 3 and thought through each little artful requirement.   The walking was good exercise, too.

21.     I walked and visualized one more time before my second training session.  Plus, as I drove on the regular streets in my normal course of driving, I practiced what I was taught.  I tried to do it correctly in hopes that I would more naturally look in the right direction and signal properly.  Sister Barney noted my improved driving even before I completed the training.

In the morning before the driving tests start, these three people are walking the course just ahead of me.  Notice the simulated hills for starting on a slope and signals.  There is a scooter driving course just to the right of the tower.

22.     Second training session was with a different trainer. This was a younger man who was very helpful.  I learned how to get into a car in the right order: 1) look around the car before getting in, 2) open the door, get in, and lock the door, 3) adjust the seat, 4) adjust the rear view mirror, 5) put on the seat belt, 6) put foot on break and wait for instruction to start the car, 7) put the car in gear, 8) take the hand break off, 9) signal, 10) confirm – right, left, right, 11) pull straight out of parking space. 

Note: In speaking with one young Chinese man, he failed twice because he had not put his seat belt on at the right time. 

This trainer also reminded me of the importance of “confirming that the way was clear”, but he did it in a gentle manner. 

He pointed out other finer points: how to turn corners properly, how to stop a car properly, and the detailed steps of how to exit the vehicle.   At the end of the session, he recommended I have one more session to fine tune my skills.

These curving narrow roads simulate real conditions.  Notice the wear patterns and how close cars come to the edge as they navigate these narrow paths.  If you touch the side of the curb, you fail.

23.     My next training session was scheduled for the afternoon before my actual driving test.   I walked the A & B courses 2 or 3 more times.  I memorized every minute detail.

24.     On my last training session, I had an excellent instructor who was good at sharing even finer details of the art of driving the courses.  For example, he pointed out that at the start of both courses there was a cross walk painted on the road that was not obvious; it went nowhere and came from nowhere.  He cautioned me to confirm right, left, right before crossing it. 

A large dedicated course with lots of corners, streets, and obstacles.  This is the stretch where you need to accelerate to 50 km/hour and watch for other vehicles.

Also, he instructed me of the various speeds to drive the sections of the course. For example, one stretch I was to get to 30 km/h, and another stretch 50 km/h, and another narrow section to drive under 5 km/h.  [The young Chinese man had failed once because he was driving the course too fast, and another time for driving too slowly.] 

As we completed each course, the trainer would take out his clipboard and rule book and point out the details to watch for.  For example, when you are making a left turn, as you confirm the way is clear, the vehicle is to be driven to the left to within 50 cm of the curb. This prevents a bike or scooter from trying to pass on your left as you are turning left. 

He pointed out points on the course where it was essential to make sure the way was clear before proceeding.  [There are a number of cars, trucks, buses and semi’s on the course all at the same time, following difference courses on the same facility.  The traffic signals change, and so this all helps simulate actual road conditions.] 

So in addition to remembering all the fine points, it is essential to drive safely and adjust as expected under normal driving conditions.  At the end of the session the instructor told me I was a smooth driver and was doing the confirming correctly under all the various scenarios, and he felt I was ready for the test.

25.     The day of the exam, I got to the DMV practical driving facility about 7:45 am.  I mentally went through both courses in my head. Then I walked the A Course.  Next I went to Window #17 and checked in. At that time I was notified that I would be tested on Course A.  In the 30 minutes before the test started, I re-walked Course A one more time, visualizing every fine point I had been taught.

26.     The big day I had anticipated was here.  At 9:45 am, we lined up and we were instructed in Japanese that the test started the moment we opened the car door and did not end until we exited. Also if at any time the examiner felt we were making an unsafe move, the test would be over. 

As others started their exam, I watched as they got in the car. I could see the sequence in which they started and how exacting they were in the process.  Some were careful, but others appeared to not know the finer points of starting the car. 

When my turn came, I tried to follow and execute with exactness every fine detail.  The drive went smoothly, I executed the tight turns with precision, I reached the desired speeds and I thought I made the turns properly, and confirmed the road was clear and signaled properly. 

The first good news, my exam was not terminated due to unsafe driving.  At the end, the examiner spoke to me about one of my turns.  She explained that my left tire had not touched the turning arrow marked on the road. I thanked her and carefully executed the exit process, and got out.  I took a deep breath. 

27.     Now the waiting game.  The 20 foreigners (I was the only American) and 20 Japanese in the 9:45 am testing session had to finish the driving, and be scored before any of us knew if we passed or not.

My young Chinese friend and I waited to hear whether we passed. He was really positive and encouraging to me. I was sorry he did not pass this time.  As a student he could not afford the training classes. So his training was by trial and error while taking the real driving test.

So we went to a second floor waiting area.  There we sat and talked.  The young Chinese man had taken the test 5 times. He was hoping he passed this time.  Another Chinese Lady was on her 7th try.  One very vocal man was sure that they deliberately didn’t pass people just to increase revenue.  We all waited. 

28.     About 1:15 pm an official came out and read two names, mine and a Brazilian’s name.  At that moment, I wasn’t sure if we passed or failed.  So I stood up and walked away from a room of 40 people and was told to go to a nearby processing room.  There I learned I had passed.  Also, two Japanese had passed. Hence, 4 out of 40 passed.  My other newly made friends had not passed.  I felt bad for them.  It felt a little awkward to stand and leave the anxious group of hopeful people behind.

Window 11: Cashiers again.

29.     I was not done yet.  After taking a photo, I was given a sheet of paper to take down to Window #11, the cashier. There I paid another fee for the actual license.  Then I returned to the processing room were the licenses are produced.  We were given instructions on how to use the driver’s passwords that are encoded in the license. 

30.     The last step was to go to a Driver’s license code reader to verify that our personal password codes were properly entered on the card correctly.  This card reader was by the waiting area where there were still 36 people waiting to reschedule their driving exam.  It is amazing to me that there were only two foreigners and two Japanese that morning who passed and earned their licenses.

As I left the building I walked by Window #12, and thanked the lady who helped me the first day, and let her know I had passed and had my Japanese Driver’s License. She smiled as I smiled at her.

31.     There is a hymn that reminds us to “count our blessings, name them one by one.”  Having passed, and overcoming the odds of failure, was a blessing.  Getting a license was important to so many missionaries and others who depend on me to be able drive and get done what needs to get done on our mission.  The Lord blessed us with patience, insight to practice, and a desire to drive the rest of my mission.   It was important to be willing to pay the price of learning the nuanced rules of driving in Japan.

All-in-all, I am a better driver in Japan. 

32.     You might be saying, why did Elder Barney not just say, “I passed!”  Well that is what I did say to Sister Barney, President Baird and the other office missionaries.  They celebrated with me. 

Hopefully some of the highlights of the bureaucracy of getting a license have given you insights into our Japanese experience and provide some entertainment.  I found the process somewhat exhilarating.  Exhilarating because it was a challenge, and it was interesting to see all that was involved in converting a foreign license to a Japanese license.

The End:  For those who skipped to the end, I feel blessed to have a Japanese Driver’s license!  The good news is that I did not have to stop driving on February 4^th, 2013 when my International Driver’s permit expired.

Thanks for those who were praying for us.

PS – The fact that the DMV has a full service cafeteria and concession drinks should have tipped off the casual observer that the DMV process is long and time consuming.

PPS  -- Sorry for the delay in sharing this experience. I am focused on other aspects of our mission.  Again thanks for being patient.