So I have been thinking lately about getting my scooter license here in Japan however I have heard horror stories about how bad the English translation of the written test is (lots of double negatives, and confusing traffic terms). I figured I would shoot to take it in Japanese as it might make more sense. I found this website http://www.robot.ne.jp/~auto/bike/siken.htm (click on the 腕試し button) that has a practice test that you can take. It gives you 15 true or false questions and you have 2 minutes to answer them. What I was thinking about doing was each time I take the test is to copy all the questions into an Anki deck, run them through this http://nihongo.j-talk.com/parser/ to get the readings, and then do a translation myself. Also I then try to search the internet to find the answer to the question and include that also.

Would anybody be interested in helping me mine this website for the questions. I think it would require taking the test several times to get all the questions but the more the merry, and you might get your license as well!

Sounds like a really good plan. A sure fire way to pass a test is to take every practice test until you can pass them no sweat. Good luck and I'm interested to know how this turns out.

hmm. when I took the english test it was extremly easy. You couldnt fail if you tried. it might be differnt where you are though.

the driving test was another thing though.....

Maybe. I'm in Kansai so maybe they use a different test. You still gotta get like 45/48 on the written test right? Were you getting a scooter or a drivers license?

Does this sound right to you:
二輪車で走行中、追い越しのために方向を変えるときは、クラッチを切り少し速度を下げておこなうとよい。

When driving a scooter and you are changing course in order to pass, you should grip the cluth and reduce your speed a little.

Also I am not too sure about this one. With all the subjects missing I think I got it right:

横断歩道を横断しようとする歩行者がいたが、近づくと立ち止まったので、そのまま走行した。

A pedestrian is about to cross a cross walk, but they stop as you appoach, so you drive on without stopping.

skinnyneo Wrote:横断歩道を横断しようとする歩行者がいたが、近づくと立ち止まったので、そのまま走行した。

A pedestrian is about to cross a [...] cross walk, but they stop as you appoach, so you drive on without stopping.

Wait... Whether the pedestrian continues walking or not is a consideration as to how a motorist reacts? That is not the Kansai I remember. It is like a human Frogger out there!

Thanks Jimmyseal, that makes more sense to me!

bodhisamaya Wrote:Wait... Whether the pedestrian continues walking or not is a consideration as to how a motorist reacts? That is not the Kansai I remember. It is like a human Frogger out there!

Actually, I think the point of the question was that you're supposed to stop for pedestrians whether they stop for you or not. I'm sure the question was followed by a "Was this the right thing to do? [Yes] [No]" with the answer being [No], but I'll agree that the reality tends to be the exact opposite.

JimmySeal Wrote:

bodhisamaya Wrote:Wait... Whether the pedestrian continues walking or not is a consideration as to how a motorist reacts? That is not the Kansai I remember. It is like a human Frogger out there!

Actually, I think the point of the question was that you're supposed to stop for pedestrians whether they stop for you or not. I'm sure the question was followed by a "Was this the right thing to do? [Yes] [No]" with the answer being [No], but I'll agree that the reality tends to be the exact opposite.

That was the whole question as presented on that page, and then you answer Yes or No, so I think that the "right thing to do" is kinda implied. At least that is the feeling I am getting from most of these questions. Most of it seems kinda like common sense stuff, but who knows.