Getting a driving license in Japan

dizmox Member

Registered: 2007-08-11 Posts: 1149

At some point in the future I imagine I'll be bullied into getting my driving license, though I don't really have enough time to get it here before I go away to grad school, so I'm not sure when I'm going to get it really.

Has anyone here attended a Japanese driving school? 300,000 yen for it is kind of steep.

Last edited by dizmox (2012 June 08, 4:33 pm)

kitakitsune Member

From: Tokyo Registered: 2008-10-19 Posts: 1006

Would have been nice if you got t before coming to Japan because from the UK it's an automatic transfer and only costs about 4000 yen.

dizmox Member

Registered: 2007-08-11 Posts: 1149

I read you need 3 months of driving experience in your own country for that. I imagine they'd want to see proof that you weren't just a paper driver, right?

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JimmySeal Member

From: Kyoto Registered: 2006-03-28 Posts: 2279

dizmox wrote:
I read you need 3 months of driving experience in your own country for that. I imagine they'd want to see proof that you weren't just a paper driver, right?

No, I'm pretty much all they care about is whether or not you've spent 3 months or more in possession of your driver's license within the country of issue.

jordan3311 Member

From: ohio Registered: 2010-08-09 Posts: 201

I have a question about this I know that steering wheel is on the passenger side(I am in the USA btw) but are the pedals switched?

howtwosavealif3 Member

From: USA Registered: 2008-02-09 Posts: 889 Website

Apparently it is very hard to pass the test lol

http://kojikatsuragi.wordpress.com/2012 … -retarded/

dizmox Member

Registered: 2007-08-11 Posts: 1149

I’ve taken it a total of 10 times now. Each time you apply it’s 2,200 yen so that’s 22,000 yen.

Well, at least taking the test is cheap there, here it's £70 a go, with the average person taking around 60 hours of driving practice... and lessons cost £25 an hour, so that's kind of comparable to 300,000 when you think about it.

I guess if I end up not coming back here I'll probably end up going to the school there... I have some driving experience but I don't know if that would excuse me from doing the full course. Now I'm thinking I might be better off living car free forever though.

Last edited by dizmox (2012 June 08, 8:33 pm)

Tzadeck Member

From: Kinki Registered: 2009-02-21 Posts: 2484

Wait, why do you think you'll be bullied into getting your driver's license?

dizmox Member

Registered: 2007-08-11 Posts: 1149

"Other boyfriends take their girlfriends on drive dates" type nagging, etc.

I don't think I'd buy a car until I had a family though.

Tzadeck Member

From: Kinki Registered: 2009-02-21 Posts: 2484

I'm pretty sure you can use the four or five grand you'll spend on getting your license on other exciting dates.

I had my license for years in America before I came to Japan, and it was STILL a bitch to get one in Japan. Not worth it if you don't need it.

dizmox Member

Registered: 2007-08-11 Posts: 1149

Yeah I think so too. I'll that argument on her, thanks.

vix86 Member

From: Tokyo Registered: 2010-01-19 Posts: 1469

Wait what...you think you'll need a license cause your g/f is hounding you about going out and driving? That seems pretty ridiculous.

Don't get a car/license if you don't have to. Driving in Japan is shit, I do it everyday. There are only few things that make driving nice. The rest of it is a test in patience.

dizmox Member

Registered: 2007-08-11 Posts: 1149

Yeah I'm not going to get a car or worry about getting a license if it costs that much, don't worry.

I really don't like driving here either, it's why I quit lessons. I don't know why everyone feels the need to have one.

rahsoul Member

Registered: 2012-02-29 Posts: 63

jordan3311 wrote:
I have a question about this I know that steering wheel is on the passenger side(I am in the USA btw) but are the pedals switched?

The steering wheel would be in front of the right side seat, not on the passenger side. And no, the pedals are in the same order.

Tzadeck Member

From: Kinki Registered: 2009-02-21 Posts: 2484

dizmox wrote:
Yeah I think so too. I'll that argument on her, thanks.

Haha, arguments don't work on women.

Just a warning.

sikieiki Member

From: No Registered: 2009-11-05 Posts: 124

dizmox wrote:
"Other boyfriends take their girlfriends on drive dates" type nagging, etc.

I dont understand this aspect of human desire. Other people have/do X so I must have it too? Maybe its time to say goodbye. さもなければ前途多難だな

Taishi Member

From: Sweden Registered: 2009-04-24 Posts: 127

I think you might find this link useful http://gakuranman.com/driving-in-japan- … vers-test/

dizmox Member

Registered: 2007-08-11 Posts: 1149

Thanks! Seems like he managed to avoid driving schools and pass at the same cost I'd have here. Maybe I'll do that if I don't end up coming home in the future.

The English theory test wasn't challenging enough anyway. >_>

Last edited by dizmox (2012 June 09, 2:59 pm)

kaamaru Member

From: London England Registered: 2012-01-25 Posts: 44

kitakitsune wrote:
Would have been nice if you got t before coming to Japan because from the UK it's an automatic transfer and only costs about 4000 yen.

Hell yeah! Im gonna do that .

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dizmox wrote:

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dizmox wrote:

dizmox wrote:

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