JET Program Vlog #8b - Driving - pt 2 - getting a license

[juggy444]

Hi im 18 and i live in Kanagawa prefecture im going to enroll into a japanese drivers license school. well i never had a drivers license and i never had a experience to drive a car and i only know a little about traffic signs and driving manners.

well im kinda worried about the kanjis and im kinda excited.

could you give me some good advice

[myargonauts]

@juggy444 My guess is that Japanese driving schools are very thorough and you will learn all you need to know to pass the tests and get your license.  I wouldn't worry too much about the kanji on signs - many signs are bilingual or easy to understand in context. It doesn't hurt tho to study the few signs you'll see all the time to know what they mean with a glance. Is the course going to be offered in English?

[juggy444]

@myargonauts nope im taking the japanese course

there is no english course in my school

[Dovelike]

The first employee I dealt was obnoxious, fortunately the second employee was very kind and I got through the process with my limited Japanese. I was so relieved when I got the d.l.

[Dovelike]

Yes good advice. If you can ask a person who speaks Japanese to come along with you, even if you can speak Japanese reasonably well enough. Dealing with the Japanese bureaucracy can be tough time for Japanese let alone foreigners. I went by myself when I got my d.l. and had a hard time.( I didn't know much Japanese at the time).

[RelVleDy]

Yikes, seems like more trouble than it's worth simply for a teaching job with no air conditioning, $6/gallon gas, hard driving tests, and no fast food. Granted, it's an opportunity to take in the culture, but I don't understand how you could bear living there for so long.

[SpinningBirdKick1]

No JETs get placed in Tokyo? That sucks. Tokyo is a pretty big city too.

Also, Japanese streets seemed very intimidating to me, and I'm a good driver here in California. My brother's wife's mother and sister are really good. Honking the horn (and not b/c you're mad at someone), crazy streets that dont seem to be laid out in a grid system, and this edicate that you have to park with the front end out, all seemed intimidating.

[justinchaostm]

part 1 and 2 were very helpful. thank you.

[saiyansgirl]

Why do americans have to take the driving test and not other countries?

Not that I'm complaining :D

[myargonauts]

i've heard many reasons - US has higher accident rate, we drive on the other side of the road, etc - but I'm not sure exactly

[Nirusu87]

@saiyansgirl

Vice versa, Japanese people need to undergo a written and practical test whenever they move to America.

European countries have a treaty with Japan, I believe it's called The Geneva agreement/treaty?

And I guess the difference in the way you learn how to drive here in Europe, is of rather high standard. (at least in Holland they are)

[Aramis9088]

Um...can you like bring a car from the US to Japan. Or do you have to get one there? And how can you, without someone helping you? Can you buy one in the US or at least the day you arrive in Japan?

[myargonauts]

I'm sure if you planned on living here for more than a year, you could import a car, but my guess is that it would be incredibly expensive.

I would think you could rent a car right away, but my guess is you'd need your "gaijin card" to buy a car, and that takes a few weeks to get after you get here.

[Aramis9088]

Kay, thanks a lot!

[seamonkeywater]

so.... do the have like a mini-class or something that people can go to that drive on the right side of the road? like a drivers-ed for those that already know how to drive, but not british style?

[myargonauts]

no, but you'll get used to driving on the left after a few weeks being here, just riding around on buses and in other cars. Rural roads are all usually one lane and the speed limit is very slow, so you can take it easy as you learn.

[mt37222]

You're right about if you get a regular class license a scooter (anything that's below 50cc) permit is already built in. If you just want to get a scooter license, and are at least 16, you only need to take a written and a vision test. And not only the cost of getting a license is high, but also keeping your vehicle since you're required to get a mandatory full inspection regularly, and that's $2G right there. That's reason why many people in Japan stay away from the used vehicles.

[grooveonchan]

Thanks very much piaNOwarist and myargonauts :)

[WhiteMatrix2006]

Don't you get a map to show the points where you have to do certain things? If not, how do you know where to do certain things? I heard at some points you have to look both ways like twice and behind you and do something other things and the proceed on? Also, how long did the test take?

[grooveonchan]

Thanks man, that was really most helpful. I'm in the process of getting my international license now. I've heard that the 'one year' time frame for this license's use has just been dropped to 3 months... have you heard anything about this Jason?

[piaNOwarist]

technically, if you are a resident, you must get a Japan license; but your international license is valid for one year. they just want to stop people from only using the international licenses.

[myargonauts]

I haven't heard about this at all, but if I do hear anything, I'll be sure to post a short video update. Thanks!

[nyannyan123456]

that stinks that international lisence dont cover motorcycles. oh well those electric hybrid bicycles get around ok

[Dominilucy]

holy moly 6 dollars per gallon..... We are at 4.50... I hope I don't have to drive but they have asked... Thanks for the great videos

[SniperTech]

Thanks for the video, I wonder why Australia doesn't need to take the driving test. Hmm maybe because our road rules are similar to theirs. How much did it cost you to get your Japanese drivers license. Time to rub it into my Japanese buddy that I don't need to take a driving test :p.

[myargonauts]

Yeah - I've heard lots of reasons - same or lower accident rate as Japan, you drive on the same side of the road, etc.

It costs about 7000 to 8000 yen for all the fees and costs (taking the test, getting the license, etc)

[jaganmeganeotoko]

it's good that you pointed out that morning is the best time to drink and drive (which is night time over here ;)

i thought there was something like an international license but that it's no good for scooters is a real disappointment.

it's interesting that they ask you about the license from your home country b/c i actually got an Italian license before my Russian.

[SchoolhouseTechno]

I love how frequently you make videos...most people in Japan seem to blog like once a month...

[myargonauts]

Thanks - my vids are really low-tech with no editing or music, etc., but I feel like I have a lot of information to cover before the new JETs leave for Japan at the end of July.

Thanks for watching. :)

[resite]

Yeah, you're right about Canada, they don't have to take a driving test. Great vid as always.

[myargonauts]

thanks for confirming - lucky Canadians! :)

[majormicro]

Another very useful video. Keep 'em coming.

BTW do you have any recommended books on teaching or on Japanese etiquette?

[myargonauts]

I'll be doing a vlog about teaching, altho it's very much a "learn-as-you-go" type job, since it's so hard to know what to expect.

As for etiquette, hmmm....

not sure what to cover, but be extra polite, be humble, be low-key and you'll be fine. Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll pick it all up pretty quickly.

[eselous]

VERY useful vid Jason, I hope to get a car soon after I arrive in Japan, and had done some research on acquiring an International License before I go. I'd also heard LOTS of horror stories about passing the Japanese driving test as a gaijin, and I'm slightly relieved to hear you say I won't have to, as a Brit!

Thanks again!

[ballinjosh03]

Thanks again! JET program should be paying you extra for this :)

[myargonauts]

haha - that would be nice! :)