Japanese Driver’s License Course Test Result | Shinagawa, Tokyo
Vložit
- čas přidán 13. 09. 2024
- The Japanese Driving PRACTICAL TEST attempt no.1
(If I write “attempt” that means I ...)
Well, anyway, in this video, I break down the test from when I walk in t then I walk out.
notes: I am in the process of hanging over my American license to Japanese. It’s called GAIMEN KIRIKAE 外免切替 and I’ve already
1) Qualified (prove I’ve driven 3 months in the USA)
2) passed the Written test
3) passed the Eye test
4) taken 4 hours of driving school practice
WHERE WAS THIS?
SAMEZU (Shinagawa) DRIVER’S LICENSE CENTER, Tokyo
Satellite image of the course:
goo.gl/maps/DG...
Leave any questions or comments, your own experience - below.
Funny story.... here In the U.K. I took lessons 10 years ago but couldn't finish them due to my financial situation. 9 years later (Last year) I got a hold of my old instructor to carry on with my lessons. He told me he was unable to due to the fact that he had a new job so I found a new Instructor, did all my lessons and went for the practical test.... I was sat in the test centre and when they called my name out I looked up and there was my old instructor!!! He was the examiner (he never mentioned his new job when I contacted him)... now, if u was to ask me about what happened in the test I couldn't answer but if u was to ask me everything we chatted about i can tell u it was great to catch up. Haha.... I passed with ease because I felt relaxed catching up with an old friend. (He used to be a great and friendly instructor). When the test finished he told my new Intructor that i did that well it was like he taught me himself haha... now that is luck! 😄
Gordon Flynn Gordon, this story is a classic!!! Hahaha loved it. That truly is more than luck, it seems like fate!
ONLY in JAPAN * GO I know right?! I think I definitely wouldn't have passed the first time round with how much i got nervous. He did tell me that even though we knew each he couldn't go easy on me (after all he had a job to do to make sure I was safe enough to be on the road). But the fact that I knew him helped a LOT to calm my nerves enough to concentrate. It really did feel like fate!
That is *fabulous!* I don’t think you could have had better luck and a more relaxing exam than that!
Just wanted to say thank you! I passed my test today on the first attempt without ever driving a car in Japan, lived here 3.5 years now. Didn't take any practice at all and though for sure I would fail. Your video really gave me the info I needed, I just concentrated and nailed it. You saved me a ton of money for sure!
awww i could tell the moment i saw your expression at the start. Don't worry everything happens for a reason. And we all learn from our failures more than our successes. You're still gonna make great videos being chauffeured by Peter lol or somebody else, like fliming or live streaming while in the car. Best of Luck to you from Trinbago.
Oh no what a bummer, sounds like it was a really tough one. I have a 120% confidence that you will ace it with flying colours next time. ジョンさんは がんばって ください。
I love your channel, thanks for sharing all the informationsand the process. Good luck for the seconde one, I m sure you will passe it right, don t give up !!
California needs to be more strict regards to giving out license's. Swear 1/2 of drivers should not be on road driving.
Agreed, but Hawaii has the most ridiculously dumbed down driving test in the USA. I was licensed in both CA and HI and was embarrassed by how easy it was to get licensed in HI.
Why don’t you talk about the corrupt DMV employees? The tests are not as easy as you say, that’s why some folk resort to “buying” a license. The employees who sell licenses, should go to jail for sending idiots into the roads and highways.
My NC test 10 years ago....The instructor just told me to drive around the building into a 3point U-Turn and park it....Took 2min.... Dafug
Every shifter has a spring that let's the level move to the middle right in line with 3rd and 4th. It will move and line up with 3rd so you don't need to "force" it over. Good Luck!!
❤️ 💕 There is no failure in life as long as you learn and become better. Keep your positive attitude John! Daijyoubu! Gannbare!❤️ 💕
Not only are the wait times between appointments lower in rural locations, I also bet you’d find higher success rates among examiners. Not sure if making a trip to another prefecture is realistic in your situation, though. Either way, good luck in round 2!
I am sure you will ace it next time, and as you say, the experience will only make you a better driver. Good luck John!!!
Sad to hear you failed on your first try :(
In The Netherlands, the examiner bureau does not have cars: you get to use the car you did your driving lessons in. Also, it is your choice if you want to be alone with the examiner, or if you want your driving instructor to come along as a backseat passenger. If you're on good foot with your instructor it's handy to have him come along, just in case you fail, so he knows exactly what to focus on with you extra before you retry the exam. Luckily I passed both the written and the practical exams in 1 go. It was pretty hard though. But that's a good thing, right? Don't want clumsy drivers on the road, LOL.
AmsterdamVideo.com exactly! Hard tests mean people practice and study! However, there is a short cut - in Japan you can get your license at “Driving Schools” or even Droving Camps! They guarantee a license despite skills. It’s a business. Some are good, many are not. In Japan, the scariest thing is the “paper driver” getting behind the wheel and old people who have lost their eye sight, skills or mind. The elderly and beginners have to have a magnetic sticker on their car though.
Hopefully I’ll make it in the next go around. It’s a drama! :D
The only failure is not trying. I know that you will do better the next time. You have a great attitude and work ethic. Keep grinding.
Hey john, as a manual transmission driver I have some advice. If they let you, go through the gear changes while the car is off. Get a "feel" for the positions and how they go in before getting on the road. I do that with every different manual car I drive so I don't have to guess while already on the road.
Good luck!.. Aussie license transfer was quite easy for me. I did it in Futamatagawa.
+monkeyfacesenior doh! Don’t run it in :p haha
Sorry to hear... How many speeds did the car have?, because knowing the position where the stick naturally wants to spring back to in neutral helps to know the gear immediately above and below. In a five speed, 3rd gear is immediately above and 4th is below. moving the stick gently to the left limit then moving up or down finds 1st and 2nd. With a stick so smooth, it takes a light touch to notice this. Maybe he was giving a tip to you by not fighting with the stick....So smart to do the course in your mind. Like a slalom skier before the gates open...sounds like just a little more practice driving (better yet in a taxi) and you are all set for the next one. Good luck!!!
+H. Acera it had 5 - it was funny! The middle gears were tough to feel even from N! I tried to put to N and feel back to 3rd but it slipped to 1st then to 5th! It’s like those circus games that are rigged :) hahaha! I just kidding about that but it really seemed like that to me. I just have to be more gentle with the gear shift next time. She’s like a princess this one - a real shifty princess who can’t make up her mind where she wants to be.
you need some time to get used to it, but on all normal cars, "neutral" is 3. gear front and 4th rear… only dogshift gearboxes have 2 and 3. in the neutral position.
The course does not look like you would get above 4 anyways :-)
sloppy shifters are not cool for a beginner so I wonder why they have such "worn out" cars.
With most five speeds the stick is spring loaded. Leave it alone and it centers, with 3 up and 4 down. To get it into fifth you usually have to shove it against the spring to the right. On some cars you have to pull up or push down on the stick to get it into reverse. On this particular car the spring must've been really weak.
How do you shift from 2nd to 5th gear? O_o
Maybe you forced the stick when you should be just nudging it. That was what the tester was trying to tell you, be gentle. The stick would naturally slip into 3rd and not go into 5th unless you force it.
zam023 That's right. When I had my driving lessons it happened to me as well a few time and my instructer said you can go from 2nd to 3rd gear by just using one finger. No force at all and it sure worked.
is it not allowed to take the test in another prefecture? :)
Aww I'm sorry to hear that sweetie John, next time for sure you will nail it haha! Thank you so much for the video today sorry I missed the live show, as always you make my day! :)
Here in Germany 99% of the people do their license on a manual car.
You have to attend to 14 lessons of 90 minutes theory at your driving school.
You have to pass a theory test at the TÜV 30 multiple choice questions out of ~1400 questions.
Questions are worth 1-5 points and and you are allowed to miss 10 points in total.
Then you have to take practical driving lessons, where 12 are mandatory, 5 on country roads, 4 on the Autobahn and then 3 at night/darkness.
Once you have the skills to drive, usually your instructor tells you that you are ready to take the practical test.
The test consists of ~45 min of driving around the start point, in real traffic.
During these 45 minute the TÜV-Guy has to instruct you to take at least 3 out of 5 I think, basic driving tasks.
1. making a turn in a narrow street by driving backwards into a street and exiting forwards into the other direction (at a T)
2. reversing into a parallel parking spot
3. reversing into a parking spot at an angle or parking forward at an angle and reverse out of it
4. brake slam from ~50 km/h (this is easy since ABS and ESP exist)
+DooMMasteR this is an amazing summary of the German system. It’s super comprehensive and practical - it seems to me. I can’t believe how simple and basic the US is with testing. Anyone can get a license! It sells cars, I guess. I learned in high school for free. 6 hour behind the wheel than able to drive with my father and mother for 6 months before taking the test at age 17 (NJ) but other states like Texas allow driving as young as 15. Okay, knowing how hard it is in other places, I’m really going to work harder to perfect my skills for the next one.
from what i heard a long time ago, if you actually drive a car there on exam, if you drove it into even small water on the road at the side of the gutter not slowing down, you will fail.. and for shifting, you do a km count, first gear 0-10kms, 2nd gear 10-30kms so on that's why they give you manual, if the examiner saw that you change gear to early or to long you will fail. I don't think the Course will fail you, i mean if you're driving on a new road, you have no idea what direction you're going to take. You just have to look for the signs right?
That is the worse feeling. Working so hard for something and just missing the mark. You could have taken that class 50 times and never predicted how the car would have run. You did great and we have faith you'll pass the next try.🤗
Good luck for next time! 👍
Oh no! I was certain you were going to tell us you passed! Double check that 10 and 2 rule. It’s now 9 and 3, or even 8 and 4, to accommodate for possible airbag deployment. You’re right, this is not a failure! Just a little obstacle towards your goal! Good luck next time! You got this!
I dreamed about this. Sorry John. You will pass next time
So much has changed. I was given a printout with 5 possible routes. My friends said don't worry about memorizing. The instructor will tell you where to go. My test is next month.
So sorry you didn't get your license today John! Seems like it was very challenging more so than you anticipated! You will make it next time! Have a nice evening and treat yourself to something nice 👍 p.s TOBY superchatted! What a good bloke!
+Florencia I saw that :) nice of him! Very good crow 😆 I appreciate the positive support despite it. I won’t be able to drive in Fukushima but I’ll get another chance to drive next month.
ONLY in JAPAN * GO yes Toby is a very good (salmon stealing Crow! 😂😝) Its very nice how everyone has been really supportive! I guess u will have to be driven (person can double as a cameraman haha) thanks for replying to my msg John! At least you gave it ur all and that's all u can do! Enjoy the Ramen! 🤗✌🏻😃😊❤️
Florencia has
He can take test again dec 14th thats my sons birthday good Luck to u John!
+SevenRed22 Lucky day for both of us then :)
I know your struggle and anxiety over the driving test. I was very fortunate to pass the test (AT) for the first try.
The last time I really drove was in New York nearly 10 years ago. I am Japanese and never had a Japanese DL before. I got my first DL in NJ. After 10 years of not driving at all , I finally forced myself taking the test at Samezu. The whole process of getting DL. was dreadful. Long long wait for submitting my application papers and written test and so on. Anyways, I do not know how I did it but few things that I can suggest to people who will take JDL test are: Take a paid driving lesson at Samezu few days before the actual test. Some instructors speak English. I paid 10000 yen /hr for the lesson and drove the test course. You do not have to be a perfect driver but be a very cautious one- yes neurotically cautious. Make a good impression by a nicer outfit. The examiners are policemen so they really like someone with a good manner. I do not recommend dress in jeans and T shirts. Ludicrous but if you need to pass the test, believe me. Another small tip I can give is you accelerate to 40km/hr when you drive on a straight road and slowing down quickly to 15km/hr BEFORE approaching a curve. The examiners like to see the speed change to see if you are in control in the vehicle. So much more to mention..... Good luck on your second try! You can do it! By the way, ramen at the 2fl. cafeteria was really good. Good broth!
Oh no. I was hoping that you were able to drive in your trip. Anyway, better luck next time?!
Don't worry John, You are not alone. My lecturers in Malaysia had failed 3 times before managed to get a driving license in Japan during their study in Japan.
You don't need to memorize the course if you understand basic Japanese, "stop" "go" "right turn" "left turn" and Japanese numbers because every turn is marked. I passed the test at the Samezu driving center the first time I took it. If you know what they want, then the test is easy. If you can't find 4th gear, yeah, its going to be hard. lol Thank you for making my night by watching you rant and rave about the test.
Good luck! I, just last month (in Japan) passed on the second try, it's very frustrating. A women that was taking it with me failed for her 5th time... I think they fail you the first time pretty much no matter what.
"Im on my way home.... Without a license" that sounds so sad. Don't beat yourself up over it John you'll do great next time!
Good luck next time 🚘 🚘 🚘 🚘
I was actually able to walk the course I drove. I was able to check it not once, but twice before actually taking the test. Its really weird how different centers have different rules. It should all be standard.
I will do the course test today
Thank you for this video
Good luck!
Thanks for the video. The comments were very useful. I had a very similar failure experience in Shiga prefecture. I thought a manual would be easier to control than automatic, but like you the car provided had horrible clutch. Next time is next week, but I will go with an automatic. I expect to fail again, but even though shiga is rural, have to wait 5 weeks for new test. My last driving test was 1988.
Are you allowed to look down for a quick glance as you shift, to make sure you are in the correct gear? I can drive manual, too and I know that may be awkward, but hey, if it helps you to pass the test...
Especially as you said, you are driving an unfamiliar vehicle.
Good luck next time John!
He will do great next time! so don't fret John it will do work out ok for you.
Thumbs Up for ur effort in preparing for the exam.. But there is always unexpected thing waiting no matter how perfect the prep is. You may need to be more relax so can give better response for the unexpected circumstances. Jia You
Enjoy the process John,,, good luck next time
Awwww noooo! Seems like you got Mr Grumpy as your instructor. So sorry not for the fail but because there's such a long wait before you can try again 🙁 At least you're positive not letting this weaken your motivation.
Seems to be very challenging.. I failed my test recently too but dont give up, you'll get it next time!! It just wasn't the right time.
Passed my driving test in first attempt today!!! Only thing I did was acknowledging examiners instructions. Maintaining the speeds in clunk and s curve below 5 KMPH in gear 1. Approaching left turn and making right left turns. In the straight stretch maintaining 35 KMPH in gear 3!
Sorry to hear you have failed on exam,I wish you could pass in the next time
This is really great info! Thanks so much!!
+ピーター I’m making these series because I didn’t find enough info in English on this topic. I hope my pain can help someone suffer less :p
Hi I love your videos so much I was wondering if you had any tips on learning Japanese and kanji any advice would be very helpful thank you 😀😁
+theprinceofeverything learn katakana and hiragana first, learn how words are pronounced and then start studying vocabulary, verbs and nouns etc. Kanji can come in the process too.
Once you learn the rhythm (you can’t do this with ROMAN / ENGLISH alphabet) you will learn much faster. Good luck!
Thank you so much my dream is to live in japan some day 😀
Well, that was a quite tough exam... Keep our fingers crossed for you, good luck next time! :)
I know what you've passed through man, I'm also living in Japan and I've failed 3 times before I get my japanese driver's license. The worst thing is that I'm from Belgium, if I knew that in the future I would be living in Japan I would make an effort and get a belgian driver's license at home, then I would just make the written test and transfer it to a japanese one, but since I came here without any license at all I had to do all the process from the beginning like any regular japanese (I also failed my written test the first time I made it).
Keeping pushing brother John, it will happen. Just a setback
3rd gear is the easiest gear to find. Just move the stick to neutral and slightly let it go. Once it is the middle push straight up. I always do this technique on my car
Dynamic Driving Lessons is the best way to learn and pass in driving test. I highly recommend!
Must be very tuff!!!! Next time!!! 🤜
+astroboy3507 it’s no piece of cake :p but it was my fault. I just didn’t expect I’d be so bad at a different clutch.
ONLY in JAPAN * GO yes so true u have to get the hang of different clutches true John!!!! I drive stick too!!!! And it's no piece of cake as people say!!!! 🙂
Better luck next time John sir. I don't know anything about Japanese cars but i know most European cars have a gear shift pattern on the shift stick, if you are having trouble finding the gears maybe it will help to check out the pattern if Japanese cars have it aswel ;)
The reason they normally keep going with the test even if you already failed, is so that they can evaluate your driving from start to finish. You'll know what you need to improve on at the end. If they failed you immediately, you could have other serious shortcomings that you wouldn't be aware of.
Often, those who become the best drivers... will need 2>3 attempts :)
I just went Samezu today to add my motor cycle license to my drivers license.
Japanese motor cycle license is so tough. U need to follow so many rules(tricks)
thank you for sharing the experience John
Perhaps check out the other course in the suburbs or go for the morning session before the instructor has been pissed off by everybody else ; )
True story... I took a driving test in Florida after moving there from the North and we came up on an intersection with a four way stop. The instructor said "when you come to this intersection slow down and turn right but do not stop if you don't have to"... I'm like ...yeah right shes trying to fool me but then she said "If you stop... a bunch of guys will try to sell you drugs"..... I did what she said and passed.
sounds like they do the same as in the netherlands. set up as many roadblocks as possible on the route to obtaining your license to discourage you as much as possible because they don't want you to drive. part of their unspoken plans to reduce the amount of cars on the roads.
Drove a manual in Australia as a Learner. After that I can only drive automatic. Using both feet for the pedals. Left on brake and right on gas. Like a racer. Still doing that till I retire from driving at old age🙂. It feels safer and convenient for me. Especially when parking the car. Turning in the corner. More control with the car. I wonder if Japan driving school allows me to drive that way during test??🎌🎌
That’s too bad 8(
Better luck next time John. U can do it man!
Next time you'll get it, good luck!
Saw a Japan driving book in Amazon. Forgot the name I believe John had that book. Thinking buying one. For my travel or stay in Ja🍳 next year🎌🎌🎌
10 and 2 grip is actually very dangerous in today's cars with steering wheel mounted airbags. The recommended grip position is 9 - 3 grip, however, 7 - 5 works as well, although not as manueverable as 9 - 3 which is what most race car drivers do.
Thank you for sharing your honest feedback story! It is going to help a lot people. Yes, when you are used to automatic, the stick is probably hell i understand that.I'm so lucky to have learned with the stick originally in my country. However, I admit if i pass the test today automatic or stick, im not sure i will succeed, i probably took too many bad habits.....and on top of it they drive on the left of the road, so too much for me. LOL
You will get this, no worries!!
Now I see why Japanese can get a full license in Canada without another test. The training there sounds pretty tough!
"Yeah, I failed." Good luck for your retake good sir.
Go to the countryside, seems worth it :)
Best of luck!
+Fredrik Thorsen I’m a resident of Tokyo so ... has to be in Tokyo. I’ll fight it out.
Ah ok, I didn't realize that.
Twice the charm! ;)
Love you John please have my babies. Been waiting all week to say that.
😂
Yeah, I failed in 1st time try. Just because I am not left enough when turning left...and I did the same mistakes 4 times...without any warning made by the guy sitting on my left...
5 weeks of practice! At least u know what to expect for next time. Early good luck for next time.
+Rey Robles very true! I already called KIKI DRIVING SCHOOL to try to book practice lessons ON THE SAMEZU COURSE! The only school I know that practices there.
Oh wow, hopefully you get it next time. If it helps, try to use that map blueprint and make a mock version of it, that's if you can in Japan. Take this fail as experience.
Awe no...that stinks John. You will get it next time! Time to hire a driver.
Do they certify you by manual or automatic transmission so that you are only able to drive the specific type you drove for the test? Maybe since it’s already pretty crowded on the streets, they make it EXTREMELY difficult to pass so that less drivers are on the roads? Small narrow roads and many cars makes for gridlock!
"I'm on my way back home..without a license." hahahaha that made my night!
Sorry, John. Thank you for sharing your experiences, even sometimes the bad one.
So it seems that google maps has an old satellite image. I don't know about google earth (I couldn't get it to load). As much as I don't like it, Bing does have a newer image.
Update: So it seems on the mobile version of google maps has the newest image. The desktop version for some reason does not have the newest image. Bing's image is a bit blurry when zoomed into a useful level. Most of the other major map websites have the older image (desktop versions).
Sorry John! Keep ur head up! FIGHTING SPIRIT!
So sorry you didn't pass it. Why do they make it so hard to do? How come they don't use automatic cars?
Perhaps for the next time, before you actually start the car, you row through the gears first to get a good feel of the clutch, shift distance/position, etc. I know that's always helped me when I'm driving a manual car that's new to me. Ganbatte next time!
Good afternoon! How much cost you in the fisrt actual driving test and the second time?
Sorry to hear that! Don't worry! Second time's a charm!
実技は1度でも失敗やミスがあると落とされますからね・・・。次回頑張ってください！
If you make small mistake ONCE in practical skills test, it means flunk... I hope you pass next time!
+トクメイキボウ well, you start at 100 points and need to have 70 points at the end to pass you can make some mistakes but not many. Next time, I’ll be a better driver! 頑張ります！
The way you're telling us about this driving exam makes me think that get into law school in harvard university will be much easier...
LoL
You got this, next time 💪🛣️🚗
Interesting - when I go to look at the driving course (using the link you give in the description), I noticed that, on the roof of the driving school next door, there's some kind of driving course. In the Shin-chan movie the driving school Misae used had a kiddy course with pedal cars to entertain the kids while the moms were studying for the driving test. I think this rooftop course looks full-size, though. One wonders how the cars get up there (probably ramps, like a multi-storey parking lot).
Oh never mind - when you switch to an oblique view it's obvious that building IS a multi-storey car park (with roof parking). They've got it labeled as a driving school on Google Maps. Maybe it is... it needn't take up much space, perhaps part of one floor.
I would only want it because I dream of going there to buy a Nissan Skyline R34 and a Certain Limited edition Honda motorcycle.I would plan on importing them home,but I would love to use them while I was there.
Sorry to hear john.
That sounds MUCH more difficult than the driving tests here.
Driving School is a good way to practice in Japan. I did that myself when young. It is rather tough over there.
No problem, better luck next time.
My instructor was also super nice. All he said was that I need to really crane my neck more when checking the blind spot. I was only worried about the part of course where you cant hit some poles on springs while turning in a REALLY tight area.
DSSM
DOORS
SEAT
STEERING WHEEL
MIRRORS
POM
prepare ( getting ready to move signal if needed)
Observe 6 point
Move
Do not cause any other traffic to
Swerve
Slow
Stop
Skid
When approaching junctions
Mirrors
Signal
Position
Speed
Gears
Look
Mirrors are the one thing most people fail on it took me 3 gos because of instructors perception (one was blinded by sun , instead of wearing sun glasses like me she couldn't see and just assumed it was dangerous and failed me. One person I know got no minors at all passed but the assessor ticked fail instead of pass so they failed even though it was their fault.) I spent 5 thousand pound learning to drive here in England . My insurance was nearly 700 pound for a cheap car. In fact my insurance cost more than the car so good luck mate !
I hope this helps commentate to yourself through through the entire thing u won't get marked down for talking to yourself x
+Siobhan Johnson you’re right about the “ANZEN KAKUNIN” SAFETY CHECKS in the mirrors. I said “よし！” when I did them. I tried to make sure my chin moved a lot so he saw it. I don’t know if he did - he still seemed angry from no.5’s total lack of study and prep! I think he took it like an insult on the system! I have to admit, no.5 was so bad, I didn’t get to see ANYTHING that could help me except the course. English is EXPENSIVE!! Wr shouldn’t complain at all about costs here!!
Thanks - will be fun to see what happens next with this ...
Dont worry! U will get obviously ur licence next time! Do you know? I thought yesterday that it will change a lot, if u drive a car... No more wandering around, walking, sitting somewhere in the parks (sometimes on the stairs), while there happened the best, the most interesting storries, which u told us... :) Just driving straight to the target! But then i understood it couldnt be boring time with you, no matter walking or driving :) Come on, dont be sad, ok???
Would you get in trouble if you try doing the pointing and calling thing (used by Japanese train drivers) during the test?
I was 100% you get your licence John... Well yeah on some please they have a trash car who's manual gear is not working like it use it... like you said it feels like want make this like people to fail it.... well can't be helps its your first try... Don't worry you will pass next time (^_^)/
what sort of car was it? sounds like a stressful experience!
GREAT VIDEO...........