[steven]

GoNative, don't be fooled... the written tests was a complete joke... and I mean that. The test was written in English (I believe there was a Russian also taking that test by the way)... and it was written in poor English to boot. I hope I'm not breaking any rules by giving away test questions, but there were questions like: "What do you do when you see a red light". There was nothing specific or difficult about it... it seemed almost like a test to test whether you could comprehend their English or not.

The actual driving part of the test-- however, is quite difficult. As far as I know, there were no real instructions about how to do it correctly. Not only that, there was more emphasis put on "procedure" than actual driving ability. For example, you have to carefully "examine" your car in the "correct" order. Entering the car and getting it started probably takes about a minute and a half of procedures. Once you get going... it is hilarious. A slight bit of speeding will automatically fail you... not "checking" correctly (which is also a procedure that is dangerously long if applied to real life) before you turn also results in a fail. However, driving off the road, appropriately backing up, and starting off again is acceptable. It is arbitrary in my opinion. It is the equivilant of crashing into something and backing up and continuing. Even in CA where the driving test is notoriously a joke that is not acceptable. I was in the car with a guy from another country and he literally drove off the rode on an "S" curve, backed up, and completed the course and passed with flying colors. I made no such mistakes and got a warning for being "too casual and used to driving". Geez, I didn't realize that being used to driving was a problem. I guess I'll brush up on crashing into things and driving off the road before my next test (which is every two years by the way).

I can't bitch enough about that experience. I had to take an ENTIRE day off of work to sit around in their version of the DMV's (Department of Motor Vehicles in the US) waiting room all day... from 8AM until 4PM to take a written test that, I swear to god, took me no more than 2 minutes to complete (I'd be willing to bet it was under a minute). After that joke of a written test was completed, I did an "eye test" which took the better part of 10 seconds (again, it sounds like i'm exaggerating, but I'm not). I was then told to reschedule an appointment for the driving version. I was dumbfounded to say the least.

Apparently this situation is not much different for Japanese (except the written test and the driving portion are much more difficult). I don't think they make Japanese people wait as much while doing nothing though.

Nyororin, I'm curious, does this continue after your visa status is changed? I really hope I don't have to take these driving tests every 2 years for the rest of my life...