Dr. Lallan Pd. GUPTA, AIST Fellow
Marine Geology Department
Geological Survey of Japan
Email gupta@gsj.go.jp
You are visitor since October 1, 1997
Next, one should apply for Japanese translation of the Indian driving license, preferably to the Japan Auto Federation (JAF) by post (costs around 3000 Yen, including postal charges). But if one happens to go to Tokyo frequently, Indian Consulate may be consulted for the translation. The translation may take 10-15 days. Once the translation has been received, one can keep a copy of it for any future use, because the test centre will keep the Japanese translation in its record, and therefore, will not return once the license has been issued. In the Meantime, the applicant should have two photographs of the specific size (smaller than passport size, costs around 1000 Yen) prepared from any studio. These photographs are for record purpose in the driving test centre. The photograph for the Japanese license will be snapped at the test centre after you clear all the tests. After preparing all the required documents, one should proceed to the test centre in Mito. It takes almost one day to reach the test centre, do the formalities and return to Tsukuba, especially when you are going for the first time. Take 6:25 AM bus (next bus at 7 AM) from Tsukuba bus station to Tsuchiura Eki (Rly. stn.) (ca. 30 minutes journey, costs around 500 Yen). Then take train to Mito (ca. 45 minutes, 950 Yen), and then another bus to driving test centre (ca. 40 minutes, 600 Yen). Usually this bus terminates there. The moment you get off from the bus, you are very likely to be asked by a Japanese agent to have your papers in order and application form filled up. You must mention here whether you want a license for automatic or manual transmission car. His service charge is about 400 Yen, plus an additional cost of 2100 Yen (in the form of special stamps worth same amount pasted on the application form) has to be paid for the driving test. Then at 9:30 AM proceed to the counter inside the test centre building for submitting the application form and other documents. If all papers are in order, you would be asked to wait for a few minutes. After collection of everybody's application form, the officer will call you for a small written test based on Japanese traffic rules. There will be 10 questions (in English, too) of correct and incorrect type. You would see some picture in the test book and then asked to mark if the action taken by driver is correct or incorrect. There may be questions on who pays in case of accidents and so on. After 5-10 minutes, those who qualify the test proceed for behind the wheel driving test. The officer will take the applicants to the actual test drive course and there on a painted course he would explain certain rules (unfortunately, if one does not understand, all in Japanese), which one must observe while driving on the test course. Here one feels an extreme need of good knowledge of Japanese language or, at least, presence of a Japanese friend. Now one has to wait for his turn for the test drive, which takes about 5 minutes time. Here one needs to be extra-cautious right from the beginning. In fact, I was advised to overact!!! On the test course there will be hardly any traffic, but one has to assume as if he/she is going to drive on a busy road. Before your turn comes, you would have privilege of seeing the actual test course, while sitting in the back seat and the applicant preceding you will be driving the car. You should carefully notice all the signals, turns and stops. The officer sitting in the front seat will instruct (you can request for English here) where to turn. When your name is called, you should start with a brief inspection of car, i.e. look at the rear side, below the car from back and front as well, as if you are looking for any mechanical failure and any animal taking rest underneath the car. Before opening the door, look for the traffic from either direction. Once inside the car, you should adjust seat and inside mirror, fasten seat belt, request the other people inside car to fasten their seat belts and have the door locked. Start the engine and check break and clutch etc. The officer sitting beside you has some electronic controls in front of him, so you should take time to make sure things are in order and then start rolling. Besides paying attention to the central and side mirrors, one should physically turn his head to watch any traffic coming from behind or sides. It is better to drive slow and below the speed limits. Keep left all the time in any lane. Switch on indicators 30 meters before you make a turn. On a mild slope you will be asked to stop and start again. Here one must make sure that the car does not roll back even a centimeter!! On the sharp curves, the car must not go off the road. If your turn happens to come after lunch-break, you can have a walk along the test course and prepare yourself for how you have to drive at that point. If one is very cautious, he/she may get the license in the first attempt, which is very rare!! Then one has to wait for an eye test for colour blindness and power. After that wait again for a few minutes as your license is being processed. You would be asked to check the content of new license and if there is no error, a photograph will be snapped there and your are ready to go with your new license. All done in a day's time!!! But, If you fail in the first attempt, which is quite common, the officer will return your application to you. He will let you know (again in Japanese) the mistakes you committed. Here again, one feels a strong need of good knowledge of Japanese language or presence of a Japanese friend. Now proceed to the information counter, next to the counter where the application was submitted, where your passport and other papers will be returned to you and a date, normally after one month or later, will be set for next test drive. One can choose a convenient date from the many offered by the centre.
Returning to Tsukuba, same route has to be followed. Very few buses start from the test centre to Mito Eki (Rly. Stn.), therefore one should note down their departure time displayed inside the test centre as well as at the bus stand in advance. In the next visit, there is no need to go to the agent, if one has confidence in writing one's address in Japanese. The blank application forms are kept at the Information counter and the stamps worth 2100 Yen can be bought from a small shop inside the building. Following the old application form, fill up the new form and paste the photograph and stamps at appropriate places. Enclose all the required documents with the form and stand in the same queue again. Best of Luck !
One needs to have patience not only for coming again and again (at least 2 times) for the driving test but also for driving smartly and safely so that the examiner is satisfied. The success rate is very low, only 1 or 2 licenses were issued each time, when I was trying for one. Some could succeed in their 8th attempt!! Finally, taking a few tips from Japanese colleague, who compulsorily attend driving school, will also be very helpful.
You are visitor since October 1, 1997