So I’ve been learning to drive (UK) since January, but I’m not sure if I’ll pass an exam in time for departure. Does anybody have any experience with finding an English speaking instructor in Japan/adapting to different laws? Or does it seem that I may have just wasted £2000 on lessons?
For context, I’ve done tonnes of lessons on roundabouts and have recently moved onto slip roads. I’ve driven on a 70mph dual carriage way but only one. Learning manual. I think I’m close to having learned everything, so it will feel like such a waste ir I can’t grab thar licence.
4 comments
If you get your UK license you’ll be able to use an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) for the first year. After that you would normally have to convert to a Japanese license, however you can only convert your license if you had it for more than 3 months before you entered Japan. So, either way you’ll have to go to Japanese drivers school. It costs about the same as UK drivers school from the sound of it, though on the plus side if you use PTO and enroll in a full time course, you can knock the whole thing out in about two weeks, I’ve heard.
Unfortunately I would recommend switching to automatic. They’re more common and cheaper in Japan. Automatic and manuals are also different classes of licenses in Japan. In terms of skills, you’re never expected to hit 70mph for a Japanese course. For non-highway roads the max speed is only about 30 mph. Even the highways have a speed limit of around 50 mph a lot of the time. Roundabouts only became legal in Japan a few years ago (there are only two in my whole prefecture) so unfortunately that’s a skill you won’t get to use too much.
I didn’t have to take the road test portion, only the course test (converting from a US license is weird), but it mainly consisted of tight S curves, crank turns, and driving around obstacles. There’s also some weird specific things, like the order in which you have to check your mirrors. People often say that driving tests in Japan are more like executing a complicated dance than driving.
Unfortunately I don’t have advice on English speaking instructors, but I’ve definitely heard of them, so it is a thing!
Tbh I’d focus on passing. Simply because if you do driving school here it can cost upwards of Â¥400000.
If you’re coming from the UK I believe you can actually just change your license over and you don’t have to do the testing portion. So it would behoove you to pass your test ASAP.
Also most cars in Japan are automatic. So while learning manual is a great life’s kill its not one you’ll utilize here much unless you seek the opportunity to do so.
If you end up needing to learn to drive in Japan you’ll basically be starting from scratch. It’s also way more expensive than in the UK.
Do you have your UK practical booked in yet? I hear there is quite a lead time on them at the moment.
You need to have held your UK license for at least 3months prior to departure if you want to translate it into a Japanese one. Otherwise you’ll only be able to drive for one year on an International Driving Permit (IDP), which can’t be renewed.
Do whatever you can to pass in the U.K. – it’s worth doubling your weekly lessons and just grafting to get it done, because learning in Japan is a huge nuisance and a U.K. license is extremely easy to exchange for a Japanese one.
Edit: Sorry, you’re already doing heaps of lessons 😅. Just keep at it, you can do this!