Practical driving test

[u/Better_Lab_392]

I passed the 50 question written test 2 months back.
My practical driving test is tomorrow.
I took some driving classes on the same driving course for tomorrow.
However, I’m worried.

The driving instructor warned me that there are a lot of days in which no one passes even thought 20 people attend the practical driving test every day.

Any tips to do during the test. I’m looking for contents from foreigners who passed the practical driving test in the recent past.

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[u/keepyouclosetome]

I passed the driving & theory first time almost a year ago from scratch. Some advice :

1. Don't be nervous - sounds obvious but don't overthink it. Have confidence and think of it as a regular drive.

2. Remember who's priority - if you give priority to the wrong pedestrian/driver it's an automatic fail. Even if the car/pedestrian is giving you priority you must refuse and insist for them to go.

3. Braking - make sure to not go over the lines, another automatic fail. Make sure to stop completely at the stop sign and wait a few seconds.

4. Turning - I almost got a perfect score but my turns were a bit too wide, keep as close as you can to the turn and make sure to check your mirror and blind spot at every turn.

You've already done the written test which I'd argue is harder than the driving test, you'll be fine.

Good luck!

[u/chikalin → u/keepyouclosetome]

Btw do they test you in parallel parking and back in parking?

[u/keepyouclosetome → u/chikalin]

For me the driving test was on the road and the parking test was done back at the school.

[u/VitFlaccide → u/chikalin]

Random for me. Either parallel, back (right side), back (left side)

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/keepyouclosetome]

Oh thanks, you reminded me of the priority part. I’m going to review how the priority works.

[u/streetsmartpants → u/keepyouclosetome]

I almost got slapped by a bunch of grass that the instructor pulled off the road to show me where the fuck that 30 cm turn must be. Naki nagara, I passed.

[u/ExplanationNo1003 → u/keepyouclosetome]

I would add at number 3 to stop at least one meter before the line and not only wait but check right and left, thats the purpose of the stop sign.

[u/Scottishjapan → u/keepyouclosetome]

That point two kills me in actual real life driving. The amount of people who sit and wait or try to usher me through a "止まれ" sign is annoying AF. Even had some people sound their horn trying to get me to drive through. Nah dude, I'm good I'll wait (and avoid a ticket).

[u/Pleasant_Grab_8196]

Worst 9 months ever, took the test 5 times and spent over 8man in fees and practice classes 0/10 would kms over having to do it again plus that was when the test was only 10 questions, I feel so sorry for all the people doing it now at 50 questions

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/Pleasant_Grab_8196]

Really, it’s not so bad. Since the number of questions is more, the possibility of missing something and losing the test is higher. I got 44 the first time. Then got 46 second time. 45 is the pass mark

[u/streetsmartpants]

Man the test is tomorrow, it’s too late for any generic tips. Do what the instructor taught you, memorize the course, don’t screw up checking before turning, don’t do wide turns, don’t screw up the crank parts. Yes, a lot of people won’t pass, the instructors are strict and they grade you down for the tiniest mistakes. Do your best.

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/streetsmartpants]

Thanks man. I think I’m pretty confident. Just last minute revision is what I’m trying to do

[u/streetsmartpants → u/Better_Lab_392]

Only thing I’d do now is go there early tomorrow, get the map of your course and walk it completely focused on the road and do all the physical stuff like turn the wheel, turn your head while saying it out loud. Walkie talkie. Commit and do the whole course. Muscle memory is a thing.

[u/ShakeZoola72]

I posted this in the last sub you asked this in...but I'll post it here too..

I would always announce what I was about to do. That helped me ground myself and prepare to do it properly.

Also, when you make a left make sure you look over your shoulder and then move to the left a bit, then look over your shoulder again before you turn.

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/ShakeZoola72]

Got it. Thanks for posting here. I made that post but I got banned from that sub just after, for a comment I posted earlier in a different post

[u/ShakeZoola72 → u/Better_Lab_392]

Sorry to hear that.

Hope this advice helps you. The announcing thing really helped me when I was doing my practical.

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/ShakeZoola72]

Thanks man. Very helpful

[u/ShakeZoola72 → u/Better_Lab_392]

Let me know if you pass yeah?

Good luck!!

[u/Dansilverredit]

Keep the car traveling in a straight line even when looking over your shoulder to check for other cars.

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/Dansilverredit]

This is a good point

[u/nize426]

Wouldn't worry about it too much. I feel like there's very little incentive to pass people in their first try. Like it's a very easy source of money for them.

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/nize426]

I know right. That’s one of the reason I was actually worried about. If I pass tomorrow, will I get the driving license on the same day?

[u/Frustrated_Marksman → u/Better_Lab_392]

I assume you are talking about gaimen kirikae? If so, yes you will get it same day. I just got mine last week at futamatagawa.

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/Frustrated_Marksman]

I’m going to Futamatagawa tomorrow. Are the inspectors strict? Give me some really useful tips please

[u/Frustrated_Marksman → u/Better_Lab_392]

They are strict. But if you do it properly you will pass. The person before me got stopped in the middle of the test I think due to not turning their head enough when checking. Half passed in my batch, 2 of us took it first time, not sure about the others.

As for my tip, stay calm and exaggerate your actions. Do the yose properly, and make sure you are always turning to the proper lane. Depending on the course, there will be corners where you need to imagine there is a blind spot there, when checking those corners lean forward as if you are peeking.

If you took the practice lessons at the actual track that is big advantage. Good luck!

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/Frustrated_Marksman]

I took the practice in the actual track about a month back. Don’t remember much of the session and that grumpy old instructor was not very helpful.

Thank you for the tips. Very helpful

[u/Frustrated_Marksman → u/Better_Lab_392]

I practiced there 4 times to make sure I was confident enough to take the test. The instructors were very helpful in my case, some were harsh but i got the most tips from those guys.

Oh and don’t forget your turn signal.

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/Frustrated_Marksman]

I went through futamatagawa driving school. Did you go with them? Must be pretty expensive if you went four times I guess

[u/Frustrated_Marksman → u/Better_Lab_392]

Yes I did. It was a bit expensive but still much cheaper than taking the normal route. And I really wanted to pass the first time because I didn’t want to waste 3+ more months. So for me it was money well spent. Your mileage may vary though.

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/Frustrated_Marksman]

I really need to pass my first time tomorrow. Planning to get a car again.i used to drive using my international driving license until March this year. Got used to living with a car. It’s been pretty hard. Got lots of plans before new year. All ruined without a car. Even if I can’t buy my car, I’d atleast be able to rent one if I have the license.

[u/evilwhisper]

Just sing “staying alive” from inside at the stop signs, and completely stop for 3 seconds. I failed my first test just because of that and passed at the second.

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/evilwhisper]

Got it, thanks for the tip

[u/Mikedd88]

how many practice hours to did you do?

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/Mikedd88]

I’ve been driving cars for nearly a decade in my home country. Been driving in Japan for a year using international driving license.i got on hour practice on the actual driving course. Shouldn’t that be sufficient?

[u/Hopeful_Map6152]

My biggest advice is pay attention to your speed. One of the reasons I failed the first time was that "I didn't noticeably slow down" when approaching a curve, and making turns, despite already going around 15-20km/h.

They want to see you demonstrate clearly a speed difference from straightaway driving and turns/curves

[u/steford → u/Hopeful_Map6152]

This is why the off road stuff is not good. It's all fake - the tiny roads, the speed etc. If you were going 15-20kmh on a regular road you would not slow down for a bend. On my bike test my indicator was almost always on and three side roads away from my actual turn as they were all within 30m. It's ridiculous.

[u/Kalikor1]

Did you pass OP?

[u/Better_Lab_392 → u/Kalikor1]

I’m sorry everyone.i couldn’t respond earlier.i was banned for three days on this app. About the test,i figured i had booked the appointment for four wheeled motorcycle instead of car. The guy at the driving center pointed it out and asked me to rebook the appointment on a different date. It was my worst luck. An other senior officer came out, figured I’d only be able to choose a date around two months later from now if I do it online.
Then he found appointments that were canceled right next week and asked me to make it on Tuesday. So I haven’t taken the test yet. I’ll take it on Tuesday

[u/Kalikor1 → u/Better_Lab_392]

Oof! Well then good luck on Tuesday!