Job Discussion Forums

[Gordon]

Yes, it is a relief, I've been trying to get in to take the test since June but the waiting list had been so long.

No, I don't think there are more foreigners here in Kagawa-ken than elsewhere, maybe less.

Yes it is illegal for a baby to ride in a car without a car seat in Japan. But I'm not all that surprised.

[Gordon]

One more thing, Brits do need to take the driving test in Kagawa-ken. At least it's not just Canadians that they hate.

[ryuro]

I have some recent intimate experience wit the Menkyo Center (driving center) *beep*.

It took two appoints of nearly four hours each bringing along my Japanese boss just to get them to ACCEPT my U.S. DL.

The reason for their obstinacy- in my passport there are no entrance/exit stamps for my trips to and from the U.S. (I'm a U.S. citizen) that could definitely PROVE I had had my most recent DL for a minimum of three months before coming to Japan. It was absolutley beyond their ability to grasp that a country wouldn't keep track of it's citizens comings and goings. My wife and I had also lived in England showed them there were no stamps indicting our exits from England- only our entrance stamps. I don't know if they thought we somehow sumggled ourselves in and out of countries over the years, but they were absolute pricks!

On the second trip I was armed with certified copies of my driving record clearly stating that my first DL was issued nearly twenty years ago and had never lapsed. All these documents were officially translated and certified. Even so, they still took issue and it was only when the president of my company who decided to come along for added weight (who I must say was shocked by the menkyo center officials' behavior) started playing the 'racist' card that they started becoming marginally reasonable.

In the end (after four hours of pointless back and forth) they agreed to "accept" my documents and allow me to take the written and driving test.

The written test was a joke! And when we were heading out to the driving course, I noticed the rest of the driving center was closing shop for the day. When asked how I would get my DL after the driving test was finished if the placed closed, the center official kind of smirked at me and said "first you must pass." Clearly I would not be getting my DL on this day.

I have to say I perfomred the course flawlessly (spent 4 hours practicing on the same driving course earlier that week), and yet I didn't "pass". No reason given, just told to make an appointment next month to come back and take the driving test again.

What's my point??? Don't know- maybe just a rant. I have to say it was much easier to deal with imigration athan this place. I have NEVER seen a place more intrenched in unbending bureaucracy and procedure. On top of it, the people there seemed truly miserable to be working there- the only joy apparently coming from the petty abuse they could dispense at will from behind their little counters.

And I was lucky, because I'm a white westerner. Sorry to say that, but as I said the Japanese co-workers who accompanied me were absolutley shocked at the way these officials treated the foriegn petitioners from non-western countires- down right deeming.

So to any other Yanks out there who need a Japanese DL all I can say is good luck- you'll need A LOT of it (and patience or a big stick might be better???).

ryuro

[Gordon]

Ryuro,
After dealing with the driving center, I am not surprised by your post. Most Americans and foreigners I met all failed their driver's test the first time because if they didn't, then the test wouldn't appear difficult.

Your story is evidence why so many foreigners are driving illegally in this country.

[Glenski]

ryuro,

I'm sorry and flabbergasted to hear about your experiences. However, I'm glad to know that your boss came to stick up for you. If I were you, after I passed the test, I'd ask him to write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper to complain.

By the way, where do you live? Sounds like Kanagawa is a horrible place for getting your driver's license, and I'd recommend (for the third time, I think) that someone write in Japanese to the editor about this obvious disregard for the LAW.

Now, this is not to brag or anything, but to show that it is possible to pass all lines of bureaucracy at the driving center. I did it in Sapporo (Teine branch, actually) the first time. They accepted my translated American driving record without batting an eye. So, as I said before, it can be done.