Oh, reading this post brought back fond memories of my six failed attempts at the driving test in Kanagawa. I finally nailed the dreaded magarikado (曲がり角) curve on my seventh try!
One of the "highlights" of that experience years ago was never being told why I failed, despite repeatedly asking for guidance.
My saving grace was receiving a "cheat sheet" from a kikokushijo (帰国子女) who had gotten her American driver's license in Hawaii. She was trying to get her license in Japan, and she was in my group of test-takers. This kind soul had received an impromptu reference manual from someone in the same situation. I don't remember what I did with it after I finally passed the test, but that Rosetta Stone–like document is probably still worth its weight in gold!
Haha! I'm sooooo glad my Australian licence could be transferred to a Japanese one! And now, as I read through this post, I realise I'm becoming a local driver... 🙈😂
I'm actually not brave enough to do that, since in Australia people have died by parking BESIDE the road and still been hit and killed!! So when I see a car parked ON the road in Japan, I have a sense of adoration, and amusement!
However, I might be known to take measures to prevent heatstroke, and use the speed limit as a guide...
Oh, reading this post brought back fond memories of my six failed attempts at the driving test in Kanagawa. I finally nailed the dreaded magarikado (曲がり角) curve on my seventh try!
One of the "highlights" of that experience years ago was never being told why I failed, despite repeatedly asking for guidance.
My saving grace was receiving a "cheat sheet" from a kikokushijo (帰国子女) who had gotten her American driver's license in Hawaii. She was trying to get her license in Japan, and she was in my group of test-takers. This kind soul had received an impromptu reference manual from someone in the same situation. I don't remember what I did with it after I finally passed the test, but that Rosetta Stone–like document is probably still worth its weight in gold!
Oh it’s delicious isn’t it? Failing people but not saying why.
That’s keeping the streets safe!!
Haha! I'm sooooo glad my Australian licence could be transferred to a Japanese one! And now, as I read through this post, I realise I'm becoming a local driver... 🙈😂
Let me guess. You park for a coffee. In an active lane!
I'm actually not brave enough to do that, since in Australia people have died by parking BESIDE the road and still been hit and killed!! So when I see a car parked ON the road in Japan, I have a sense of adoration, and amusement!
However, I might be known to take measures to prevent heatstroke, and use the speed limit as a guide...
:)
Great read! Glad I could convert my Canadian license and avoid this headache.
You slipped by! Great.
Thank god I don't drive!
I was thinking of getting my driver's license in Japan. Thanks for showing me that this might not be a good idea. I feel enlightened now!
Fantastic! Mirror, Signal, Maneuver be damned!
Maneuver….oh and maybe signal.
The exasperation in this post equals and maybe even exceeds the irony! Writing borne of reality!!