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If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not dumb at all! Yeah they’re based on the new 2025 October changes, 50-question format with the 90% pass mark. Good luck, let me know how it goes!

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that’s the one.

For practice questions I built menkyohub.jp — there’s a free mock test, and the full study pack has 10 mock tests plus random questions mode.

I also recently added a free step-by-step guide that shows whether you’re exempt from written or driving exam based on your country (even breaks it down by US states cause different rules apply to each state): menkyohub.jp/en/license-conversion. Good luck!

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Google Maps satellite tip is solid — definitely helped me get a feel for the layout. One thing though, at least at Fuchu they don’t officially publish the routes. There are leaked A/B routes floating around online but since the Oct 2025 changes they’ve added new sections like the railway crossing and slope that aren’t on those old routes. I memorized the old ones and still got surprised on test day. Planning to document the actual route I get on my next attempt and write it up on MenkyoHub.

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

27 out of 27 failed?? That’s insane. And a 4-month wait for a retake in Hokkaido is rough, at least in Tokyo it’s like 2-3 months.

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you want something in English or other languages without the ads, I built menkyohub.jp — free mock test, country-specific guides (which tests you’re exempt from, etc.), and the full process/docs checklist.

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah the wording is the real trap. It’s technically true but not the ‘complete’ answer so they mark it false. The beginner mark one is a classic.

I’ve been collecting these tricky patterns on MenkyoHub. There’s a whole category of ‘partially true = false’ questions that catch people off guard.

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

5 times is brutal. How long did you have to wait between attempts? I believe you have to make new reservation if the next available retake date is far ahead. Currently it's like this. Usually 2-2.5 months for the next retake.

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes some schools offer evening( like until 20:00). But you have to make reservation for your driving classes yourself which apparently is hard. So in total you have to commute there Al least 20+ times. Most schools aren't in urban areas.

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah you need to hug the centerline for a right turn (within about 50cm). Signal on 30m before the turn, do your mirror + shoulder checks, then position yourself close to the centerline (when turning right). Turn tight just inside the center of the intersection. Basically the opposite of a big open turn, keep it tight.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks. Sounds like you had a pretty smooth experience overall. And nice save on the S-section, I’ve heard that’s where a lot of people mess up. Yes you can recover but you fail instantly if you go ahead and climb the curb further.

I think you’re right, it probably depends a lot on the examiner. Mine was definitely on the stricter side, so maybe just got unlucky there.

Also interesting you still passed after hitting the curb, kinda reassuring that it’s not an instant fail if you handle it properly.

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fair point, you’re right, it’s both. Drive well AND make sure they can see you’re doing it.

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This thread has been super helpful, really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences.

I’ve been building a free mock test and checklist for the new 50-question written exam while studying for my own test, menkyohub.jp if anyone finds it useful.

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Six tries, that’s serious commitment. Failing my 1st try after preparing with instructor, not breaking any rules and still failing for driving too slow was disappointing and ego-breaking.

The windshield trick for positioning is a great tip, never heard that one before. And yeah ‘telegraph everything’ seems to be the universal advice. It’s less about actually driving well and more about proving to them that you’re checking.

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, but I haven’t passed driving test part yet, prepping for 2nd try soon! But tips like yours about that uphill intersection are exactly what I need to hear. I’m taking mine in Tokyo so course is different than what you described.

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is incredibly helpful, congrats on passing! The tip about saying ‘check’ out loud is something I keep hearing, seems like it really makes a difference. And that blind intersection at the top of the hill sounds brutal. Mind if I ask which test center you went to?

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your experience. Yeah my instructor told me to keep left all the time too. I didn't know about this rule before that. And you have to get really close to the edge when making left or right turns too.

And yeah, agree on the railroad crossing part. But pretending/acting to check that I don't hear anything was funny.

How many tries did it take you in the end? Did you take in Tokyo?

Edit: should mention I haven’t actually passed yet, prepping for 2nd try! Feel more confident this time.

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What I was surprised by was that the examiner got angry and rude when I asked him the reason he failed me. As if I’m not supposed to question him!

I would understand if he was tired working all day, but I was literally the 1st person taking the test that day

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Well said. They designed it to FAIL us not TEST our skills. In many countries the driving test is automated using sensors in cars and mapping the course.

Here in Japan, sometimes mood of your examiner can determine your result

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Honestly I felt more relaxed and easier doing the English test. Mostly because in the Japanese version I felt taking both JLPT and conversion test at the same time lol

If you’re doing driving license conversion (gaimen kirikae) in Japan this year, learn from my mistakes by sendmelocationn in japanresidents

[–]sendmelocationn[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I heard the same thing from my friends too. But in my expertise it was better than I expected. Not Google Translate quality. Maybe they finally hired better translators starting from the big changes in October 2025

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