driving

recently I tried to get a license in japan - basically to exchange my UK license for its japanese equivalent. Yuka also had her, allbeit, newer UK drivers license translated and ready for a long day of beaurocracy.......

we went to the local driving authority building for the south west of Osaka (Komyoike) and were advised to arrive at 1pm. as it was near to a commercial hub including a big european supermarket, we reckoned we could use any long waits to go shopping for some treats. anyway - to cut a long story short because we have UK licenses (the jappanese goverment recognises them) we didn't even need to sit a test! I guess the new test in Britain must be tough - when I took it I had to read a number plate, take a whizz round the block and then guess 3 questions. back in time for tea.

so anyway - the in betweens were very japanese - in order to pay for the license we had to go to a seperate window to exchange real money for driving authority stamps to be adhered to the form, then wait a while. Yuka also had to go to another level to make copies of all her used passport pages since she had obtained her license and then the teller had to add up all the dates. as yuka travelled regularly and her passport was not EU - she had stamps a-plenty - all with there half arsed relaxed european style (often without an exit stamp). as a result the very friendly staff was exceptionally confused at this tardiness and decided that yuka could have her license - but needs learner plates! ha!

the driving authority is an interesting place to spend a few hours though - you can watch tests being carried outside the window (in a mock highway situation) - I even spotted a taxi driver with 3 officials in full uniform, hats and clip boards in the back seat - what a riot. we had a lot of fun.

anyway - a fly eye test (where I got to try my poor japanese) and a mug shot later and bobs-your-uncle. we're road worthy!!

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