Getting a Moped License

NOTE: This is a guide for getting a 50cc moped license ONLY. 50cc automobiles can only travel on city streets (not allowed to go on highways or tolled roads), are not allowed to carry passengers, etc. -- because of the many restrictions it is a paper-only test. Keep in mind that moped drivers are therefore statistically more likely to get into accidents because of that. If you hold a Japanese driver's license it automatically includes the 50cc license as well, however an international driver's permit does not.

Research

If you are a resident of Mie Prefecture, you have to travel to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Center (unten menkyou senta 三重県運転免許センター) in Tsu to take the scooter (or gentsuki 原付き) test. The Center is run by the Mie Prefectural Police, and is located within walking distance of Minamigaoka Station (Kintetsu). There are signs inside the station to point you to the right exit. The address is: 津市垂水2566番地.

The Center is closed on weekends and holidays, so you will need to take a day of nenkyuu to write the test.

The Test

Part I

The test is administered only once a day. You have to arrive at the Center and sign-up between 8:30 - 9:00 AM. If you arrive late, you will be asked to try again another day.

You must bring along:

• A blue paper from City Hall stating that you are living in _______ City/Town (住民票 jumin-hyo or gaikokujin touroku kisaishajikou shoumeisho; this one is a MUST)
• Foreign resident's card
• A passport photo measuring 3cm x 2.4cm, taken less than 6 months ago
• Money (bring ¥10,000 to be safe) [*See the cost breakdown below]
• Eraser (you will be provided with a pencil during the test)
• A watch
• In case you pass the written test: wear appropriate clothing for the driving part of the class — long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and flat shoes (no heels or sandals). This is important, because if you don’t dress appropriately you won’t be allowed to complete the class!

After you go through the main entrance, turn to your left, and line up at the first window just around the corner. You will need to buy ¥1500 stamps from there. Then you should line up at counter #2 at the far end of the room. They will give you paperwork to fill out (request English, or they'll give the paperwork and the test to you in Japanese). After you return the filled-out forms along with your picture, you will receive a green card and will be directed to wait on the second floor.

People aiming for a driver's license and a moped license are tested in the same room, so wait until the test proctor calls your name and ID number (on the green card) before you enter. The proctors will give instructions for the first 15 minutes (or so) in Japanese, and then they will give directions on how to fill out the identification blanks on the scantron sheet. If you're confused, ask one of the wandering proctors for help. The moped test is shorter than the driving test, so make note of the time limit written on the board at the front. They will not tell you how much time has passed, and cellphones have to be turned off.

The test is composed of 48 road rule questions: 46 multiple choice, and 2 three-part illustrated questions. You need to get fewer than 5 points wrong to pass! Be careful of the multi-part questions — they are worth 2 points each, but if any of the three parts are marked wrong, you lose both points instantly (no half-marks).

After you finish the test, you are asked to return the pencil, and wait in the lobby on the first floor. The results are usually displayed after 11 AM. The TV on the far left will list out the ID numbers of the people that passed (the first list is for car licenses, and the second list is for mopeds -- wait until the end!). If you pass, gather around an officer standing to the left of that TV for further instructions. If you don't pass, you will be given back your ID sheets, and you'll have to go home.

Part II

Congratulations, you passed! Listen carefully to the officer's instructions, and make note of when lunch ends (they usually give you about an hour). Return to the first window you lined up at, and pay ¥4200 for stamps. Return to the officer who will tell you when and where Phase 2 starts. You will then sign an injury-related waiver and you'll have to fill out another section of a green sheet. You will be herded towards small rooms with an sight-testing machine (a simple check to see how bad your eyesight is, and if you are colour-blind). After that, you will be asked to go get your picture taken at the small #3 rooms (make sure to double-check they got the katakana of your name right!). You will again pay another ¥3050.

After lunch, you will (probably) meet again at the second floor lobby. You'll watch an old but short 20-minute safety video before they bring your group outside for practical training with a driving instructor. You will be assigned a helmet, arm guards, and a number tag. With the instructor's guidance (in Japanese), you will be taught how to handle a scooter (starting, turning, stopping, and accelerating -- it's all in the wrist). Don't worry about messing up, the instructor keeps the class running until everyone in the group has mastered the basics. There will be a 10 min. break, and then you'll be asked to watch a second safety video and listen to an insurance and responsibility lecture (there's also some talk about demerit points if you break road rules). Once that's over, you'll go downstairs to window #8 to grab your new license!

Cost Breakdown

• ¥1500 for the written test
• ¥4200 for the driving course (if you pass)
• ¥3050 for the licensing fee (photo, eye test, the license itself)
• around ¥1000 for lunch

Please note these prices do not reflect the new April 2014 taxes, and might be higher than stated here.

Study Materials & Useful Links

• The Mie Prefectural Police's website - examination procedure
• The Japan Automobile Federation's "Rules of the Road" book - official site
• If you are feeling cheap, you can borrow old traffic rule books at the Nagoya International Center Library, but be warned they are not specific to mopeds
• A kind stranger has posted translations of a Japanese gentsuki test book - here. From personal experience, not all the possible questions are listed, and many of the translated questions may not actually appear on the real test. However, it's still a good example of the TYPE of questions that will come up.
• Try your best to read a Japanese gentsuki test book - this and this are recommended