Knowledge Test

The knowledge test is held on weekdays from 1PM - you must arrive at Okinawa Prefectural Police Driver's license center by 10AM on the day and complete the paperwork, payment, and an eye exam. If you pass the written test, you can take the driving test on the same day from around 3:00PM.

EXAM CONTENT

The test consists of 50 questions
You have to get 45 correct answers (90%) to pass the test

TIPS: To get prepared for the exam, it is advised you study the "1st stage" of Driving Rules & Theory textbook

You can borrow textbooks and mock tests from Resource Center. Please contact Resource Center if you want to borrow one.

EXAM SCHEDULE

Weekdays：1:00PM - 1:30PM (Result will be announced at around 2:00PM)

*Arrive at the license center there by 10:00AM to complete eye exam and aptitude test before the test

WHAT TO BRING

"Knowledge test reservation slip" which you get on the day of document screening
Glasses or contact lenses (only if you wear them when driving)
(If you plan to take the driving test on the same day) Shoes - wearing sandals/flip-flops for the driving test is not allowed
Cash about 3,000JPY (7,000JPY if you plan to take the driving exam on the same day if you pass the written exam)

WHAT TO DO

Arrive by 10AM. At window #1 or #2, submit the "knowledge test reservation slip" you received on the day of document screening.
Receive paperwork, then go to window #6 to pay the fee for the test (2,550JPYJPY).
After the payment, proceed to take an eye test (or they call it an "aptitude test").

^{Photo: "Aptitude test" booth on the ground floor}

After the eye test, go back to window #2 and give the paperwork - you will receive a stack of papers.
Go to the upper floor, wait until "Examination room A" is opened (it'll be opened at 1:00PM).

^{Photo: Examination room A on the upper floor}

Once the room is opened, give the examiner the stack of papers you have.
Tell the examiner the type of driving license you want to get (either "automatic" or "manual")
The examiner then asks you in what language you want to take the test in. Choose your preferred language.
The examiner will lend you a pen and an answer sheet and then takes you to your seat.
Once all the applicants are in the room, the examiner will give explanations about the knowledge test. ^{*Make sure you get information on the time the result will be announced}
After the explanations, the examiner will hand out question sheets.
Once you've completed the test, return the pen, answer sheet, and question sheet to the desk placed in front of the examiner, and then leave the room.
Go back to the room by the time indicated by the examiner to get the result.
If you pass, make sure to be the first one to go to window #1 or #2 to make a reservation for the practical test.
Receive a "reservation slip" for the practical test.
Contact Resource Center to notify them of your next exam day if you want to get a ride with Resource Center.

Practical Driving Test

*You must have an appointment to take a practical driving test after passing the knowledge test.

**If you prefer to take a driving lesson before taking the driving test, please contact Driver's License Academy to request a driving lesson.

EXAM SCHEDULE

Held irregularly Mon-Fri

Morning: 8:30AM - 12:00PM (OIST shuttle round trip is available for driving exams on Friday mornings)
Afternoon: 1:00PM - 5:00PM (If you take the exam in the afternoon, you need to arrange transportation on your own)

WHAT TO BRING

"Practical test reservation slip"
(if this is NOT your first test) A stack of papers given to you when you took the test last time
Glasses or contact lenses (only if you wear them when driving)
Shoes - wearing sandals/flip-flops for the driving test is not allowed
Cash (around 7,000JPY)

WHAT TO WEAR

Wear comfortable clothes (nothing too loose-it may get caught in the door or steering)
Wear shoes - avoid open-toed sandals or high heels

WHAT TO DO

BEFORE THE TEST

(IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TEST)Go to window#2 and get a pile of papers from the window.
Go to window #6, pay the vehicle usage fee(1,450JPY) and the test registration fee(2,550JPY) in cash and get revenue stamps (If it's your first test, you need to pay only for the vehicle usage fee)
Take all the paper back to window #2.
You will be directed to the waiting room on the upper floor. Wait until the proctor comes.

^{Photo: Waiting room on the upper floor}

The proctor will hand out an information sheet which contains basic information on what to be aware of during the test.
The proctor will then give an explanation about the practical test. The explanation is only given in Japanese.
After the explanation, the proctor will assign you a number and you will be taking the test in the order of the number.
If you are not the first one to take the test, you will get to sit in the backseat of the testing vehicle to watch the person ahead of you take the test. This will allow you to view the course and see what the person ahead is doing.
After the end of the person's test, you will be asked to leave the vehicle while the proctor explains whether or not the person has passed and what they were marked down for.
Once that person ahead exits the car, wait for the signal from the proctor before entering the vehicle.

DURING THE TEST

Remember that the test starts as you approach the vehicle.
Check under the vehicle from behind the vehicle for small animals and children.
Check under the vehicle from the front of the vehicle for small animals and children.
Check the traffic around you before you approach the door.
Open the door slightly, check again for the traffic, and then open the door to enter the vehicle.
As you get in the vehicle, tell the proctor "Yoroshiku onegai shimasu(Nice to meet you / Thank you for your time)".
Adjust the seat, rearview, fasten the seatbelt and make sure everyone on the vehicle fastens the seatbelt.
The proctor will indicate what direction you will have to take.
Before you start moving the car, make sure you check around the vehicle with your own eyes and then start the car.
Put your foot on the brake, put the gear-shift lever into drive, signal your departure with the indicator, then start the car.
Before the actual test is started, you will get to test-drive the vehicle within the course to get the feel of the brake, steering wheel, and so forth. It's not that you are allowed to drive freely during this test-drive, make sure you follow the proctor's guidance for the directions during this test-drive.
After the test-drive, the proctor will tell you that the test is started.
Follow the proctor's guidance during the test.

AFTER THE TEST

After the test, the proctor will tell you whether or not you have passed the exam and explain what you were marked down for. Before this explanation, if the proctor asks you to leave the vehicle and come back in, it's a positive sign that you've passed the test. But do not get too excited. Make sure you carefully check the traffic around the car before/after getting off the car.

If you pass:

Report to window #1 or #2, there you will be asked whether or not you want to set a pin code to protect your personal information in the IC chip which will be embedded in your license
Proceed to window #6 to pay the license processing fee (2,050JPY)
Visit window#3, then you will be directed to proceed to window #13 to get your license information registered
After your information has been registered, they will ask you to go to a photo booth to have a photo taken for your license
After having your photo taken, you will receive a receipt-like slip
Wait in front of window #3 with the receipt-like slip you received until your name is called
Receive the license once your name is called

If you fail:

Make a new appointment at window #1 or #2