Japanese Driving License Hell

It is that time of year! It is the season for your International Driving Permit to expire. And if you happen to be a lucky American it means that you will have to take all parts of the Japanese driver's test if you ever want to drive here again! It is not only a fun experience but a money wasting one as well. Don't get me wrong driving for 7 years should give me some sort of credit towards driving in Japan but it does not!! So what happened that would make me sound so bitter? Bitter? Who, me? Anyway, now that you are done unscrupulously labeling me I will explain.

My supervisor scheduled an appointment at the Japanese DMV. First I had to have an interview where he asked all sorts of driving and non-driving related questions. Like, "How much did you pay for driving school?" and "It says in your passport you went to Germany, why did you go there?" Then I scheduled another appointment for the actual test. I went with one of my Japanese teachers to take the test. This is good and bad, she interpreted for me but was also more anxious than I was! Then I took the test and it went awful, once being told, "Stop, Stop, Stop" by the instructor!! Damn it! So I must return and take it again. I hate having to do this. I really thought when I was 17 that I would never have to go through the anxiety of doing it again and look at me now. I was so nervous I had labored breathing, sweaty palms, it was like I was at a porn theartre!!

I hate this! I hate this! I hate this! (said screaming as I pound my hands and feet on the floor!)
And here is something I did to kill a whole Friday morning at work because the one class I had was cancelled!! Whooo! Love my job!