frannyo 2 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I had to go sign up for my driver licence renewal the other day. Filled out all the forms. As I was caught without my seatbelt on one time - very sorry - I have to sit through a 1 hour 'lecture' (??) in a few weeks time. I am pretty sure the lady said I need to bring a pencil. First up, what might that be for? And, do they not have writing 'equipment' at the driver licence center?! Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Years ago I had to sit through a 1 hour lecture that took a little over 2 hours. We needed writing material for the lectur because they put us into small groups and had us work on different problems that you could face while driving. Our group's 'problem' was "what do you do when you've been drinking?" It was a complete joke! On the bright side, I was able to meet a nice young lady! Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I just did all that last Summer......forgot to renew my license so had to go to "safety driver" class... total asshat bullshit. It was the short class so no group work. Link to post Share on other sites
frannyo 2 Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 It sounds absolutely ridiculous. Do tell more, BM. What happens if my Japanese ain't much good? Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Don't worry about the Japanese. I had to do the full class about 8 years ago for an accident I got in. You won't have to write anything and your involvement level is up to you. I remember having a similar experience as BM....a couple cute ladies and a good bunch of people in general. Content though is bogus and insulting. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I don't think my Japanese was that good at the time... I didn't really understand what was going on even. I didn't need to write anything in Japanese and as Chris says, the content is really obvious stuff like not running over people on bicycles, pedestrians and stuff. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I had to do the lecture thing because I'd got done for doing more than 30km over the speed limit. It was really boring and useless and during a safety movie they showed us about half the class appeared to fall asleep. There was no group work or any sort of test or anything. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Did you need to take a pencil? Can't believe they asked you to do that!m. Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I took a pencil but of course I can't really read or write any kanji and my Japanese wasn't great. No one seemed to care. No one took notes. As I say half the class actually appeared to go to sleep during the movie. And the safety stuff in the movie was the most basic crap. Anyway at the end they signed the paperwork I needed to get my license renewal and that was that. Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 My license is also up for renewal, got to do it by mid March latest! Last time I did my renewal it was fill in a form, take an eye test, watch a 2 hour movie fall asleep, wake up and bingo I go and get my new license. So I guess this time will be much the same, will see once I go, which will probably be next week actually. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Do it while it's on your mind Snowdude..... I was one day into expiration when I realized I forgot to renew it... Total pain in the ass... Link to post Share on other sites
DumbStick 13 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Yes. It's one of those annoying things that you just don't want to do and will always put off. And then have to rush to get it done. Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I had to this a few years ago because i also forgot to renew my license. Most were asleep during the lecture. Actually the lecturer tried very hard to keep it entertaining. But because i stood out like a sore thumb he asked me many questions. "How about you Mr. Eigo?" was his favorite phrase. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Did he ask it in English? Link to post Share on other sites
stemik 14 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 no in Japanese, but he always said "Mr Eigo" The girl next to me was Chinese, I think she was nervous in case he said "Miss Chukoku-go" Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Yeah planning doing it next week as I dont want the hassle after if I forget. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 What happens if you let it expire before going to renew? Longer class and some bakkin money need to be paid or something? Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 You have to get one of your registration forms from city hall (koseki, I think). Other than that plus a bit of shaming attitude from the MV officer it's about the same as renewing. Also, you'll be bumped down to blue license status which affects your safe driving insurance discount..... it's a fair chunk of change if you add up the years it takes to get back to gold. Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Aw, being in the gold club makes things easy, doesn't it? The main police station is just across from my house so it's super easy for me to renew now. I never have to mess around with the license center again! Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Ya...that place SUCKS... waiting around all day. The service window is only open for 15 minutes a day. I begged and pleaded and tried to rationalize with them to keep my gold status. They'd have nothing of that being rational business...... everything is either black or white with them. Link to post Share on other sites
frannyo 2 Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 Yes I am being dumped back down to blue Link to post Share on other sites
frannyo 2 Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 Why did you not keep the gold - because you let it expire? Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Yes...a non traffic offense but an offense nonetheless... I guess..... sound like Dr Seuss... Link to post Share on other sites
mina2 6 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Stuff like that drives me nuts too. Did they give you 'this is Japan and it's how things are done here' look/speech? That always helps make things better. Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 No...nothing at all. They were very robotic and I was just a number. One other Japanese guy that was there under similar circumstances got a little riled up about it but in the end....busted to blue.. Hey....that sounds like a good name for my band..."Busted to Blue"...... (we need a name change) Link to post Share on other sites
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