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== RESEARCH ==
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== 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. There are signs in the station to point you to the right exit. The address is: 津市垂水2566番地.
 
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. There are signs in the station to point you to the right exit. The address is: 津市垂水2566番地.
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Refer to this page [https://www.police.pref.mie.jp/licence/licence10/] for more information (Japanese).
      
The Center is closed on weekends and holidays, so you will need to take a day of ''nenkyuu'' to take the test.
 
The Center is closed on weekends and holidays, so you will need to take a day of ''nenkyuu'' to take the test.
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== THE TEST ==
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== The Test ==
 
=== Part I ===
 
=== Part I ===
    
*Foreign resident's card
 
*Foreign resident's card
 
*A passport photo measuring 3cm x 2.4cm, taken less than 6 months ago
 
*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|cost breakdown]] below]
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*Money (bring ¥10,000 to be safe) [*See the [[#Cost Breakdown|cost breakdown]] below]
 
*Eraser (you will be provided with a pencil during the test)
 
*Eraser (you will be provided with a pencil during the test)
 
*A watch
 
*A watch
 
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!
 
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!
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== COST BREAKDOWN ==
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== Cost Breakdown ==
    
* ¥1500 for the written test
 
* ¥1500 for the written test
 
''Please note these prices do not reflect the new April 2014 taxes, and might be higher than stated here.''
 
''Please note these prices do not reflect the new April 2014 taxes, and might be higher than stated here.''
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== STUDY MATERIALS & USEFUL LINKS ==
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== Study Materials & Useful Links ==
    
* The '''Mie Prefectural Police''''s website - [https://www.police.pref.mie.jp/licence/licence10/ examiniation procedure]
 
* The '''Mie Prefectural Police''''s website - [https://www.police.pref.mie.jp/licence/licence10/ examiniation procedure]
 
* The '''Japan Automobile Federation''''s "Rules of the Road" book - [http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/road.htm offical site]
 
* The '''Japan Automobile Federation''''s "Rules of the Road" book - [http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/road.htm offical site]
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