("Driver's License" Continued)

ters out of the way.  I quickly ran through the course in my mind as I waited for my test car to arrive.  I chose an automatic transmission, which means that I will be restricted to driving cars with automatic transmissions only.  I hadn't had any practice using a standard shift in Japan, so I wasn't willing to add another level of complication to the process.  I was sure that shifting with my left hand would be too difficult to master quickly.

My car arrived.  I had two testing officers with me--the main guy who would actually determine my fate, and a female officer who was handling the record processing.  The main guy got in the driver's seat and the female officer got in the back.  They motioned for me to get in the passenger seat and for Yukiko to join us in the back seat.  The main guy was going to drive through the course once, but he wasn't going to stop or signal or do any of the proper things that I should do.  He just wanted me to have one more chance to memorize the course.  When we got back to the starting area, I moved over to the driver's side, and Yukiko went to sit in the waiting area, from which she would be able to watch me maneuver through the course.

I stopped at the driver's side door and looked front and back and all around to make sure it was safe to open the door.  I got in the car, closed the door, locked it, adjusted my seat and rear view mirror, checked the side mirrors, and fastened my seatbelt.  I put my foot on the brake and started the ignition.  With my foot still on the brake, I started the right turn signal.  I then checked the rear view mirror, checked rear right, checked rear left, checked front right, checked front left, and then right again.  Everything was clear.  I made a right turn onto the course and immediately gave a left blinker for the next upcoming turn.  I checked the mirror and rear left and both sides in front and went into my left turn.  As I came out of the turn, I immediately gave a left blinker again for the next turn.  I made the usual checks and proceeded to make the turn onto a small hill.  Per the course requirements, I stopped part way up the hill and set the emergency brake.  I checked all around, gave a right blinker, began to lightly prss the accelerator, and then released the emergency brake.  (This part of the test is probably more difficult using a clutch.)  I was now on a straightaway with a broken down truck stationed up ahead.  I gave a right blinker, made all the checks, and then began to merge to the right.  I slowed and gave a left blinker as I approached the truck, looking all around for anyone who might jump out in front of my car.  As I safely passed the truck, I got back into the left lane and gave a left blinker for my next turn.  This was followed by another immediate left blinker, checks, and turn.  Now I had to give a right blinker and merge to the right to make my first right turn.  I turned into the "crank" test, which is a small, narrow stretch shaped like a squared off S.  Coming out of the crank I gave a right blinker, made the usual checks, and then made the right turn.  This was followed by an immediate left blinker, all the checks, and a left turn, and then, again, another left.

I was now essentially headed back in the direction from which I started.  I gave a left blinker, made my checks, and made a left turn into the "S" test.  This is like the crank, only it really is shaped like a very narrow S.  Coming out of the S I gave a right blinker, made my checks, and made a right turn.  I approached a light-

(Continued on page 31)