Friday, March 30, 2001

By Chiyomi Sumida, Okinawa bureau

NAHA — Americans on Okinawa needing Japanese driver’s licenses no longer will have to take the written test in Japanese.

The Okinawa Prefectural Police will provide driver’s license tests in English starting Monday. Anyone not eligible under the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement to get a military license for a personal vehicle is required to get a Japanese license to drive on Okinawa.

Until March 31, 2000, persons holding SOFA licenses were able to switch to Japanese licenses without having to take a test. That changed April 1 and the task of test-taking was made difficult because the exams were in Japanese.

Foreigners also were required to attend a half-hour driving class given only in Japanese.

The new, "English friendly" test will be available daily at 1 p.m. in the Okinawa Prefectural Police Driving License Test Center at the Nishi district office in Naha. It costs 2,500 Japanese yen — about $20 — and is good for three years.

Tests for motorcycle licenses are given only on Thursdays.

Drivers who hold Japanese driver’s licenses do not need to take the test for renewals.

For more information, call 098-868-3401, Ext. 220.

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