Driving in Japan Part 2

Well, I went back to the driving school today; this time with my driver's license so I would be able to hit the streets. Last time I went, I was given a form to fill out that included a section on what I wanted to learn.

I thought this was a silly question. I mean, of course I'm there to pass the test. And since Americans drive on the right side of the road, I wrote that I want to get used to driving on the left side. So apparently the instructor for my first lesson didn't think that I was too serious. During the lesson he had nothing but good things to say about my driving.

However, this time my wife wrote in some extra comments saying that I want to take the test as soon as possible and that I'm interested in knowing what I could do to pass. The instructor I had today was especially particular when it came to the details. I don't know, maybe I was overconfident, but the guy kept correcting me and pointing out little details that I would have to be careful of when I take the test. That's good because that's what I'm paying him for, but the combination of the steering wheel on the wrong right side and the Japanese got me a little flustered.

It was just practice, but I was really hoping to get out onto the streets today. I know the extra practice was needed, but it was hard to take their course seriously. I thought it was a blast; especially when the instructor had me go through the tight curves like the turn called the "crank" 「クランク」 that had a 90 degree left turn followed almost immediately by a 90 degree right turn. The instructor had me stop after that one and told me to try it again; only a little slower.