Oogata license (at Samezu) test – cheat sheet

JamesK provides a great cheat sheet for those of you in Japan who are upgrading to an oogata (400cc+) motorcycle license.

Having recently completed the Oogata license at Samezu I can confirm that they provide bikes for you to do the test on. The bikes they use (for Oogata at Samezu) are late model Honda CB750s (front & rear brakes are not linked).

The test should not present a problem for anyone who is a current and competent rider. Below are a few points to note when taking the test (that I can remember).

1. the test bikes have BIG, protruding crash guards around the engine and the exhaust pipes, so you need to leave extra room when going around the cones, since touching a cone is an automatic fail.

2. you must (looking like a total fool look left and right (turning your head such that the examiner can plainly see) before moving off, and making any turns, etc. basically swing your head in both directions before doing anything, since they can’t fail you for looking more, but you loose 10 points for every time you don’t look both ways. Checking the mirrors DOES NOT count.

3. you must clearly/fully stand on the pegs when going over the railway crossing part of the course, automatic fail if you don’t stand up or don’t get your butt high enough.

4. must completely stop (right foot on the ground) before the bridge maneuver and completely stop once the bike is off the bridge, speed and/or gear choice is up to you. Touching the ground or running off the bridge (which is about 1” off the ground) is an automatic fail.

5. you must stop (your front wheel) before any give way or stop sign/flashing red light, if your wheel crosses the line or even touches the line it’s an automatic fail.

6. you must indicate lane changes and turns (with the blinkers) but have to count off three (3) seconds before changing lanes or making the turn. I am not sure how many points you loose if you don’t wait for 3 seconds, but its’ less then 10 per infraction. You must again (clearly) turn your head in the direction you are going to be moving, before the maneuver.

7. if you loose your way on the course, pull over to the left side and raise your right hand, the examiner will direct you via the PA system there is no penalty for this.

8. you must use both front and rear brakes when braking, the bikes are outfitted with lights to indicate to the examiner which brakes are being activated, you loose some points (less then 10) for not using both brakes.

9. when taking off and stopping you must put your left foot down (since you are supposed to use your right for the rear brake), the same applies to stops at the traffic light(s) and the yield signs, i.e. you have to keep your right foot on the peg and/or rear brake. If you did not manage to down shift into first gear before stopping, you are allowed to (once stationary) put your right foot down to shift into first but should strait away switch back to left on the ground and right on the peg/brake, I think you loose a couple of points for that (no biggie since you’ve got 30 points to play with).

10. on the back straight, you need to reach at least 45 kph before hitting the brakes (both brakes), the bikes are outfitted with a light that will light up once you’ve reached 45 kph. Don’t exceed this speed by too much or you may loose some points for excessive braking… You should also get to at least 3rd gear on the back straight.

11. you are required to use all five fingers when operating the clutch and the brake, you loose 1 or 2 points for any deviations from this.

12. the slalom is setup to be best done in second (2nd) gear (at least on the test bikes), there is no prerequisite speed or time limit for completing any of the maneuvers for gaijin and the test is not timed.

13. the test starts after the first yield sign, i.e. so the section from pulling out of the “pit” to the 1st yield sign is not subject to penalties.

14. you must try to keep around 30 cm from the cones and 1 meter from the left curb at all times while navigating around the course.

The pass grade is 70%, of which you loose 10% for every instance of not turning your head in each direction to check for traffic.

Some other points to note:

1. prior to being allowed to take the Oogata test, you’ll need to convert your foreign license to a Japanese under 400cc license.

a. for this you’ll need a translation of your foreign license from a JAF office.

b. you’ll also need your passport and gaijin card and (I think your foreign license).

c. if your foreign license is from countries like Australia, UK, etc (RH drive) you do not need to take a multiple guess computer course, people holding a license from a LH drive country need to firstly take this computer test.

The paper work outlining the required documents and steps can be obtained from the Samezu office; I have attached some docs I have scanned in previously that may be of use.

FYI, After failing my first time out (on a few stupid technicalities) I took a Koyama 4 hour refresher course to learn all these silly little rules. So if you can ride a motorcycle, all you should need are the above instructions to pass on the first attempt.

I have uploaded a couple of PDFs into the Files are of Tokyo Riders that should help.

1. “AF License Translation Service Info.pdf” – contains the Samezu course outline and various instructions, traffic signs etc.

2. “Japanese Large Size Motorcycle License Test Course and Info.pdf” – describes the steps for using the JAF translation service to obtain a translation of your foreign license.


Good Luck,
JamesK