The Process
The testing center is at your prefecture's local District Land Transportation Bureau, rikuunkyoku (陸運局.) Don't forget to bring plenty of cash!
The testing center is at your prefecture's local District Land Transportation Bureau, rikuunkyoku (陸運局.) Don't forget to bring plenty of cash!
- Make an appointment. Up to 14 days before the test (weekends excluded. Only available in Japanese!!)
- Get your forms together.
- Go to the Test Center, rikuunkyoku (陸運局) on your appointment day and pick up the necessary forms and fill them out. (Pay 23 yen for the Vehicle Inspection Application Form.)
- Buy 1,700 yen worth of stamps and affix them on the Vehicle Inspection Test Form.
- Go to the Reception, uketsuke (受付,) and turn in the forms they ask for.
- Take your vehicle through the actual test course.
- If you passed, go back to the clerical building and buy stamps for your vehicle weight tax and purchase your compulsory insurance if you haven't done so already. Go back to the reception, uketsuke (受付,) turn in all your paperwork, get your new forms and sticker. Place your sticker on the front windshield where the old one was and you're finished! Go eat some natto sushi in excitement and pat yourself on the back!
- If you didn't pass, go to a shop nearby and get anything that failed repaired and take the test again. You can take the test as many times in one day without additional fees. If you have to come back another day, you will have to pay the test fee again. After you pass the test, go back to the above #7.