RIDING JAPAN 50cc SCOOTER | ENGLISH TEACHER DRIVES TO WORK

JapAnne

22 Feb 202110:57

Summary

TLDRThis video offers a lively exploration of driving in Japan, focusing on unique rules and experiences. It covers facts like the 30 km/h speed limit for 50cc scooters, the 18-year driving age, and the zero-tolerance alcohol policy. Viewers learn about the 'two-step turn' for scooters, the importance of staying left and overtaking right, and the ease of obtaining a 50cc scooter license. The host shares personal anecdotes, including their journey to work on a scooter, highlighting the necessity of personal vehicles in smaller Japanese cities and the general safety and courtesy of Japanese drivers.

Takeaways

🛵 Fact 1: The speed limit for 50cc scooters in Japan is 30 kilometers per hour.
🎓 Fact 2: The legal driving age in Japan is 18 years old.
🚦 Fact 3: In Japan, traffic lights are often green for both cars and pedestrians.
🚶‍♂️ Fact 4: Pedestrians in Japan always have the right of way.
🚴‍♂️ Fact 5: In case of an accident with a cyclist, the driver is always considered at fault.
🅿️ Fact 6: Parking in Japanese cities can be challenging due to limited spaces.
🛒 Fact 7: Parking is often free at supermarkets and convenience stores in Japan.
🔄 Fact 8: In Japan, drivers should keep to the left and overtake on the right.
🚂 Fact 9: Japanese law requires drivers to always stop at railroad crossings.
🍺 Fact 10: Unlike other countries, Japanese law mandates zero alcohol tolerance for drivers.
🏍️ Two-Step Turn: For 50cc scooters, a 'two-step turn' is required for right turns, involving sticking to the left side of the lane and entering the intersection with traffic flow.
📚 Licensing: Obtaining a 50cc scooter license in Japan is straightforward, involving a one-day driving lesson and passing both practical and written tests.
🚌 Transportation: Owning a vehicle is essential in smaller Japanese cities where public transport is less accessible.
🛣️ Infrastructure: Japanese roads are often narrow, requiring careful driving and consideration for other road users.

Q & A

What is the speed limit for 50cc scooters in Japan?
-The speed limit for 50cc scooters in Japan is 30 kilometers per hour.
What is the legal driving age in Japan?
-The legal driving age in Japan is 18 years old.
How do traffic lights function in Japan regarding cars and pedestrians?
-In Japan, traffic lights are often green for both cars and pedestrians.
Who has the right of way in Japan when it comes to pedestrians and vehicles?
-Pedestrians always have the right of way in Japan.
What is the rule regarding accidents between a vehicle and a cyclist in Japan?
-When you get into an accident with a cyclist in Japan, the vehicle driver is always considered to be at fault.
What is the parking situation like in Japanese cities?
-Parking in Japanese cities can be difficult due to limited parking spaces.
Is there any place where parking is often free in Japan?
-Parking is often free of charge at supermarkets and convenience stores in Japan.
What is the general rule for driving position and overtaking in Japan?
-In Japan, it is a rule to keep to the left and overtake on the right.
Is there a legal requirement for stopping at railroad crossings in Japan?
-Yes, in Japan, you are required by law to always stop at railroad crossings.
What is the legal alcohol limit for drivers in Japan?
-In Japan, you must have zero alcohol in your system as a driver.
What is the 'two-step turn' rule for small scooters in Japan?
-The 'two-step turn' rule for small scooters in Japan requires bicycles and mopeds to stick to the left side of the lane and enter the intersection with the flow of traffic when turning right.
How easy is it for foreigners to obtain a 50cc scooter license in Japan?
-For foreigners, it is very easy to obtain a 50cc scooter license in Japan by taking a one-day driving lesson and passing a practical examination and a written test.
Why is it necessary to have a personal vehicle in small Japanese cities?
-It is necessary to have a personal vehicle in small Japanese cities because public transportation like buses or trains can be hard to access.
Are Japanese roads generally narrow, and how do drivers navigate them?
-Yes, Japanese roads are generally narrow. Drivers navigate them by being cautious and giving way to other drivers to ensure safety.

Outlines

00:00

🛵 Driving in Japan: Rules and Tips

The video discusses various rules and facts about driving in Japan, specifically focusing on 50cc scooters. Key points include a 30 km/h speed limit for 50cc scooters, a legal driving age of 18, green traffic lights for both vehicles and pedestrians, and the right of way for pedestrians. It also mentions that drivers are always at fault in accidents with cyclists, the difficulty of parking in cities due to limited spaces, free parking at supermarkets and convenience stores, the rule of keeping left and overtaking on the right, the legal requirement to stop at railroad crossings, and a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol consumption while driving. The host shares personal experiences, such as using the 'two-step turn' method for scooters and the necessity of personal vehicles in small cities due to limited public transport options.

05:19

🌸 Scooter Life and Licensing in Japan

The host shares their personal experience of obtaining a 50cc scooter license in Japan, which is described as an easy process for foreigners. The process involves a one-day driving lesson at a driving center, followed by a practical examination on the same day. The host mentions that everyone in their group passed the practical test. They also discuss the written test, which they had to take twice before passing. After obtaining the license, the host has been driving for nearly two years. The video also touches on the challenges of using public transport in small cities and the importance of having a personal vehicle. The host shows their workplace and the preparation they do before their students arrive, highlighting the narrow roads and the courteous driving culture in Japan.

10:28

🎬 Conclusion and Call to Action

The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to subscribe, indicating the end of the content. The host thanks the viewers for watching and signs off with a friendly 'bye', suggesting a casual and engaging tone throughout the video.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Speed Limit

A speed limit is the maximum speed at which a vehicle is permitted to travel on a particular road or in an area. In the context of the video, the speed limit for 50cc scooters in Japan is set at 30 kilometers per hour, which is a key piece of information for understanding the traffic regulations for scooters in the country.

💡Legal Driving Age

The legal driving age is the minimum age at which a person is allowed to obtain a driver's license and legally operate a motor vehicle on public roads. The video mentions that in Japan, this age is 18 years old, which is a standard requirement for driving various types of vehicles, including scooters.

💡Traffic Lights

Traffic lights are signaling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings, and other locations to control flows of traffic and pedestrians. The video notes that in Japan, traffic lights are often green for both cars and pedestrians, which might indicate a unique traffic system or a specific scenario where both can proceed simultaneously.

💡Right of Way

The right of way is the legal priority a vehicle or pedestrian has at an intersection or merging point on a roadway. The video states that pedestrians in Japan always have the right of way, emphasizing the importance of vehicle drivers yielding to pedestrians for safety.

💡Accident Liability

Accident liability refers to the legal responsibility for damages or injuries resulting from a traffic collision. The video mentions that when a driver gets into an accident with a cyclist in Japan, the driver is always considered to be at fault, highlighting the stringent rules to protect vulnerable road users.

💡Parking

Parking refers to the act of stopping a vehicle and leaving it unoccupied for a period of time. The video discusses the challenges of parking in Japanese cities due to limited spaces, contrasting with the availability of free parking at supermarkets and convenience stores, which is a practical insight for drivers in urban areas.

💡Two-Step Turn

The two-step turn is a specific traffic rule for bicycles and mopeds, requiring them to stay on the left side of the lane and enter the intersection with the flow of traffic before making a right turn. This rule is mentioned in the video as a safety measure for smaller vehicles, although it may not be necessary in smaller towns.

💡Alcohol Limit

An alcohol limit is the maximum concentration of alcohol allowed in a driver's blood or breath as per legal standards. The video emphasizes that in Japan, drivers must have zero alcohol in their system, which is a strict regulation compared to other countries that may allow a certain limit.

💡Road Etiquette

Road etiquette refers to the socially accepted and expected behavior of road users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. The video describes Japanese drivers as generally being safe and giving way to others, which exemplifies the importance of courteous behavior on the roads.

💡50cc Scooters

A 50cc scooter is a small motorized vehicle with a displacement of 50 cubic centimeters. The video's host is driving a 50cc scooter and discusses its use, including the necessity in small cities and the ease of obtaining a license for it, which is central to the video's theme of driving in Japan.

💡Driver's License

A driver's license is an official document permitting a specific individual to operate one or more types of motorized vehicles. The video details the process of obtaining a 50cc scooter license in Japan, including taking a driving lesson, passing a practical test, and a written test, which is a key part of the video's narrative on driving in the country.

Highlights

Speed limit for 50cc scooters is 30 kilometers per hour.

The legal driving age in Japan is 18 years old.

In Japan, traffic lights are often green for both cars and pedestrians.

Pedestrians always have the right of way in Japan.

In accidents with cyclists, drivers are always considered at fault.

Parking in cities can be difficult due to limited parking spaces.

Parking is often free at supermarkets and convenience stores.

Keep to the left and overtake on the right is a key driving rule in Japan.

Drivers are required by law to stop at railroad crossings in Japan.

Drivers must have zero alcohol in their system in Japan.

The two-step turn is a rule for bicycles and mopeds when turning right.

It's easy for foreigners to obtain a 50cc scooter license in Japan.

Driving lessons and practical examinations are required for a 50cc scooter license.

The written test for a 50cc scooter license can be challenging.

Having a personal vehicle is necessary in small cities for commuting to work.

Japan has narrow roads, which require careful driving.

Japanese drivers are generally safe and courteous on the road.

The narrator's workplace is reached, showcasing the practicality of scooters for daily commute.