When you enter a driving school to obtain a driver's license, in most cases you will first take an aptitude test. An aptitude test is a test to check your aptitude and personality as a driver, but before you take it, you may have doubts about the content of the test or worry about getting a bad test result.

Knowing what the aptitude test itself is will alleviate these concerns. In this article, we will explain the aptitude test that you will take in the process of obtaining a driver's license.

Let's deepen your knowledge about the types of aptitude tests, the content of the questions, and what can be learned from the results, and resolve your doubts and concerns.

What is a driver's license aptitude test? Types and questions

The aptitude test conducted during the process of obtaining a driver's license is intended to confirm the test taker's aptitude for driving a car.

It is used as a reference material to check examinees' personality and behavioral tendencies, and to objectively understand the speed, accuracy, and quirks of driving that appear in actual car driving. The results obtained from the test will be shared with driving school instructors and test takers, and will serve as material for drivers' own mental preparation.

It is often thought that this is a test to determine whether someone is suitable for driving or not, and is often mistaken for a "pass/fail test" similar to academic subjects or skills, but an aptitude test is just a test. is. This result does not mean that you will not be able to obtain a driver's license, so please rest assured if you are planning to take the test.

There are two types of aptitude tests that are mainstream in Japan, one is called the Metropolitan Police Department type K type and the other is called the OD type safety test. Which aptitude test is used depends on the driving school, and you may be able to choose it yourself. When making a selection, choose the test that matches what you want to know. Be sure to understand the nature and questions of both tests.

National Police Agency type K type

The National Police Agency Type K is an aptitude test that is taken in the form of a psychological test. This is a proven test that has been used at driving schools designated by the Public Safety Commission, and is divided into the following 11 judgment items.

• situational judgment ability
• Accuracy of operation
• Speed of operation
• impulse control
• neuroticism
• changeable mood
• Ease of getting excited
• strength of self-assertion
• Cooperativeness
• tendency to present oneself well
• emotional stability

A personality analysis will be conducted based on these items and a comprehensive judgment will be made. The judgment reveals whether a person has a cautious or forward-thinking temperament, and it also reveals whether the person is prone to accidents or has an aptitude for smooth driving.

It is used as a reference to find out the abilities exhibited when driving, such as those who are too cautious and are slow to judge the situation, and those who lean too forward and move quickly but drive sloppily as they get used to it.

National Police Agency Type K question details

In the National Police Agency Type K test, you will be asked a total of seven test questions. Tests 1 to 6 are mark sheet formats that assess driving behavior, and test 7 is a two-choice format that assesses personality.

The entire test takes approximately 30 minutes. Don't rush to answer.

OD style safety test

The OD style safety test is a driving license aptitude test developed by a private company. It is designed based on psychology and is used by driving schools and companies that use cars for business.

It is a system that determines driving aptitude and safe driving based on four items: motor function, health and maturity, personality traits, and driving manners. A combination of high and low safe driving ability and high and low driving aptitude represents all four types of driver aptitude.

The judgment items of the OD type safety test are as follows.

• attentiveness
• judgement
• Stability
• Adaptability
• emotional instability
• egocentrism
• Nervousness/irritability

The test results clearly show the characteristics of a person as a driver, such as if the person's driving safety level and driving aptitude level are both high, they are classified as a safe driving type, and if their driving safety level is high but their driving aptitude level is low, they are classified as an accident type. Express.

OD style safety test question details

Other than the last question, there are multiple-choice questions that require a "yes" or "no" answer. The mark sheet format allows you to answer questions in a similar way to a psychological test.

For the final question, you will be asked to write down your answers to the questions read aloud. You can get more accurate results by answering the questions honestly. It is important to take the test with an honest attitude and not try to make yourself look superior.

What the driver's license aptitude test results tell you

The driver's license aptitude test is not directly related to the driver's license test results, but it can provide you with information that you need to know in order to become a car driver.

The two types of aptitude tests reveal different things, so be sure to understand the characteristics of each.

There is no pass or fail for the driver's license aptitude test.

The driver's license aptitude test is a test to determine your driving aptitude and is not a test. Therefore, there is no pass or fail, and it is just a reference for instructors and information for drivers themselves to keep in mind.

Test results indicate that vehicles are rated as ``accident-prone'' for various reasons, but this is intended to help drivers take their driving seriously. Since a car is a large object that can drive at high speeds, the significance of an aptitude test is to understand the tendency to think, ``What would happen if I were to cause an accident?'' and to deal with it on a daily basis.

There is no need to give a contrived answer as it will not affect whether you pass or fail the exam. Please answer honestly and see if you are suitable.

The National Police Agency Type K system allows you to understand driving tendencies.

The National Police Agency System Type K allows you to learn about driving tendencies that tend to appear when you actually drive. Based on the test results, driving tendencies are determined from the following six types.

• Are you a person who is slow to judge situations?
• Are you a person who is fast but lacks accuracy?
• Are you a person with neurotic tendencies?
• Are you a person with aggressive tendencies?
• Are you a person with severe mood swings?
• Are you a person with a tendency to be self-centered?

As you can see from the list, there are relatively negative criteria. Once you get your test results, ask yourself if these trends could cause an accident.

The OD style safety test shows your driving aptitude and safe driving level.

The OD-style safety test classifies drivers into four types based on their driving aptitude and safe driving. Check each type in the table below.

For non-safe driving types, the possibility of an accident occurring is presented due to a low level of safe driving or driving aptitude. Be aware of these consequences when driving.

As with the National Police Agency Type K, there are some negative aspects here and there, but the most important thing is to use this as a reference and keep in mind the correct driving style.

Important points to remember when taking a driver's license aptitude test

The aptitude test will give you an opportunity to learn what you need to keep in mind as a driver. In order to take full advantage of these characteristics, test takers need to make the right choices. When taking an aptitude test, keep the following four points in mind.

• Choose an aptitude test according to your situation
• It's not a test, so answer honestly.
• Answer slowly without rushing
• Listen carefully to the inspector's explanation.

I will explain each point in turn.

Choose an aptitude test according to your situation

Although they may be described as aptitude tests, the Metropolitan Police Department type K type and OD type safety tests have different areas of expertise. As mentioned earlier, the content revealed by the test results is expressed in different fields, so if you have a choice between aptitude tests, be sure to choose the one that best suits your situation and purpose.

For example, if you want to know, ``How do I move when I get in a car?'' or ``What is dangerous about my driving?'' We recommend choosing type K. On the other hand, if you want to know things like, ``Am I good at driving?'' and ``Is my driving safe?'' then you should choose the OD style safety test.

It's not a test, so answer honestly.

Answer the aptitude test honestly and do not let your answers reflect anything other than your own way of thinking.

An aptitude test is just a test, and its nature is different from that of obtaining a driver's license, entering a driving school, or taking an exam at a driving school. This is a test to objectively re-evaluate yourself as a driver, so if you don't answer honestly, an accurate assessment will not be made. You can make the most of your aptitude test by answering all questions honestly.

Answer slowly without rushing

There is a time limit for the aptitude test, but it is important to answer slowly. The time limit is to measure your speed and accuracy as a driver, so there is no need to rush. Aptitude tests where time is prioritized and answers are given at random may make it difficult to make accurate judgments. Try to answer slowly and naturally without rushing.

Listen carefully to the inspector's explanation.

Before the inspection, carefully listen to the inspector's explanation beforehand.

The content of the aptitude test is not that difficult, but there are some that are complex. In some cases, there are rules regarding the order of answers and how to correct incorrect answers, so in order to receive an accurate test, you should listen carefully to the inspector's explanation before tackling the test questions. Sho.

Things to note after taking a driver's license aptitude test

There are a few things you should keep in mind after taking the aptitude test. Be aware of the following two points in advance to avoid unexpected situations after the exam.

• Results are not immediately known on the spot.
• May require re-examination

Let's look at the points in order.

Results are not immediately known on the spot.

Even if you think, ``I want to know the results of the aptitude test quickly,'' you cannot know the results of the aptitude test on the spot. Unlike tests that require you to check your answers, it usually takes two or more days for the results of an aptitude test to be available. You will not be able to know your results on the spot after taking the test, so be sure to know them in advance.

In the case of OD-style safety tests, it takes time from the time the test answers are sent to the vendor until they are returned, and in some cases it can take up to two weeks. Please wait patiently for the return.

May require re-examination

Depending on the results of your aptitude test, you may be asked to retake the test. However, avoid taking this result too seriously. An aptitude test is just a test and is different from an exam. Reexamination may be required because there is a problem with the answering method and the results are not accurate, or because the current way of thinking and awareness is that it is dangerous to drive a car. Sometimes it is done for awareness.

Just because you are re-examined does not mean you will not be able to obtain a license, your license will be revoked, or you will not be able to attend driving school.

When re-examining, review the areas where the judgment was low.

If you are subject to re-examination, be sure to focus on reviewing the items for which you received a low score. It is important to think about ``Why is this way of thinking wrong?'' and ``Why is this way of thinking dangerous when driving a car?'' Please read through the documents you receive, including your answers, as you may be able to refer to problems from the comments on the test results.

You can improve your weaknesses by renewing your awareness and consideration for the items you scored poorly on.

In this way, one of the roles of an aptitude test is to make you aware of your weaknesses and encourage you to improve. Instead of thinking, ``Maybe I'm not cut out for driving a car?'', try reconsidering your own personality and tendencies as a task that needs to be completed. By consciously overcoming these challenges, you should be able to drive more safely than before the test.

Frequently asked questions about driver's license aptitude tests

In this section, we have picked up frequently asked questions in the driver's license aptitude test using a Q&A method. Let's look at each question in turn.

Is there an aptitude test that will prevent you from taking lessons?

Some aptitude tests may affect the implementation of training. When entering a driving school, items such as visual acuity test, color test, and conversational ability test are measured as an aptitude test at the time of admission, and you must meet the standards. Although the required standards are not high, if you cannot meet them, it will be considered difficult to drive a car.

Up until now, we have explained aptitude tests for driver's licenses, but these have mainly focused on areas that are not required for a driver's license, such as the National Police Agency K-type and OD-style safety tests. Driving a car is not something that everyone can do, so there are other aptitudes that can be measured.

With cars as of 2022, for example, just as it is difficult for people with poor eyesight to drive on public roads without using corrective devices, those who cannot pass an aptitude test upon entering a facility will be required to take driving lessons. may not be possible.

Can people who already have a license take the aptitude test?

Even people with a driver's license can take the aptitude test. You may be able to take the test at a driver's license center, so please check with the center in your area.

Take the driver's license aptitude test to become a good driver

The driver's license aptitude test is different from academic or skill tests, and is not directly related to obtaining a driver's license. However, it points out from an objective perspective what kind of awareness you should have as a driver, and is an important test for safe driving.

There are two types of aptitude tests: the National Police Agency type K type and the OD type safety test.The former measures driving tendencies based on the assumption that you will be driving a car, and the latter measures your driving aptitude level (whether your personality is suitable for driving a car). You can know the level of safe driving. Take the type of aptitude test that matches the content you want to know.

When taking an aptitude test, try to be relaxed and answer honestly. It is a test, not a test, so it is important to answer honestly. Reflect on yourself based on the results of the aptitude test and aim to become a good driver.