Japan Driving License Exam Questions in English: 50 Must-Know Rules (2026)
Studying for the Japanese driving license exam in English? These 50 must-know rules cover the most frequently tested topics — speed limits, railway crossings, no-parking zones, overtaking, and more — with exam tips and free practice links.
Japan's driving license written exam (本免許学科試験) draws from a relatively fixed question pool, meaning the same rules appear repeatedly across different exams. Knowing the highest-frequency topics gives you a significant advantage.
This guide presents 50 must-know rules organized by category, explaining how each rule typically appears in exam questions.
For hands-on practice with full English exam questions, use JapanDL's free question bank.
Category 1: Speed Limits
Rule 1. The default speed limit on general roads in Japan is 60 km/h.
Rule 2. The maximum speed on expressways (高速道路) is 100 km/h for regular passenger vehicles.
Rule 3. There is a minimum speed of 50 km/h on expressways. Driving too slowly is also a violation.
Rule 4. In areas marked with 30 km/h signs (school zones, residential areas), the limit is 30 km/h.
Rule 5. When visibility is poor due to fog or rain, reduce speed even if it falls below the normal limit.
Exam tip: Questions use almost-correct numbers — "80 km/h on general roads" or "60 km/h on expressways." Watch every speed figure carefully.
Category 2: Railway Crossings (踏切)
Rule 6. You must come to a complete stop before every railway crossing stop line — no exceptions, even when the barrier is up and no train is visible.
Rule 7. After stopping, check both directions for trains before proceeding.
Rule 8. You must never stop inside a railway crossing.
Rule 9. You must not change gears while crossing a railway crossing (to prevent stalling).
Rule 10. If the signal turns red before you enter, you must not enter the crossing.
Rule 11. If you are already inside the crossing when the signal turns red, exit immediately — even if it means crossing a red light.
Exam tip: Railway crossings appear in nearly every exam. The key rule: always stop before, never stop inside.
Category 3: No-Parking and No-Stopping Zones
Rule 12. No parking or stopping within 30 meters of an intersection (交差点).
Rule 13. No parking or stopping within 30 meters of a railway crossing (踏切).
Rule 14. No parking or stopping within 10 meters of a sharp curve or hilltop with limited visibility.
Rule 15. No parking or stopping within 10 meters of a safety zone (安全地帯).
Rule 16. No parking or stopping within 10 meters of a bus stop during posted service hours.
Rule 17. No parking or stopping inside any tunnel.
Rule 18. No parking within 3 meters of a fire hydrant.
Rule 19. No parking within 5 meters of a fire station driveway entrance.
Memory trick: 30m rule = "crossings and intersections." 10m rule = "curves, tops, safety zones, bus stops."
Category 4: Overtaking (追越)
Rule 20. Overtaking is prohibited at intersections.
Rule 21. Overtaking is prohibited inside tunnels.
Rule 22. Overtaking is prohibited on bridges.
Rule 23. Overtaking is prohibited at railway crossings and within 30 meters before them.
Rule 24. Overtaking is prohibited at hilltops and sharp curves.
Rule 25. Overtaking is done by passing on the right side (Japan drives on the left; overtake from the right).
Rule 26. You may not overtake if the vehicle ahead is already overtaking — no chain overtaking.
Rule 27. Before overtaking, check mirrors and blind spots and signal in advance.
Exam tip: Questions list a location and ask "can you overtake here?" Memorize all prohibited locations.
Category 5: Intersections and Right-of-Way (交差点)
Rule 28. At an uncontrolled intersection, the vehicle on the wider road has priority.
Rule 29. When road widths are equal, the vehicle coming from the right has priority.
Rule 30. When turning right (右折), you must yield to oncoming straight-going traffic and pedestrians.
Rule 31. Emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire truck, police) always have right-of-way — pull over and stop.
Rule 32. At a crosswalk, stop and yield to pedestrians even without a signal.
Rule 33. Vehicles already inside a roundabout have priority over entering vehicles.
Category 6: Headlights and Visibility
Rule 34. Always use headlights when driving at night.
Rule 35. Switch to low beams when meeting oncoming traffic.
Rule 36. Switch to low beams when following another vehicle within 50 meters.
Rule 37. Switch to low beams when approaching pedestrians or cyclists at night.
Rule 38. In well-lit city streets, you may use low beams instead of high beams.
Rule 39. In fog or heavy rain, use fog lights if equipped, and reduce speed significantly.
Category 7: Alcohol and Impaired Driving
Rule 40. The legal threshold for "drink-driving" (飲酒運転) is a breath alcohol level of 0.15 mg/L or more.
Rule 41. "Drunk driving" (酔酒運転) is defined as 0.5 mg/L or more in breath alcohol.
Rule 42. Providing alcohol to a driver, or riding with a driver you know is drunk, is also illegal and punishable.
Rule 43. Driving under the influence of drugs, even prescription medication that impairs judgment, is prohibited.
Category 8: Stopping Distance and Following Distance
Rule 44. Always maintain enough following distance to stop safely if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly.
Rule 45. Stopping distance = reaction distance + braking distance.
Rule 46. Braking distance increases with the square of speed — doubling your speed quadruples your braking distance.
Rule 47. Rain, ice, or wet roads significantly increase braking distance. Reduce speed and increase following distance.
Category 9: Special Situations
Rule 48. Passing a stopped tram or bus where passengers are boarding: if no safety island exists, stop and wait until passengers have crossed.
Rule 49. When a school bus is stopped and children are getting on or off, slow down and prepare to stop.
Rule 50. When a police officer or crossing guard is directing traffic, follow their instructions — even if they contradict the traffic signal.
Exam Strategy Tips
Always Read Every Word
Many incorrect answers come from reading too fast. Words like "always," "except," "only," and specific numbers completely change the meaning of a statement.
"Always / Never" = Usually False
Absolute language in a question is almost always a sign that the statement is False — traffic rules nearly always have exceptions.
The main exception: "You must always stop before a railway crossing" → True.
When in Doubt, Choose Safety
For multiple-choice questions, the answer that prioritizes safety — reduce speed, maintain distance, yield — is almost always correct.
Target 95%+ in Practice
The pass score is 90/100. Aim for 95%+ in practice so you have a buffer on exam day.
Practice with Real English Exam Questions
These 50 rules are the foundation, but the actual exam has 100 questions covering a wide range of scenarios and variations. The best way to prepare is repeated practice with real exam questions.
JapanDL (japandl.com) offers:
- Full English-language question bank for the Japanese driving license exam
- Covers both 仮免 (provisional license) and 本免 (full license) written tests
- Automatic wrong-answer tracking so you focus on your weak points
- Hazard perception questions with illustrated scenarios
- Free to use — no registration required
→ Start your free practice at JapanDL
Good luck with your Japanese driver's license exam!