Japanese traffic rules — practice questions for the license conversion knowledge check

Question 1

In Japan, vehicles must keep to the left side of the road.

Accepted Answer

True — Japan drives on the left and the driver's seat is on the right. Keep left as a matter of course, especially just after pulling out of a parking lot or a side street.

Question 2

A flashing red signal means the same as a stop sign: stop, check it is safe, then proceed.

Accepted Answer

True — Flashing red is a stop instruction. Rolling through it is treated as ignoring a stop signal.

Question 3

At an intersection with no signals where both roads are the same width, the vehicle coming from your left has priority.

Accepted Answer

True — Left has priority. Coming from a right-hand-traffic country, this is the rule most likely to catch you out.

Question 4

If a pedestrian is waiting to cross at a crossing with no traffic light, it is enough to slow down and pass carefully.

Accepted Answer

False — You must stop and let them cross. This is watched closely on the driving check and is heavily enforced.

Question 5

On an ordinary road with no speed limit sign, the legal maximum for a passenger car is 60 km/h.

Accepted Answer

True — Where no sign is posted, 60 km/h applies on ordinary roads. A posted sign always takes priority over it.

Question 6

You may park within 5 meters of an intersection for a few minutes if you stay in the car.

Accepted Answer

False — Within 5 meters of an intersection or its corners, both stopping and parking are prohibited. Staying in the car changes nothing.

Question 7

When turning left you should move over to the left edge of the road in advance.

Accepted Answer

True — Closing the gap early stops a bicycle or motorcycle slipping up your inside — a very common cause of serious collisions.

Question 8

As a rule you must stop just before a railroad crossing and check that it is safe, even when the barrier is up.

Accepted Answer

True — Stop and confirm by eye and ear. The exception is a crossing with a traffic signal showing a proceed indication.

Question 9

One small beer is acceptable if you feel completely normal afterwards.

Accepted Answer

False — There is no safe amount. Driving with alcohol in your body is an offence, whatever you feel.

Question 10

Passengers in the rear seats do not have to wear a seat belt.

Accepted Answer

False — Belts are required in every seat. In a crash an unbelted rear passenger is thrown into the people in front.

Question 11

Holding a mobile phone and talking on it while driving is prohibited.

Accepted Answer

True — Penalties for this were raised sharply in 2019, and it is heavily enforced.

Question 12

After a minor collision, if both drivers agree the damage is small, you may settle privately and drive away.

Accepted Answer

False — You must stop, help anyone injured, remove danger and report to the police. Not reporting is an offence in itself.

Question 13

Pedestrians, bicycles and mopeds must not use an expressway.

Accepted Answer

True — Small motorcycles are also excluded. The speed difference is what makes them lethal there.

Question 14

A bicycle is a vehicle and as a rule rides on the left side of the roadway.

Accepted Answer

True — Expect bicycles on the road with you, traveling in your direction on your left.

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