About Japan Drive Test

Japan Drive Test is a free study platform for foreigners preparing for the Japanese driver's license written exam (gakka shiken / 学科試験). We provide 497 practice questions across 22 topics, available in 10 languages, to help expats and foreign residents navigate one of Japan's most notoriously difficult bureaucratic hurdles.

What is the Japanese Driver's License Exam?

Foreigners living in Japan generally follow one of two paths to get a Japanese driver's license: a direct conversion (gaimen kirikae / ε€–ε…εˆ‡ζ›Ώ) for residents from certain countries with reciprocal agreements, or the full Japanese licensing process which includes a written knowledge test. Even for gaimen kirikae applicants, a written exam is often required at the Driving License Center (Unten Menkyo Center).

The written test β€” the gakka shiken β€” was overhauled in October 2025. It now consists of 50 true/false questions with a 30-minute time limit. You need to score 45 out of 50 (90%) to pass. This format change caused pass rates to collapse from around 92% down to just 17% for many test-takers, making thorough preparation more important than ever.

Who is this site for?

This platform is designed for:

  • Foreign residents converting an overseas license to a Japanese one (gaimen kirikae)
  • Expats and long-term visa holders going through the full Japanese licensing process
  • International students studying in Japan who need a local license
  • Anyone who has struggled with the new 50-question format and wants structured practice

10-Language Support

Japan's expat community speaks many languages. This platform delivers all practice questions in 10 languages β€” including English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Nepali β€” so you can study in your most comfortable language while learning the concepts that matter on exam day.

How to use this site

  • Mock Exam β€” Simulate the real gakka shiken with 50 true/false questions, a 30-minute timer, and a 90% passing score β€” matching the current October 2025 format exactly.
  • Practice Mode β€” Study at your own pace with no timer and instant answer feedback after each question.
  • Topic Study β€” Focus on specific areas such as traffic signs, railway crossings, drunk driving rules, or expressway driving.
  • Progress Tracking β€” Monitor your accuracy per topic, study streaks, and overall readiness over time.

Question Methodology

All questions are developed in the style of the official Japan Licensing Test Center (JLTC) question bank, covering the same knowledge areas assessed in the real exam:

  • Official content alignment β€” Questions reference the Japanese Road Traffic Act (Doro Kotsu Ho / ι“θ·―δΊ€ι€šζ³•), JLTC test guidelines, and the official driver's handbook issued by prefectural police.
  • Japan-specific rules β€” All questions reflect Japanese traffic law, which differs significantly from other countries (drive on the LEFT, unique intersection priority rules, zero-tolerance drunk driving, and more).
  • Difficulty calibration β€” Questions cover the tricky edge cases β€” such as the 30m rule near pedestrian crossings and when high beams must be used β€” that trip up even experienced drivers from other countries.
  • Spaced repetition (SM-2) β€” Our learning engine uses the SuperMemo 2 algorithm to schedule reviews based on your performance, ensuring you spend more time on weak areas.

Official Resources

We recommend using these official resources alongside our practice platform:

About the Creator

Japan Drive Test was built by Rahul Kurup, a software engineer passionate about helping the international community in Japan navigate bureaucratic processes. Living as a foreigner in Japan means dealing with complex, often language-barrier-heavy systems. This platform exists to remove at least one of those barriers.

Disclaimer

This site is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the National Police Agency of Japan, the Japan Licensing Test Center, or any prefectural Driving License Center. Our questions are designed to help you prepare but may not reflect the exact content, wording, or format of the official gakka shiken. Always refer to your local Driving License Center for the most current test information and requirements.