8 Common Mistakes on the Japan Driving Test (and How to Avoid Them)

The gaimen kirikae written test has a pass rate as low as 17% in some prefectures since the October 2025 reforms. Most failures are not due to a general lack of knowledge but rather specific Japan-unique rules that trip up foreign drivers. After analysing thousands of practice test results, here are the eight most common mistakes and exactly how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Confusing Left/Right Priority at Intersections

In Japan, when two vehicles approach an unmarked intersection of equal-width roads at the same time, the vehicle on the left has priority. This is the opposite of right-hand-traffic countries where the vehicle on the right typically has priority.

The test frequently presents this as a TRUE/FALSE statement like: "At an intersection without signs or signals, you must yield to vehicles approaching from the right." The answer is TRUE — because the vehicle coming from your right has you on its left, meaning you must yield to it.

How to remember: In left-hand-traffic Japan, the left vehicle has priority. If a car is to your right, you are to its left, so you yield.

Mistake 2: Railway Crossing Rules

This is the single most-tested topic on the gaimen kirikae exam and the one that catches the most foreign drivers. In Japan, you must always come to a complete stop before every railway crossing, even if:

• The barriers are up
• The warning lights are not flashing
• You can see clearly that no train is coming
• The crossing is controlled by signals showing green

The only exception is when a traffic officer or police officer directs you to proceed without stopping. There is no other exception. In most other countries, you only stop when barriers are down or warnings are active. In Japan, the stop is mandatory every single time. See our Railway Crossings topic for detailed practice.

Mistake 3: Default Speed Limits

When no speed limit sign is posted, Japan's default speed limits are:

• 60 km/h on regular roads
• 100 km/h on expressways
• 30 km/h maximum for mopeds (gentsuki) at all times, regardless of posted limits

The most common mistake is selecting 50 km/h as the default for regular roads (which is the default in many European countries) or forgetting the absolute 30 km/h cap on mopeds. Even on a road posted at 60 km/h, a moped may never exceed 30 km/h. Practice with our Speed Limits topic.

Mistake 4: Moped-Specific Rules

Mopeds (50cc and under, called gentsuki) have special rules in Japan that are unique and heavily tested:

• Two-step right turn (ni-dan migite): At intersections with three or more lanes in your direction (or marked with a two-step turn sign), mopeds must make right turns in two stages — first crossing to the far side of the intersection, then turning to face the new direction and waiting for the green signal
• No expressway access: Mopeds are prohibited from entering expressways
• No passengers: Mopeds cannot carry passengers
• 30 km/h maximum: As noted above, this is absolute regardless of road conditions

The two-step right turn is particularly confusing for foreign drivers who have never encountered this concept. The test will present scenarios about moped behaviour at complex intersections.

Mistake 5: Signal Timing and Yellow Light Rules

The test frequently includes questions about what a yellow traffic signal means. In Japan:

• A yellow signal means stop before the stop line, just like a red signal
• The only exception: if you are so close to the stop line that you cannot stop safely, you may proceed with caution
• A flashing yellow signal means proceed with caution (slow down, be ready to stop)
• A flashing red signal means stop completely (treat it like a stop sign)

The mistake: Many foreign drivers believe yellow means "speed up to make it through." In Japan, yellow means stop unless it is physically impossible to do so safely.

Mistake 6: Overtaking Rules and Zones

Overtaking (passing) rules in Japan are strict and frequently tested:

• You must always overtake on the right side of the vehicle ahead
• No overtaking zones include: within 30 metres of an intersection, pedestrian crossing, or railway crossing; on curves with poor visibility; near the top of hills; inside tunnels (unless there are multiple lanes)
• You must not overtake when a vehicle ahead is itself overtaking another vehicle
• The vehicle being overtaken must not speed up to prevent being passed

The 30-metre rule is the most commonly missed detail. Questions will ask whether overtaking is permitted "near" a specific feature — if it is within 30 metres, the answer is no.

Mistake 7: Parking vs Stopping Distinction

Japan makes a precise legal distinction between parking (chūsha) and stopping (teisha) that most other countries do not emphasise:

• Parking (chūsha): Leaving your vehicle unattended, OR stopping for 5 minutes or more even if the driver remains in the vehicle (unless loading/unloading)
• Stopping (teisha): A brief halt (under 5 minutes) where the driver stays in or near the vehicle and can move it immediately
• No-parking zones: Within 1 metre of a fire hydrant, within 3 metres of a driveway entrance, within 5 metres of a fire station or intersection
• No-stopping zones: Safety zones, bus stops (within 10 metres), pedestrian crossings (within 5 metres), intersections, railway crossings

The test frequently presents distance-based questions. Memorise the specific metre requirements for each restricted area. See our Parking & Stopping topic.

Mistake 8: Drunk Driving and Passenger Responsibility

Japan has one of the strictest drunk driving laws in the world, and the test reflects this:

• The blood alcohol limit is 0.03% — effectively zero tolerance for most people after even one drink
• Penalties include imprisonment (up to 5 years), heavy fines, and immediate licence revocation
• Passengers are also liable: If you ride with a driver you know has been drinking, you face criminal penalties. The person who provided alcohol can also be charged
• The vehicle provider is also liable: If you lend your car to someone you know has been drinking, you face the same penalties as the driver

The test will include questions about passenger and provider responsibility. The correct answer is always that everyone involved is held responsible.

Key Takeaways

• The left-priority rule at unmarked intersections is the opposite of most right-hand-traffic countries
• Always stop at railway crossings — no exceptions except police direction
• Default speed limits: 60 km/h regular, 100 km/h expressway, 30 km/h mopeds
• Moped two-step right turns are unique to Japan and heavily tested
• Yellow signals mean stop, not speed up
• Memorise the 30-metre no-overtaking zone rule
• Learn the parking vs stopping distance requirements
• Drunk driving liability extends to passengers and vehicle providers