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Official Update

New Gaimen Kirikae Rules: 50 Questions, 90% to Pass

By JapanDriveTest Team · 6 min read

Summary of Changes

Before (Pre-Oct 2025)

  • 10 questions
  • 70% to pass (3 wrong OK)
  • ~10 minute time limit
  • Basic questions only
  • 92.5% pass rate

After (Oct 2025+)

  • 50 questions
  • 90% to pass (max 5 wrong)
  • 30 minute time limit
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • 17-42% pass rate

Detailed Breakdown

Test Format

The test remains in TRUE/FALSE format. Each question presents a statement about Japanese traffic law, and you must determine whether it is true or false. The Japanese term for this format is "maru-batsu" (circle-cross), where a circle (maru) means true and an X (batsu) means false.

Question Coverage

Questions now cover all major areas of Japanese traffic law:

🚦 Traffic Rules
🛑 Road Signs
🚥 Traffic Signals
🏎️ Speed Limits
🔀 Intersections
🚗 Overtaking
🅿️ Parking & Stopping
🚶 Pedestrians & Cyclists
🚂 Railway Crossings
🛣️ Expressway Driving
🌙 Night Driving
🌧️ Weather Conditions
🔧 Vehicle Maintenance
🚨 Emergency Procedures
🚫 Drunk Driving
👶 Seatbelts & Child Seats
🏍️ Two-Wheeled Vehicles
🚚 Large Vehicles
💺 Driving Posture & Fatigue
⛔ Braking & Stopping Distance
🚑 Special Vehicles
📜 Insurance & Legal

Available Languages

The test is available in multiple languages depending on the prefecture. Common options include: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Thai, Tagalog, Indonesian, and Burmese. Check with your local driving licence center for available languages.

Requirements for Gaimen Kirikae

To be eligible for the licence conversion, you need:

  • A valid foreign driving licence (not expired)
  • Proof that you resided in the issuing country for at least 3 months after the licence was issued
  • Japanese translation of your licence from JAF or your embassy
  • Valid passport with entry/exit stamps
  • Residence card (zairyu card)
  • Photo (3cm x 2.4cm)
  • Fee of approximately 4,000 yen

Our Recommendation

Do not underestimate the new test. We recommend at least 2-3 weeks of dedicated study using a comprehensive practice platform. Focus especially on rules that differ from your home country. Take multiple full-length practice exams (50 questions, 30 minutes) before attempting the real test.

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Free practice with 497 questions covering all topics on the new test.

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