Expressway Driving
Min 50km/h, acceleration lane merging, breakdown procedures
Walking on an expressway is permitted during a breakdown.
🛣️ Expressway Driving Cheat Sheet
Key facts from this topic. Print this page for quick offline reference.
TRUE: The minimum speed on Japanese expressways is 50 km/h.
The minimum speed on Japanese expressways is 50 km/h.
TRUE: Making a U-turn on an expressway is prohibited.
U-turns are absolutely prohibited on expressways.
TRUE: When entering an expressway, you should match the speed of expressway traffic while on the acceleration lane.
Use the acceleration lane to build up speed to match the flow of expressway traffic before merging.
TRUE: If your vehicle breaks down on an expressway, you should place a warning triangle at least 50 meters behind your vehicle.
If you break down on an expressway, pull to the shoulder, turn on hazard lights, place a warning triangle or hazard flares at least 50 meters behind your vehicle, and move to a safe location behind the guardrail.
TRUE: The maximum speed for regular cars on most Japanese expressways is 100 km/h.
The standard maximum speed on Japanese expressways is 100 km/h for regular passenger vehicles.
TRUE: On an expressway, you should maintain a following distance of at least 100 meters at 100 km/h.
At expressway speeds, maintain a following distance equal to your speed in meters — 100 meters at 100 km/h.
TRUE: Service areas on expressways provide fuel, food, and rest facilities.
Expressway service areas (SA) provide comprehensive facilities including fuel, restaurants, shops, toilets, and rest areas.
TRUE: In a traffic jam on an expressway, you should turn on your hazard lights to warn following vehicles.
When you encounter or are in a traffic jam on an expressway, turning on hazard lights warns drivers behind you who may be approaching at high speed and not expecting stopped traffic.
TRUE: If you run out of fuel on an expressway, you will receive a traffic violation.
Running out of fuel on an expressway is considered a preventable violation in Japan because it creates a serious safety hazard.
TRUE: Speed limits on expressways may be temporarily reduced due to weather or construction.
Expressway speed limits can be temporarily reduced to 50-80 km/h during rain, fog, construction, or accidents.
FALSE: Pedestrians and bicycles are allowed on Japanese expressways.
Pedestrians, bicycles, mopeds (under 125cc), and vehicles that cannot maintain the minimum speed are prohibited from using expressways.
FALSE: Reversing on an expressway is permitted in an emergency situation.
Reversing (backing up) on an expressway is NEVER permitted, even in emergencies.
FALSE: On an expressway, you may stop on the shoulder to take a phone call.
The shoulder (emergency lane) is for emergencies only.
FALSE: Mopeds with a 50cc engine are allowed on expressways in Japan.
Mopeds (50cc or under) are prohibited from expressways because they cannot maintain the minimum speed of 50 km/h.
FALSE: You may drive in the overtaking (right) lane continuously on an expressway if traffic is light.
The right lane on expressways is the overtaking lane.