Expressways
Expressways: Japan license conversion written test rules
On the main carriageway of a national expressway with no posted limits, an ordinary car must not exceed 100 km/h and must not drive slower than the minimum speed of 50 km/h. 教則 第7章 第2節 2(3), p. 72 On national expressways without posted limits, the maximum speed is 90 km/h for large trucks and specified medium trucks, and 80 km/h for other motor vehicles and when towing another vehicle. 教則 第7章 第2節 2(3), p. 72 You must not park or stop on an expressway, except for a temporary stop to prevent danger, an unavoidable stop on a sufficiently wide shoulder or side strip (for example a breakdown), or in a parking area or to pay tolls. 教則 第7章 第2節 4(1), p. 74 When you cannot drive on an expressway because of a breakdown, running out of fuel or an accident, you must place a stop display device on the road behind the car, and at night (or in daytime when visibility is 200 m or less) also turn on hazard, parking or tail lights. 教則 第7章 第2節 4(2), p. 74 You must contact the police by calling 110, call a tow truck from a nearby emergency telephone, and quickly move the car out of the way. 教則 第7章 第2節 4(3), p. 74 Even in the daytime, you must turn on lights on an expressway when you cannot see 200 m ahead. 教則 第6章 第3節 2(1), p. 67
Key rules
- On the main carriageway of a national expressway with no posted limits, an ordinary car (普通自動車, not three-wheeled) must not exceed 100 km/h. Note: Does not apply on sections where the main carriageway is not divided by direction (general-road rules apply there). 教則 第7章 第2節 2(3), p. 72
- On the main carriageway of a national expressway with no posted limits, an ordinary car must not drive slower than the minimum speed of 50 km/h. Note: Does not apply on sections where the main carriageway is not divided by direction. 教則 第7章 第2節 2(3), p. 72
- On an expressway where maximum or minimum speeds are set by signs or markings, you must not exceed the maximum or drive below the minimum. 教則 第7章 第2節 2(1), p. 71
- On an expressway you must not park or stop, except: a temporary stop to prevent danger; an unavoidable stop on a sufficiently wide shoulder or side strip due to a breakdown etc.; parking/stopping in a parking area or stopping to pay tolls etc. 教則 第7章 第2節 4(1), p. 74
- When you cannot drive on an expressway due to a breakdown, running out of fuel, an accident etc., you must place a stop display device on the road behind the car so following drivers know you are stopped. Note: If walking is difficult and the device cannot be placed behind the car, a stop display lamp may be placed beside the car etc., where it is easy to see from behind. 教則 第7章 第2節 4(2), p. 74
- When disabled on an expressway at night (and in daytime when visibility is 200 m or less), you must also turn on hazard, parking or tail lights in addition to the stop display device. 教則 第7章 第2節 4(2), p. 74
- When unable to drive on an expressway due to breakdown, fuel shortage, accident etc., you must contact the police by calling 110, call a tow truck from a nearby emergency telephone etc., and quickly move the car to a safe place. 教則 第7章 第2節 4(3), p. 74
- On an expressway, even in the daytime, you must turn on lights when you cannot see 200 m ahead (e.g. in a tunnel or thick fog). 教則 第6章 第3節 2(1), p. 67
- You must not drive on the side strip (路側帯) or shoulder (路肩) of an expressway. 教則 第7章 第2節 3(2), p. 73
- You must not make a U-turn on an expressway main carriageway. 教則 第7章 第2節 3(4), p. 73
- When entering the main carriageway, if there is an acceleration lane, you must use it and accelerate sufficiently. 教則 第7章 第2節 1(1), p. 71
- When entering the main carriageway, you must not obstruct vehicles traveling on it. 教則 第7章 第2節 1(2), p. 71
- You must make sure you do not stop on an expressway because of running out of fuel, coolant or engine oil. 教則 第7章 第1節 (1), p. 70
- Because loads fall or scatter more easily at high speed, before driving on an expressway you must check the load and take necessary measures such as reloading it so it does not fall or scatter. 教則 第7章 第1節 (2), p. 70
- When approaching an exit, you must move in advance into the lane connected to the exit. 教則 第7章 第2節 5(2), p. 75
Common traps
- Watch the numbers: on a national expressway with no posted limits an ordinary car must stay between 50 and 100 km/h, while large trucks are limited to 90 km/h and other motor vehicles and towing vehicles to 80 km/h. 教則 第7章 第2節 2(3), p. 72
- The shoulder is not a lane: you must not drive on the side strip or shoulder of an expressway. 教則 第7章 第2節 3(2), p. 73
- No turning around: on the main carriageway you must not make a U-turn, reverse, or cross the central reservation. 教則 第7章 第2節 3(4), p. 73
- A breakdown needs two things at night: the stop display device behind the car and the hazard, parking or tail lights. In the daytime the lights are also required when visibility is 200 m or less. 教則 第7章 第2節 4(2), p. 74
- Do not run dry: make sure you do not stop on an expressway because you ran out of fuel, coolant or engine oil. 教則 第7章 第1節 (1), p. 70
Try 5 statements
Decide True or False first, then reveal the answer. Each answer comes with its explanation and the rule it is based on.
Statement 1 of 5
Before a long expressway drive, you should make a relaxed plan that includes rest breaks.
Reveal the answer
True. Long, continuous high-speed driving is dangerous, so you should plan your trip with suitable rest breaks.
Source: 教則 第7章 第1節 (4), p. 71
Statement 2 of 5
When you enter the main carriageway from an acceleration lane, you must use that lane to speed up enough.
Reveal the answer
True. If there is an acceleration lane, you must drive along it and accelerate sufficiently before joining the main carriageway.
Source: 教則 第7章 第2節 1(1), p. 71
Statement 3 of 5
When you enter the main carriageway, you may make cars already on it slow down for you.
Reveal the answer
False. When you enter the main carriageway, you must not obstruct vehicles already traveling on it.
Source: 教則 第7章 第2節 1(2), p. 71
Statement 4 of 5
On a national expressway with no posted speed limit, the maximum speed for an ordinary car is 100 km/h.
Reveal the answer
True. Where no limit is posted on the main carriageway of a national expressway, an ordinary car must not go faster than 100 km/h.
Source: 教則 第7章 第2節 2(3), p. 72
Statement 5 of 5
On a national expressway with no posted speed limit, the minimum speed for an ordinary car is 40 km/h.
Reveal the answer
False. Where no limit is posted on the main carriageway of a national expressway, the minimum speed for an ordinary car is 50 km/h.
Source: 教則 第7章 第2節 2(3), p. 72
Now try the full test
The free practice test has 50 true/false statements in 30 minutes, and the pass mark is 45. No sign-up, and every answer is explained with its rule.
Take the free testQuestions and answers
What is the speed limit for an ordinary car on a Japanese expressway?
On the main carriageway of a national expressway with no posted limits, an ordinary car must not exceed 100 km/h and must not drive slower than the minimum speed of 50 km/h. 教則 第7章 第2節 2(3), p. 72
What should I do if my car breaks down on an expressway in Japan?
When you cannot drive on an expressway because of a breakdown, running out of fuel or an accident, you must place a stop display device on the road behind the car, and at night (or in daytime when visibility is 200 m or less) also turn on hazard, parking or tail lights. 教則 第7章 第2節 4(2), p. 74 You must contact the police by calling 110, call a tow truck from a nearby emergency telephone, and quickly move the car out of the way. 教則 第7章 第2節 4(3), p. 74
Can I stop on an expressway in Japan?
You must not park or stop on an expressway, except for a temporary stop to prevent danger, an unavoidable stop on a sufficiently wide shoulder or side strip (for example a breakdown), or in a parking area or to pay tolls. 教則 第7章 第2節 4(1), p. 74
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