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Overtaking and lanes
Overtaking and lanes: Japan license conversion written test rules
You must drive on the part of the road to the left of the center (or of the center line, if there is one). 教則 第5章 第2節 1, p. 43 When there are two lanes in the same direction, you must drive in the left lane; with three or more lanes you may use any lane except the rightmost, which is kept free for overtaking. 教則 第5章 第2節 2(2), p. 44 Overtaking is prohibited in an intersection and within 30 m before it, except when traveling on a priority road. 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54 Overtaking is also prohibited on railway crossings and pedestrian or bicycle crossings and within 30 m before them. 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54 Overtaking is prohibited near bends, near the top of an uphill slope, on steep downhill slopes, and in tunnels unless the tunnel has marked lanes. 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54 Signal about 3 seconds before changing course to the left or right while continuing in the same direction. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51
Key rules
- You must drive on the part of the road to the left of the center (or of the center line, if there is one). Note: Exceptions listed in items 1(1)-(4): one-way road, insufficient width due to works, overtaking on a road with left part under 6 m, steep curve with 'keep right' marking. 教則 第5章 第2節 1, p. 43
- When there are two lanes in the same direction, you must drive in the left lane. Note: Unless lane use is designated by signs or markings; overtaking. 教則 第5章 第2節 2(2), p. 44
- When lane use is designated by signs or markings, you must follow them. 教則 第5章 第2節 2(2), p. 44
- Even when using the rightmost lane to overtake, once you have finished overtaking you must promptly return to another lane. 教則 第5章 第2節 2(3), p. 44
- On a road with lanes, you must not stray out of a lane or straddle two lanes, except when unavoidable such as when overtaking. Note: Except when unavoidable, e.g. overtaking. 教則 第5章 第2節 3, p. 44
- Changing lanes needlessly troubles following vehicles and can cause accidents, so you must keep driving in the same lane. 教則 第5章 第2節 3, p. 44
- You must not overtake when the vehicle ahead is itself overtaking a motor vehicle (double overtaking). 教則 第5章 第6節 1(2), p. 53
- Overtaking is prohibited near bends (corners) in the road. 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54
- Overtaking is prohibited near the top of an uphill slope and on steep downhill slopes. 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54
- Overtaking is prohibited in tunnels, except where the tunnel has marked lanes. Note: Allowed in tunnels with vehicle lanes (車両通行帯). 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54
- Overtaking is prohibited in an intersection and within 30 m before it, except when traveling on a priority road. 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54
- Overtaking is prohibited on railway crossings, pedestrian crossings, bicycle crossings and within 30 m before them. 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54
- When overtaking another vehicle, you must pass on its right. Note: Pass on the left when the vehicle is moving to the center (right edge on one-way roads) to turn right, or when overtaking a tram. 教則 第5章 第6節 2(1), p. 54
- When being overtaken, you must not increase speed until the overtaking is completed. 教則 第5章 第6節 2(4), p. 54
- When there is not enough room to be overtaken, you must move as far left as possible and give way. 教則 第5章 第6節 2(4), p. 54
Common traps
- Watch the number: overtaking is banned within 30 m before an intersection, but not when you are traveling on a priority road. 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54
- Pass on the right: when overtaking you must pass on the right of the other vehicle, and you pass on its left only when it is moving to the center (right edge on a one-way road) to turn right, or when overtaking a tram. 教則 第5章 第6節 2(1), p. 54
- Two lanes means the left lane: with two lanes in the same direction you drive in the left lane, and with three or more the rightmost lane is left free for overtaking. 教則 第5章 第2節 2(2), p. 44
- Come back after overtaking: even when you used the rightmost lane to overtake, you must promptly return to another lane once you have finished. 教則 第5章 第2節 2(3), p. 44
- Do not speed up when being overtaken: you must not increase speed until the overtaking is completed, and if there is not enough room you must move as far left as possible and give way. 教則 第5章 第6節 2(4), p. 54
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
If traffic is so heavy that you might not be able to leave a bus priority lane, you may still enter it.
Reveal the answer
False. If congestion means you might not be able to leave the bus priority lane when a bus comes, you must not enter it in the first place.
Source: 教則 第5章 第2節 6(3), p. 45
Statement 2 of 5
When another car is overtaking you, you may speed up so that it can finish faster.
Reveal the answer
False. When you are being overtaken, you must not increase your speed until the overtaking is finished.
Source: 教則 第5章 第6節 2(4), p. 54
Statement 3 of 5
Near a bend on a steep road, you may drive on the right of the center where a 'keep right' marking is painted.
Reveal the answer
True. Near a bend on a steep road with a 'keep right' (右側通行) marking, you may drive on the right of the center.
Source: 教則 第5章 第2節 1(4), p. 44
Statement 4 of 5
When road works leave the left side too narrow and you go over to the right of center, you must go over as little as possible.
Reveal the answer
True. Road works that leave the left side too narrow allow you to go over the center, but you must keep the part on the right side as small as possible.
Source: 教則 第5章 第2節 1, p. 44
Statement 5 of 5
When you have to change lanes, you should check safety with your mirrors and by looking directly.
Reveal the answer
True. When you have to change course, you should first check safety with the mirrors and with your own eyes.
Source: 教則 第5章 第5節 2(1), p. 53
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
Which lane should I drive in on a two-lane road in Japan?
When there are two lanes in the same direction, you must drive in the left lane; with three or more lanes you may use any lane except the rightmost, which is kept free for overtaking. 教則 第5章 第2節 2(2), p. 44
Where is overtaking prohibited in Japan?
Overtaking is prohibited in an intersection and within 30 m before it, except when traveling on a priority road. 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54 Overtaking is also prohibited on railway crossings and pedestrian or bicycle crossings and within 30 m before them. 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54 Overtaking is prohibited near bends, near the top of an uphill slope, on steep downhill slopes, and in tunnels unless the tunnel has marked lanes. 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54
How early must I signal before a lane change in Japan?
Signal about 3 seconds before changing course to the left or right while continuing in the same direction. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51
Last checked: . Rules and procedures can change; the license center that handles your application decides.