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Pedestrian crossings
Pedestrian crossings: Japan license conversion written test rules
When pedestrians or bicycles are crossing or about to cross, you must stop before the crossing (before the stop line, if there is one) and give way. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(2), p. 47 When approaching a pedestrian or bicycle crossing, you must slow down so that you can stop before it, unless it is clear that no one is crossing. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(2), p. 47 You must not overtake or pass other vehicles on a pedestrian or bicycle crossing or within 30 m before it. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(4), p. 47 Parking and stopping are prohibited on pedestrian or bicycle crossings and within 5 m before and after them. 教則 第5章 第8節 2(2), p. 58 When a vehicle is stopped at or just before a pedestrian or bicycle crossing, you must stop before passing it and going ahead. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(3), p. 47
Key rules
- When pedestrians or bicycles are crossing or about to cross, you must stop before the crossing (before the stop line if there is one) and give way to them. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(2), p. 47
- When approaching a pedestrian crossing or bicycle crossing, unless it is clear that no one is crossing, you must slow down so that you can stop before it. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(2), p. 47
- When a vehicle is stopped at or just before a pedestrian or bicycle crossing, you must stop before passing it and going ahead. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(3), p. 47
- On a pedestrian or bicycle crossing and within 30 m before it, you must not overtake or pass other vehicles. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(4), p. 47
- Parking and stopping are prohibited on pedestrian or bicycle crossings and within 5 m before and after them. 教則 第5章 第8節 2(2), p. 58
- When pedestrians are crossing at or near an intersection without a pedestrian crossing, you must not obstruct them. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(1), p. 46
- When passing near a pedestrian, you must leave a safe gap or go at slow speed (徐行). 教則 第5章 第3節 1(1), p. 46
- When passing a safety zone with pedestrians on it, you must go at slow speed (徐行). 教則 第5章 第3節 1(2), p. 46
- Behind a tram stopped at a stop, you must stop and wait until there are no more people getting on/off or crossing the road. Note: May proceed at slow speed if nobody is boarding/alighting and there is 1.5 m or more between you and the tram, or if there is a safety zone. 教則 第5章 第3節 1(3), p. 46
- When there is a person using a wheelchair, or a person walking with a white or yellow cane or a guide dog, you must stop temporarily or go at slow speed so that they can pass safely. 教則 第5章 第3節 3, p. 47
- When a child is walking alone, you must stop temporarily or go at slow speed so the child can pass safely. 教則 第5章 第3節 4(1), p. 47
- When passing a stopped school or kindergarten bus, you must go at slow speed and check that it is safe. 教則 第5章 第3節 4(2), p. 47
- When an elderly person walking with a cane, using a walking aid, or otherwise having difficulty walking is passing, you must stop temporarily or go at slow speed so they can pass safely. 教則 第5章 第3節 5, p. 47
- Except when unavoidable to avoid danger, you must not move close alongside (幅寄せ) or forcibly cut in front of the vehicles listed (beginner-mark, elderly-mark, hearing-impaired-mark, disability-mark vehicles, and provisional-license learners). 教則 第5章 第3節 8(1), p. 48
- Pedestrians may cross even where there is no pedestrian or bicycle crossing, so be careful. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(5), p. 47
Common traps
- Watch the numbers: overtaking is banned within 30 m before a pedestrian crossing, but parking and stopping are banned within 5 m before and after it. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(4), p. 47 教則 第5章 第8節 2(2), p. 58
- Slow down first, stop when needed: you slow down so you can stop unless it is clear that no one is crossing, and you must stop and give way when pedestrians or bicycles are crossing or about to cross. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(2), p. 47
- Pedestrians may cross even where there is no crossing, so stay careful, and do not obstruct pedestrians crossing at or near an intersection without a pedestrian crossing. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(5), p. 47 教則 第5章 第3節 2(1), p. 46
- Know when slow speed is enough: for a child walking alone, a wheelchair user, or a person with a white or yellow cane or a guide dog you must stop temporarily or go at slow speed so they can pass safely; passing a stopped school or kindergarten bus you must go at slow speed and check that it is safe. 教則 第5章 第3節 4(1), p. 47 教則 第5章 第3節 3, p. 47 教則 第5章 第3節 4(2), p. 47
- Stopped trams are different: you may proceed at slow speed past a stopped tram only when nobody is getting on or off and there is at least 1.5 m between you and the tram, or when there is a safety zone. 教則 第5章 第3節 1(3), p. 46
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
When a person walking with a white cane is passing, you must stop or go at slow speed so that they can pass safely.
Reveal the answer
True. For a person with a white or yellow cane, a guide dog or a wheelchair, you must stop temporarily or go at slow speed so they can pass safely.
Source: 教則 第5章 第3節 3, p. 47
Statement 2 of 5
When you approach a pedestrian crossing and it is not clear that nobody is crossing, you must slow down so that you can stop before it.
Reveal the answer
True. Unless it is clear that no one is crossing, you must approach a pedestrian crossing at a speed that lets you stop before it.
Source: 教則 第5章 第3節 2(2), p. 47
Statement 3 of 5
The ban on overtaking before a pedestrian crossing covers only the last 5 m before the crossing.
Reveal the answer
False. Overtaking and passing are prohibited on a pedestrian or bicycle crossing and within 30 m before it, not only within the last 5 m.
Source: 教則 第5章 第3節 2(4), p. 47
Statement 4 of 5
When a child is walking alone by the road, you may pass at your normal speed if you sound your horn.
Reveal the answer
False. When a child is walking alone, you must stop temporarily or go at slow speed so the child can pass safely.
Source: 教則 第5章 第3節 4(1), p. 47
Statement 5 of 5
When approaching a pedestrian crossing, you must slow down enough to stop before it even when it is clear that nobody is crossing.
Reveal the answer
False. The duty to slow down so you can stop applies unless it is clear that no pedestrian or bicycle is crossing.
Source: 教則 第5章 第3節 2(2), p. 47
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
Do I have to stop for pedestrians at a crossing in Japan?
When pedestrians or bicycles are crossing or about to cross, you must stop before the crossing (before the stop line, if there is one) and give way. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(2), p. 47 When approaching a pedestrian or bicycle crossing, you must slow down so that you can stop before it, unless it is clear that no one is crossing. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(2), p. 47
How close to a pedestrian crossing can I park in Japan?
Parking and stopping are prohibited on pedestrian or bicycle crossings and within 5 m before and after them. 教則 第5章 第8節 2(2), p. 58
Can I overtake before a pedestrian crossing in Japan?
You must not overtake or pass other vehicles on a pedestrian or bicycle crossing or within 30 m before it. 教則 第5章 第3節 2(4), p. 47
Last checked: . Rules and procedures can change; the license center that handles your application decides.