Railway crossings: Japan license conversion written test rules

Key rules

• When about to pass a railway crossing, you must make a full stop immediately before it (immediately before the stop line, if there is one). Note: If the crossing has a traffic signal, you may pass according to the signal. 教則 第6章 第1節 1(1), p. 64
• At a railway crossing you must check left and right for safety with your own eyes and ears, for example by opening the window. 教則 第6章 第1節 1(1), p. 64
• You must not enter a railway crossing while the warning alarm is sounding. 教則 第6章 第1節 1(3), p. 65
• You must not enter a railway crossing when the barrier is down or has started to come down. 教則 第6章 第1節 1(3), p. 65
• Even when following another vehicle across a railway crossing, you must stop and check for safety. 教則 第6章 第1節 1(4), p. 65
• If the far side of the crossing is congested and you might get stuck inside the crossing, you must not enter it. 教則 第6章 第1節 1(4), p. 65
• You must not enter a railway crossing while the alarm is sounding or after the barrier has started to come down, nor weave between half-barriers. 教則 第2章 第4節 2, p. 14
• 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
• Parking and stopping are prohibited on a railway crossing and within 10 m before and after it. 教則 第5章 第8節 2(2), p. 58
• If your car cannot move at a railway crossing, you must notify the train driver etc. as quickly as possible and move the car out of the crossing. 教則 第6章 第1節 2, p. 65
• At a crossing with a warning alarm, use the push-button crossing obstruction alarm device attached to the alarm post etc. (part of the required procedure for warning the train). 教則 第6章 第1節 2(1), p. 65
• Where there is no obstruction alarm device, signal to the train as early as possible using the flare (発炎筒) etc. you carry. 教則 第6章 第1節 2(2), p. 65
• When checking safety, take great care: even after a train from one direction has passed, a train from the opposite direction may approach right after. 教則 第6章 第1節 1(2), p. 65
• Even when the alarm is not sounding or the barrier is not down, the equipment may be faulty, so you should always check safety before crossing. 教則 第2章 第4節 3, p. 14
• If a railway crossing has a traffic signal, you may pass through it in accordance with the signal (without the full stop). 教則 第6章 第1節 1(1), p. 64

Common traps

• Slowing down is not enough: you must make a full stop before the crossing, unless the crossing has a traffic signal and you pass according to it. 教則 第6章 第1節 1(1), p. 64
• Watch the numbers: overtaking is banned within 30 m before a railway crossing, but parking and stopping are banned within 10 m before and after it. 教則 第5章 第6節 1(3), p. 54 教則 第5章 第8節 2(2), p. 58
• Following another car does not excuse you: even when following another vehicle across a crossing, you must stop and check for safety yourself. 教則 第6章 第1節 1(4), p. 65
• A train that has just passed does not mean the crossing is clear: another train may soon come from the opposite direction. 教則 第2章 第4節 1, p. 14 教則 第6章 第1節 1(2), p. 65
• Do not trust a quiet crossing: even when the alarm is not sounding or the barrier is not down, the equipment may be faulty, so always check safety before crossing. 教則 第2章 第4節 3, p. 14

Try 5 statements

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Other topics

All topics · Pedestrian crossings · Stopping and parking · Right of way · Turning and turn signals · Overtaking and lanes · Expressways · Traffic signals and police · Road signs and markings · Driver duties

Last checked: October 23, 2026. Rules and procedures can change; the license center that handles your application decides.

Sources

• National Police Agency: 交通の方法に関する教則 (rules for road traffic), consolidated to September 4, 2024 (PDF)