Right of way
Right of way: Japan license conversion written test rules
At an uncontrolled intersection, if the crossing road is a priority road or is wider, you must go at slow speed and not obstruct vehicles or trams on the crossing road. 教則 第5章 第7節 3(1), p. 57 At an uncontrolled intersection of roads of similar width, you must not obstruct trams or vehicles coming from the left. 教則 第5章 第7節 3(2), p. 57 When an emergency vehicle approaches near an intersection, you must avoid the intersection, pull over to the left side of the road and stop; when it approaches away from an intersection, you must pull over to the left and give way (a stop is not required). 教則 第5章 第2節 5, p. 45 When entering a roundabout, you must go at slow speed and not obstruct vehicles or trams already in the roundabout. 教則 第5章 第7節 4(3), p. 57 If traffic ahead is congested and you might stop inside the intersection and block crossing traffic, you must not enter the intersection even on a green light. 教則 第5章 第7節 2(9), p. 56
Key rules
- At an uncontrolled intersection, if the crossing road is a priority road or is wider, you must go at slow speed and not obstruct vehicles or trams on the crossing road. Note: Uncontrolled intersections (no signals/police), not roundabouts. 教則 第5章 第7節 3(1), p. 57
- At an uncontrolled intersection of roads of similar width, you must not obstruct trams or vehicles coming from the left. 教則 第5章 第7節 3(2), p. 57
- Where there is a 'Stop' sign, you must stop just before the stop line (or just before the intersection if there is no line) and not obstruct vehicles or trams on the crossing road; the same applies to a flashing red signal. 教則 第5章 第7節 3(3), p. 57
- When an emergency vehicle approaches near an intersection, you must avoid the intersection, pull over to the left side of the road and stop. Note: On a one-way road where keeping left would obstruct the emergency vehicle, move to the right instead. 教則 第5章 第2節 5, p. 45
- When an emergency vehicle approaches away from an intersection, you must pull over to the left and give way (a stop is not required). Note: One-way road: move right if keeping left would obstruct it. 教則 第5章 第2節 5, p. 45
- When entering a roundabout, you must go at slow speed and not obstruct vehicles or trams already in the roundabout. 教則 第5章 第7節 4(3), p. 57
- If traffic ahead is congested and you might stop inside the intersection and block crossing traffic, you must not enter the intersection even on a green light. 教則 第5章 第7節 2(9), p. 56
- When turning right, you must not obstruct vehicles or trams going straight or turning left at that intersection, even if you entered the intersection first. 教則 第5章 第7節 2(5), p. 56
- When entering or going through an intersection (other than a roundabout), you must watch for right-turning vehicles, pedestrians etc. and proceed at the safest possible speed and manner for the situation. 教則 第5章 第7節 1(1), p. 55
- You must go at slow speed at an intersection where the view left and right is obstructed, except when traffic is controlled by signals etc. or you are on a priority road. 教則 第5章 第4節 4(2), p. 51
- When a route bus stopped at a bus stop signals to move off, vehicles behind must not obstruct it, except when you would have to brake or swerve suddenly to avoid it. Note: Except when giving way would require sudden braking or sudden steering. 教則 第5章 第2節 6(1), p. 45
- A vehicle on the tram tracks must, when a tram approaches from behind, promptly leave the tracks or keep a sufficient distance so as not to obstruct the tram. 教則 第5章 第2節 7(6), p. 46
- On a one-way road, if keeping to the left would actually obstruct the emergency vehicle, you must move to the right. 教則 第5章 第2節 5, p. 45
- When there is an obstacle ahead on your side, stop or slow down in advance and give way to oncoming vehicles. 教則 第5章 第6節 5(2), p. 55
- When entering a roundabout, vehicles already traveling in the roundabout have priority; enter after checking safety and slowing down sufficiently. 教則 第3章 第3節 3(2)ウ, p. 27
Common traps
- Left, not right: at an uncontrolled intersection of roads of similar width, the vehicles you must not obstruct are the ones coming from the left. 教則 第5章 第7節 3(2), p. 57
- Know who must slow down: at an uncontrolled intersection you go at slow speed when the crossing road is a priority road or is wider; and at an intersection with a blocked view you go at slow speed, except when traffic is controlled by signals or you are on a priority road. 教則 第5章 第7節 3(1), p. 57 教則 第5章 第4節 4(2), p. 51
- Near an intersection you stop for an emergency vehicle, but away from an intersection you pull over to the left and give way, and a stop is not required. 教則 第5章 第2節 5, p. 45
- Green does not always mean go: even on a green light you must not enter an intersection if you might stop inside it and block crossing traffic. 教則 第5章 第7節 2(9), p. 56
- Entering first does not give you priority when turning right: you must not obstruct vehicles or trams going straight or turning left, even if you entered the intersection first. 教則 第5章 第7節 2(5), p. 56
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
On a one-way road, if moving to the left would block an approaching emergency vehicle, you must move to the right instead.
Reveal the answer
True. On a one-way road, if keeping left would actually obstruct the emergency vehicle, you must move to the right.
Source: 教則 第5章 第2節 5, p. 45
Statement 2 of 5
Where there is a 'Stop' sign but no stop line, you must stop just before the intersection.
Reveal the answer
True. At a 'Stop' sign you must stop just before the stop line, or just before the intersection if there is no stop line, and not obstruct traffic on the crossing road.
Source: 教則 第5章 第7節 3(3), p. 57
Statement 3 of 5
At an intersection without signals or police, if the crossing road is a priority road, you must go at slow speed and not obstruct its traffic.
Reveal the answer
True. At an uncontrolled intersection, when the crossing road is a priority road or wider, you must go at slow speed and not obstruct vehicles or trams on it.
Source: 教則 第5章 第7節 3(1), p. 57
Statement 4 of 5
A green light always allows you to enter an intersection, even when traffic ahead may make you stop inside it and block crossing traffic.
Reveal the answer
False. If congestion ahead may make you stop inside the intersection and block crossing traffic, you must not enter it, even on a green light.
Source: 教則 第5章 第7節 2(9), p. 56
Statement 5 of 5
If an emergency vehicle approaches while you are near an intersection, you must stop on the left side inside the intersection.
Reveal the answer
False. Near an intersection you must keep out of the intersection, pull over to the left side of the road and stop.
Source: 教則 第5章 第2節 5, p. 45
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
Who has priority at an intersection without signals in Japan?
At an uncontrolled intersection, if the crossing road is a priority road or is wider, you must go at slow speed and not obstruct vehicles or trams on the crossing road. 教則 第5章 第7節 3(1), p. 57 At an uncontrolled intersection of roads of similar width, you must not obstruct trams or vehicles coming from the left. 教則 第5章 第7節 3(2), p. 57
What must I do when an emergency vehicle approaches in Japan?
When an emergency vehicle approaches near an intersection, you must avoid the intersection, pull over to the left side of the road and stop; when it approaches away from an intersection, you must pull over to the left and give way (a stop is not required). 教則 第5章 第2節 5, p. 45
Who has priority when entering a roundabout in Japan?
When entering a roundabout, you must go at slow speed and not obstruct vehicles or trams already in the roundabout. 教則 第5章 第7節 4(3), p. 57
Last checked: . Rules and procedures can change; the license center that handles your application decides.