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Traffic signals and police signals
Traffic signals and police signals: Japan license conversion written test rules
Road users must obey traffic signals. 教則 第1章 第2節 1(1), p. 7 On yellow, vehicles must not proceed beyond the stop position, unless you were already close to it when the light changed and cannot stop safely. 教則 付表1(1), p. 92 On red, vehicles must not go beyond the stop position; on a flashing red light vehicles must make a temporary stop at the stop position. 教則 付表1(1), p. 92 教則 付表1(1), p. 93 On a flashing yellow light, you may proceed while paying attention to other traffic. 教則 付表1(1), p. 93 When a police officer or traffic warden directs traffic by hand or light signals, you must obey, and their signal takes priority even if it differs from the traffic light. 教則 第1章 第3節 1, p. 8 Outside an intersection with no crosswalk, bicycle crossing or railway crossing, the stop position for an officer's hand signal or light signal is 1 m before the officer. 教則 付表1(3)ア, p. 95 教則 付表1(3)イ, p. 95
Key rules
- Road users must obey traffic signals. 教則 第1章 第2節 1(1), p. 7
- Yellow light: vehicles and trams must not proceed beyond the stop position. Note: If, when the light changed to yellow, the vehicle was already close to the stop position and cannot stop safely, it may proceed. 教則 付表1(1), p. 92
- Red light: vehicles and trams must not go beyond the stop position. 教則 付表1(1), p. 92
- Flashing red light: vehicles and trams must make a temporary stop (一時停止) at the stop position. 教則 付表1(1), p. 93
- Yellow arrow: pedestrians, remote-operated small vehicles and vehicles (including cars) must not proceed on it. 教則 付表1(1), p. 93
- A green right arrow does not allow specified small motorized bicycles, light vehicles, or mopeds turning right by the two-stage method to proceed. 教則 付表1(1), p. 93
- In that case (already turning right when the signal is red), the vehicle must not obstruct vehicles and trams coming on a green light. 教則 付表1(1), p. 92
- When police officers or traffic wardens (交通巡視員) are directing traffic by hand signals or light signals, you must obey those signals. 教則 第1章 第3節 1, p. 8
- When police officers or traffic wardens give necessary instructions about how to travel, you must act according to those instructions. 教則 第1章 第3節 2, p. 8
- A signal with a plate such as 'buses only' applies to the vehicles shown; when a signal is designated for particular vehicles or pedestrians, those road users must follow that designated signal. 教則 第1章 第2節 1(3), p. 7
- Yellow light: if, when the light changed to yellow, you were already close to the stop position and cannot stop safely, you may proceed as you are. 教則 付表1(1), p. 92
- Green (blue) arrow: vehicles may proceed in the direction of the arrow even when the signal shows a yellow or red light. Note: For a right arrow: not specified small motorized bicycles, light vehicles or two-stage right-turning mopeds. The arrow applies to 車 (vehicles), not trams (trams use yellow arrows). 教則 付表1(1), p. 93
- Flashing yellow light: pedestrians, remote-operated small vehicles, vehicles and trams may proceed while paying attention to other traffic. 教則 付表1(1), p. 93
- Even if the hand or light signal of a police officer or traffic warden differs from the traffic light, the officer's/warden's signal takes priority. 教則 第1章 第3節 1, p. 8
- Even if a police officer's instruction differs from the regulation shown by signs or markings, the instruction takes priority. 教則 第1章 第3節 2, p. 9
Common traps
- Yellow means stop, with one exception: you may proceed only if you were already close to the stop position when it turned yellow and cannot stop safely. 教則 付表1(1), p. 92
- Do not mix up the flashing lights: a flashing yellow light means proceed with attention, a flashing red light means make a temporary stop at the stop position. 教則 付表1(1), p. 93
- A flashing green pedestrian signal has the same meaning as yellow: pedestrians must not start crossing, and those already crossing must quickly finish or turn back. 教則 第2章 第3節 2(3), p. 13 教則 付表1(1), p. 93
- The officer wins: a police officer's or traffic warden's signal takes priority over the traffic light, and a police officer's instruction takes priority over signs or markings. 教則 第1章 第3節 1, p. 8 教則 第1章 第3節 2, p. 9
- Arrows are not all the same: with a green arrow vehicles may proceed in its direction even on a yellow or red light, but on a yellow arrow (for trams) cars must not proceed. 教則 付表1(1), p. 93
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 evening sunlight makes your turn signals hard to see, you should also give a hand signal.
Reveal the answer
True. When the turn signals are hard to see, for example because of reflected evening sun, you should give a hand signal as well.
Source: 教則 第5章 第5節 1(4), p. 52
Statement 2 of 5
When the signal in your direction is flashing yellow, you must always stop before entering the intersection.
Reveal the answer
False. With a flashing yellow signal, you may proceed while paying attention to other traffic. A stop is not required.
Source: 教則 第5章 第7節 3(4), p. 57
Statement 3 of 5
Holding your right arm straight out horizontally from the window is the hand signal for a left turn.
Reveal the answer
False. A right arm held out horizontally is the signal for a right turn, U-turn or moving right. For a left turn, the right arm is bent with the elbow pointing up.
Source: 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1), p. 51
Statement 4 of 5
When the light turns yellow, you must stop before the stop position even if you are too close to stop safely.
Reveal the answer
False. If you are already close to the stop position when the light turns yellow and cannot stop safely, you may continue.
Source: 教則 付表1(1) 黄色の灯火(2), p. 92
Statement 5 of 5
At some intersections, the signals in all directions turn red at the same time for a short period.
Reveal the answer
True. Some signals turn red in all directions for a short time, and some change to red at different times for different directions.
Source: 教則 第1章 第2節 1(2), p. 7
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 does a yellow traffic light mean in Japan?
On yellow, vehicles must not proceed beyond the stop position, unless you were already close to it when the light changed and cannot stop safely. 教則 付表1(1), p. 92
What does a flashing red light mean in Japan?
On red, vehicles must not go beyond the stop position; on a flashing red light vehicles must make a temporary stop at the stop position. 教則 付表1(1), p. 92 教則 付表1(1), p. 93 On a flashing yellow light, you may proceed while paying attention to other traffic. 教則 付表1(1), p. 93
What if a police officer's signal differs from the traffic light in Japan?
When a police officer or traffic warden directs traffic by hand or light signals, you must obey, and their signal takes priority even if it differs from the traffic light. 教則 第1章 第3節 1, p. 8
Last checked: . Rules and procedures can change; the license center that handles your application decides.