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Turning and turn signals
Turning and turn signals: Japan license conversion written test rules
When turning left, signal on reaching a point 30 m before the turning point (the intersection, if turning at an intersection). 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51 When turning right or making a U-turn, signal on reaching a point 30 m before the turning point. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51 When changing course to the left or right while continuing in the same direction (a lane change), signal about 3 seconds before changing course. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51 When turning left at an intersection, you must move in advance as far as possible to the left edge of the road and proceed at slow speed along the edge of the intersection. 教則 第5章 第7節 2(1), p. 56 When turning right at an intersection, you must move in advance as close as possible to the center of the road and proceed at slow speed just inside the center of the intersection. 教則 第5章 第7節 2(2), p. 56
Key rules
- Before changing course, making a U-turn or reversing (other than in a roundabout), you must first check safety with the mirrors etc. and then give a signal. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1), p. 51
- When turning left, signal on reaching a point 30 m before the turning point (the intersection, if turning at an intersection). 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51
- When turning right or making a U-turn, signal on reaching a point 30 m before the turning point (the intersection, if turning at an intersection). 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51
- When changing course to the left while continuing in the same direction (lane change), signal about 3 seconds before changing course. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51
- When changing course to the right while continuing in the same direction, signal about 3 seconds before changing course. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51
- When you have completed the maneuver you must promptly stop signaling, and you must not signal when there is no need. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(3), p. 52
- When slowing down or stopping, signal at that time by showing the brake lights or by putting the arm out of the car extended diagonally downward. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 52
- When turning left at an intersection, you must move in advance as far as possible to the left edge of the road and proceed at slow speed along the edge of the intersection. 教則 第5章 第7節 2(1), p. 56
- When turning right at an intersection, you must move in advance as close as possible to the center of the road and proceed at slow speed just inside the center of the intersection, except for a moped making a two-stage right turn. Note: Except a general motorized bicycle using the two-stage right-turn method. 教則 第5章 第7節 2(2), p. 56
- When turning right from a one-way road, you must move to the right edge of the road and proceed at slow speed inside the center of the intersection (except a moped making a two-stage right turn). 教則 第5章 第7節 2(3), p. 56
- When turning, if the route is designated by arrow markings etc., you must follow them. 教則 第5章 第7節 2(4), p. 56
- When it may obstruct pedestrians or the normal flow of other vehicles, you must not cross the road, make a U-turn, reverse, or turn/cross to enter or leave premises facing the road. 教則 第5章 第5節 3(1), p. 53
- To leave the road, when turning left you must move in advance as far as possible to the left edge, and when turning right as far as possible to the center (on a one-way road, the right edge), and go at slow speed. 教則 第5章 第5節 3(3), p. 53
- In a roundabout, whether turning left, right, going straight or making a U-turn, you must move in advance as far as possible to the left edge and proceed at slow speed along the edge of the roundabout. 教則 第5章 第7節 4(1), p. 57
- When leaving a roundabout, give a left signal on passing the exit just before the one you will take (if leaving by the first exit after entering, signal on entering the roundabout). 教則 第5章 第5節 1(2) table, p. 52
Common traps
- Watch the numbers: you signal 30 m before the turning point for a left turn, a right turn or a U-turn, but about 3 seconds before a lane change. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51
- Signal only as long as needed: when you have completed the maneuver you must promptly stop signaling, and you must not signal when there is no need. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(3), p. 52
- Left means the left edge, right means the center: before a left turn move as far as possible to the left edge; before a right turn move as close as possible to the center (on a one-way road, to the right edge). 教則 第5章 第7節 2(1), p. 56 教則 第5章 第7節 2(2), p. 56 教則 第5章 第7節 2(3), p. 56
- Follow the arrows: when the route for turning is designated by arrow markings, you must follow them. 教則 第5章 第7節 2(4), p. 56
- Big vehicles swing in: when a vehicle turns, the rear wheels pass inside the path of the front wheels (inner wheel difference), so large vehicles especially must take care not to catch pedestrians and bicycles on the left. 教則 第5章 第7節 1(3), p. 55 教則 第5章 第7節 1(3), 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
When turning right from a one-way road, you must first move to the right edge of the road.
Reveal the answer
True. When turning right from a one-way road, you must move to the right edge of the road and go at slow speed inside the center of the intersection.
Source: 教則 第5章 第7節 2(3), p. 56
Statement 2 of 5
When turning left at an intersection, you must start signaling when you reach a point 5 m before the intersection.
Reveal the answer
False. For a left turn, you must signal when you reach a point 30 m before the intersection, not 5 m.
Source: 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1), p. 51
Statement 3 of 5
Before signaling to leave a roundabout, you must first check that it is safe, using your mirrors.
Reveal the answer
True. When you are about to leave a roundabout, you must first check safety with the mirrors and then give the signal.
Source: 教則 第5章 第5節 1(2), p. 52
Statement 4 of 5
When turning left at an intersection, you must signal when you reach a point 30 m before the intersection.
Reveal the answer
True. For a left turn, you signal when you reach a point 30 m before the turning point (the intersection, if you turn at an intersection).
Source: 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1), p. 51
Statement 5 of 5
To leave a roundabout, you give a right-turn signal as you pass the exit just before the one you will take.
Reveal the answer
False. To leave a roundabout you give a left signal (left indicator) as you pass the exit just before the one you will take.
Source: 教則 第5章 第5節 1(2), p. 52
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
How far before a turn must I use the turn signal in Japan?
When turning left, signal on reaching a point 30 m before the turning point (the intersection, if turning at an intersection). 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51 When turning right or making a U-turn, signal on reaching a point 30 m before the turning point. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51
How long before a lane change must I signal in Japan?
When changing course to the left or right while continuing in the same direction (a lane change), signal about 3 seconds before changing course. 教則 第5章 第5節 1(1) table, p. 51
Where should I position the car before turning right at an intersection in Japan?
When turning right at an intersection, you must move in advance as close as possible to the center of the road and proceed at slow speed just inside the center of the intersection. 教則 第5章 第7節 2(2), p. 56
Last checked: . Rules and procedures can change; the license center that handles your application decides.