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Q: What is the general speed limit on roads in Japan where no speed limit sign is posted?

60 km/h. Under the Road Traffic Act, the general speed limit on roads without posted signs is 60 km/h for ordinary vehicles.

Q: What is the maximum speed limit on expressways in Japan for ordinary vehicles?

100 km/h. The maximum speed limit on expressways for ordinary vehicles is 100 km/h, unless otherwise posted.

Q: What is the speed limit in a Zone 30 area in Japan?

30 km/h. Zone 30 areas have a speed limit of 30 km/h to ensure safety in residential neighborhoods.

Q: What is the legal speed limit for mopeds (原動機付自転車) on general roads in Japan?

30 km/h. Mopeds (gentsuki) have a legal speed limit of 30 km/h on general roads in Japan.

Q: When driving through a school zone during designated hours, what should you do?

Reduce speed and watch carefully for children. In school zones during designated hours, drivers must reduce speed and exercise extra caution for children.

Q: What is the BAC limit in Japan?

0.03% BAC (0.15 mg/L breath) for 'tipsy driving' (酒気帯び運転): fine ¥300,000–500,000, 90-day suspension, 13–25 demerit points. 'Intoxicated driving' (酒酔い運転) is based on behavioural impairment regardless of BAC: up to 5 years prison + ¥1,000,000 fine + licence revocation (35 demerit points). Uniquely, vehicle owners, alcohol providers, and knowing passengers can also be prosecuted.

Q: How does the demerit points system work in Japan?

Japan uses a cumulative points system — points are added for violations, not deducted from a balance. 6–8 points (no prior record): 30-day suspension. 9–11 points: 60-day suspension. 15+ points: 1-year revocation. 35 points: 3-year revocation (drunk driving). Points stay for 3 years and reset after serving suspension/revocation. After 1 year with no violations, points reset to zero.

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Quick Reference

Test Questions

95

Pass Mark

90/95

Minimum Age

18

License Fee

2,100 JPY (~$15)

Source: NPA · Last updated: 2026-03-15

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Emergency Numbers

Police (警察)110

Fire & Ambulance (消防/救急)119

Coast Guard (海上保安庁)118

JAF Roadside Assistance (24/7, multilingual)0570-00-8139

Speed Limits

General Road — no sign (一般道路) — Default limit when no sign posted

Expressway (高速道路) — Some sections 120 km/h since 2020

Expressway — trucks >8t — Raised from 80 km/h in April 2024

Zone 30 (residential/school) — Residential and school districts

Moped (原付 50cc or less) — 30 km/h on ALL roads including expressways (mopeds banned from expressways)

Road Hazards

Many Japanese roads, especially in older residential areas and rural towns, are extremely narrow — s…

Japan has the world's oldest population. Elderly pedestrians and drivers account for a disproportion…

Cycling is extremely common in Japan. Cyclists frequently ride on sidewalks (legally permitted in ma…

Japan's typhoon season (August–October) brings intense rainfall, flooding, and strong winds. The rai…

FAQ

How much does a Japanese driving licence cost?

The total cost for an Ordinary Vehicle licence (普通免許) via driving school is typically ¥250,000–350,000 (~$1,700–2,400 USD). This includes: driving school tuition ¥250,000–300,000 (AT car), provisional licence test ¥1,800, provisional licence issuance ¥1,100 (¥2,900 total), full licence written test ¥1,900, full licence issuance ¥2,350, and photo ~¥800. Residential intensive courses (合宿免許) may be slightly cheaper at ¥200,000–280,000 including accommodation.

What is the Japanese written test format?

The full licence written test (本免学科試験) consists of 95 questions — 90 true/false questions (1 point each) and 5 illustration-based questions (2 points each), for a total of 100 points. You have 50 minutes. You must score at least 90 out of 100 points to pass. Topics include traffic rules, road signs, vehicle operation, safe driving, and emergency procedures. The test is available in 24+ languages at major licence centres.

What are the speed limits in Japan?

General roads (no sign): 60 km/h. Expressways (passenger cars): 100 km/h (some sections 120 km/h since 2020). Expressways (trucks >8t): 90 km/h (raised from 80 in April 2024). Zone 30 (residential/school): 30 km/h. Mopeds (50cc or less): 30 km/h on ALL roads. Expressway minimum: 50 km/h. From September 2026, the default on narrow residential roads will be 30 km/h.