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Japan traffic law report

Source agencyNational Police Agency (NPA) / MLIT

Last updated12 February 2026

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Key findings

Theory test pass rate is 71% (2023, NPA Traffic Statistics)
Road fatalities: 2,678 deaths in 2023 — Up 2.6% from 2022, first increase in 8 years
2.5 million tests administered per year by National Police Agency
Most challenging topic: Road Markings (26% fail rate)

Quick facts

Theory test questions95 questions (90 true/false + 5 illustration worth 2 pts each), 90% to pass

Driving sideLeft-hand traffic

License validity3 years initially, then 5 years (gold license for no violations)

Unique requirementGarage certificate (shako shomeisho) needed to own a car

Training hours~60 hours total at licensed driving school (lectures + practical)

Beginner markWakaba (green/yellow arrow) mark required for 1 year

Test statistics

Pass rate65% or higher50–64%Below 50%

Theory test pass rate

71%NPA Traffic Statistics (2023)

Practical test pass rate

72%NPA Traffic Statistics (2023)

Tests administered per year

2.5 millionNPA (2023)

Speed limits

Urban40-60 km/h

Rural / national roads50-60 km/h

Motorway / highway100-120 km/h

Most challenging topics

1. Road Markings
26% fail rate
Complex Japanese road marking system
2. Right-of-Way
24% fail rate
Left-hand traffic priority scenarios
3. Pedestrian Rules
22% fail rate
Strict pedestrian priority requirements
4. Highway Driving
20% fail rate
Expressway merging and toll system rules
5. Parking Regulations
18% fail rate
Garage certificate requirements and no-parking zones

Road safety

Road fatalities2,678 deathsNPA Road Traffic Accident Statistics (2023)

TrendUp 2.6% from 2022, first increase in 8 years

Penalties & fines

Speeding: JPY 9,000-35,000 fine (minor/blue ticket); criminal proceedings for serious speeding, 1-12 points
Driving under influence: Up to JPY 1,000,000 fine, imprisonment up to 5 years, license revocation
Points system: 0-point start; accumulate up to suspension/revocation thresholds
Mobile phone use: JPY 12,000-25,000 fine (varies by vehicle type), 3 points

Recent law changes

2020
Expressway speed limit raised to 120 km/h on selected Shin-Tomei and Tohoku sections
2023
Electric kickboard (Specified Small Motorized Bicycles) regulations introduced; no license required for compliant vehicles, riders must be 16+
2020
Aori unten (aggressive tailgating) law enacted with severe penalties including imprisonment

Sources & methodology

All statistics in this report are sourced from official government agencies and publicly available data. AutoviaTest is an independent educational platform and is not affiliated with any government testing agency.

Data last verified: 2026-02-12

Primary sources

Test statistics · 2023NPA Traffic Statistics Road safety data · 2023NPA Road Traffic Accident Statistics Official regulatory bodyNational Police Agency (NPA) / MLIT

Cite this report

AutoviaTest. (2026, February 12). Japan traffic law report: Driving test statistics. https://autoviatest.com/en/traffic-law-reports/japan

Embed this data

Japan Driving Stats

Theory pass rate71%Practical pass rate72%Motorway speed limit100-120 km/hRoad fatalities (2023)2,678 deaths

Source: AutoviaTest | CC BY 4.0

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