Moped vs E-Scooter in Japan: 原付 vs 特定小型原付 Rules

Comparison table: general moped vs specified small motorized bicycle

Article 2(1)(x) of the Road Traffic Act (道路交通法) splits motorized bicycles into type (a), defined by engine size or output (general mopeds), and type (b), meeting size and design standards (specified small). The main differences:

Vehicle standards: what counts as "specified small"

A specified small motorized bicycle must meet every standard in Article 1-2-2 of the Road Traffic Act Enforcement Regulations (道路交通法施行規則). Miss even one and it becomes a general moped or a motorcycle, needing a license and a helmet (National Police Agency).

A general moped uses an engine at or below the size set in Article 1-2 of the Regulations: basically 50cc or less for two-wheelers (0.60 kW rated output for electric ones). Since April 1, 2025, two-wheelers of 125cc or less with maximum output limited to 4.0 kW or less ("new-standard mopeds", 新基準原付) also count as general mopeds (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). A bike of 125cc or less with more than 4.0 kW is a standard motorcycle (普通自動二輪車).

• Length 190 cm or less, width 60 cm or less
• Electric motor with rated output of 0.60 kW or less
• Cannot exceed 20 km/h (top-speed setting cannot be changed while moving)
• Automatic transmission (no clutch operation)
• Fitted with a maximum-speed indicator lamp (最高速度表示灯)

Turning right: different two-step turn conditions

A general moped normally turns right like a car, moving toward the center of the road. A two-step right turn (二段階右折, going along the edge of the intersection) is required only at intersections controlled by signals or officers, where a two-step-turn sign is posted or where the road has three or more lanes in your direction (Article 34(5)). Even with three or more lanes, a "moped right-turn method (small turn)" sign means no two-step turn.

A specified small motorized bicycle turns like a bicycle: it always keeps to the left edge and goes along the edge of the intersection (Article 34(3)). At a signalized intersection, cross straight on green, turn to face the new direction, then go when the light ahead turns green. It may not turn on a green right-arrow signal (National Police Agency).

Where you can ride: sidewalks only in special mode

General mopeds use the roadway and may not ride on sidewalks or roadside strips (路側帯). Specified small ones also, in principle, keep to the left edge of the roadway (or a bicycle lane).

The exception is the "special specified small motorized bicycle" (特例特定小型原動機付自転車). While its maximum-speed lamp flashes and it is limited to 6 km/h, it may use the roadway side of sidewalks with a sign allowing these vehicles and ordinary bicycles, giving way to pedestrians. It may not use places where it would seriously obstruct pedestrians or roadside strips marked with double white lines (Rules of the Road, 教則).

Both are banned from drink-riding, and both must have compulsory liability insurance (自賠責保険). Specified small ones may not carry a passenger either (National Police Agency).

Sample test questions and common traps

These are close to the real test format (from menkyopass questions).

"On a road where a sign sets a maximum speed of 40 km/h, a moped may go up to 40 km/h." → × (false). The moped limit of 30 km/h does not change even where a higher speed is posted.

"When turning right at an intersection with three or more lanes in each direction, a moped must make a two-step right turn even without a two-step-turn sign." → ○ (true).

"Even when a green right-turn arrow is shown, mopeds and light vehicles that must make two-step right turns cannot start turning right." → ○ (true).

• "A moped license is needed for a specified small motorized bicycle" → × (no license, but under 16 is banned)
• "Helmets are compulsory on specified small ones too" → × (effort duty only; compulsory on general mopeds)
• "General mopeds make a two-step turn at every intersection" → × (signed intersections, three or more lanes, etc.)
• "Mopeds do not need compulsory insurance" → × (both types need it)

License conversion and mopeds

A Japanese standard license (普通免許) also covers general mopeds. You can also convert a foreign license into a moped license (原付免許); the application fee at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police (警視庁) is 1,600 yen (checked October 2026; may differ by prefecture). Specified small motorized bicycles need no license from age 16, but an e-scooter that does not meet the standard counts as a moped or similar and needs a license.

The knowledge test often asks about moped speed and right turns. Get used to questions that swap "30 km/h" or the two-step turn conditions with the menkyopass English practice test.

Practice questions using this term

• On a road with this sign, no motor vehicles, motorized bicycles (mopeds), or light vehicles (bicycles, etc.) may pass.
• Even small special motor vehicles, motorized bicycles (mopeds), and light vehicles must not drive in a lane reserved exclusively for route buses (bus-only lane).
• If a Closed to Vehicles sign has an auxiliary plate reading 'except mopeds,' motorized bicycles (mopeds) still cannot use the road.
• Even when a green right-turn arrow is shown, motorized bicycles (mopeds) that must make a two-step right turn, and light vehicles, may not start turning right.
• When turning right at an intersection with three or more lanes on one side, a motorized bicycle (moped) must make a two-step right turn even if there is no two-step right turn sign.
• When the vehicle ahead is trying to overtake a motorized bicycle (moped), overtaking that vehicle is prohibited as double overtaking.
• The statutory maximum speed for motorized bicycles (mopeds) is 30 km/h.
• On a road where signs set the maximum speed at 40 km/h, a motorized bicycle (moped) may go up to 40 km/h.
• A motorized bicycle (moped) must also be covered by compulsory automobile liability insurance (or mutual liability insurance) before it may be driven.

FAQ

Related guides

• Japan Speed Limits: 60 km/h, 30 km/h Residential Roads, Mopeds 30
• Japanese License Classes You Can Get by Converting (incl. AT)
• Japan Traffic Light Rules: Yellow, Flashing, Arrows, Signals
• Japan Expressway Rules: Max 100, Min 50 km/h, Who Can't Enter
• Shuki-obi vs Sake-yoi: Japan's Two Drink-Driving Offenses

Sources (in Japanese)

• e-Gov法令検索「道路交通法」（第2条第1項第10号・第17条の2・第34条・第64条の2・第71条の4・第118条）
• e-Gov法令検索「道路交通法施行規則」（第1条の2・第1条の2の2）
• e-Gov法令検索「道路交通法施行令」（第11条 原動機付自転車の最高速度）
• 警察庁「特定小型原動機付自転車（いわゆる電動キックボード等）に関する交通ルール等について」
• 警察庁「交通の方法に関する教則」（令和6年11月13日現在・全文PDF）
• 国土交通省「道路交通法施行規則の一部を改正する内閣府令等の施行に伴う駐車環境の整備に向けた取組の推進について」PDF（新基準原付）
• 警視庁「外国で取得した運転免許証を日本の運転免許証に切り替えるには」（原付の申請手数料）