Gaimen50-question practice tests in the real exam formatWhat does 追抜き (oinuki) mean? Passing vs overtaking
Updated: 2026-10
追抜き (おいぬき, oinuki) means passing: getting ahead of the vehicle in front by going alongside it without changing course. It is distinguished from 追越し (oikoshi, overtaking by changing course), and as a rule it is not banned even in no-overtaking places. The exception is crosswalks and bicycle crossings and the 30 meters before them, where passing is banned too.
Meaning: not a legally defined term
The Road Traffic Act (道路交通法) has no defined term "oinuki". It defines oikoshi (changing course, passing alongside and getting in front; Article 2(1)(xxi)). Getting in front without changing course is what the Rules of the Road (教則) and the test call oinuki.
Typical example: on a road with two or more lanes each way, you stay in your lane and get ahead of a slower car in the next lane. You did not change lanes, so it is oinuki, not oikoshi.
Spelling and reading: 追抜き (おいぬき / oinuki). Questions often write 「追い抜き」 or 「追い抜いたり」.
Compared with oikoshi
Both end up in front of the other vehicle; the only difference is changing course. But the bans differ a lot.
| Item | Oikoshi (追越し) | Oinuki (追抜き) |
|---|---|---|
| Change of course | Yes | No |
| Legal definition | Yes (Article 2) | None |
| Intersections, railroad crossings and 30 m before | Banned (except intersections on a priority road) | Not banned |
| Crosswalks, bicycle crossings and 30 m before | Banned | Banned (Article 38(3)) |
| Tunnels, near bends, etc. | Banned (except tunnels with lanes) | Not banned |
What still applies when passing
Even where passing is not banned, you must pass safely.
- Within 30 m before a crosswalk or bicycle crossing, do not pass alongside a moving vehicle to get ahead of it (except bicycles and other light vehicles, and specified small motorized bikes) (Article 38(3))
- Passing pedestrians: keep a safe gap or slow down (Article 18(2))
- Passing bicycles: expect wobbling; keep a safe gap or slow down (Rules of the Road)
- Cars with beginner or senior driver marks: no squeezing toward them and no cutting in so that they cannot keep a safe distance (Article 71). Overtaking or passing them is itself allowed
Test traps
Example 1: "Within 30 m before a crosswalk, both overtaking and passing are banned" → True. Other no-overtaking places do not ban passing; this one is special.
Example 2: "You must not overtake or pass a car with a senior driver mark" → False. What is banned is squeezing toward it and dangerous cutting in.
Example 3: "Passing is also banned within 30 m before an intersection" → False. Only overtaking is banned there.
Get used to the wording in your language
Since October 2025 the knowledge test has 50 True/False questions in 30 minutes; you need 45 correct. 「追い越し」 and 「追い抜き」 differ by one word but flip the answer. menkyopass lets you practice with English explanations (the first mock test and three topics are free).
Practice questions using this term
FAQ
Q. Where is oinuki banned?
A. At crosswalks and bicycle crossings and within 30 m before them (passing bicycles and other light vehicles excepted). Before intersections and railroad crossings, only overtaking is banned.
Q. Staying in my lane and getting ahead of a car in the next lane?
A. That is oinuki, because you did not change course. It is not banned in no-overtaking sections (except before crosswalks).
Q. May I pass a car with a beginner mark?
A. Yes, passing itself is allowed. What is banned is squeezing toward it (unless unavoidable to prevent danger) and cutting in so that it cannot keep a safe distance.