Overtaking Rules in Japan: No-Overtaking Zones and Passing

Overtaking versus passing

Overtaking is when a vehicle changes course and moves ahead of the moving vehicle in front (Road Traffic Act, Article 2). Moving ahead alongside it without changing course is passing, and different rules apply.

As a rule you overtake on the right. As an exception, when the vehicle ahead has moved toward the center of the road (or the right edge on a one-way road) to turn right, you overtake on its left. Streetcars are also generally overtaken on the left.

List of no-overtaking places

In these places you must not change course or move alongside to overtake a car or moped (Article 30). Overtaking bicycles and other light vehicles is not prohibited, even in no-overtaking places such as before an intersection (mopeds are not part of this exception).

When you must not start overtaking

Wherever you are, do not start overtaking in these cases (Rules of the Road).

• The vehicle ahead is overtaking another motor vehicle (double overtaking, 二重追越し). If it is overtaking a moped, that is not double overtaking
• The vehicle ahead is about to move right, for example to turn right
• Entering the right side would obstruct oncoming traffic, or you could not return to the left without obstructing the vehicle you overtook
• The vehicle behind is about to overtake you

Signals and lane changes

Signal a change of course (lane change) about 3 seconds before, keep signaling until it is complete, then stop promptly. Signaling 30 meters before is for turns and U-turns.

Even after signaling, you may not change course if it would force a following vehicle to brake or swerve suddenly (Article 26-2). A signal is only one of the conditions.

The overtaking procedure in the Rules of the Road: confirm it is not a no-overtaking place → check ahead and to the right rear → right signal → after about 3 seconds move gently right → left signal → continue until you can see the overtaken car in your rearview mirror, then move gently left → cancel the signal.

Being overtaken, and the two signs

When you are being overtaken, do not speed up until the other vehicle has finished. If there is not enough room, keep as far left as possible to give way. The overtaking vehicle passes on your right, so moving right would get in its way.

In a section with the No Overtaking sign (with its auxiliary plate), overtaking itself is prohibited whether or not you cross into the right side. If there is only the No Crossing to the Right Side for Overtaking sign without the plate, overtaking without crossing over is allowed.

Common traps (compared with no-stopping places)

No-overtaking places and no-stopping places look alike, and questions target the items where the ranges differ.

• Overtaking vs passing: passing is banned only within 30 m before pedestrian and bicycle crossings
• Overtaking on the left: only when the vehicle ahead has moved to the center to turn right
• Double overtaking: when the vehicle ahead is overtaking a “motor vehicle”; not when it is a moped
• Who the exception covers: in no-overtaking places you may overtake light vehicles, not mopeds
• Which way to give way: keep “left” when being overtaken

Practice overtaking questions in English

Since October 2025 the knowledge test is 50 written True/False questions and you need 45 correct. menkyopass's conversion drill lets you practice overtaking questions with English explanations (first mock exam and 3 topics free; full access ¥1,500 one-time).

Practice questions on this topic

• Overtaking means changing course and moving ahead of a moving vehicle in front of you.
• When you are about to change course (change lanes), you must give a signal 30 meters before doing so.
• The signal for changing course must be given about 3 seconds beforehand and continued until the change of course is complete.
• When overtaking the vehicle ahead, you may pass on either the right side or the left side, as long as you have confirmed it is safe.
• When the vehicle ahead is keeping to the center of the road in order to turn right, you may overtake it on its left side.
• At a pedestrian crossing and within 30 meters before it, not only overtaking but also passing is prohibited.
• At an intersection and within 30 meters before it, you must not overtake, even when you are driving on a priority road.
• Overtaking is prohibited at a railroad crossing and within 30 meters before it.
• Near a bend in the road, you may overtake only when you have a clear view.
• A steep uphill slope is a place where overtaking is prohibited.
• Inside a tunnel, overtaking is prohibited whether or not there are vehicle traffic lanes.
• When the vehicle ahead is trying to overtake a motorized bicycle (moped), overtaking that vehicle is prohibited as double overtaking.
• Even at an intersection and within 30 meters before it, you may overtake a light vehicle (bicycle, etc.).
• When you are being overtaken by the vehicle behind, you must not increase your speed until the overtaking is complete.
• When you are being overtaken and there is not enough room for the other vehicle to get past, you must move as far to the right as possible to give way.
• As long as you signal with your turn indicators, you may change course even when the vehicle behind you is close.

FAQ

Related guides

• Japan Parking and Stopping Rules: 5 m, 10 m, 3 m, 1 m
• Japanese Road Signs: Common Mistakes in the Conversion Test
• Japan Traffic Light Rules: Yellow, Flashing, Arrows, Signals
• Right of Way in Japan: Intersections, Pedestrians, Emergencies

Sources (in Japanese)

• 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）
• e-Gov法令検索「道路交通法」（第2条・第26条の2・第28条〜第30条・第38条・第53条）
• e-Gov法令検索「道路交通法施行令」（第21条 合図の時期）
• 警視庁「令和7年10月1日施行・改正道路交通法施行規則について」