Gaimen50-question practice tests in the real exam formatHow to Study for Japan's License Conversion Knowledge Test
Updated: 2026-10
The knowledge test (知識確認) is 50 questions in 30 minutes, you need 45 correct, and the pass rate is 42.8% (National Police Agency, October–December 2025). It covers all the traffic rules you need to drive in Japan, so the fastest route is to learn the numbers and exceptions in nine topics, then take mock exams in the real format until you consistently score 45 or more. Experienced drivers can usually prepare in 7 days at 1–2 hours a day; allow 14 days to be safe.
What the test covers
Under the NPA guidelines, the knowledge test consists of questions on 'the methods of road traffic prescribed by law and other knowledge necessary for driving', given as 50 text-based questions within 30 minutes. In other words, any rule you need to drive safely in Japan is fair game.
The official plain-language summary of Japan's traffic rules is the 'Rules of Road Traffic' guidance (交通の方法に関する教則) issued by the National Public Safety Commission. It was amended again on April 1, 2026, adding how cars should pass cyclists traveling in the same direction on their right. Make sure any study material reflects the latest version.
The 9 topics and what to memorize
menkyopass groups its questions into the nine topics below. The table lists the numbers and exceptions most often tested in each.
| Topic | Must-know points |
|---|---|
| Road signs | No parking (one diagonal line) still allows stopping; no parking or stopping (two lines) does not. 'STOP' (止まれ): full stop right before the stop line |
| Traffic signals | Steady yellow: stop in principle; flashing yellow: proceed with caution; flashing red: full stop. Signal turns 30 m ahead |
| Right of way | Pedestrians at a crosswalk: stop and let them cross (slowing down is not enough). Emergency vehicle near an intersection: clear the intersection, pull left and stop |
| Parking & stopping | No parking or stopping within 5 m of intersections and crosswalks; within 10 m of railroad crossings, safety zones and bus stops. Unloading within 5 minutes counts as stopping |
| Overtaking | No overtaking within 30 m before intersections (unless you're on the priority road), railroad crossings and crosswalks (at crosswalks, no passing alongside either). Signal lane changes about 3 seconds ahead |
| Speed limits | Default limit on ordinary roads: 60 km/h for cars, 30 km/h for mopeds. 徐行 means a speed at which you can stop at once (10 km/h is only a guide). Double your following distance in rain |
| Expressways | Minimum speed for regular cars: 50 km/h. Mopeds and motorcycles of 125 cc or less are banned. After a breakdown, set out a warning triangle and wait somewhere safe outside the car |
| Driver duties | Drunk driving threshold: 0.15 mg of alcohol per liter of breath. Child seats under age 6 (with exceptions). Beginner mark for the first year after licensing |
| Accidents & emergencies | Stop and help the injured first, then prevent further danger, then report to police. Stuck on a railroad crossing: press the emergency button to warn trains |
7-day plan (experienced drivers, 1–2 hours a day)
For people who have been driving in their home country. Each day: read the topic's key points → answer that topic's questions → read the explanations for every miss.
| Day | What to do |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Take one mock exam (50 questions, 30 minutes) to see where you stand; pick your two weakest topics |
| Day 2 | Road signs and traffic signals |
| Day 3 | Right of way and overtaking |
| Day 4 | Parking & stopping and speed (memorize numbers from tables) |
| Day 5 | Expressways, driver duties, accidents & emergencies |
| Day 6 | Second mock exam; redo only the questions you missed |
| Day 7 | Third mock exam; if you're below 45, keep drilling weak topics until test day |
14-day plan (slow and steady)
For people who have never driven in Japan or have less time each day. Learn one topic a day in the first half, then polish in the real format.
- Day 1: take a mock exam to find your weak spots
- Days 2–10: one topic per day (signs → signals → right of way → parking & stopping → overtaking → speed → expressways → driver duties → accidents & emergencies)
- Day 11: put every number on a single sheet and memorize until you can write it from memory
- Days 12–13: one mock exam a day; for each miss, be able to say in one sentence why it's false
- Day 14: final mock exam; once you score 45 or more twice in a row, you're ready
Using mock exams, and why to study in your test language
Always time your mock exams to 30 minutes and finish in one sitting. 50 questions in 30 minutes is about 36 seconds each, so this also trains you not to get stuck on hard questions. The pass mark is 45, so aim for 46 or more every time in practice.
The knowledge test is available in many languages (20 in Tokyo, including English). Practicing in the language you'll test in gets you used to the phrasing. That said, Japanese words on signs and road markings, such as 止まれ (stop) and 徐行 (slow), are worth learning as-is because you'll see them while driving.
menkyopass offers English mock exams in the same 50-question, 30-minute format, with an explanation for every question. The first mock exam and three topics are free; full access is a one-time 1,500 yen.
FAQ
Q. How long does it take to prepare for the knowledge test?
A. Experienced drivers typically need about 7 days at 1–2 hours a day; allow 14 days to be safe. The real check is whether you consistently score 45 or more on mock exams.
Q. What should I study?
A. Japan's traffic rules in general, across nine topics: signs, signals, right of way, parking and stopping, overtaking, speed, expressways, driver duties, and accidents. Focus on numbers and exceptions.
Q. Can I take the test in English?
A. Yes. The knowledge test is offered in many languages, including English (20 languages in Tokyo). Practice in the language you'll take it in.
Q. What mock exam score means I'm ready?
A. The pass mark is 45. If you score 46 or more every time in practice, you're in good shape.