Gaimen50-question practice tests in the real exam formatWhat does 優先道路 (yūsen dōro) mean? Priority roads in Japan
Updated: 2026-10
優先道路 (ゆうせんどうろ, yūsen dōro) means a priority road: a road designated by a 「優先道路」 sign, or a road whose center line or lane lines continue through the intersection (Road Traffic Act (道路交通法), Article 36, paragraph 2). At intersections without signals, vehicles on the priority road go first; traffic from the crossing road must slow down and not obstruct them.
Legal definition and how to recognize one
Article 36(2) defines a priority road as "a road designated as a priority road by road signs or markings, and a road on which a center line or vehicle traffic lanes (車両通行帯) are marked within the intersection".
So there are two ways to tell: (1) a 「優先道路」 sign, or (2) the center line or lane lines run unbroken into the intersection. Even without a sign, lines continuing through the intersection make it a priority road. The crossing road may carry a "priority road ahead" (前方優先道路) sign or marking.
Spelling and reading: 優先道路 (ゆうせんどうろ / yūsen dōro).
Right of way at intersections without signals
Where no signal or police officer controls traffic, decide in this order (Article 36).
| Order | Situation | Your duty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The other vehicle is on a priority road | Slow down and do not obstruct it |
| 2 | The other road is clearly wider | Slow down and do not obstruct it |
| 3 | Roads of similar width | Yield to vehicles from the left and to streetcars |
Exceptions while you are on a priority road
Vehicles on a priority road get these exceptions. Tests use False statements such as "even on a priority road you must…".
- No duty to slow down at blind intersections (Article 42(i))
- You may overtake at and within 30 m before intersections on that priority road (Article 30(iii))
- No duty to slow down for vehicles entering from the crossing road (Article 36(3) excludes vehicles on a priority road)
Test traps
Example 1: "A road whose center line or lane lines are marked through the intersection is a priority road" → True. A sign is not the only condition.
Example 2: "Within 30 m before an intersection you must not overtake, even on a priority road" → False. On a priority road you may overtake there.
Example 3: Even on a priority road, the no-overtaking zones within 30 m before railroad crossings and crosswalks still apply. The exception covers intersections only.
Practice right of way in your language
Since October 2025 the knowledge test has 50 True/False questions in 30 minutes; you need 45 correct. The priority road concept feeds into exceptions for both slowing down and overtaking. menkyopass lets you practice with English explanations (the first mock test and three topics are free).
Practice questions using this term
FAQ
Q. Can a road be a priority road without a sign?
A. Yes. If the center line or lane lines are marked through the intersection, it is a priority road even without a sign.
Q. On a priority road, do I slow down at blind intersections?
A. There is no legal duty to slow down (Article 42). You must still drive into the intersection at as safe a speed and in as safe a manner as conditions require (Article 36(4)).
Q. On a priority road, may I overtake before a railroad crossing?
A. No. The priority road exception applies only to overtaking at intersections. Railroad crossings, crosswalks and bicycle crossings and 30 m before them remain no-overtaking zones.