Menkyo Helper

Japanese driving licence glossary

The 38 Japanese terms you will see at the licence centre and in the written test, with their reading, their meaning in English and a short explanation.

  • 免許 — Driving licence

    Reading: めんきょ

    An official document permitting the holder to drive on public roads in Japan.

  • 仮免許 — Learner's permit

    Reading: かりめんきょ

    A provisional licence allowing driving at a driving school and on public roads with a licensed instructor.

  • 本免許 — Full licence

    Reading: ほんめんきょ

    The definitive full licence granted after passing all driving tests.

  • 原付 — Moped (≤50 cc)

    Reading: げんつき

    A motor vehicle with an engine of 50 cc or less. Maximum speed 30 km/h on public roads.

  • 交差点 — Intersection

    Reading: こうさてん

    A point where two or more roads cross. Drivers must reduce speed and check safety before proceeding.

  • 一時停止 — Mandatory stop

    Reading: いちじていし

    A complete stop required at a stop sign. The vehicle must come to a full stop before the stop line.

  • 制限速度 — Speed limit

    Reading: せいげんそくど

    The maximum permitted speed on a given road. Japan's general urban limit is 60 km/h; expressways 60–100 km/h.

  • 歩行者 — Pedestrian

    Reading: ほこうしゃ

    A person travelling on foot. Drivers must always yield to pedestrians at crossings.

  • 横断歩道 — Pedestrian crossing

    Reading: おうだんほどう

    A designated area for pedestrians to cross the road. Drivers must stop and yield to pedestrians.

  • 優先道路 — Priority road

    Reading: ゆうせんどうろ

    A road that has right of way over intersecting roads. It is marked with a specific road sign.

  • 追い越し — Overtaking

    Reading: おいこし

    Passing a vehicle ahead by changing lanes and returning. Prohibited in many places such as intersections and curves.

  • 駐車 — Parking

    Reading: ちゅうしゃ

    Leaving a vehicle stationary for more than briefly picking up or dropping off passengers. Prohibited in many zones.

  • 停車 — Stopping briefly

    Reading: ていしゃ

    Temporarily stopping a vehicle for five minutes or less to load passengers or goods.

  • 信号機 — Traffic light

    Reading: しんごうき

    A device controlling traffic flow using coloured lights (red, yellow, green).

  • 踏切 — Railway level crossing

    Reading: ふみきり

    A crossing where a road meets a railway track. Drivers must stop completely, open a window, and check both directions before crossing.

  • 車間距離 — Following distance

    Reading: しゃかんきょり

    The gap to maintain between your vehicle and the one ahead, sufficient to stop safely in an emergency.

  • 飲酒運転 — Drunk driving

    Reading: いんしゅうんてん

    Driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. It is a serious offence in Japan with very strict penalties.

  • シートベルト — Seatbelt

    Reading: シートベルト

    The safety belt that the driver and all passengers must wear. Wearing it is mandatory in Japan.

  • ヘルメット — Helmet

    Reading: ヘルメット

    The mandatory head protection for motorcycle and moped riders in Japan.

  • 右折 — Right turn

    Reading: うせつ

    Turning to the right. In Japan, you must wait for oncoming traffic to pass before turning right at intersections.

  • 左折 — Left turn

    Reading: させつ

    Turning to the left. The driver must be alert to cyclists and pedestrians when turning left.

  • 車線 — Traffic lane

    Reading: しゃせん

    A marked division of a road that channels traffic in one direction. Drivers must stay within their lane.

  • 緊急車両 — Emergency vehicle

    Reading: きんきゅうしゃりょう

    An emergency vehicle such as an ambulance, fire engine, or police car. Drivers must yield and clear the way.

  • 安全確認 — Safety check

    Reading: あんぜんかくにん

    Checking safety in all directions before performing any manoeuvre (turning, lane change, moving off).

  • 方向指示器 — Turn signal / Indicator

    Reading: ほうこうしじき

    A flashing light indicating the direction of a turn or lane change. Must be activated sufficiently in advance.

  • 第二種免許 — Second-class licence

    Reading: だいにしゅめんきょ

    A licence required to carry passengers for payment (taxi, bus, hire vehicles). Distinct from first-class licences used for private driving.

  • 普通第二種免許 — Ordinary second-class licence

    Reading: ふつうだいにしゅめんきょ

    The second-class licence for ordinary vehicles, such as taxis and private-hire passenger services.

  • 中型第二種免許 — Medium second-class licence

    Reading: ちゅうがただいにしゅめんきょ

    The second-class licence for medium-size vehicles used in passenger transport, such as smaller buses.

  • 大型第二種免許 — Large second-class licence

    Reading: おおがただいにしゅめんきょ

    The second-class licence for large vehicles such as public and tour buses.

  • 大型特殊第二種免許 — Large-special second-class licence

    Reading: おおがたとくしゅだいにしゅめんきょ

    The second-class licence for large special vehicles when used to carry passengers for payment.

  • けん引第二種免許 — Towing second-class licence

    Reading: けんいんだいにしゅめんきょ

    The second-class licence for driving a vehicle towing a trailer while carrying passengers for payment (e.g. trailer buses).

  • 旅客自動車 — Passenger vehicle

    Reading: りょかくじどうしゃ

    A vehicle used in the business of carrying passengers for payment, such as taxis and buses.

  • 旅客自動車運送事業 — Passenger vehicle transport business

    Reading: りょかくじどうしゃうんそうじぎょう

    The commercial business of transporting passengers by vehicle for payment. Driving vehicles in this business requires a second-class licence.

  • 旅客車講習 — Passenger vehicle course

    Reading: りょかくしゃこうしゅう

    A training course on safe driving of passenger-service vehicles, required in some routes to a second-class licence. Confirm details with your prefectural licence centre.

  • 応急救護処置講習（二種） — First-aid course (second-class)

    Reading: おうきゅうきゅうごしょちこうしゅう

    An extended first-aid course for professional drivers who carry passengers. Exemptions may apply for holders of certain qualifications — check with the licence centre.

  • 深視力 — Depth perception

    Reading: しんしりょく

    The ability to judge distance and depth with both eyes. A depth-perception test is part of the aptitude test for second-class and some large-vehicle licences.

  • 受験資格特例教習 — Special eligibility training

    Reading: じゅけんしかくとくれいきょうしゅう

    Approved training that allows applying for a second-class licence from age 19 with at least 1 year of qualifying licence history, instead of the standard requirements (age 21, 3 years).

  • 若年運転者講習 — Young driver course

    Reading: じゃくねんうんてんしゃこうしゅう

    A course required for drivers who obtained a licence via the special eligibility route and commit certain violations during the young-driver period. Failing to complete it can lead to licence revocation.

Practise in the app

In the app, each glossary term links straight to the practice questions that use it.