Driving test practice

Japanese road signs and markings

Each sign with its official number, its Japanese name and what it means for you as a driver.

Regulatory signs (規制標識)

  • Road closed Road closed (通行止め) No. 301 Pedestrians, remote-controlled small vehicles, all vehicles and streetcars must not enter.
  • No vehicles No vehicles (車両通行止め) No. 302 No vehicles of any kind may enter, including bicycles; pedestrians may.
  • No entry No entry (車両進入禁止) No. 303 Vehicles must not enter from this side, usually the exit end of a one-way road.
  • No motor vehicles except motorcycles No motor vehicles except motorcycles (二輪の自動車以外の自動車通行止め) No. 304 Motor vehicles other than two-wheeled ones must not enter.
  • No large trucks No large trucks (大型貨物自動車等通行止め) No. 305 Large trucks, specified medium trucks and large special vehicles must not enter.
  • No trucks over a set load capacity No trucks over a set load capacity (特定の最大積載量以上の貨物自動車等通行止め) No. 305-2 Trucks and similar vehicles with at least the maximum load capacity shown on the plate below (for example 3 t) must not enter.
  • No large buses No large buses (大型乗用自動車等通行止め) No. 306 Large passenger vehicles and specified medium passenger vehicles must not enter.
  • No motorcycles or mopeds No motorcycles or mopeds (二輪の自動車・一般原動機付自転車通行止め) No. 307 Motorcycles and general mopeds must not enter.
  • No light vehicles except bicycles No light vehicles except bicycles (自転車以外の軽車両通行止め) No. 308 Light vehicles other than bicycles, such as carts, must not enter.
  • No bicycles or e-scooters No bicycles or e-scooters (特定小型原動機付自転車・自転車通行止め) No. 309 Bicycles and specified small motorized bicycles (e-scooters) must not enter.
  • No vehicles shown No vehicles shown (車両（組合せ）通行止め) No. 310 The vehicle types shown on the sign must not enter.
  • No motorcycle passengers No motorcycle passengers (大型自動二輪車及び普通自動二輪車二人乗り通行禁止) No. 310-2 Large and standard motorcycles must not travel here carrying a passenger.
  • Tire chains required Tire chains required (タイヤチェーンを取り付けていない車両通行止め) No. 310-3 Vehicles without tire chains fitted must not enter.
  • Straight or right only Straight or right only (指定方向外進行禁止) No. 311-A Vehicles may only go in the directions of the arrows (here straight or right).
  • Right turn only Right turn only (指定方向外進行禁止) No. 311-B Vehicles may only go in the direction of the arrow (here a right turn).
  • Straight only Straight only (指定方向外進行禁止) No. 311-C Vehicles may only go straight ahead.
  • Left or right only Left or right only (指定方向外進行禁止) No. 311-D Vehicles may only turn left or right, not go straight.
  • Directions shown only Directions shown only (指定方向外進行禁止) No. 311-E Vehicles may only go in the directions the arrows show.
  • Keep to the arrow side Keep to the arrow side (指定方向外進行禁止) No. 311-F Vehicles may only proceed in the direction of the diagonal arrow.
  • No crossing the road No crossing the road (車両横断禁止) No. 312 Vehicles must not cross the road, except to turn left into a roadside place.
  • No U-turns No U-turns (転回禁止) No. 313 Vehicles must not make a U-turn.
  • No crossing to the right to overtake No crossing to the right to overtake (追越しのための右側部分はみ出し通行禁止) No. 314 Vehicles must not move into the right side of the road to overtake.
  • No overtaking No overtaking (追越し禁止) No. 314-2 Vehicles must not overtake at all in this section. The sign comes with a 追越し禁止 plate below it.
  • No stopping or parking No stopping or parking (駐停車禁止) No. 315 Vehicles must not stop or park; numbers, if shown, give the hours.
  • No parking No parking (駐車禁止) No. 316 Vehicles must not park; brief stops are allowed; numbers, if shown, give the hours.
  • Minimum parking clearance Minimum parking clearance (駐車余地) No. 317 When you park, you must leave at least the distance shown on the plate below (for example 6 m) clear on the right side of your vehicle.
  • Time-limited parking Time-limited parking (時間制限駐車区間) No. 318 Vehicles may park here only for the time shown, during the hours shown.
  • No dangerous goods No dangerous goods (危険物積載車両通行止め) No. 319 Vehicles carrying explosives, poisons or other dangerous goods must not enter.
  • Weight limit Weight limit (重量制限) No. 320 Vehicles heavier in total than the weight shown must not enter.
  • Height limit Height limit (高さ制限) No. 321 Vehicles taller than the height shown, including the load, must not enter.
  • Width limit Width limit (最大幅) No. 322 Vehicles wider than the width shown, including the load, must not enter.
  • Maximum speed Maximum speed (最高速度) No. 323 Vehicles must not go faster than the speed shown (mopeds are capped at 30 km/h even if a higher number is shown).
  • Maximum speed for certain vehicles Maximum speed for certain vehicles (特定の種類の車両の最高速度) No. 323-2 Sets a maximum speed only for the vehicle types named on the plate below (for example 大貨, large trucks).
  • Minimum speed Minimum speed (最低速度) No. 324 Motor vehicles must not go slower than the speed shown.
  • Motor vehicles only Motor vehicles only (自動車専用) No. 325 Marks an expressway or motor-vehicle-only road.
  • Bicycles and e-scooters only Bicycles and e-scooters only (特定小型原動機付自転車・自転車専用) No. 325-2 Marks a bicycle path; other vehicles and pedestrians must not use it.
  • Bicycles and pedestrians only Bicycles and pedestrians only (普通自転車等及び歩行者等専用) No. 325-3 Marks a path for pedestrians and bicycles; other vehicles must not enter.
  • Pedestrians only Pedestrians only (歩行者等専用) No. 325-4 Marks a pedestrian-only road; vehicles must not enter.
  • Disaster-response vehicles only Disaster-response vehicles only (広域災害応急対策車両専用) No. 325-7 Only vehicles and people the road administrator approves for disaster response may use this road.
  • One way One way (一方通行) No. 326-A Vehicles must not travel against the direction of the arrow.
  • One way (vertical) One way (vertical) (一方通行) No. 326-B Vehicles must not travel against the direction of the arrow.
  • One way for bicycles One way for bicycles (特定小型原動機付自転車・自転車一方通行) No. 326-2-A Bicycles and e-scooters must not travel against the direction of the arrow.
  • One way for bicycles (vertical) One way for bicycles (vertical) (特定小型原動機付自転車・自転車一方通行) No. 326-2-B Bicycles and e-scooters must not travel against the direction of the arrow.
  • Lane use by vehicle type Lane use by vehicle type (車両通行区分) No. 327 Each vehicle type shown must use the lane assigned to it.
  • Lane for specific vehicles Lane for specific vehicles (特定の種類の車両の通行区分) No. 327-2 The vehicle type shown must use the lane marked on the sign.
  • Towing vehicle lane on expressways Towing vehicle lane on expressways (牽引自動車の高速自動車国道通行区分) No. 327-3 Vehicles towing more than 750 kg must use the lane shown on the expressway.
  • Exclusive lane Exclusive lane (専用通行帯) No. 327-4 Only the vehicles shown may use this lane; others must stay out.
  • Bicycle lane Bicycle lane (普通自転車専用通行帯) No. 327-4-2 This lane is reserved for standard bicycles.
  • Bus priority lane Bus priority lane (路線バス等優先通行帯) No. 327-5 Route buses and similar vehicles have priority in this lane.
  • Towing vehicles keep to lane 1 Towing vehicles keep to lane 1 (牽引自動車の自動車専用道路第一通行帯通行指定区間) No. 327-6 Vehicles towing more than 750 kg must use the first (leftmost) lane on this motorway section.
  • Lanes by direction Lanes by direction (進行方向別通行区分) No. 327-7-A At the intersection, vehicles must use the lane for the direction they will go.
  • Lane by direction (straight or left) Lane by direction (straight or left) (進行方向別通行区分) No. 327-7-B Vehicles in this lane may only go in the directions the arrows show.
  • Lane by direction (left) Lane by direction (left) (進行方向別通行区分) No. 327-7-C Vehicles in this lane may only turn left.
  • Lane by direction (straight) Lane by direction (straight) (進行方向別通行区分) No. 327-7-D Vehicles in this lane may only go straight.
  • Two-step right turn for mopeds Two-step right turn for mopeds (一般原動機付自転車の右折方法（二段階）) No. 327-8 General mopeds must turn right in two steps at this intersection.
  • No two-step turn for mopeds No two-step turn for mopeds (一般原動機付自転車の右折方法（小回り）) No. 327-9 General mopeds must turn right like cars, from near the center, not in two steps.
  • Roundabout Roundabout (環状の交差点における右回り通行) No. 327-10 Vehicles must go around the roundabout clockwise.
  • Parallel parking Parallel parking (平行駐車) No. 327-11 When parking here, vehicles must park parallel to the road edge.
  • Right-angle parking Right-angle parking (直角駐車) No. 327-12 When parking here, vehicles must park at a right angle to the road edge.
  • Angled parking Angled parking (斜め駐車) No. 327-13 When parking here, vehicles must park at an angle to the road edge.
  • Sound horn Sound horn (警笛鳴らせ) No. 328 Vehicles and streetcars must sound the horn at this spot.
  • Horn section Horn section (警笛区間) No. 328-2 Within this section, vehicles and streetcars must sound the horn at blind intersections, blind bends and the top of blind uphill slopes.
  • Slow down Slow down (徐行) No. 329-A Vehicles and streetcars must go slowly enough to stop at once (bilingual design with SLOW).
  • Slow down Slow down (徐行) No. 329-B Vehicles and streetcars must go slowly enough to stop at once (Japanese-only design).
  • Priority road ahead Priority road ahead (前方優先道路) No. 329-2-A The road ahead that crosses this one is a priority road.
  • Priority road ahead Priority road ahead (前方優先道路) No. 329-2-B The road ahead that crosses this one is a priority road (Japanese-only design).
  • Stop Stop (一時停止) No. 330-A Vehicles and streetcars must stop just before the intersection (bilingual design with STOP).
  • Stop Stop (一時停止) No. 330-B Vehicles and streetcars must stop just before the intersection (Japanese-only design).
  • No pedestrians No pedestrians (歩行者等通行止め) No. 331 Pedestrians and remote-controlled small vehicles must not pass.
  • No pedestrian crossing No pedestrian crossing (歩行者等横断禁止) No. 332 Pedestrians and remote-controlled small vehicles must not cross the road here.

Instruction signs (指示標識)

  • Bicycles may ride two abreast Bicycles may ride two abreast (並進可) No. 401 Standard bicycles may ride side by side, two at most.
  • Driving on tram tracks allowed Driving on tram tracks allowed (軌道敷内通行可) No. 402 Motor vehicles may drive on the streetcar tracks.
  • Parking for badge vehicles Parking for badge vehicles (高齢運転者等標章自動車駐車可) No. 402-2 Vehicles showing the 高齢運転者等標章 badge (for older, disabled or pregnant drivers) may park here. The plate below reads 標章車専用.
  • Parking allowed Parking allowed (駐車可) No. 403 Vehicles may park here.
  • Stopping for badge vehicles Stopping for badge vehicles (高齢運転者等標章自動車停車可) No. 403-2 Vehicles showing the 高齢運転者等標章 badge (for older, disabled or pregnant drivers) may stop here. The plate below reads 標章車専用.
  • Stopping allowed Stopping allowed (停車可) No. 404 Vehicles may stop here.
  • Priority road Priority road (優先道路) No. 405 The road you are on is a priority road.
  • Center line Center line (中央線) No. 406 Shows the center of the road or a designated center line.
  • Stop line Stop line (停止線) No. 406-2 Shows where vehicles must stop when they need to stop.
  • Pedestrian crossing Pedestrian crossing (横断歩道) No. 407-A Marks a pedestrian crossing.
  • Pedestrian crossing Pedestrian crossing (横断歩道) No. 407-B Marks a pedestrian crossing (design with an adult and child).
  • Bicycle crossing Bicycle crossing (自転車横断帯) No. 407-2 Marks a bicycle crossing.
  • Pedestrian and bicycle crossing Pedestrian and bicycle crossing (横断歩道・自転車横断帯) No. 407-3 Marks a pedestrian crossing and a bicycle crossing side by side.
  • Safety zone Safety zone (安全地帯) No. 408 Marks a safety zone for pedestrians.
  • Restriction ahead Restriction ahead (規制予告) No. 409-A Gives advance notice of the traffic restriction shown, which applies further ahead.
  • Restriction ahead (map) Restriction ahead (map) (規制予告) No. 409-B Gives advance notice, with a map, of a restriction that applies further ahead.

Warning signs (警戒標識)

  • Crossroads ahead Crossroads ahead (＋形道路交差点あり) No. 201-A Warns of a four-way intersection ahead.
  • Side road ahead Side road ahead (├形（又は┤形）道路交差点あり) No. 201-B Warns that a side road joins from one side ahead.
  • T-junction ahead T-junction ahead (Ｔ形道路交差点あり) No. 201-C Warns of a T-junction ahead where the road ends at a crossing road.
  • Y-junction ahead Y-junction ahead (Ｙ形道路交差点あり) No. 201-D Warns of a Y-shaped fork ahead.
  • Rotary ahead Rotary ahead (ロータリーあり) No. 201-2 Warns of a rotary (traffic circle) ahead.
  • Curve ahead Curve ahead (右（又は左）方屈曲あり) No. 202 Warns of a curve to the right (or left) ahead.
  • Sharp turn ahead Sharp turn ahead (右（又は左）方屈折あり) No. 203 Warns of a sharp right-angle turn to the right (or left) ahead.
  • Double curve ahead Double curve ahead (右（又は左）背向屈曲あり) No. 204 Warns of a double curve ahead, the first one to the right (or left).
  • Double sharp turn ahead Double sharp turn ahead (右（又は左）背向屈折あり) No. 205 Warns of two sharp turns in opposite directions ahead.
  • Winding road ahead Winding road ahead (右（又は左）つづら折りあり) No. 206 Warns of a series of three or more curves ahead.
  • Railroad crossing ahead Railroad crossing ahead (踏切あり) No. 207-A Warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
  • Railroad crossing ahead (electric line) Railroad crossing ahead (electric line) (踏切あり) No. 207-B Warns of a railroad crossing ahead; this version shows an electric train.
  • School or kindergarten ahead School or kindergarten ahead (学校、幼稚園、保育所等あり) No. 208 Warns that a school, kindergarten or nursery is ahead.
  • Traffic signal ahead Traffic signal ahead (信号機あり) No. 208-2 Warns of a traffic signal ahead that may be hard to see in time.
  • Slippery road Slippery road (すべりやすい) No. 209 Warns that the road surface ahead is slippery.
  • Falling rocks Falling rocks (落石のおそれあり) No. 209-2 Warns that rocks may fall onto the road ahead.
  • Bumpy road Bumpy road (路面凹凸あり) No. 209-3 Warns that the road surface ahead is uneven.
  • Merging traffic Merging traffic (合流交通あり) No. 210 Warns that traffic merges into the road ahead.
  • Lane ends Lane ends (車線数減少) No. 211 Warns that the number of lanes decreases ahead.
  • Road narrows Road narrows (幅員減少) No. 212 Warns that the road becomes narrower ahead.
  • Two-way traffic Two-way traffic (二方向交通) No. 212-2 Warns that the road ahead changes to two-way traffic.
  • Steep climb Steep climb (上り急勾配あり) No. 212-3 Warns of a steep uphill slope ahead; the number shows the grade.
  • Steep descent Steep descent (下り急勾配あり) No. 212-4 Warns of a steep downhill slope ahead; the number shows the grade.
  • Road works Road works (道路工事中) No. 213 Warns of road works or other work on the road ahead.
  • Crosswind Crosswind (横風注意) No. 214 Warns that strong crosswinds may blow across the road ahead.
  • Animals crossing Animals crossing (動物が飛び出すおそれあり) No. 214-2 Warns that animals may run out onto the road ahead.
  • Other danger Other danger (その他の危険) No. 215 Warns of some other danger ahead that calls for extra care.

Supplementary signs (補助標識)

  • Distance or area Distance or area (距離・区域) No. 501 Shows the distance to, or the section or area of, what the main sign shows.
  • Days and hours Days and hours (日・時間) No. 502 Shows the days or hours when the main sign applies (8-20 means 8:00 to 20:00).
  • Vehicle type (text) Vehicle type (text) (車両の種類) No. 503-A Names the vehicle types the main sign applies to, or excludes.
  • Vehicle type (symbol) Vehicle type (symbol) (車両の種類) No. 503-B Shows by symbol the vehicle type the main sign applies to.
  • Vehicles over a load capacity Vehicles over a load capacity (車両の種類) No. 503-C The main sign applies to trucks and similar vehicles with at least the maximum load shown.
  • Badge vehicles only Badge vehicles only (車両の種類) No. 503-D The main sign applies only to vehicles displaying the senior or disabled driver badge (標章).
  • Remote-controlled small vehicles Remote-controlled small vehicles (遠隔操作型小型車) No. 503-2 Shows that the main sign's rule applies only to remote-controlled small vehicles such as delivery robots (遠隔小型), or does not apply to them (遠隔小型を除く).
  • Parking clearance Parking clearance (駐車余地) No. 504 When parking, leave at least the distance shown free on the right side of the vehicle.
  • Parking meter or ticket time Parking meter or ticket time (駐車時間制限) No. 504-2 You may park only until the time shown on the parking meter or ticket.
  • Start (arrow) Start (arrow) (始まり) No. 505-A Shows where the restriction on the main sign begins.
  • Start (text) Start (text) (始まり) No. 505-B Shows where the restriction on the main sign begins (ここから: from here).
  • Start of area Start of area (始まり) No. 505-C Shows where the area covered by the main sign begins.
  • Within section Within section (区間内) No. 506 Shows you are inside the section where the main sign applies.
  • Within area Within area (区域内) No. 506-2 Shows you are inside the area where the main sign applies.
  • End (arrow) End (arrow) (終わり) No. 507-A Shows where the restriction on the main sign ends.
  • End (text) End (text) (終わり) No. 507-B Shows where the restriction on the main sign ends (ここまで: up to here).
  • End (blue band) End (blue band) (終わり) No. 507-C Shows the end of the section where the main sign above it applies.
  • End of area End of area (終わり) No. 507-D Shows where the area covered by the main sign ends.
  • School route School route (通学路) No. 508 Shows a road that children use to walk to school or nursery.
  • No overtaking No overtaking (追越し禁止) No. 508-2 Attached below the no-overtaking sign; vehicles must not overtake.
  • Priority road ahead Priority road ahead (前方優先道路) No. 509 Shows that the road ahead that crosses this one is a priority road.
  • Watch for railroad crossing Watch for railroad crossing (踏切注意) No. 509-2 Calls for care because of a railroad crossing.
  • Watch for crosswinds Watch for crosswinds (横風注意) No. 509-3 Calls for care because of strong crosswinds.
  • Watch for animals Watch for animals (動物注意) No. 509-4 Calls for care because animals may run out.
  • Caution Caution (注意) No. 509-5 Calls for special care when driving here.
  • Note Note (注意事項) No. 510 Adds a note that explains the main sign, such as a safe speed.
  • Reason for restriction Reason for restriction (規制理由) No. 510-2 Gives the reason for the restriction on the main sign.
  • Direction Direction (方向) No. 511 Shows the direction of the route, facility or place on the main sign.

Road markings (道路標示)

  • No U-turns (marking) No U-turns (marking) (転回禁止) No. 101 Vehicles must not make a U-turn; a time painted with it gives the hours.
  • No crossing the yellow line to overtake No crossing the yellow line to overtake (追越しのための右側部分はみ出し通行禁止) No. 102 Vehicles must not cross into the right side of the road to overtake.
  • No lane changes No lane changes (進路変更禁止) No. 102-2 Vehicles must not change lanes across the yellow line.
  • No stopping or parking (yellow solid line) No stopping or parking (yellow solid line) (駐停車禁止) No. 103 Vehicles must not stop or park along this yellow line.
  • No parking (yellow broken line) No parking (yellow broken line) (駐車禁止) No. 104 Vehicles must not park along this yellow line; brief stops are allowed.
  • Maximum speed (marking) Maximum speed (marking) (最高速度) No. 105 Vehicles must not go faster than the speed painted on the road.
  • No-entry zone No-entry zone (立入り禁止部分) No. 106 Vehicles must not drive into this marked area.
  • No-stopping zone No-stopping zone (停止禁止部分) No. 107 Do not enter this box if traffic ahead means you would have to stop inside it.
  • Side strip Side strip (路側帯) No. 108 Marks a side strip, the edge of the road set aside mainly for pedestrians.
  • No-stopping side strip No-stopping side strip (駐停車禁止路側帯) No. 108-2 A side strip where vehicles must not stop or park.
  • Pedestrian-only side strip Pedestrian-only side strip (歩行者用路側帯) No. 108-3 A side strip for pedestrians; vehicles must not stop or park in it, and bicycles must not ride in it.
  • Lanes by direction (marking) Lanes by direction (marking) (進行方向別通行区分) No. 110 At the intersection, vehicles must use the lane for the direction they will go.
  • End of marking restriction End of marking restriction (終わり) No. 115 Shows the end of the section where the painted restriction applies.
  • Pedestrian crossing (marking) Pedestrian crossing (marking) (横断歩道) No. 201 Marks a pedestrian crossing.
  • Stop line (marking) Stop line (marking) (停止線) No. 203 Shows where vehicles must stop when they need to stop.
  • Direction arrows Direction arrows (進行方向) No. 204 Show the directions in which vehicles may go.
  • Center line (white) Center line (white) (中央線) No. 205 Shows the center of the road or a designated center line.
  • Safety zone (marking) Safety zone (marking) (安全地帯) No. 207 Marks a safety zone for pedestrians.
  • Crossing ahead (diamond) Crossing ahead (diamond) (横断歩道又は自転車横断帯あり) No. 210 Warns that a pedestrian or bicycle crossing is ahead.
  • Priority road ahead (marking) Priority road ahead (marking) (前方優先道路) No. 211 Warns that the road ahead that crosses this one is a priority road.

Sign list and numbers: 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令, as in force from September 1, 2026. Sign images: Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Road marking drawings: JapanHow?, drawn from the official figures.