Stage 1 Course Content 3 — Observing Traffic Signs, Pavement Markings, etc.
- Types and meanings of traffic signs and pavement markings
- Instructions by police officers, etc.
1. Types and Meanings of Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings
1. Observing Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings
Traffic signs and pavement markings are installed to prevent danger and to ensure safe and fluid traffic on the road. All pedestrians and vehicles, etc. proceeding on roads must obey traffic regulations and designations indicated by traffic signs and pavement markings.
2. Classifications, etc. of Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings
A traffic sign refers to signboards indicating traffic regulations, etc. and can be classified into main traffic signs and auxiliary signs. There are four types of main traffic signs: regulatory signs, designation signs, warning signs, and guidance signs.
| Category | Description | Color | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulatory signs | Prohibit specific methods of travel or designate passage by a specific method. Red ones indicate prohibited actions and blue ones indicate allowed or specified actions. | Red/Blue | No parking, Pedestrians only |
| Designation signs | Indicate that specific methods of travel are permitted or designate places determined by the Road Traffic Act. Signboards with blue backgrounds. | Blue | Pedestrian crossing, Centerline |
| Warning signs | Urge road users to take caution by giving advance notice of dangers on the road or conditions that require attention. Signboards with yellow backgrounds. | Yellow | Railroad crossing, Lane ends |
| Guidance signs | Indicate names of locations, destinations, distances, etc. for convenience in proceeding. Signboards with green backgrounds are used on expressways and those with blue backgrounds are used on general roads. | Green/Blue | Destination and distance, Destination and exit |
| Auxiliary signs | Attached to main traffic signs for supplementing the meanings of main traffic signs. Indicate reasons for regulations or specifying the times, days of the week, or types of automobiles to which the regulation applies. | Various | Time (8–20), Inside zone |
A pavement marking refers to lines, symbols, and letters indicated on the road surface with paint, raised pavement markers, etc., and the two types are regulatory markings and designation markings.
| Category | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory markings | Prohibit or designate specific methods of travel. | No entry zone, Maximum speed limit |
| Designation markings | Indicate that specific methods of travel are permitted or designate places determined by the Road Traffic Act. | Bicycle crossing zone, Lane direction |
3. Types and Meanings of Road Traffic Signs and Road Pavement Markings
1. Traffic signs
A traffic sign refers to signboards indicating traffic regulations, etc. and can be classified into main traffic signs and auxiliary signs. There are four types of main traffic signs: regulatory signs, designation signs, warning signs, and guidance signs.
① Regulatory signs — Prohibits specific methods of travel or designates passage by a specific method.
| No. | Sign name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Road closed | Any traffic (pedestrians, etc., vehicles, or streetcars) may not proceed. (Refer to p. 51) |
| 2 | Closed to all vehicles | Vehicles (automobiles, motorized bicycles, and non-motorized conveyances) may not proceed. ※ Passage of pedestrians, etc. is not prohibited. (Refer to p. 51) |
| 3 | No entry for vehicles | No vehicles may enter from the direction of the sign. ※ Installed at an exit of a one-way road, etc. |
| 4 | Closed to all automobiles except two-wheeled motor vehicles | Automobiles may not proceed. However, two-wheeled motor vehicles (large motorcycles, regular motorcycles, etc.) may proceed. |
| 5 | Closed to large trucks, etc. | Large trucks, specified medium-sized trucks, and heavy special equipment may not proceed. |
| 6 | Closed to trucks, etc. exceeding the specified maximum loading capacity | Trucks and heavy special equipment with a maximum loading capacity indicated by the auxiliary sign or greater may not proceed. |
| 7 | Closed to large passenger automobiles, etc. | Large passenger automobiles and specified medium-sized passenger automobiles may not proceed. |
| 8 | Closed to two-wheeled motor vehicles and general motorized bicycles | Two-wheeled motor vehicles and general motorized bicycles may not proceed. |
| 9 | Closed to non-motorized conveyances except bicycles | Non-motorized conveyances with the exception of bicycles (carts, two-wheeled carts, etc.) may not proceed. |
| 10 | Closed to specified light motorized bicycles and bicycles | Specified light motorized bicycles and bicycles may not proceed. |
| 11 | Closed to vehicles shown (combined) | Vehicles indicated on the signboard may not proceed. In this case, automobiles (including two-wheeled vehicles) and general motorized bicycles may not proceed. |
| 12 | Prohibition against riding double on a large or regular motorcycle | Large motorcycles and regular motorcycles may not proceed while riding double. (Excluding those with sidecars.) (Refer to p. 262) |
| 13 | Closed to vehicles without tire chains | Vehicles without tire chains may not proceed. (Refer to p. 175) |
| 14 | Proceed only in designated directions | Vehicles may not proceed in directions not indicated by the arrows. (Refer to p. 62) — No right turn / No straight through or right turn / No right or left turn / No straight through / No left turn into diagonal road / No proceeding on right side of traffic sign |
| 15 | No vehicle crossing | Vehicles may not cut across the road. (Vehicles may cross when it accompanies a left turn to enter or exit facilities or places off the road.) (Refer to p. 93) |
| 16 | No U-turn | Vehicles may not make a U-turn. (Refer to p. 93) |
| 17 | No entering on the right side of the road for overtaking | Vehicles may not proceed crossed over into the right side of the road to overtake. (Refer to p. 97) |
| 18 | No overtaking | Vehicles may not overtake. ※ All overtaking is prohibited. (Refer to p. 97) |
| 19 | No parking or stopping | Vehicles may not park or stop. (Numerals indicate the prohibited hours. In this case, parking and stopping are prohibited between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.) (Refer to p. 207) |
| 20 | No parking | Vehicles may not park. (Refer to p. 208) |
| 21 | No parking unless space | Vehicles may not park unless space of the distance indicated by the auxiliary sign (in this case, 6 m) or more is left available to the right of the vehicle. (Refer to p. 208) |
| 22 | Time-limited parking zone | Indicates that the time a vehicle may park is limited in this zone. Vehicles may park, limited to the time indicated on the signboard (in this case, for 60 minutes between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.). (Refer to p. 210) |
| 23 | Closed to vehicles carrying dangerous substances | Vehicles carrying gunpowder, explosives, poisons, hazardous materials, and other dangerous substances may not proceed. |
| 24 | Maximum weight limit | Vehicles with a gross weight (the total weight of the vehicle, passengers, and cargo) exceeding the weight indicated on the signboard may not proceed. |
| 25 | Maximum height limit | Vehicles with a height from the ground (including the height of loaded cargo) exceeding the height indicated on the signboard may not proceed. |
| 26 | Maximum width limit | Vehicles with a width (including the width of loaded cargo) exceeding the width indicated on the signboard may not proceed. |
| 27 | Maximum speed limit | 1. Automobiles and streetcars must not drive exceeding the indicated speed. 2. General motorized bicycles and automobiles towing another vehicle with a rope, etc. must not drive exceeding the legally designated speed limit. When a speed lower than the legally designated speed limit is indicated, they must not drive exceeding that speed. (Refer to p. 71) |
| 28 | Maximum speed limit for specified types of vehicles | Vehicles of the specific types indicated by the auxiliary sign (in this case, large trucks, specified medium-sized trucks, and heavy special equipment) must not drive exceeding the indicated speed. (Refer to p. 71) |
| 29 | Minimum speed limit | Automobiles must not drive at a speed under the indicated speed. |
| 30 | Automobiles only | Indicates a national expressway or a motorway. |
| 31 | Specified light motorized bicycles and bicycles only | 1. Indicates a bicycle path or a path for bicycle use only (roads installed for the passage of bicycles only). 2. Vehicles other than specified light motorized bicycles and bicycles (excluding any of these vehicles that must not proceed on a bicycle path), as well as pedestrians and remote controlled light vehicles, may not proceed. |
| 32 | Regular bicycles, etc. and pedestrians, etc. only | 1. Indicates a path for bicycles and pedestrians only. 2. Vehicles other than specified light motorized bicycles and bicycles (excluding any of these vehicles that must not proceed on a bicycle path) may not proceed. 3. Indicates that exceptional specified light motorized bicycles and regular bicycles may proceed on the sidewalk. |
| 33 | Pedestrians, etc. only | 1. Indicates a path for pedestrian only (roads installed for the passage of pedestrians only). 2. Indicates a path for pedestrian use. (Refer to p. 51) |
| 34 | Permitted vehicles only | Indicates a specified vehicle stopping facility. Automobiles indicated on the signboard and permitted by the road administrator may stop. |
| 35 | Wide-area disaster emergency management vehicles only | Indicates a disaster prevention base parking lot. Only those deemed necessary by the road administrator for the implementation of wide-area disaster emergency management measures (wide-area disaster emergency management vehicles and related people) may use this parking lot. |
| 36 | One way | Vehicles may proceed only in the direction indicated by the arrow. They may not proceed in the direction opposing the arrow. (Refer to p. 48) |
| 37 | One way for specified light motorized bicycles and bicycles | Specified light motorized bicycles and bicycles may proceed only in the direction of the arrow. They may not proceed in the direction opposing the arrow. |
| 38 | Vehicular lane division | Vehicles must proceed according to the lane divisions indicated by the signboard. (Refer to p. 50) |
| 39 | Lane division for specified types of vehicles | Indicates lane divisions for vehicles indicated on the signboard. (In this case, large trucks, specified medium-sized trucks, and heavy special equipment must proceed in the leftmost vehicular lane.) (Refer to pp. 50, 247) |
| 40 | Lane division for towing automobiles on a national expressway | Towing automobiles on the main through lanes of a national expressway must proceed according to the lane divisions indicated on the signboard. (Refer to p. 247) |
| 41 | Exclusive lane | Indicates a lane exclusively for the vehicles indicated on the signboard. (Refer to p. 57) |
| 42 | Exclusive lane for regular bicycles | Indicates an exclusive lane for regular bicycles. (Refer to p. 57) |
| 43 | Priority lane for route buses, etc. | Indicates a priority lane for route buses, etc. (Refer to p. 58) |
| 44 | Motorway zone designated for towing automobiles to proceed in the leftmost lane | Towing automobiles must proceed in the leftmost vehicular lane in designated zones of motorways. (Refer to p. 247) |
| 45 | Lane direction | Indicates lane divisions for proceeding in different directions at the intersection. (Refer to p. 62) |
| 46 | Right turn method for general motorized bicycles (two-step) | General motorized bicycles turning right must proceed along the edge of the intersection and make a two-step right turn. (Refer to p. 61) |
| 47 | Right turn method for general motorized bicycles (tight turn) | General motorized bicycles turning right must first move to the center of the road (or to the right edge on a one-way road) and turn right. (Refer to p. 61) |
| 48 | Proceed clockwise in roundabout | Indicates that vehicles must travel clockwise in the roundabout. (Refer to p. 65) |
| 49 | Parallel parking | Vehicles parking must stop parallel to the edge of the road. |
| 50 | Right-angle parking | Vehicles parking must stop perpendicular to the edge of the road. |
| 51 | Diagonal parking | Vehicles parking must stop diagonally to the edge of the road. |
| 52 | Sound horn | Indicates a place where vehicles and streetcars must sound the horn. (Refer to p. 89) |
| 53 | Sound horn zone | Indicates a zone where vehicles and streetcars must sound the horn. (Refer to p. 89) |
| 54 | Proceed slowly | Vehicles and streetcars must proceed slowly. Some signs have English as well. (Refer to p. 76) |
| 55 | Right of way ahead | The road ahead intersecting the road with this traffic sign has the right of way, and vehicles and streetcars must proceed slowly. |
| 56 | Stop | Vehicles and streetcars must come to a stop immediately before the intersection (where there is a stop line, immediately before it). Some signs have English as well. (Refer to p. 64) |
| 57 | Closed to pedestrians, etc. | Pedestrians and remote controlled light vehicles may not proceed. |
| 58 | Crossing by pedestrians, etc. prohibited | Pedestrians and remote controlled light vehicles may not cross. |
② Designation signs — Indicate that specific methods of travel are permitted or designate places determined by the Road Traffic Act.
| No. | Sign name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riding abreast permitted | Regular bicycles may proceed riding 2 abreast. |
| 2 | Driving on streetcar tracks permitted | Automobiles may proceed on streetcar tracks. (Refer to p. 52) |
| 3 | Parking permitted for vehicles with a senior driver, etc. sticker | Vehicles with a senior driver, etc. sticker (a regular automobile with a registration number on the parking in exclusive sites sticker) may park. (Refer to p. 211) |
| 4 | Parking permitted | Vehicles may park. (Refer to p. 209) |
| 5 | Stopping permitted for vehicles with a senior driver, etc. sticker | Vehicles with a senior driver, etc. sticker (a regular automobile with a registration number on the parking in exclusive sites sticker) may stop. (Refer to p. 211) |
| 6 | Stopping permitted | Vehicles may stop. (Refer to p. 209) |
| 7 | Right of way | Indicates that this road has the right of way. (Refer to p. 64) |
| 8 | Centerline | Indicates the center of the road or the centerline. (Refer to p. 48) |
| 9 | Stop line | Indicates the position for vehicles when they stop. (Refer to p. 24) |
| 10 | Pedestrian crossing | Indicates a pedestrian crossing. (Refer to p. 80) |
| 11 | Bicycle crossing zone | Indicates a bicycle crossing zone. (Refer to p. 80) |
| 12 | Pedestrian crossing and bicycle crossing zone | Indicates a pedestrian crossing and a bicycle crossing zone. (Refer to p. 80) |
| 13 | Safety zone | Indicates a safety zone. (Refer to p. 51) |
| 14 | Advance warning | Warns in advance that the traffic control indicated on the signboard is ahead. |
③ Warning signs — Urge road users to take caution by giving advance notice of dangers on the road or conditions that require attention.
| No. | Sign name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4-way junction | There is a cross road intersection ahead. |
| 2 | Road branch right (or left) | There is a side road intersection ahead to the right (or left). |
| 3 | T-junction | There is a T-shaped intersection ahead. |
| 4 | Y-junction | There is a Y-shaped intersection ahead. |
| 5 | Rotary | There is a rotary intersection ahead. |
| 6 | Right/left bend | The road ahead curves to the right (or left). |
| 7 | Right/left turn | The road ahead turns to the right (or left). |
| 8 | Right/left double bend | The road ahead curves and changes directions. |
| 9 | Right/left double turn | The road ahead turns and changes directions. |
| 10 | Zigzag road | The road ahead winds many times (zigzags). |
| 11 | Railroad crossing | There is a railroad crossing ahead. |
| 12 | School, kindergarten, nursery, etc. | There is a school, kindergarten, nursery, etc. ahead. |
| 13 | Traffic light | There is a traffic light ahead. |
| 14 | Slippery | The road surface ahead is slippery. |
| 15 | Falling rocks | There is a risk ahead of rocks falling from hills and cliffs. |
| 16 | Hump or dip | The road ahead has a rough surface. |
| 17 | Road entry left | Roads merge ahead. |
| 18 | Lane ends | The number of lanes decreases ahead. |
| 19 | Road narrows | The road will narrow ahead. |
| 20 | Two-way traffic | The road ahead is a two-way road without a dividing strip. |
| 21 | Steep upward slope | There is a steep upward slope. |
| 22 | Steep downward slope | There is a steep downward slope ahead. |
| 23 | Roadwork | The road ahead is being worked on. |
| 24 | Caution: side wind | Be attentive for strong side wind. |
| 25 | Caution: animal crossing | Be attentive for animals dart out into the road. |
| 26 | Other danger | Attention to driving is required ahead. ※ It may be used with an auxiliary sign, such as "Soft shoulder". |
④ Guidance signs — Indicate names of locations, destinations, distances, etc. for convenience in proceeding. Blue is used for general roads, and green is used for expressways.
| No. | Sign name | No. | Sign name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City/town/village | 22 | Service area |
| 2 | Prefecture | 23 | Emergency telephone |
| 3 | Direction to expressway | 24 | Turnout (Lay-by) |
| 4 | Advance notice of entrance to expressway | 25 | Emergency parking zone |
| 5 | Destination, direction, and distance | 26 | Parking lot |
| 6 | Destination and distance | 27 | Entrance to main through lane from service area or parking lot |
| 7 | Destination and lane | 28 | Climbing lane |
| 8 | Advance notice of destination and direction | 29 | National highway route number |
| 9 | Destination and direction | 30 | Prefectural road route number |
| 10 | Advance notice of destination, direction, and street name | 31 | Expressway number |
| 11 | Destination, direction, and street name | 32 | Road designated for alleviation of gross weight limit |
| 12 | Advance notice of exit | 33 | Road designated for alleviation of height limit |
| 13 | Advance notice of destination and exit | 34 | Street name |
| 14 | Advance notice of destination, lane, and exit | 35 | Detour |
| 15 | Destination and exit | 36 | Elevator |
| 16 | Exit | 37 | Escalator |
| 17 | Famous location | 38 | Ramp |
| 18 | Major location | 39 | Bus stop |
| 19 | Tollgate | 40 | Streetcar stop |
| 20 | Service area or Michi-no-Eki and distance | 41 | Lavatory |
| 21 | Advance notice of service area or Michi-no-Eki |
⑤ Auxiliary signs — Supplement the meanings of main traffic signs by indicating reasons for regulations or specifying the times, days of the week, or types of automobiles to which the regulation applies.
| No. | Sign name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distance and section | Indicates the distance to the facility or place indicated by the main traffic sign, the distance to the zone or place where the traffic regulation indicated by the main traffic sign applies, or a section. |
| 2 | Day and time | Indicates the day and time the traffic regulation indicated by the main traffic sign applies. |
| 3 | Type of vehicle | Indicates the types of vehicles to which the traffic regulation indicated by the main traffic sign applies. |
| 4 | Remote controlled light vehicle | Indicates that the traffic regulation indicated by the main traffic sign applies exclusively to, or does not apply to, remote controlled light vehicles. |
| 5 | No parking unless space | Indicates the space that a vehicle must leave to its right side to park. |
| 6 | Time restriction on parking | Indicates that the period a vehicle may remain parked is until the time indicated on a parking meter or a parking ticket. |
| 7 | Start | Indicates that the traffic regulation indicated by the main traffic sign starts at this location. |
| 8 | Inside zone or section | Indicates that this location is inside the zone or the section to which the traffic regulation indicated by the main traffic sign applies. |
| 9 | End | Indicates that the traffic regulation indicated by the main traffic sign ends at this location. |
| 10 | School route | Indicates a zone of road that children use to go to elementary school, kindergarten, nursery, etc. |
| 11 | Caution: railroad crossing | Indicates that caution is required because there is a railroad crossing. |
| 12 | Caution: side wind | Indicates that caution is required because there may be strong side wind. |
| 13 | Caution: animals | Indicates that caution is required because animals may dart out into the road. |
| 14 | Caution | Indicates that vehicles and streetcars must exercise special caution while driving. |
| 15 | Items for caution | Indicates cautionary notes supplementary to the meaning indicated by the main traffic sign. |
| 16 | Reasons for regulation | Indicates reasons for the traffic regulation indicated by the main traffic sign. |
| 17 | Direction | Indicates the direction of the route, facility, or place indicated by the main traffic sign. |
| 18 | Place name | Indicates the name of the place where the main traffic sign is installed. |
| 19 | Start of road | Indicates the start of the road indicated by the main traffic sign. |
| 20 | End of road | Indicates the end of the road indicated by the main traffic sign. |
Types of vehicles and abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used when specifying types of vehicles.
| Abbreviation | Type of vehicle | Abbreviation | Type of vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 大 (Oogata) | Large: Large automobile | 準中乗 (Jun chujoу) | Semi-medium passenger: Semi-medium-sized passenger automobile |
| 大型等 (Oogata tou) | Large, etc.: Large automobile, specified medium-sized automobile, and heavy special equipment | バス (Basu) | Bus: Large passenger automobile and specified medium-sized passenger automobile |
| 中 (Chuugata) | Medium: Medium-sized automobile | 大型バス (Oogata basu) | Large bus: Large passenger automobile with a seating capacity of 30 people or more |
| 特定中型 (Tokutei chuugata) | Specified medium: Specified medium-sized automobile | マイクロ (Maikuro) | Micro: Large passenger automobile that is not large buses and specified medium-sized passenger automobile |
| 準中型 (Jun chuugata) | Semi-medium: Semi-medium-sized automobile | 路線バス (Rosen basu) | Route bus: Automobile that is used for regular route bus service and is operated by bus companies |
| 普通 (Futsuu) | Regular: Regular automobile | 普乗 (Fu jou) | Regular passenger: Regular passenger automobile |
| 大特 (Dai toku) | Heavy special: Heavy special equipment | タクシー (Takushii) | Taxi: Automobile that is used for passenger transporting service |
| 自二輪 (Ji ni rin) | Motorcycle: Large motorcycle and regular motorcycle | 貨物 (Kamotsu) | Truck: Large truck, medium-sized truck, semi-medium-sized truck, and regular truck |
| 軽 (Kei) | Light: Regular automobile with a length of 3.40 m or less, a width of 1.48 m or less, and a height of 2.00 m or less (for automobiles that have an internal combustion engine, limited to those with 660 cc or less in total engine displacement) | 大貨 (Dai ka) | Large truck: Large truck |
| 小特 (Shou toku) | Light special: Light special equipment | 大貨等 (Dai ka tou) | Large truck, etc.: Large truck, specified medium-sized truck, and heavy special equipment |
| 原付 (Gentsuki) | Motorized bicycle: General motorized bicycle | 中貨 (Chuu ka) | Medium truck: Medium-sized truck |
| 特定原付 (Tokutei gentsuki) | Specified motorized bicycle: Specified light motorized bicycle | 特定中貨 (Tokutai chuuka) | Specified medium truck: Specified medium-sized truck |
| 特例特定原付 (Tokutei tokutei gentsuki) | Exceptional specified motorized bicycle: Exceptional specified light motorized bicycle | 準中貨 (Jun chuuka) | Semi-medium truck: Semi-medium-sized truck |
| 二輪 (Nirin) | Two-wheeled: Two-wheeled motor vehicle and general motorized bicycle | 普貨 (Fu ka) | Regular truck: Regular truck |
| 小二輪 (Shou nirin) | Light two-wheeled: Light two-wheeled vehicle and general motorized bicycle | けん引 (Ken-in) | Towing: Towing automobiles towing a vehicle with a gross weight exceeding 750 kg |
| 自転車 (Jitensha) | Bicycle: Regular bicycle | 標章車 (Hyoushousha) | Vehicle with a sticker: Vehicles with a senior driver, etc. sticker |
| 乗用 (Jouyou) | Passenger: Automobile with a structure exclusively for transporting people | 遠隔小型 (Enkaku kogata) | Remote controlled light vehicle: Remote controlled light vehicle |
| 大乗 (Dai jou) | Large passenger: Large passenger automobile | ||
| 中乗 (Chuu jou) | Medium passenger: Medium-sized passenger automobile | ||
| 特定中乗 (Tokutai chuujou) | Specified medium passenger: Specified medium-sized passenger automobile |
※ "Light two-wheeled vehicle" refers to regular motorcycles with a total engine displacement of 125 cc or less or a rated output of 1.00 kW or less.
※ "Specified medium-sized automobile" refers to medium-sized automobiles with a vehicle gross weight of 8 tons or greater and less than 11 tons, a maximum loading capacity of 5 tons or greater and less than 6.5 tons, or a seating capacity of 11 people or more and 29 people or less.
Signboards, etc.
In addition to traffic signs, signboards such as the following may be installed.
- Signboard on traffic lights controlling specified traffic (Refer to p. 22)
- Left turn permitted signboard (Refer to p. 25)
- Signboard indicating a time-limited parking zone (Refer to p. 210)
- Signboard indicating a parking ticket dispenser (Refer to p. 210)
- Traffic sign indicating firefighting water supply (Refer to p. 208)
2. Pavement markings
A pavement marking refers to lines, symbols, and letters indicated on the road surface with paint, raised pavement markers, etc., and the two types are regulatory markings and designation markings.
① Regulatory markings — Prohibit specific methods of travel or designate passage by a specific method.
| No. | Marking name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No U-turn | Vehicles may not make a U-turn (numerals indicate the hours a U-turn is prohibited). (Refer to p. 93) |
| 2 | No entering on the right side of the road for overtaking | (1) Prohibited for both sides of the road: Neither vehicle proceeding along A nor B must overtake by crossing over into the right side of the road. (2) Prohibited for one side of the road: Vehicles proceeding along A must not overtake by crossing over into the right side of the road. (Refer to p. 97) |
| 3 | Lane change prohibited | Vehicles proceeding in vehicular lane A must not change to lane B, nor must vehicles proceeding in vehicular lane B change to lane A. / Vehicles proceeding in vehicular lane A must not change lanes to lane B. |
| 4 | No parking or stopping | Vehicles may neither park nor stop. (Refer to p. 207) |
| 5 | No parking | Vehicles may not park. (Refer to p. 208) |
| 6 | Maximum speed limit | 1. Automobiles and streetcars may not drive exceeding the indicated speed. 2. General motorized bicycles and automobiles towing another vehicle with a rope, etc. must not drive exceeding the legally designated speed limit. When a speed lower than the legally designated speed limit is indicated, they must not drive exceeding that speed. (Refer to p. 71) |
| 7 | No entry zone | Vehicles must not proceed in this pavement marking. (Refer to p. 51) |
| 8 | No stopping zone | Vehicles and streetcars must not enter this zone when conditions ahead may require them to stop and remain stopped within this pavement marking. Installed at emergency vehicle entrances and exits, etc. (Refer to p. 53) |
| 9 | Side strip | 1. Pedestrians, etc., exceptional specified light motorized bicycles, and non-motorized conveyances may proceed. 2. If the side strip is wide (exceeds 0.75 m), vehicles may enter the side strip and park or stop, leaving a space of 0.75 m or more on the left side of the vehicle. (Refer to p. 209) |
| 10 | No parking or stopping side strip | 1. Pedestrians, etc., exceptional specified light motorized bicycles, and non-motorized conveyances may proceed. 2. Vehicles may not enter the side strip and park or stop. (Refer to p. 209) |
| 11 | Side strip for pedestrians | 1. Pedestrians, etc. may proceed. 2. Exceptional specified light motorized bicycles and non-motorized conveyances may not proceed. 3. Vehicles may not enter the side strip and park or stop. (Refer to p. 209) |
| 12 | Vehicular lane | (1) Vehicular lanes installed in road zones that are not main through lanes of national expressways — With paint, etc. / With raised pavement markers, etc. (2) Vehicular lanes installed in main through lanes of national expressways |
| 13 | Main through lane with the right of way | Indicates that the main through lanes ahead merging with the main through lanes with this pavement marking has the right of way. (Refer to p. 255) |
| 14 | Vehicular lane division | Vehicles must proceed in the vehicular lane designated for its vehicle type. (Refer to p. 50) |
| 15 | Lane division for specified types of vehicles | Indicates lane divisions for specified types of vehicles. In this case, large trucks, specified medium-sized trucks, and heavy special equipment must proceed in the leftmost vehicular lane. (Refer to pp. 50, 247) |
| 16 | Lane division for towing automobiles on a national expressway | Towing automobiles must proceed in designated vehicular lanes. (Refer to p. 247) |
| 17 | Exclusive lane | Indicates that this is an exclusive lane for the vehicles indicated. In this case, this is an exclusive lane for buses between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. (Refer to p. 57) |
| 18 | Priority lane for route buses, etc. | Indicates that this is a priority lane for route buses, etc. In this case, this is a priority lane for route buses, etc. between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. (Refer to p. 58) |
| 19 | Motorway zone designated for towing automobiles to proceed in the leftmost lane | Towing automobiles must proceed in the leftmost vehicular lane in designated zones of motorways. (Refer to p. 247) |
| 20 | Lane direction | Indicates lane divisions for proceeding in different directions at the intersection. Vehicles must proceed in designated vehicular lanes. (Refer to p. 62) |
| 21 | How to turn right (or left) | (1) How to turn right: Indicates the areas vehicles must proceed through when turning right at the intersection. (Refer to p. 60) (2) How to turn left: Vehicles must turn left into the vehicular lane they will be proceeding on after they turn left. (Refer to p. 60) |
| 22 | How to turn left, etc. at roundabouts | Indicates the areas vehicles must proceed through when turning left, turning right, proceeding straight, or making a U-turn at the roundabout. (Refer to p. 65) |
| 23 | Parallel parking | When parking, a vehicle must enter the demarcated space and park parallel to the edge of the road. (Parking for 1 vehicle / Parking for 2 or more vehicles) |
| 24 | Right-angle parking | When parking, a vehicle must enter the demarcated space and park perpendicular to the edge of the road. |
| 25 | Diagonal parking | When parking, a vehicle must enter the demarcated space and park diagonally to the edge of the road. |
| 26 | Exceptional specified light motorized bicycles and regular bicycles permitted on sidewalk | Indicates that exceptional specified light motorized bicycles and regular bicycles may proceed on the sidewalk. |
| 27 | Exceptional specified light motorized bicycle and regular bicycle zone inside the sidewalk | Indicates that exceptional specified light motorized bicycles and regular bicycles may proceed on the sidewalk and that they must proceed on the roadway side of the solid white line indicated on the sidewalk. |
| 28 | No entry of regular bicycles into the intersection | Regular bicycles may not enter an intersection beyond this pavement marking. |
| 29 | End | Indicates the end of the zone of the traffic regulation indicated by the regulatory marking. (Refer to pp. 71, 93) |
② Designation markings — Indicate that specific methods of travel are permitted or designate places determined by the Road Traffic Act.
| No. | Marking name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pedestrian crossing | Indicates a place for pedestrians to cross the road. (Refer to p. 80) |
| 2 | Diagonal crossing permitted | Indicates that pedestrians, etc. may cross the intersection diagonally. (1) Permitted during limited hours (2) Permitted throughout the day |
| 3 | Bicycle crossing zone | Indicates a place for bicycles to cross the road. (Refer to p. 80) |
| 4 | Use the right side of the road | Indicates that vehicles may proceed on the right side of the center of the road. Displayed near the corners of a road with steep slopes. (Refer to p. 48) |
| 5 | Stop line | Indicates the position for vehicles when they stop. (Refer to p. 24) |
| 6 | Vehicle-specific stop line | Indicates the position for two-wheeled vehicles when they stop and the position for other vehicles when they stop. (Refer to p. 24) |
| 7 | Lane direction | Indicates the directions vehicles may proceed. (Refer to p. 62) |
| 8 | Centerline | Indicates the center of the road or the centerline. (1) Installation on a road which requires special indication that vehicles must not cross over into the right side of the road and proceed (2) Installation on places not (1): With paint or something of the sort / With raised pavement markers, stones, or something of the sort (3) Designating an area not the center of the road as the center of the road: Designated at all times / Designated for limited days and times (4) For (1) and (3) ①, when specially required |
| 9 | Border line of vehicular lanes | Indicates boundaries within lane zones on a road with 4 or more lanes. (1) With paint or something of the sort (2) With raised pavement markers, stones, or something of the sort |
| 10 | Safety zone | Indicates a safety zone. (Refer to p. 51) |
| 11 | Approach to a safety zone or obstacle | Indicates approach to a safety zone or an obstacle. (Avoiding to one side / Avoiding to both sides) |
| 12 | Channeling zone | Indicates areas of a road where vehicles are not allowed to pass in order to promote the safe and fluid flow of traffic. |
| 13 | Streetcar stop | Indicates a streetcar stop. |
| 14 | Pedestrian crossing or bicycle crossing zone | Indicates a pedestrian crossing or bicycle crossing zone ahead. (Refer to p. 80) |
| 15 | Right of way ahead | Indicates that the road ahead intersecting the road with this pavement marking has the right of way. |
2. Instructions by Police Officers, etc.
When a police officer is giving necessary instructions about how to proceed, etc., traffic must proceed according to those instructions. Even when the instructions of the police officer differ from traffic regulations indicated by traffic signs and pavement markings, those instructions must be followed.
1. Measures to Relieve Congestion
When traffic may become markedly congested, a police officer or traffic warden may prohibit or limit passage of vehicles or order a way of passage which differs from what is stipulated by laws and regulations to relieve congestion. In such cases, traffic must proceed according to those instructions.
2. Emergency Measures
When a police officer temporarily prohibits or limits passage of vehicles or pedestrians due to damage to a road or an incidence of fire, traffic must proceed according to those instructions.
Reference — Measures in times of disaster (when no police officer is present)
When disaster has occurred or is about to occur, only when there are no police officers present, a Self-Defense Force officer or a fire officer engaged in relief operations may prohibit or limit traffic. In such cases, traffic must proceed according to those instructions.
Let's Try — Course Content 3 — Check your understanding with right/wrong questions.
(See page 275 for answers.)
- (Blue circle with white up-arrow) — This traffic sign is a sign meaning "one way".
- (Blue circle with pedestrian and child icon) — This traffic sign indicates that there is a pedestrian crossing for schoolchildren and preschoolers ahead.
- (Diagram showing roadway and side strip) — Pedestrians, remote controlled light vehicles and exceptional specified light motorized bicycles, and non-motorized conveyances may proceed on this side stripe.
- (Pavement marking "0/50") — This pavement marking indicates that this is the end of the maximum speed 50 km per hour regulation.
- (Red circle with motorcycle icon) — On the road where this traffic sign is posted, large motorcycles and regular motorcycles may not proceed, but general motorized bicycles may.
- (Red circle, no image specified) — With this sign, automobiles may not proceed, and neither may motorized bicycles or non-motorized conveyances.
- Regulatory signs prohibit specific methods of travel or designate passage by a specific method.
- (Yellow diamond with rock/falling icon) — This traffic sign indicates that special caution is required while driving due to the risk of falling rocks.
- (Yellow U-turn with X, 8–20 marking) — This pavement marking indicates that U-turns are prohibited between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
- (Blue square with white left-turn arrow) — A lane with this traffic sign may turn left, regardless of the signal ahead.
(正: right, 誤: wrong)