# MenkyoQuest — Glossary (54 terms)

> Japanese driving license terminology, with English translations, romaji, and definitions. Each term entry is structured for fast retrieval by LLM assistants answering questions like 'what does jokō mean?'.

## Index by category

- License types (7 terms)
- Vehicles (4 terms)
- Movement (6 terms)
- Stopping & parking (4 terms)
- Infrastructure (11 terms)
- Rules (9 terms)
- Tests & exams (10 terms)
- Bodies (3 terms)

## License types

### provisional license (仮免許)
- Romaji: karimen
- Definition (English): License obtained after Stage 1 of driving school. Lets you drive on public roads with an instructor. Required step before the full license.
- Definition (Japanese): 教習所第一段階修了後に交付される免許。教官同乗のもとで公道での教習に出られる。本免許への必須ステップ。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#provisional-license

### regular license / full license (本免許)
- Romaji: honmen
- Definition (English): The standard driving license issued after passing the final written test at the prefectural licensing center. Valid 3 years for first-time licensees.
- Definition (Japanese): 教習所卒業 + 運転免許試験場での本免学科試験合格後に交付される正式な運転免許証。初回は有効期限 3 年。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#full-license

### foreign-to-Japanese license conversion (外免切替)
- Romaji: gaimen kirikae
- Definition (English): Procedure to exchange a valid foreign driving license for a Japanese one. Since October 2025, the knowledge test was overhauled to 50 questions with a 90% pass mark.
- Definition (Japanese): 有効な外国免許証を日本の免許証に切り替える手続き。2025 年 10 月に知識確認テストが 50 問・90% 合格に大幅難化。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#gaimen-kirikae

### International Driving Permit (IDP) (国際運転免許証)
- Definition (English): Permit valid for 1 year in Japan, issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention only. Vienna 1968 Convention IDPs are NOT recognized in Japan — residents from Vienna-only countries (e.g. Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, China mainland, Taiwan) must use the gaimen kirikae conversion process with a JAF/embassy translation of their original license. Not a substitute for a Japanese license once you become a long-term resident. (The IDDP — International Driving Document for People with Disabilities — has no specific status in Japan; standard accommodations under the aptitude test apply.)
- Definition (Japanese): 1949 年ジュネーブ条約に基づく国際運転免許証。日本では発給日から 1 年間有効。1968 年ウィーン条約の国際免許は日本では認められず、ウィーン条約のみの加盟国 (ドイツ・ベルギー・スイス・台湾・中国本土等) からの在留者は外免切替が必要 (JAF または領事館の翻訳証明 + 原免許で手続き)。長期滞在者は日本の免許への切替が必須。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#idp

### novice driver (初心運転者)
- Romaji: shoshin untensha
- Definition (English): A driver in their first year after obtaining a license. Required to display the shoshin-mark — also known as the wakaba-mark (若葉マーク), a yellow-and-green chevron — and subject to harsher penalty rules.
- Definition (Japanese): 免許取得後 1 年未満の運転者。初心者マーク (若葉マーク) の表示義務があり、違反点数の累積に対する罰則も強化される。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#shoshin-untensha

### novice-driver mark ("wakaba-mark" / shoshinsha-mark) (初心者マーク (若葉マーク))
- Romaji: shoshinsha māku
- Definition (English): Yellow-and-green chevron sticker that drivers in their first year after obtaining a regular license must display on the front and rear of the vehicle (Road Traffic Act §71-5 ¶1). Other drivers must not cut in front of or pass close to a vehicle bearing this mark unless unavoidable.
- Definition (Japanese): 普通免許取得後 1 年未満の運転者が車の前後に表示する義務を負う黄色と緑のシンボル (道路交通法 第 71 条の 5 第 1 項)。周囲の運転者はこのマークを付けた車に対し、やむを得ない場合を除き幅寄せや割込みをしてはならない。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#shoshinsha-mark

### elderly-driver mark ("momiji-mark") (高齢運転者マーク (もみじマーク))
- Romaji: kōrei untensha māku
- Definition (English): Display recommended (努力義務) for drivers aged 70 and older. Other drivers must not cut in front of or pass close to a vehicle bearing this mark unless unavoidable.
- Definition (Japanese): 70 歳以上の運転者の表示努力義務 (もみじマーク・四つ葉マーク)。周囲の運転者はこのマークを付けた車に対して、やむを得ない場合を除き幅寄せや割込みをしてはならない。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#korei-untensha-mark

## Vehicles

### moped (原動機付自転車 / 原付)
- Romaji: gentsuki / gen-tsuki
- Definition (English): Two-wheeled vehicle with engine displacement ≤ 50cc, max speed 30 km/h on most roads. Cannot use expressways.
- Definition (Japanese): 排気量 50cc 以下の二輪車。一般道での法定最高速度は 30 km/h、高速道路は通行不可。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#moped

### special small motorized bicycle (e-scooter category) (特定小型原動機付自転車)
- Romaji: tokutei kogata gentsuki
- Definition (English): Electric scooter class introduced 2023. Max speed 20 km/h (6 km/h on sidewalk-mode). Riders aged 16+; helmet recommended (not required).
- Definition (Japanese): 2023 年新設の電動キックボード類のカテゴリ。最高 20 km/h、歩道モードは 6 km/h。16 歳以上、ヘルメットは努力義務。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#special-small-motorized-bicycle

### motorcycle (二輪車)
- Romaji: nirinsha
- Definition (English): Two-wheeled motor vehicle category covering all sizes from small (51–125cc) up to large (>400cc). Different license classes apply by displacement.
- Definition (Japanese): 原付を超える排気量の二輪車。小型 (51–125cc)・普通 (126–400cc)・大型 (400cc 超) で必要な免許が異なる。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#motorcycle

### emergency vehicle (緊急自動車)
- Romaji: kinkyū jidōsha
- Definition (English): Ambulance, fire truck, police car (etc.) when responding to an urgent call with siren AND red flashing light. Other vehicles must yield by steering toward the left edge of the road and stopping if necessary (道路交通法 §40). Near intersections, yield away from the intersection itself.
- Definition (Japanese): サイレンを鳴らし、赤色の警光灯をつけて緊急用務に従事中の救急車・消防車・パトカー等。他の車は道路の左端に寄って一時停止しなければならない (道路交通法 第40条)。交差点付近では交差点を避けて左に寄る。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#emergency-vehicle

## Movement

### slow down to a stop-ready speed (徐行)
- Romaji: jokō
- Definition (English): A speed slow enough that the driver can bring the vehicle to an immediate stop — generally around 10 km/h or less. The phrase 'stop-ready speed' used elsewhere on this site refers to this concept. Required at crosswalks with pedestrians, around schools, narrow streets, intersections without traffic signals, etc.
- Definition (Japanese): 車がすぐに停止できる速度で進行すること。目安は時速 10 km 以下。歩行者のいる横断歩道付近、学校や病院付近、狭い道路、信号のない交差点などで義務付けられる。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#joko

### overtaking (追越し)
- Romaji: oikoshi
- Definition (English): Passing another vehicle by changing lanes (or crossing the center line). Prohibited on hills, curves, crosswalk approaches, and near intersections.
- Definition (Japanese): 進路を変えて (車線を変更したりはみ出して) 前車を追い抜く行為。坂・カーブ・横断歩道手前・交差点付近で禁止。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#overtaking

### passing (without lane change) (追抜き)
- Romaji: oinuki
- Definition (English): Passing another vehicle without changing lanes. Distinct from 'overtaking' (oikoshi) — typical example is passing a slower car in the right lane of a multi-lane road.
- Definition (Japanese): 進路を変えずに前車の側方を通過すること。「追越し」と区別される。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#passing

### lane change (進路変更)
- Romaji: shinro henkō
- Definition (English): Signal at least 3 seconds before changing lanes; signal at least 30 m before turning, transferring, or making a U-turn.
- Definition (Japanese): 進路変更の合図は変更を始めようとする 3 秒前、右左折・転回は 30 メートル手前で合図を出す。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#lane-change

### stopping distance (= free-running + braking) (停止距離)
- Romaji: teishi kyori
- Definition (English): Total distance a vehicle travels from the moment the driver perceives danger until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. It is the sum of: (1) free-running distance (空走距離 kūsō kyori) — covered during the driver's ~1 second reaction time before the brake takes effect, and (2) braking distance (制動距離 seidō kyori) — covered after the brakes engage. Wet roads, worn tires, heavy cargo, and downhill grades all lengthen the braking distance.
- Definition (Japanese): 危険を感じてから車が完全に止まるまでに進む距離。空走距離 (反応してブレーキが効き始めるまでの約 1 秒間に進む距離) と制動距離 (ブレーキが効き始めてから止まるまでの距離) の合計。雨で濡れた路面、すり減ったタイヤ、重い荷物、下り坂は制動距離を長くする。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#stopping-distance

### following distance (車間距離)
- Romaji: shakan kyori
- Definition (English): The distance between your vehicle and the one in front. As a rough guide on dry roads with new tires: roughly the speed in km/h expressed in meters (e.g. 100 km/h ≈ 100 m, 80 km/h ≈ 80 m). Double this in rain or with worn tires. Always allow enough room to stop safely even if the car in front brakes suddenly.
- Definition (Japanese): 前の車との距離。路面が乾燥していてタイヤが新しい場合の目安は時速の数値をメートルに置き換えた値 (時速 100 km なら約 100 m、時速 80 km なら約 80 m)。雨やタイヤ摩耗時はその約 2 倍。前車が急に止まっても安全に停止できる距離が必要。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#following-distance

## Stopping & parking

### stopping (停車)
- Romaji: teisha
- Definition (English): Stopping the vehicle for up to 5 minutes for loading/unloading goods, or any short stop to drop off / pick up passengers. Distinct from 'parking'.
- Definition (Japanese): 停止状態のうち、5 分以内の荷物の積み降ろし、人の乗り降りなど、短時間のもの。「駐車」と区別される。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#stopping

### parking (駐車)
- Romaji: chūsha
- Definition (English): Stopping for longer than 5 minutes (excluding loading/unloading), or any stop where the driver leaves the vehicle and cannot return immediately.
- Definition (Japanese): 5 分を超える荷物の積み降ろし、運転者が車から離れて直ちに運転できない状態など。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#parking

### stopping and parking prohibited (駐停車禁止)
- Romaji: chūteisha kinshi
- Definition (English): Areas where you may neither stop nor park — within 5 m of an intersection, crosswalk, or railroad crossing; on a sharp curve; on a steep slope; inside a tunnel; near a fire hydrant; etc.
- Definition (Japanese): 停車も駐車も禁止される場所 — 交差点・横断歩道・踏切とその端から 5 メートル以内、急な坂、トンネル内、消火栓付近 など。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#stopping-and-parking-prohibited

### parking prohibited (sign) (駐車禁止)
- Romaji: chūsha kinshi
- Definition (English): Sign / area where parking is prohibited but brief stopping (teisha) for loading/unloading or to drop off passengers is allowed. Distinct from chūteisha kinshi (駐停車禁止), which forbids both. Restricted on the side of the road from the sign in the direction of travel.
- Definition (Japanese): 駐車のみ禁止される標識 / 場所。荷物の積み下ろしや人の乗降のための短時間停車 (teisha) は可能で、駐停車禁止 (chūteisha kinshi) より緩い。標識の進行方向側で適用される。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#chusha-kinshi

## Infrastructure

### intersection (交差点)
- Romaji: kōsaten
- Definition (English): Where two or more roads meet at the same level. Many central traffic rules attach here: priority order with/without signals, no parking within 5 m, blind-spot risk for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Definition (Japanese): 二つ以上の道路が同一平面で交わる場所。信号有無別の優先順位や、端から 5 メートル以内の駐停車禁止など、多くの交通ルールが集中する。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#kosaten

### pedestrian (歩行者)
- Romaji: hokōsha
- Definition (English): A person on foot. Includes wheelchair users, those pushing a stroller or bicycle. Vehicles must yield, slow down, or stop depending on the situation. Children, elderly, and disabled pedestrians require extra caution.
- Definition (Japanese): 徒歩で道路を通行する人。車椅子利用者やベビーカー・自転車を押している人も含む。車両は状況に応じて徐行・停止して保護する義務がある。子ども・高齢者・身体の不自由な人には特に注意が必要。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#hokosha

### crosswalk (横断歩道)
- Romaji: ōdan hodō
- Definition (English): Designated pedestrian crossing marked by white parallel lines on the road. Vehicles must slow down to stop-ready speed; must stop if a pedestrian is crossing or about to.
- Definition (Japanese): 白い縞模様で示された歩行者用横断帯。車両は徐行義務、歩行者横断中は一時停止しなければならない。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#crosswalk

### railroad crossing (踏切)
- Romaji: fumikiri
- Definition (English): Road crossing of a railway line. Drivers must stop directly before the crossing, then proceed only after confirming safety with eyes and ears. (Exception: if a signal exists and is green.)
- Definition (Japanese): 鉄道線路と道路の交差地点。直前で一時停止し、目と耳で安全を確認してから通過。踏切信号機が青の場合は一時停止不要。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#railroad-crossing

### streetcar (路面電車)
- Romaji: romen densha
- Definition (English): Tram running on rails embedded in the road. Drivers must yield, follow safety-zone (yellow-line) rules, and never pass a stopped streetcar with passengers boarding.
- Definition (Japanese): 道路上の軌道を走る電車。一般車両は通行を妨げず、安全地帯のある停留所では客扱い中の路面電車を追い抜けない等の規則がある。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#streetcar

### safety zone (安全地帯)
- Romaji: anzen chitai
- Definition (English): Yellow-marked area on the road, typically next to streetcar stops, where pedestrians may safely wait. Vehicles must not enter.
- Definition (Japanese): 黄色の標示などで示される、歩行者の安全のために設けられた道路上の区画 (主に路面電車の停留所付近)。車両は侵入禁止。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#safety-zone

### traffic signal / traffic light (信号機)
- Romaji: shingōki
- Definition (English): Standard 3-aspect signal: green = proceed, yellow = stop (unless unable to stop safely), red = stop. Police hand signals override.
- Definition (Japanese): 青 (進行可)・黄 (原則停止)・赤 (停止)。警察官や交通巡視員の手信号は信号機に優先する。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#traffic-signal

### expressway (高速道路)
- Romaji: kōsoku dōro
- Definition (English): High-speed motorway. Passenger cars: 100 km/h (now up to 120 km/h on some sections). Mopeds, light trucks under 660cc, and tokutei kogata gentsuki may not enter.
- Definition (Japanese): 高速自動車国道。普通乗用車の法定速度 100 km/h (一部区間は 120 km/h)。原付・特定小型原付・660cc 未満の軽トラックなどは通行不可。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#expressway

### roadside strip (路側帯)
- Romaji: rosokutai
- Definition (English): White-line strip along the edge of a road that has no sidewalk, reserved for pedestrians. Vehicles may not drive in it; stopping/parking inside it is restricted to roadside strips ≥ 75 cm wide and you must leave 75 cm clear from the right edge.
- Definition (Japanese): 歩道のない道路の路端に白線で示された歩行者用の通行帯。車両は通行不可。幅 0.75 m 超の路側帯内に駐停車する場合は、右側 0.75 m を空けて入る必要がある。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#rosokutai

### Road Closed (通行止め)
- Romaji: tsūkō dome
- Definition (English): Regulatory sign prohibiting all traffic — pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles alike. Distinct from "No Vehicles" (sharyō tsūkō dome), which restricts only vehicles, and from "Do Not Enter" (shinnyū kinshi), which marks the exit of a one-way street.
- Definition (Japanese): 歩行者・自転車・車両を含むすべての交通の通行を禁止する規制標識。「車両通行止め」(車両のみ禁止) や「車両進入禁止」(一方通行の出口側) とは区別される。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#tsukou-dome

### No Vehicles (車両通行止め)
- Romaji: sharyō tsūkō dome
- Definition (English): Regulatory sign prohibiting all vehicles (cars, motorcycles, bicycles), but pedestrians may still pass. Often confused with "Road Closed" (tsūkō dome), which also bans pedestrians.
- Definition (Japanese): 車・自動二輪車・自転車などの車両の通行を禁止する規制標識。歩行者は通行可。「通行止め」(歩行者を含む全交通禁止) と混同しやすいので注意。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#sharyo-tsukou-dome

## Rules

### stop / temporary stop (STOP sign) (一時停止)
- Romaji: ichiji teishi
- Definition (English): Mandatory complete stop — wheels must come to zero motion at the designated stop line, before crossing a railroad track, when emerging from a non-priority road into an intersection, etc. Distinct from teisha (brief stopping) and joko (slow speed). Failure to fully stop is a common cause of fail-marks on the practical test.
- Definition (Japanese): 完全に停止する義務。停止線・踏切手前・優先道路への合流地点などで、車輪を完全に止めなければならない。teisha (短時間の停車) や徐行 (jokō) とは異なる。実技試験では一時停止違反は減点対象として頻出。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#ichiji-teishi

### Rules of the Road (交通の方法に関する教則)
- Romaji: kōtsū no hōhō ni kansuru kyōsoku
- Definition (English): Official National Police Agency publication that serves as the authoritative source for all written-test content. Updated periodically; covers all 11 chapters of road rules.
- Definition (Japanese): 警察庁が公表する公式の手引き書。学科試験の出題範囲はすべてこの教則に準拠する。国家公安委員会告示として公布、定期的に改訂。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#rules-of-the-road

### yield (進路を譲る)
- Romaji: shinro wo yuzuru
- Definition (English): Giving way to another vehicle or pedestrian who has priority — e.g. emergency vehicles, vehicles on the main road, pedestrians at crosswalks.
- Definition (Japanese): 他の車両や歩行者に進路や通行優先権を譲ること。緊急自動車、本線車道の車、横断歩道の歩行者などに対して義務。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#yield

### right-of-way / priority (優先通行)
- Romaji: yūsen tsūkō
- Definition (English): Priority over other vehicles at intersections — e.g. wider road has priority over narrower road; vehicles already in an intersection have priority over entering vehicles.
- Definition (Japanese): 交差点等で他の車に対する通行の優先順位。広い道は狭い道に、左方からの車は右方より優先など。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#right-of-way

### horn / signal device (警音器 / 警笛)
- Romaji: keihō-ki / keiteki
- Definition (English): Use restricted to (1) marked 'horn required' zones, and (2) unavoidable safety situations. Using the horn for greeting, urging, or thanking is a violation.
- Definition (Japanese): 「警笛鳴らせ」標識のある場所、危険を避けるためやむを得ない場合のみ使用可。挨拶・催促・感謝の用途は違反。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#horn

### two-stage right turn (二段階右折)
- Romaji: nidankai usetsu
- Definition (English): Mandatory right-turn procedure for mopeds (gentsuki) and special small motorized bicycles (tokutei kogata gentsuki) at intersections with three or more lanes (or where signed). Cross straight to the far corner with the green light, then turn 90° and wait for the next green to proceed.
- Definition (Japanese): 原動機付自転車や特定小型原動機付自転車が三車線以上の交差点 (または「二段階右折」標識のある交差点) で右折する際の方法。青信号で交差点をまっすぐ渡り、向こう側で 90 度向きを変え、次の青信号で進む。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#nidankai-usetsu

### unavoidable reasons (legal exception phrasing) (やむを得ない理由)
- Romaji: yamuoenai riyū
- Definition (English): Statutory phrase used to define narrow exceptions to road traffic prohibitions — typically for stopping/parking restrictions, horn use, or certain lane violations. Examples include obeying a police officer's instruction or stopping to avoid imminent danger.
- Definition (Japanese): 道路交通法上の禁止規定 (駐停車禁止・警音器の使用制限・通行帯違反など) に対するごく限定的な例外として使われる用語。警察官の指示に従う場合や、危険を避けるための急停止などが該当する。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#yamuoenai-riyu

### seat belt (シートベルト (安全ベルト))
- Romaji: shīto beruto
- Definition (English): The driver and every passenger must wear a seat belt while the vehicle is in motion (道路交通法 §71-3). This includes rear-seat passengers, although the penalty for unbelted rear passengers on general roads is lighter than for front seats; on expressways it applies equally. Children under 6 require a child safety seat instead.
- Definition (Japanese): 運転者と全ての同乗者は走行中シートベルトを着用しなければならない (道路交通法 第71条の3)。後部座席も対象 (一般道では努力義務に近い扱いだが、高速道路では同等の義務)。6 歳未満の子供はチャイルドシートを使用する。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#seat-belt

### driving under the influence (alcohol) (酒気帯び運転 / 飲酒運転)
- Romaji: shukikiobi unten / inshu unten
- Definition (English): Driving with any alcohol detectable in the body. Two tiers: (1) shukikiobi unten — breath alcohol 0.15 mg/L or more (license suspension or revocation, up to 3 years' imprisonment or ¥500,000 fine), and (2) shuki unten — driving while clearly impaired (up to 5 years' imprisonment or ¥1,000,000 fine, immediate license revocation). Providing alcohol to a driver, providing a vehicle to a drinking driver, or riding with one are also penalized.
- Definition (Japanese): アルコールを摂取した状態での運転。「酒気帯び運転」(呼気 1 リットルにつき 0.15 mg 以上 — 免許停止・取消、3 年以下の懲役または 50 万円以下の罰金) と「酒酔い運転」(正常な運転ができない状態 — 5 年以下の懲役または 100 万円以下の罰金、免許取消) の 2 段階。運転者に酒を勧めること、酒を飲んだ人に車を提供すること、酒気帯び運転と知って同乗することも処罰対象。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#dui

## Tests & exams

### written test (学科試験)
- Romaji: gakka shiken
- Definition (English): Knowledge test administered by prefectural police licensing centers. Three versions: provisional (50 questions), full (95 questions), and the post-Oct-2025 knowledge confirmation test for foreign-license conversion (50 questions).
- Definition (Japanese): 運転免許試験場で実施される筆記試験。仮免学科 50 問・本免学科 95 問・外免切替向け知識確認テスト 50 問の 3 種類がある。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#written-test

### knowledge confirmation test (foreign license conversion) (知識確認テスト)
- Romaji: chishiki kakunin shiken
- Definition (English): Test for gaimen kirikae applicants. Since October 2025: 50 true/false questions, 90% pass mark (45/50). Pass rates dropped from ~90% to ~33% after the reform.
- Definition (Japanese): 外免切替申請者向けの知識テスト。2025 年 10 月から 50 問の○✕式、90% で合格に難化。Aichi 等で合格率が 90% → 33% に低下したと報道。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#knowledge-confirmation-test

### aptitude test (適性検査)
- Romaji: tekisei shiken
- Definition (English): Physical check at exam day: vision (0.7+ both eyes / 0.3+ each eye), color recognition (red / yellow / blue), hearing.
- Definition (Japanese): 受験日に実施される身体検査。両眼 0.7 以上 + 片眼 0.3 以上の視力、赤・黄・青の色覚、聴力を確認する。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#aptitude-test

### internal mock test at driving school ("effect measurement") (効果測定)
- Romaji: kōka sokutei
- Definition (English): An academic mock test administered inside a driving school. There are two: the Stage 1 kōka sokutei (50 questions, before the karimen provisional test) and the Stage 2 kōka sokutei (95 questions, before the honmen full-license written test). This is an internal school check — distinct from the official tests at the prefectural licensing center.
- Definition (Japanese): 教習所内で実施される学科の模擬試験。第一段階 効果測定 (50 問形式、修了検定前) と第二段階 効果測定 (95 問形式、卒業検定前) の 2 回ある。教習所内部のチェックで、運転免許試験場の本番試験とは別物。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#kouka-sokutei

### instructor's clearance check ("see-through") (みきわめ)
- Romaji: mikiwame
- Definition (English): At the end of each driving-school stage, the instructor judges whether the trainee has reached the required skill level. Only after a pass on mikiwame can the trainee proceed to the technical test (shūryō kentei for Stage 1, sotsugyō kentei for Stage 2).
- Definition (Japanese): 教習所の各段階終了時に、教官が受講生の運転技能達成度を判定する教習。合格すると技能検定 (第一段階は修了検定、第二段階は卒業検定) に進むことができる。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#mikiwame

### Stage 1 technical exam (karimen technical test) (修了検定)
- Romaji: shūryō kentei
- Definition (English): The skills test at the end of Stage 1 (in-school driving). Passing this — together with the karimen academic test on the same day — qualifies the trainee for the provisional license (karimen) and allows on-road training in Stage 2.
- Definition (Japanese): 第一段階 (所内教習) 終了時に行われる技能検定。同日の仮免学科試験と合わせて合格すると仮免許が交付され、第二段階の路上教習に進める。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#shuryo-kentei

### Stage 2 technical exam (graduation skills test) (卒業検定)
- Romaji: sotsugyō kentei
- Definition (English): The final skills test at the end of Stage 2 (on-road driving). Passing earns the trainee a graduation certificate from a designated driving school (shitei kyōshūjo), which exempts them from the skills test at the prefectural licensing center — only the honmen academic test remains.
- Definition (Japanese): 第二段階 (路上教習) 終了時に行われる技能検定。指定教習所を卒業すると運転免許試験場での技能試験が免除され、本免学科試験のみで免許が交付される。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#sotsugyo-kentei

### Stage 1 / Stage 2 of driving-school instruction (第一段階 / 第二段階)
- Romaji: daiichi dankai / daini dankai
- Definition (English): The two phases of driving-school instruction. Stage 1 (daiichi dankai) is all in-school: closed-course driving, classroom learning, and ends with mikiwame → shūryō kentei + karimen academic test. Stage 2 (daini dankai) is on-road training with the karimen, ending in mikiwame → sotsugyō kentei.
- Definition (Japanese): 教習過程の 2 つの区分。第一段階 (daiichi dankai) は所内教習で、技能・学科の基本を学び、みきわめ → 修了検定 + 仮免学科試験で終わる。第二段階 (daini dankai) は仮免を取得した後の路上教習で、みきわめ → 卒業検定で終わる。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#kyoshu-dankai

### designated driving school ("shitei") (指定教習所)
- Romaji: shitei kyōshūjo
- Definition (English): A driving school approved by the prefectural Public Safety Commission. Graduates of a shitei school are exempt from the skills test at the licensing center — only the academic test remains. The large majority of Japan's driving schools fall in this category.
- Definition (Japanese): 都道府県公安委員会の指定を受けた教習所。卒業検定に合格すると運転免許試験場での技能試験が免除される (学科試験のみ受験)。日本の教習所の大多数はこの指定教習所。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#shitei-kyoshujo

### non-designated (notified) driving school (届出教習所)
- Romaji: todokede kyōshūjo
- Definition (English): A driving school registered with the prefectural police but not designated by the Public Safety Commission. Trainees from non-designated schools must take both the academic test and the skills test at the licensing center.
- Definition (Japanese): 公安委員会の指定を受けていない教習所 (都道府県警察への届出のみ)。卒業しても技能試験免除はなく、運転免許試験場で学科試験と技能試験の両方を受ける必要がある。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#todokede-kyoshujo

## Bodies

### police officer (traffic-directing officer) (警察官 / 交通巡視員)
- Romaji: keisatsukan
- Definition (English): Uniformed police officer (keisatsukan) directing traffic. The Rules of the Road also recognise the 'traffic-safety officer' (kōtsū junshiin) — a civilian traffic-control role with the same authority as a police officer for stopping vehicles and directing pedestrians. Drivers must follow their hand or light signals, which override any signal lights present. (Notes on past phrasing: questions on this site that say 'police officer or traffic controller' refer to this officer/traffic-safety-officer pair.)
- Definition (Japanese): 制服を着用して交通整理を行う警察官 (keisatsukan)。教則上は交通巡視員 (kōtsū junshiin、警察官と同等の権限で停止指示や歩行者指示を行える非警察職員) も認められる。両者の手信号・灯火信号は通常の信号機より優先される。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#police-officer

### National Police Agency (NPA) (警察庁)
- Romaji: keisatsu-chō
- Definition (English): Top national police authority. Publishes the Rules of the Road and sets nationwide traffic policy. Prefectural police forces handle actual licensing.
- Definition (Japanese): 国の警察行政の最高機関。「交通の方法に関する教則」を公表し、全国の交通政策を統括。免許の交付は各都道府県警察が担当。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#npa

### licensing center / driving license test center (運転免許試験場 / 運転免許センター)
- Romaji: unten menkyo shikenjō
- Definition (English): Prefectural facility where you take the final written test, vision check, and receive your license. Each prefecture has 1–3 centers.
- Definition (Japanese): 本免学科試験・適性検査の受験、免許証の交付などを行う都道府県の施設。各都道府県に 1〜3 か所。
- Anchor: https://www.menkyoquest.com/en/glossary#licensing-center

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Source basis: National Police Agency's official Rules of the Road (Public Domain under Article 13 §2 of Japan's Copyright Act) and the Road Traffic Act.
Copyright on AI-drafted definitions belongs to the MenkyoQuest team.
Contact: contact@menkyoquest.com