Ch. 4 · Pre-Drive Conduct

Even if the brakes or muffler are not properly maintained, you can drive the vehicle if you judge that there is no traffic danger.

[True / False · Medium]

Answer: ✕ False

Explanation

The Rules of the Road state that you must not drive a vehicle whose steering, brakes, muffler, or other equipment is not properly maintained if it may cause traffic danger or emit harmful gases or noise that may cause inconvenience to others. The driver cannot decide whether or not to drive based on subjective judgment.

Driving school curriculumStage 2 – Topic 9: Vehicle maintenance

Hikari

If I think it's safe enough, I can probably drive with a busted muffler, right?

Misaki

That's false. The law forbids driving when equipment like brakes or mufflers isn't properly maintained — your personal judgment doesn't override that.

Hikari

So even if I feel it's okay, it's still illegal?

Misaki

Correct. Maintenance isn't subjective; the rules decide, not the driver.

Source: Ch. 4 Pre-Drive Conduct · Section (第3節自動車の点検) · Rules of the Road, Ch.4 §3 (Vehicle inspection) — Drivers must perform daily inspections before driving: tires, brakes, lights, mirrors, wipers, fluids, etc. Vehicle owners are also legally required to undergo periodic statutory inspections (shaken).

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Source content excerpted from the NPA “Rules of the Road” instructional manual, in the public domain under Japanese Copyright Act Article 13(2). Explanations are AI-assisted and copyrighted by the MenkyoQuest editorial team.