Pass the written test in English.
Ten topic papers, 1,100+ practice questions, all written the way the real Japanese licence papers are written: true-or-false statements with the same phrasing traps that catch people out. Every question, answer and explanation is in English.
The karimen (仮免), honmen (本免) and gaimen kirikae (外免切替) written tests all draw on the same traffic rules, so these papers prepare you for whichever one you are sitting.
"When the road surface is wet, the stopping distance of a vehicle is roughly the same as on a dry road, provided the tyres are new."
Explanation: braking distance on a wet surface can be up to twice the dry-road figure regardless of tyre wear. Statements that use "roughly the same" are almost always false.
The written test got much harder in October 2025. Our papers follow the new format.
For licence conversion (gaimen kirikae), the traffic-knowledge check jumped from 10 quick questions to the full 50-question format with a 90% pass mark, the same scope and difficulty as the karimen exam Japanese learners sit. Questions are text-based true-or-false statements drawn from 22 areas of the traffic rules, and the practical test is now marked at full karimen strictness. Applicants must also show a certificate of residence (jūminhyō), which ended conversions on a tourist stay.
Rules differ by prefecture and change without much notice, so always confirm the current format with your local licence centre before you book.
Questions older question banks still get wrong
Many practice sets online were written before these changes and still teach the old rule. Every answer in our papers was checked against the rules in force in September 2026. These three are from the papers.
"On a general road without marking and road sign, maximum speed limit is 60 km/h."
On general roads with no centre line, lane lines or physical separation, the legal limit for cars is now 30 km/h. 60 km/h applies only where there is a centre line or lanes and no speed sign.
"Motorcycles under 125 cc can be driven with a regular car licence."
125 cc-class bikes limited to 4.0 kW now count as mopeds, which a regular licence covers. Other motorcycles up to 125 cc still need a motorcycle licence, so our paper words the question to have one answer.
"I drove a large truck at 100 km/h on the national expressway."
The expressway limit for large trucks rose from 80 to 90 km/h. The answer is still False, but a paper that explains it with 80 km/h teaches you the wrong number for the next question.
Ten papers, one topic each
Paper 07 is free, so take it first to see whether the level suits you. The rest are ¥500 each, or ¥4,000 for the whole set with ten mock tests added.
All ten papers plus ten mock tests, ¥4,000
1,100+ topic questions with every answer key and the full glossary, and on top of that ten mock test papers for self-evaluation: mixed-topic sets sat under the real 50-question format, each with its own score sheet at the 90% pass line.
Buying the nine paid topic papers separately costs ¥4,500, so the bundle is ¥500 less and the mock tests come at no extra cost.
The provisional written test
This 50-question format applies to the karimen test and the gaimen kirikae knowledge check. The honmen (full licence) test covers the same rules in a longer paper: 90 true-or-false questions plus five illustrated hazard questions in 50 minutes, with the same 90% pass mark. Fees, booking rules and available languages are set prefecture by prefecture.
Converting a foreign licence
Questions before you buy
International Driving Permits, conversion, the My Number licence and expired licences are covered in the driving licence guides.