1. The Principle of Proceeding on Roadways and Its Exceptions
On a road with a division between the sidewalk or side strip and the roadway, vehicles must proceed on the roadway. Further, vehicles other than specified light motorized bicycles and bicycles must not proceed on a bicycle path.
However, vehicles may proceed across such paths when crossing them to enter or exit roadside places.
"Roadside place"
Refers to facilities off the road such as gas stations, garages, or parking lots.
1.1 Pedestrians and Bicycles on Sidewalks
A person walking a two-wheeled vehicle or specified light motorized bicycle is considered a "pedestrian" and may proceed on sidewalks, etc. (sidewalks and side strips).
However, if the vehicle has its engine running, has a sidecar, or is towing another vehicle, the person walking the vehicle is not considered a pedestrian and may not proceed on sidewalks, etc.
1.2 When Bicycles May Proceed on Sidewalks
When road traffic signs, etc. indicate that exceptional specified light motorized bicycles and regular bicycles may proceed on the sidewalk, they may proceed on the sidewalk. In this case, they must proceed slowly on the part of the sidewalk closer to the roadway from the center (the section designated for regular bicycle passage). Additionally, they must come to a stop if they would obstruct the passage of pedestrians.
Non-motorized conveyances and exceptional specified light motorized bicycles may proceed on the side strip installed on the left side of the center of the road. However, they must not proceed there when they would significantly obstruct the passage of pedestrians or if it is a side strip for pedestrians.
⚠️ Side strip and roadway edge line
Roadway edge line: A solid white line marked on the left edge of the roadway on a road with a sidewalk. The area between this line and the sidewalk is considered roadway, and vehicles may proceed. Do not confuse this with a "side strip".
Side strip: Refers to strip-shaped areas demarcated by road pavement markings at the edges of a road with sidewalks, for the passage of pedestrians and to maintain the functions of the roadway.
When a bicycle may proceed on a sidewalk:
Bicycles must proceed on the roadway, but regular bicycles may proceed on the sidewalk in the following cases:
- ① When road traffic signs or road pavement markings indicate that regular bicycles may proceed on the sidewalk.
- ② When a child under 13 years of age, a senior citizen 70 years of age or older, or a physically-challenged person who has difficulty proceeding safely on the roadway is riding the regular bicycle.
- ③ When it can be recognized as unavoidable to ensure the safety of the regular bicycle due to traffic conditions, etc.
- When proceeding in a place where traveling on the roadway is difficult due to roadwork, a continuous row of parked vehicles, etc.
- When there is a danger of hitting or being hit by automobiles, etc. due to significantly heavy traffic and a narrow roadway.
2. The Principle of Keeping Left and Its Exceptions
2.1 The Principle of Keeping Left
Vehicles must proceed on the left of the center of the road (if a centerline is present, the left side of the centerline).
⚠️ Centerline position
The centerline is a line marked on the road or a structure installed on the road to divide the passage of automobiles, etc. by direction of travel. A center strip is a type of centerline.
The centerline is not necessarily at the center of the road. Some roads have the centerline positioned closer to one side, or move according to time of day, to optimize traffic flow.
2.2 Exceptions to Keeping Left
Vehicles may cross over into the right of the center of the road (the right side of the road) and proceed in the following cases. However, unless the road is one way, the width crossed over must be kept to a minimum.
- ① When a road is one way.
- ② When the left side of a road is not wide enough for the vehicle to proceed.
- ③ When the left side only is not wide enough to proceed on due to roadwork, etc.
- ④ When overtaking another vehicle on a road with good visibility and a left side of the road less than 6 m in width where there is no risk of obstructing traffic in the opposite direction. (Excludes areas where crossing over into the right side and proceeding to overtake is prohibited by traffic signs and pavement markings.)
- ⑤ When there is a "Use the right side of the road" marking near a corner on a steep road.
"One way"
Refers to a road where passage in the direction opposing the arrow is prohibited. Proceed in the same way as proceeding on the left side of a roadway.
3. Proceeding on Roads without Vehicular Lanes
On roads without vehicular lanes (also called lanes), automobiles and general motorized bicycles must move to the left side of the road to proceed, and specified light motorized bicycles and non-motorized conveyances must move to the left edge of the road to proceed (the portions of "keeping left").
Exceptions are when overtaking or turning right, or in other unavoidable circumstances.
4. Proceeding on Roads with Vehicular Lanes
4.1 Roads with 2 Vehicular Lanes
When 2 vehicular lanes travel in the same direction, vehicles must proceed in the left vehicular lane. Leave the right vehicular lane open for overtaking, turning right, etc.
4.2 Roads with 3 or More Vehicular Lanes
When 3 or more vehicular lanes travel in the same direction, leave the rightmost lane open for overtaking, turning right, etc. Automobiles may proceed in the other vehicular lanes.
Proceed in vehicular lanes so that vehicles at slower speeds are on the left, and the speed increases for each lane to the right.
Light special equipment, motorized bicycles, and non-motorized conveyances
Light special equipment, motorized bicycles (general and specified light), and non-motorized conveyances must proceed in the leftmost lane, except in unavoidable circumstances.
4.3 When Lanes Are Designated by Traffic Signs or Pavement Markings
When lane divisions are designated by traffic signs or pavement markings, vehicles must follow them.
When designated vehicles may proceed in other vehicular lanes:
- ① When overtaking
- ② When moving to the left edge, center, etc. of the road to turn right or left
- ③ When giving way to an emergency vehicle
- ④ When unavoidable due to road conditions or other circumstances
4.4 When Overtaking
When a vehicle is overtaking on a road with vehicular lanes, it must proceed in the lane immediately to the right of the vehicular lane it was proceeding in.
Even when proceeding in the rightmost vehicular lane to overtake, a vehicle must promptly return to a different vehicular lane once the overtaking maneuver is complete.
5. Prohibition against Unnecessary Lane Changes
On a road with vehicular lanes, a vehicle must not proceed while crossed over into the next vehicular lane or straddling 2 vehicular lanes except for when it is unavoidable while overtaking, etc.
Proceed in the same vehicular lane, because changing vehicular lanes without due cause is disturbing to the following vehicle and could become a cause of accidents.
"Without due cause"
Means without a legitimate reason, and the following cases would not be "changing lanes without due cause":
- When changing course as stipulated by laws and regulations (changing to turn right or left or to overtake)
- When necessary to avoid danger
- When instructed and directed by a police officer
6. Prohibition against Passage According to Traffic Signs or Pavement Markings
6.1 Prohibition against Passage According to Traffic Signs
Vehicles must not proceed on a road where their passage is prohibited by traffic signs such as "Road closed", "Closed to all vehicles", and "Pedestrians, etc. only".
Common Traffic Signs:
- Road closed: Any traffic (pedestrians, etc., vehicles, or streetcars) may not proceed.
- Closed to all vehicles: Vehicles may not proceed.
- Regular bicycles, etc. and pedestrians, etc. only: Vehicles other than exceptional specified light motorized bicycles and regular bicycles may not proceed.
- Pedestrians, etc. only: Vehicles may not proceed.
6.2 Prohibition against Passage According to Pavement Markings, etc.
Vehicles must not enter places designated by pavement markings as "Safety zone" or "No entry zone".
Important: Even a part of the vehicle body must not enter these markings.
7. Prohibition against Passage on Sidewalks, Paths for Pedestrian Use, etc., and Its Exceptions
7.1 Prohibition against Passage on Sidewalks, etc., and Its Exceptions
Automobiles and general motorized bicycles must not proceed on sidewalks, side strips, and bicycle paths. However, vehicles may proceed across such paths such as when crossing them to enter or exit roadside places.
7.2 Cautions for Crossing Sidewalks or Side Strips
When crossing a sidewalk or a side strip to enter or exit a roadside place, vehicles must come to a stop immediately before it and must not obstruct the passage of pedestrians.
Important: Even when no pedestrians are present, a vehicle must come to a stop immediately before entering a sidewalk, etc.
7.3 Prohibition against Passage on Shoulder
When an automobile (excluding two-wheeled vehicles) proceeds on roads without a sidewalk or side strip, it must not proceed crossed over into the shoulder (0.5 m from the road edge).
Note: Because large motorcycles and regular motorcycles are relatively lightweight, their passage on the shoulder is not prohibited. However, since shoulders collapse easily and are therefore dangerous, avoid proceeding on them whenever possible.
"Shoulder"
Refers to strip-shaped areas of the road at its edge, connected to the roadway, sidewalk, bicycle path, etc., and to protect the road, etc.
This area is weak, making it dangerous, so passage on it is prohibited to prevent damage to the road.
Be cautious especially after rain or when there is melted snow, because the ground has become soft and it is more likely to collapse.
7.4 Prohibition against Passage on Streetcar Tracks and Its Exceptions
Vehicles must not proceed on streetcar tracks. However, they may proceed in the following cases:
- When automobiles permitted by the "Driving on streetcar tracks permitted" sign are proceeding
- When crossing the streetcar tracks to turn left, turn right, cut across the road, or making a U-turn
- When necessary to avoid danger
- When the left side is not wide enough for a vehicle to proceed
- When the left side only is not enough to proceed due to roadwork, etc.
When a streetcar approaches from behind, vehicles proceeding on the streetcar tracks must either promptly leave the streetcar tracks or maintain sufficient distance from the streetcar so as not to obstruct the progress of the streetcar.
7.5 Prohibition against Passage on Paths for Pedestrian Use and Its Exceptions
Vehicles must not proceed on paths for pedestrian use.
However, vehicles specially permitted, such as those with a garage on the roadside, may proceed. In such cases, the vehicle must proceed slowly, paying special attention to pedestrians.
Important: The vehicle must proceed slowly, even when no pedestrians are present.
Vehicles that may proceed on paths for pedestrian use:
Vehicles permitted to proceed by a chief of the police station: Vehicles with a garage on the roadside, vehicles transporting physically-challenged people, vehicles necessary for collecting and delivering cargo, etc.
Vehicles exempted from the prohibition: Emergency vehicles, mail vehicles, vehicles for cleaning, etc.
8. No Entry Due to Traffic Conditions
8.1 No Entry into Intersection to Prevent Congestion
A vehicle must not enter an intersection even if the signal is green when there is a risk of having to stop inside the intersection and obstruct the passage of vehicles in the intersecting direction because of traffic congestion ahead.
8.2 No Entry into "No Stopping Zone" Marking
A vehicle must not enter a "no stopping zone" marking in front of police stations, fire stations, etc. when there is a risk of having to remain stopped there because of traffic congestion ahead.
8.3 No Entry into Railroad Crossings, Pedestrian Crossings, and Bicycle Crossing Zones
A vehicle must not enter a railroad crossing, pedestrian crossing, or bicycle crossing zone when there is a risk of having to remain stopped there because of traffic congestion ahead.