Road Traffic Act
道路交通法
Contents
This law has 355 articles, so it is read chapter by chapter; the first follows below. To search the whole law, use the search box at the top.
- Chapter I General Provisions第一章 総則Articles 1–9 · 9
- Chapter II Traffic Rules for Pedestrians, etc.第二章 歩行者等の通行方法Articles 10–15-2 · 11
- Chapter II-2 Obligations of Users of Remotely Operated Small Vehicles第二章の二 遠隔操作型小型車の使用者の義務Articles 15-3–15-6 · 4
- Chapter III Vehicle and Streetcar Traffic Rules第三章 車両及び路面電車の交通方法Articles 16–63-11 · 96
- Chapter IV Responsibilities of Drivers and Users of Vehicles or Streetcars第四章 車両等の運転者及び使用者の義務Articles 64–75-2-2 · 25
- Chapter IV-2 Special Rules for Motor Vehicle Traffic on National Expressways and Limited Highways第四章の二 高速自動車国道等における自動車の交通方法等の特例Articles 75-2-3–75-11 · 11
- Chapter IV-3 Permission for Specified Automated Operation; Related Considerations第四章の三 特定自動運行の許可等Articles 75-12–75-29 · 18
- Chapter V Road Use; Related Considerations第五章 道路の使用等Articles 76–83 · 9
- Chapter VI Driver Licensing for Motor Vehicles and General Motorized Bicycles第六章 自動車及び一般原動機付自転車の運転免許Articles 84–108 · 79
- Chapter VI-2 Training第六章の二 講習Articles 108-2–108-12 · 16
- Chapter VI-3 The Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis第六章の三 交通事故調査分析センターArticles 108-13–108-25 · 13
- Chapter VI-4 Facilitation of Organized Activities in the Private Sector and Elsewhere to Contribute to the Safety and Fluidity of Traffic第六章の四 交通の安全と円滑に資するための民間の組織活動等の促進Articles 108-26–108-32-4 · 10
- Chapter VII Miscellaneous Provisions第七章 雑則Articles 108-33–114-7 · 20
- Chapter VIII Penal Provisions第八章 罰則Articles 115–124 · 24
- Chapter IX Special Rules on Procedures for Handling Violations第九章 反則行為に関する処理手続の特例Articles 125–132 · 10
Chapter I General Provisions
第一章 総則
第一条（目的）
第二条（定義）
In this Act, the meanings of the terms set forth in the following items are as prescribed in those items:
この法律において、次の各号に掲げる用語の意義は、それぞれ当該各号に定めるところによる。
road:a road as prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (1) of the Road Act (Act No. 180 of 1952), a limited highway as prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (8) of the Road Transportation Act (Act No. 183 of 1951), and any other route used for public traffic;
道路 道路法（昭和二十七年法律第百八十号）第二条第一項に規定する道路、道路運送法（昭和二十六年法律第百八十三号）第二条第八項に規定する自動車道及び一般交通の用に供するその他の場所をいう。
sidewalk: the part of a road that has been demarcated with curb lines or fences or any similar structure so as to make it available for pedestrian traffic;
歩道 歩行者の通行の用に供するため縁石線又は柵その他これに類する工作物によつて区画された道路の部分をいう。
roadway: the part of a road that has been demarcated with curb lines or fences or any similar structure or road markings so as to make it available for vehicle traffic;
main roadway:a roadway consisting of the main lanes of a national expressway (meaning a road as prescribed in Article 4, paragraph (1) of the National Expressway Act (Act No. 79 of 1957); the same applies hereinafter) or a limited highway (meaning a limited highway as prescribed in Article 48-4 of the Road Act; the same applies hereinafter);
side strip:the part of a road that extends in a strip running along the edge of a road that either has no sidewalks or that has no sidewalks on that side, which has been demarcated with road markings so as to make it available for pedestrian traffic or maintain the effectiveness of the roadway;
pedestrian crossing:the part of a road that has been marked with road signs or road markings (hereinafter referred to as "road signs or markings") indicating it to be a place for pedestrians to cross;
bicycle crossing lane:the part of a road that has been marked with road signs or markings indicating it to be a place for bicycles to cross;
safety zone:an island-shaped installation put in place to ensure the safety of persons boarding and disembarking from streetcars and the safety of crossing pedestrians, or the part of a road that road signs or road markings indicate to be a safety zone;
vehicle traffic lane:the part of a road that road markings indicate to be the specific part of the road down which vehicles are to proceed;
vehicle:a motor vehicle, motorized bicycle, light road vehicle, or trolleybus;
motor vehicle: a vehicle that has a motor and is operated without recourse to rails or overhead wires, or a vehicle that engages in specified automated operation, not including a motorized bicycle, light road vehicle, small mobility vehicle, vehicle for persons with physical disabilities, or remotely operated small vehicle, and not including a wheeled walking aid, baby carriage, or other small vehicle used while walking that Cabinet Order prescribes (hereinafter referred to as a "wheeled walking aid or small vehicle");
motorized bicycle: a vehicle that has a motor and is operated without recourse to rails or overhead wires and that is any of the following, not including a light road vehicle, small mobility vehicle, vehicle for persons with physical disabilities, remotely operated small vehicle, or wheeled walking aid or small vehicle:
(a) a vehicle that uses a motor with a total displacement or rated output not exceeding the size that Cabinet Office Order prescribes (excluding one that falls under (b));
内閣府令で定める大きさ以下の総排気量又は定格出力を有する原動機を用いる車（ロに該当するものを除く。）
(b) a vehicle that satisfies the criteria that Cabinet Office Order prescribes for a vehicle whose body size and structure are not likely to hinder other vehicles from proceeding on a bicycle path and whose driving does not require a high level of skill;
light road vehicle: any of the following, not including a small mobility vehicle, vehicle for persons with physical disabilities, or wheeled walking aid or small vehicle (and not including one that can be made to travel by remote operation (meaning operating a vehicle by giving commands to the vehicle from a location away from it using telecommunications technology (including the case of using a device with which the vehicle being so operated is equipped that automatically controls the travel of the vehicle in order to prevent collisions); the same applies hereinafter)):
(a) a bicycle, cart, or other vehicle that is operated by the power of humans or animals, or is towed by another vehicle, without recourse to rails (including a sleigh, horse, or cattle, and not including a vehicle made for children (meaning a small vehicle used by children, other than one used while walking; the same applies in the following item and in paragraph (3), item (i)));
(b) a vehicle that has a motor and is operated without recourse to rails or overhead wires, which Cabinet Office Order prescribes as equivalent to (a) in consideration of its body size and structure;
原動機を用い、かつ、レール又は架線によらないで運転する車であつて、車体の大きさ及び構造を勘案してイに準ずるものとして内閣府令で定めるもの
bicycle: a vehicle with two or more wheels that has pedals or hand cranks and is driven by human power (other than a vehicle operated on rails), not including a vehicle for persons with physical disabilities, a vehicle made for children, or a wheeled walking aid or small vehicle (and, in the case of one that uses a motor, including one that uses a motor to supplement human power and satisfies the criteria that Cabinet Office Order prescribes, but not including a small mobility vehicle or one that can be made to travel by remote operation);
small mobility vehicle: a small vehicle that uses a motor for the purpose of moving people (excluding one that can be made to travel by remote operation) and that satisfies the criteria that Cabinet Office Order prescribes as being of a body size and structure not likely to hinder other pedestrians from proceeding, other than a vehicle for persons with physical disabilities;
vehicle for persons with physical disabilities: a vehicle that a person who has difficulty walking due to a physical disability uses to move from place to place (in the case of one that uses a motor, limited to one satisfying the criteria that Cabinet Office Order prescribes, and excluding one that can be made to travel by remote operation);
身体障害者用の車 身体の障害により歩行が困難な者の移動の用に供するための車（原動機を用いるものにあつては、内閣府令で定める基準に該当するものに限り、遠隔操作により通行させることができるものを除く。）をいう。
remotely operated small vehicle: a small vehicle that uses a motor for the purpose of transporting people or goods and that can be made to travel by remote operation, which satisfies the criteria that Cabinet Office Order prescribes as being of a body size and structure not likely to hinder pedestrians from proceeding, and which is equipped with an emergency stop device that conforms to the criteria that Cabinet Office Order prescribes;
遠隔操作型小型車 人又は物の運送の用に供するための原動機を用いる小型の車であつて遠隔操作により通行させることができるもののうち、車体の大きさ及び構造が歩行者の通行を妨げるおそれのないものとして内閣府令で定める基準に該当するものであり、かつ、内閣府令で定める基準に適合する非常停止装置を備えているものをいう。
trolleybus:a vehicle powered by electricity supplied through overhead wires, which is operated without recourse to rails;
トロリーバス 架線から供給される電力により、かつ、レールによらないで運転する車をいう。
streetcar:a vehicle operated on rails;
路面電車 レールにより運転する車をいう。
automated operation device: an automated operation device as prescribed in Article 41, paragraph (1), item (xx) of the Road Transport Vehicle Act (Act No. 185 of 1951);
自動運行装置 道路運送車両法（昭和二十六年法律第百八十五号）第四十一条第一項第二十号に規定する自動運行装置をいう。
traffic light:a device operated electrically which uses lights to display signals intended to control traffic and achieve other such ends;
信号機 電気により操作され、かつ、道路の交通に関し、灯火により交通整理等のための信号を表示する装置をいう。
road sign:a sign board that displays road traffic regulations or instructions;
道路標識 道路の交通に関し、規制又は指示を表示する標示板をいう。
road marking:a marking depicted on a road surface with raised road markers, paint, lines comprising stones, etc., symbols, or letters to display road traffic regulations or instructions;
道路標示 道路の交通に関し、規制又は指示を表示する標示で、路面に描かれた道路鋲、ペイント、石等による線、記号又は文字をいう。
driving: using a vehicle or a streetcar (hereinafter referred to as a "vehicle or streetcar") on a road in accordance with its intended use (including, in the case of a motor vehicle or motorized bicycle equipped with pedals or another device in addition to its motor that allows it to be propelled by human power, the case of propelling it using that device, and excluding the case of engaging in specified automated operation);
specified automated operation: operating, on a road, a motor vehicle equipped with an automated operation device by using the automated operation device under the conditions of use for that device (the automated operation device being limited to one that can immediately and automatically bring the motor vehicle to a stop in a safe manner when the motor vehicle equipped with the device becomes an improperly maintained vehicle as prescribed in Article 62, or when use of the device no longer satisfies the conditions of use for the device (meaning the conditions prescribed in Article 41, paragraph (2) of the Road Transport Vehicle Act; the same applies hereinafter)) (excluding the case where there is a person who operates the equipment of the motor vehicle in response to the road, traffic, and motor vehicle conditions while the motor vehicle is in operation);
parking: holding a vehicle or streetcar at a stop to wait for customers or cargo, to load or unload cargo, or due to a malfunction or other such circumstance (other than when it is held at a stop for a period not exceeding five minutes to load or unload cargo or when it is held at a stop to let passengers board or alight), or a state in which a vehicle or streetcar is held at a stop (excluding a stop during specified automated operation) and the person driving that vehicle or streetcar (hereinafter referred to as a "driver") has left it and cannot drive it immediately;
stopping:bringing a vehicle or streetcar to a stop in a manner that does not fall within the definition of parking;
driving at reduced speed:proceeding at a speed that enables the vehicle or streetcar to be brought to a stop immediately;
徐行 車両等が直ちに停止することができるような速度で進行することをいう。
passing:when a vehicle catches up with another vehicle or streetcar, changes course, overtakes it on one side, and comes out in front of it;
obstructing progress:starting to move or continuing to move in circumstances that would likely cause another vehicle or streetcar to have to suddenly change speed or direction in order to avoid danger;
進行妨害 車両等が、進行を継続し、又は始めた場合においては危険を防止するため他の車両等がその速度又は方向を急に変更しなければならないこととなるおそれがあるときに、その進行を継続し、又は始めることをいう。
traffic nuisance:air pollution, noise, or vibration as prescribed by Cabinet Office Order/Ministry of the Environment Order, arising from road traffic and causing damage to human health or the living environment.
交通公害 道路の交通に起因して生ずる大気の汚染、騒音及び振動のうち内閣府令・環境省令で定めるものによつて、人の健康又は生活環境に係る被害が生ずることをいう。
As concerns the application of this Act, demarcation lines set in place pursuant to Article 45, paragraph (1) of the Road Act are treated as road markings, pursuant to Cabinet Office Order/Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
道路法第四十五条第一項の規定により設置された区画線は、この法律の規定の適用については、内閣府令・国土交通省令で定めるところにより、道路標示とみなす。
As concerns the application of this Act, the following persons are treated as pedestrians:
この法律の規定の適用については、次に掲げる者は、歩行者とする。
a person who is causing a small mobility vehicle, vehicle for persons with physical disabilities, remotely operated small vehicle, vehicle made for children, or wheeled walking aid or small vehicle to travel (excluding, in the case of a remotely operated small vehicle, a person who is causing it to travel by remote operation);
a person walking while pushing a large motorcycle or standard motorcycle as prescribed in the following Article, a two-wheeled motorized bicycle, a two- or three-wheeled bicycle, or any other vehicle that satisfies the criteria that Cabinet Office Order prescribes as being of a body size and structure not likely to hinder other pedestrians from proceeding (excluding such a vehicle with a sidecar and one that is towing another vehicle).
第三条（自動車の種類）
A motor vehicle is classified on the basis of the standards that Cabinet Office Order prescribes for body size, structure, and engine size, as standard motor vehicle, mid-sized motor vehicle, semi-mid-sized motor vehicle, large motor vehicle, special small motor vehicle, special large motor vehicle, standard motorcycle (including one with a sidecar; the same applies hereinafter), or large motorcycle (including one with a sidecar; the same applies hereinafter).
自動車は、内閣府令で定める車体の大きさ及び構造並びに原動機の大きさを基準として、大型自動車、中型自動車、準中型自動車、普通自動車、大型特殊自動車、大型自動二輪車（側車付きのものを含む。以下同じ。）、普通自動二輪車（側車付きのものを含む。以下同じ。）及び小型特殊自動車に区分する。
When the prefectural public safety commission (hereinafter referred to as a "public safety commission") finds it necessary in order to prevent hazards on roads and otherwise ensure the safety and fluidity of traffic, or to prevent traffic nuisances and other harm arising from road traffic, it may, pursuant to Cabinet Order, install and manage traffic lights or road signs or markings and thereby carry out traffic control, prohibit the passage of pedestrians or remotely operated small vehicles (limited to those traveling on a road by remote operation) (referred to as "pedestrians, etc." in the following Article through Article 13-2) or of vehicles or streetcars, or otherwise regulate traffic on roads. In this case, if it is urgent and there is no time to install road signs or markings, or it otherwise finds it difficult to regulate traffic with road signs or markings, the public safety commission may, through on-site instructions given by a police officer of the prefectural police under its management, regulate traffic in a manner equivalent to regulating traffic by installing and managing road signs or markings.
都道府県公安委員会（以下「公安委員会」という。）は、道路における危険を防止し、その他交通の安全と円滑を図り、又は交通公害その他の道路の交通に起因する障害を防止するため必要があると認めるときは、政令で定めるところにより、信号機又は道路標識等を設置し、及び管理して、交通整理、歩行者若しくは遠隔操作型小型車（遠隔操作により道路を通行しているものに限る。）（次条から第十三条の二までにおいて「歩行者等」という。）又は車両等の通行の禁止その他の道路における交通の規制をすることができる。この場合において、緊急を要するため道路標識等を設置するいとまがないとき、その他道路標識等による交通の規制をすることが困難であると認めるときは、公安委員会は、その管理に属する都道府県警察の警察官の現場における指示により、道路標識等の設置及び管理による交通の規制に相当する交通の規制をすることができる。
The regulation of traffic under the preceding paragraph is undertaken at a specific location or within a specific area or section of a road. It may have a limited target and its application may be limited to certain days or hours.
A public safety commission must endeavor to install traffic lights at high-traffic intersections other than roundabouts (meaning intersections with a circular area for motor vehicle traffic, where drivers of vehicles are directed by road signs or markings to proceed in a clockwise direction; the same applies hereinafter), and at other locations where lights are found to be necessary to prevent traffic hazards.
Cabinet Order provides for the meanings of signals displayed by traffic lights and for other necessary particulars concerning traffic lights.
信号機の表示する信号の意味その他信号機について必要な事項は、政令で定める。
Cabinet Office Order/ Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism provides for the types, formats, placement, and other necessary particulars concerning road signs and markings.
道路標識等の種類、様式、設置場所その他道路標識等について必要な事項は、内閣府令・国土交通省令で定める。
A public safety commission may, pursuant to Cabinet Order, have the chief of a police station carry out those of the prohibitions on the passage of pedestrians, etc. or vehicles or streetcars and other traffic regulations prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article that apply for a short period.
A public safety commission may delegate a person that Cabinet Order prescribes to handle the administrative functions involving the installation or management of traffic lights.
Article 6Regulation of Traffic by Officers
第六条（警察官等の交通規制）
A police or traffic patrol officer as prescribed in Article 114-4, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as an "officer") may control traffic using hand signals and other signals (hereinafter referred to as "alternative signals"). On finding it to be particularly necessary to do so in order to prevent road hazards and otherwise ensure the safety and fluidity of traffic, an officer may use an alternative signal with a different meaning from that of a signal displayed by a traffic light, regardless of the signal displayed by the traffic light.
警察官又は第百十四条の四第一項に規定する交通巡視員（以下「警察官等」という。）は、手信号その他の信号（以下「手信号等」という。）により交通整理を行なうことができる。この場合において、警察官等は、道路における危険を防止し、その他交通の安全と円滑を図るため特に必要があると認めるときは、信号機の表示する信号にかかわらず、これと異なる意味を表示する手信号等をすることができる。
On finding a compelling reason to do so in order to ensure that traffic runs smoothly on a road (other than a national expressway or limited highway; the same applies in paragraph (4)) on which severe traffic congestion is likely to occur due to a severe back-up of vehicle or streetcar traffic, a police officer may prohibit or restrict vehicles or streetcars from entering a location or order the driver of a vehicle or streetcar at the location to back up or comply with different traffic rules than those prescribed in Article 8, paragraph (1), or Chapter III, Section 1, 3, or 6, but only so far as is necessary in order to reduce congestion.
On finding the measures prescribed in the preceding paragraph to be insufficient to reduce congestion at a location, a police officer may issue the necessary instructions to relevant persons at the location, but only so far as is necessary to reduce congestion.
警察官は、前項の規定による措置のみによつては、その現場における混雑を緩和することができないと認めるときは、その混雑を緩和するため必要な限度において、その現場にある関係者に対し必要な指示をすることができる。
When there is a risk that a traffic hazard will arise on a road due to road damage, an outbreak of fire, or other circumstances, and a police officer finds there to be an urgent need to prevent a hazard on that road, the officer may temporarily prohibit or restrict the passage of pedestrians, etc. or vehicles or streetcars on that road, but only to the extent necessary.
Cabinet Order provides for the meanings of alternative signals referred to in paragraph (1).
A pedestrian, etc. or the driver of a vehicle or streetcar that is using a road must obey the signals indicated by traffic lights or the alternative signals of an officer (or the alternative signals given in a case as referred to in the second sentence of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article).
Article 8Prohibition and Permission of Entry
第八条（通行の禁止等）
It is prohibited for a pedestrian, etc. or the driver of a vehicle or streetcar to enter onto a road or any part of a road onto which entry is prohibited by a road sign or marking.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, if the chief of the police station finds there to be a compelling reason as prescribed by Cabinet Order and grants permission, a vehicle may proceed onto a road or a part of a road onto which entry is prohibited by a road sign or marking.
The chief of the police station must issue a permit when granting the permission prescribed in the preceding paragraph.
警察署長は、前項の許可をしたときは、許可証を交付しなければならない。
The driver of a vehicle issued a permit pursuant to the preceding paragraph must carry that permit at all times when using the road or part of the road for which the permission has been given.
On finding it to be necessary to do so, the chief of the police station may attach conditions when granting a permission as referred to in paragraph (2).
第二項の許可を与える場合において、必要があると認めるときは、警察署長は、当該許可に条件を付することができる。
Cabinet Office Order provides for the format of the permit referred to in paragraph (3) and for necessary particulars concerning the permission referred to in paragraph (2).
Article 9Obligations of the Drivers of Vehicles When Entering onto Pedestrian Paths
第九条（歩行者用道路を通行する車両の義務）
When entering onto a road on which a road sign or marking indicates that vehicular entry has been prohibited so as to ensure the safety and fluidity of pedestrian traffic (referred to in Article 13-2 as a "pedestrian path") after obtaining the permission prescribed in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article or by reason of being exempt from that prohibition, the driver of a vehicle must be particularly careful of pedestrians and drive at a reduced speed.