Driving in Japan vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When exploring the unique road rules of Japan and the United Kingdom, drivers will encounter distinct regulations that shape their travel experiences. From the nuances of lane markings and speed limits to the varied drink-driving thresholds, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Japan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid White Line
japan:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
japan:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
japan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
japan:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
japan:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
japan:
40-50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
japan:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
japan:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Japan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
japan:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Japan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
japan:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
japan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
japan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Japan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Japan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
united kingdom:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Japan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
japan:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Japan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
japan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
japan:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Japan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay