Honmen Test Guide: Format, Tips & How to Score 90%+

The Honmen (本免許 — honmenkyo) test is the final written examination standing between you and your full Japanese driving license. It's significantly more comprehensive than the Karimen test and covers all aspects of Japanese traffic law.

After completing Stage 2 at your driving school and passing the graduation driving test (卒業検定), you take the Honmen written test at your prefectural license center. If you pass, your license is issued the same day.

The Honmen test is taken seriously in Japan — it covers everything from basic rules to highway driving, emergency procedures, and driving etiquette. But with thorough preparation, a 90%+ score is very achievable.

The Honmen test has a unique format:

• •Standard ○× (true/false) format
• •Each worth 1 point
• •Cover the full range of driving topics

• •Each question shows a driving scenario illustration
• •Each illustration has 3 related sub-questions (also true/false)
• •You get 2 points ONLY if all 3 sub-questions are correct
• •If even 1 sub-question is wrong, you get 0 for that illustration

Time: 50 minutes total Pass mark: 90/100 points

The illustrated questions are the trickiest part. They test your ability to assess real driving situations — like whether it's safe to overtake, how to handle a pedestrian crossing, or what to do at a complex intersection.

While the Honmen covers all Karimen topics, it also tests advanced knowledge:

• •Highway driving (高速道路): Merging, lane usage, minimum speeds, emergency stops on highways
• •Night driving: Headlight usage, high beam vs. low beam rules, reduced visibility
• •Bad weather driving: Rain, fog, snow, and strong wind procedures
• •Emergency vehicle procedures: What to do when an ambulance or fire truck approaches
• •Accident response: Steps to take after a traffic accident, insurance obligations
• •Passenger and loading rules: Maximum passengers, cargo loading regulations
• •Towing rules: When and how towing is permitted
• •Motorcycle and moped specific rules: Two-stage right turns for mopeds, motorcycle passengers
• •Legal responsibilities: Penalties for violations, point system, license suspension

Study all these topics in depth with our advanced driving lessons (Sections B and C).

The illustrated questions (イラスト問題) are worth practicing because they're all-or-nothing. Here's how to approach them:

Step 1: Analyze the scene carefully Look at everything in the illustration — other vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, road markings, traffic signals, weather conditions, and your vehicle's position and speed.

Step 2: Consider safety first Japanese driving tests always prioritize safety. When in doubt, the safest action is usually correct.

Step 3: Check each sub-question independently Don't let one sub-question influence your answer on another. Each is a separate true/false judgment.

• •Approaching an intersection with limited visibility
• •Overtaking situations with oncoming traffic
• •Pedestrians at crosswalks (marked and unmarked)
• •Merging onto highways
• •Driving near schools or residential areas

Practice with our Honmen practice tests which include illustrated question simulations.

To score 90%+, you can afford at most 10 points of errors. Here's how to maximize your score:

• •Read each question twice before answering
• •Watch for words like "always" (いつも), "never" (絶対に), "must" (なければならない)
• •Remember: most absolute statements have exceptions, making them FALSE
• •BUT some rules ARE absolute (e.g., stopping at railroad crossings)

• •Take your time — these are worth 2 points each
• •All 3 sub-questions must be correct to earn the 2 points
• •When unsure, choose the more cautious/safe answer

• •Spend about 35 minutes on the 90 true/false questions
• •Reserve 15 minutes for the 5 illustrated questions
• •If unsure about a question, mark it and come back

• •Take at least 5 full Honmen practice tests
• •Score 95%+ consistently before attempting the real test
• •Review all traffic signs — sign questions are easy points if you know them