Karimen Test in English: Format, Pass Line, and Where to Take It

What is the karimen test?

The karimen (仮免許, provisional licence) is the mid-stage licence you get before the on-road test when obtaining a Japanese driving licence through the normal route. To reach it you pass a written knowledge test on the Rules of the Road.

It is separate from gaimen kirikae, the conversion of an existing foreign licence. If you already hold a foreign licence you are usually on the conversion track, not the karimen track — but both tests draw on the same road rules and now share the same 50-question, 90% format, so the practice is the same.

What is the format and pass mark?

The karimen written test is 50 true/false (○×) questions, and you need 45 correct (90%) to pass, within a time limit of about 30 minutes. Each statement is either correct or incorrect under the Rules of the Road and the Road Traffic Act.

The 90% threshold is strict by design: on 50 questions you can afford only five mistakes. Because the questions are true/false, careful reading matters as much as knowledge — many wrong answers come from a statement that quietly changes a number or turns a rule into a suggestion.

Can I take the karimen test in English?

Yes, in many prefectures. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police offers the written test in about 20 languages including English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Nepali and more, and other prefectures such as Ibaraki have adopted the same 20-language set.

However, which languages a given test centre supports varies by prefecture — smaller prefectures may offer English plus only one or two others, and some are provided on request. Always confirm with the driver's licence centre where you will sit the test.

How much does it cost?

Fees are set per prefecture. As a reference, in Tokyo the ordinary provisional-licence procedure totals ¥5,800 — made up of a ¥2,950 examination fee, a ¥1,750 test-vehicle-use fee, and a ¥1,100 provisional-licence issuance fee.

Your prefecture may differ, so check its police website for the exact schedule. If you are on the conversion track instead, the fees are set separately again.

Where and how do I take it?

You take the test at the driver's licence test centre (運転免許試験場) in your prefecture. Many centres now use an appointment system for the written test.

One caution for foreign-licence holders: in Tokyo the online written-test booking system does not cover gaimen kirikae, which is handled at a separate counter. So make sure you are following the instructions for the correct track — provisional-licence exam versus foreign-licence conversion — because the booking route differs.

FAQ

How many questions is the karimen test?

50 true/false (○×) questions. You need 45 correct (90%) to pass, in about 30 minutes.

Can I take the karimen test in English?

In many prefectures, yes. Tokyo offers the written test in about 20 languages including English. Availability varies by prefecture, so confirm with your test centre.

Is the karimen test the same as the licence-conversion test?

No. Karimen is the provisional-licence exam in the normal licensing route; gaimen kirikae is for converting an existing foreign licence. They are separate procedures, though both now use 50 questions with a 90% pass mark.

How much does the karimen test cost?

It varies by prefecture. In Tokyo the ordinary provisional-licence procedure totals ¥5,800. Check your prefectural police for the exact fees.

Where do I take it?

At the driver's licence test centre in your prefecture, usually by appointment.