ViMai MenkyoKnow the rules. Pass the test. Drive with confidence.
ViMai Menkyo – Japanese driving licence theory practice in English
ViMai Menkyo helps foreign residents in Japan learn the traffic rules, recognise road signs and practise for the written test for an ordinary car licence (普通免許), with a clear English explanation for every question you get wrong.
Open the app on your phone or computer and sit a 30-minute Karimen mock exam to see where you stand.
Study and take a free mock test5 free mock exams for every test type. Opens in your browser, nothing to install.
- 2,000+true/false questions, many with pictures
- 60mock exams: Karimen, Honmen, conversion
- 200+road signs and road markings
- 100+hazard illustrations
What is inside
- Lessons in study order: stage 1 for the Karimen test, stage 2 for the Honmen test. Short lessons with key points and practice questions right after each one.
- Over 2,000 illustrated questions: every answer explains why it is true or false and points out trap words such as "always", "never" and "only when".
- Road sign library: regulatory, instruction, warning, guide and supplementary signs plus road markings, redrawn sharply, with "easily confused" groups side by side.
- Hazard illustrations: practise the three-part illustration questions of the Honmen test, each with a breakdown of what could go wrong.
- 60 timed mock exams: scored on submit, with flags, a question grid and your best score saved.
- Smart mistake review: wrong answers come back after 1, 3 and 7 days, and count as fixed only after two correct answers in a row.
Three tests, 20 mock exams each
| Test | Questions and time | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|
| Karimen (仮免) | 50 true/false, 30 minutes, 1 point each | 45/50 |
| Honmen (本免) | 95 questions, 50 minutes: 90 true/false (1 point) + 5 illustration questions (2 points) | 90/100 |
| Licence conversion (外免切替) | 50 true/false, 30 minutes, no illustration questions | 45/50 |
Exams 1 to 5 of each type are free. Exams 6 to 20 are part of VIP.
Always current law
Japanese traffic law changes almost every year, and an old question can quietly become wrong. ViMai checks every question against the law in force, such as the 30 km/h limit on roads without a centre line (from 1 September 2026), the breath-alcohol level that now counts as drunk driving (from 21 July 2026) and the minimum age to take the ordinary licence test (from 1 April 2026). See the summary on Japan traffic law updates.
Study on any device
The app runs in the browser on iPhone, Android and desktop, and can be added to your home screen like an app. Signing in is optional and keeps your lessons, mistakes and scores on every device.
Frequently asked questions
Is ViMai Menkyo free?
There is a free tier. Each test type (Karimen, Honmen, licence conversion) has its first 5 mock exams free, along with lessons and road signs to get you started. VIP unlocks the other 15 exams per type and the advanced practice sections.
Are the questions up to date with the latest Japanese traffic law?
Yes. ViMai reviews the question bank whenever Japanese traffic law changes, for example the 30 km/h limit on roads without a centre line from 1 September 2026 and the new drunk-driving threshold from 21 July 2026. Answers always follow the law currently in force.
Is the app in Japanese?
No. The app is in English and Vietnamese so you understand the rules first. Japanese only appears on sign pictures, because that is what the real signs say.
How close are the mock exams to the real test?
The format matches the real tests: Karimen has 50 true/false questions in 30 minutes (pass 45), Honmen has 95 questions in 50 minutes, 90 true/false worth 1 point and 5 illustration questions worth 2 points (pass 90/100), and the conversion test has 50 questions in 30 minutes (pass 45). The questions are written by ViMai, not copied from real exams.
Do I need an account?
No. You can start studying straight away. Sign in if you want to keep your progress, mistakes and scores in sync across all your devices.
Can I use it to convert my foreign licence (gaimen kirikae)?
Yes. The app has 20 mock exams for the conversion knowledge test: 50 true/false questions, 30 minutes, at least 45 correct to pass, with no illustration questions.
Open the app on your phone or computer and sit a 30-minute Karimen mock exam to see where you stand.
Study and take a free mock test5 free mock exams for every test type. Opens in your browser, nothing to install.
More guides
- Karimen test (仮免)50 true/false questions, 30 minutes, pass with 45
- Honmen test (本免)95 questions, 50 minutes, 5 illustrations, pass with 90/100
- Japan licence conversion (外免切替)Knowledge test: 50 questions, 30 minutes, pass with 45
- Japanese road signsSign groups, road markings and look-alike signs
- Japan traffic law updates 2026Changes that affect the test and the way you drive