The honmen (full licence) written test, explained in English
The honmen (本免) written test is the knowledge test you sit at the prefectural licence centre after graduating from a driving school, or after passing the karimen test and practical if you are taking the direct route. It has 95 questions: 90 true-or-false statements worth one point each and 5 illustrated hazard-prediction questions worth two points each, for 100 points. You need 90 points to pass, and you have 50 minutes. The test is available in English and 19 other languages.
The honmen written test at a glance
| Text questions | 90 true-or-false statements, one point each |
|---|---|
| Illustrated questions | 5 hazard-prediction pictures, each with three true-or-false sub-statements. Two points per picture, and only if all three sub-statements are right. |
| Total | 95 questions, 100 points |
| Time | 50 minutes, about 32 seconds per question |
| Pass mark | 90 points (90%) |
| Language | Japanese or one of 20 other languages including English. See taking the test in English. |
| Fee (Tokyo) | ¥4,250 for driving-school graduates: ¥1,900 test fee and ¥2,350 licence issuance |
| Where (Tokyo) | Fuchu, Samezu and Koto test centres, weekdays. Reception at 8:00 for the morning session and 11:00 for the afternoon session for driving-school graduates. |
Honmen versus karimen
Both tests draw on the same body of traffic rules, and the true-or-false statements are written the same way. The differences are length and the illustrated questions: the karimen test is 50 statements in 30 minutes; the honmen test is 90 statements plus five illustrated questions in 50 minutes. The illustrated questions carry ten of the hundred points and are all-or-nothing, so losing two pictures uses up nearly half of your margin. See the karimen test format.
What the illustrated questions ask
Each picture shows a driving scene, for example approaching a bus stopped at a stop with a pedestrian behind it, or a junction with a cyclist on the left. Three statements describe what you would do, and you mark each true or false. The right answers are always the cautious ones: slow down, expect the pedestrian to step out, do not overtake near the junction. Read all three statements before answering any of them, because they describe the same scene from different angles.
Who sits the honmen test
- Driving-school graduates, who bring their graduation certificate and skip the practical test at the centre. This is most people.
- Direct-route candidates (ippatsu shiken), who passed the karimen written and practical tests at the centre and then the honmen practical on public roads.
- Foreign licence holders converting a licence do not sit the honmen test. They sit the separate 50-question knowledge check. See the October 2025 rule change.
How to prepare in English
- Train the reading, not just the rules. The failure mode is the same as the karimen test: statements that are almost true. Practising true-or-false papers builds the habit of stopping on "always", "may", "must" and "enough".
- Protect the illustrated points. Ten points hang on five pictures. When in doubt, the cautious answer is the true one.
- Sit timed papers. Two 50-question papers back to back in 60 minutes is good honmen practice. Paper 07 is free by email; the bundle adds ten 50-question mock tests with score sheets.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the honmen test?
95: 90 true-or-false statements and 5 illustrated hazard-prediction questions.
What is the pass mark for the honmen test?
90 points out of 100. Text questions are worth one point, illustrated questions two points each.
How long is the honmen written test?
50 minutes.
Can I take the honmen test in English?
Yes. In Tokyo the English paper is offered every weekday at Fuchu, Samezu and Koto. Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi and most other prefectures offer it too.
How much does the honmen test cost?
In Tokyo, ¥4,250 for driving-school graduates: ¥1,900 test fee plus ¥2,350 to issue the licence.
Do the illustrated questions give partial credit?
No. Each picture has three sub-statements and scores two points only if all three are answered correctly.
Do karimen practice papers help with the honmen test?
Yes. The two tests use the same traffic rules and the same true-or-false style. The honmen test is simply longer and adds five illustrated questions.
Related guides
- Take the test in English
- Karimen test format
- October 2025 rule change
- Test centres by prefecture
- Free online mock test (50 questions, 30 minutes)
- Conversion guide
- 10 free sample questions with answers
Practice papers written for this exam, in English
Ten topic papers, 500 true-or-false questions with answers, explanations and a Japanese term glossary. ¥500 per paper, or ¥4,000 for all ten plus ten full 50-question mock tests. Paper 07 is free.
Get the free paper Try 10 sample questionsThis page was last checked in September 2026 against the Tokyo Metropolitan Police (Keishicho) pages on the ordinary licence test and foreign-language written tests. Rules, fees and formats are set prefecture by prefecture and change with little notice, so always confirm the current requirements with your local licence centre before you book. Independent study material; not affiliated with any prefectural police, licence centre or driving school.