Japan Large Vehicle Theory flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Jibaiseki compulsory insurance

Mandatory bodily-injury liability insurance under the Automobile Liability Security Act; covers injury to others but not property damage, and has statutory limits including a 30 million yen death benefit.

License point system

Administrative point system (kouten) where accumulated violations lead to suspension or revocation; serious offenses such as drunk driving cause immediate revocation.

Dangerous driving causing death

Kiken unten shi shou is a criminal offense carrying imprisonment up to 20 years for causing death or injury through reckless high-speed or intoxicated driving.

Report-to-police duty

Road Traffic Act Article 72 requires a driver involved in an accident to stop, rescue the injured, warn other traffic, and report to police.

Speed limits for large vehicles

General limit is 60 km/h on ordinary roads; large vehicles are restricted to 80 km/h on expressways unless a lower posted limit applies.

Continuous driving limit

Commercial large-vehicle drivers may not drive continuously for more than 4 hours; a 30-minute break is required, and total driving in 24 hours is capped at 9 hours.

Alcohol threshold

Criminal driving-under-influence threshold is 0.15 mg/L breath or 0.3 g/L blood; refusal to submit to testing is also punishable.

Overloading prohibition

Large vehicles must not exceed legal gross weight, axle weight, or dimension limits; overloading is a violation with penalty points and fines.

Shaken inspection interval

Periodic vehicle inspection for large trucks and buses is every 12 months for private use and every 6 months for commercial use, with a 3-month early-renewal grace period.

Air brake pre-check

Before moving, confirm air pressure reaches the specified range and the low-pressure warning functions; drain moisture from air tanks regularly.

Tire tread minimum

Legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm; large-vehicle tires must also be checked for uneven wear, cuts, and sidewall damage before each trip.

Daily inspection log

Pre-trip inspection results are recorded in the vehicle log; any defect must be reported and repaired before the vehicle is used.

Engine braking on descents

On long downhill grades, use engine braking and exhaust brakes to prevent brake fade; avoid continuous service-brake application that overheats the system.

Off-tracking in turns

Rear wheels of a large vehicle cut inside the front-wheel path when turning; swing wide and check mirrors for cyclists and pedestrians.

Rollover risk factors

High center of gravity, abrupt steering, and speed in curves increase rollover risk; load heavy items low and centered and reduce speed in turns.

Stopping distance

A fully loaded large vehicle at 80 km/h may need over 100 m to stop; anticipate braking early and maintain greater following distance.

12-15 second scanning

Defensive driving technique of looking 12-15 seconds ahead to identify intersections, driveways, and pedestrians before they become hazards.

Fog driving technique

Use low beams and fog lights in fog; high beams reflect back and reduce visibility, so reduce speed and increase following distance.

Hydroplaning risk

In rain, hydroplaning risk rises with speed and worn tires; reduce speed and increase following distance to maintain control.

Escape route planning

Predictive driving means identifying escape routes and avoiding being boxed in, maintaining space around the large vehicle at all times.

Cargo securement check

Secure loads with rated ropes, straps, or chains; recheck tension after the first few kilometers and periodically during the trip.

Load weight distribution

Distribute weight evenly and keep the center of gravity low; overloading or poor distribution reduces braking performance and stability.

Passenger door safety

Before departing, confirm doors are closed, passengers are seated, emergency exits are unobstructed, and mirrors are checked for blind spots.

Load shift response

If cargo shifts during transit, stop in a safe place and re-secure the load before continuing; do not drive with an unstable load.

Accident scene sequence

Stop, secure the scene, call 119 for ambulance and 110 for police, then provide first aid within your ability; do not leave until authorized.

CPR compression rate

If an injured person is not breathing, begin CPR at 100-120 chest compressions per minute until emergency services arrive.

Spinal injury precaution

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger; suspected spinal injury requires immobilization to prevent further damage.

Bleeding control

Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage and elevate the limb if possible; control severe bleeding before other first aid.

Drowsiness response

If drowsiness occurs while driving, stop at a safe place and rest; caffeine or open windows are not reliable substitutes for sleep.

Sleep apnea risk

Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea increase accident risk; drivers with symptoms should seek medical evaluation and report health changes to employers.

Medication and driving

Medications causing drowsiness, such as antihistamines and some painkillers, should be avoided or used only with medical advice before driving.

Commercial health checks

Regular health checks covering vision, hearing, and blood pressure are required for commercial drivers; results and health changes must be reported.