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Loading and passengers

This topic checks how many people a car may carry, how much and how large a load it may carry, how to open doors safely, and when towing needs a licence. The questions often use exact numbers, so learn them.

Key rules

Carry people only in seats and goods only in places made for loading. Do not carry people on a truck bed, except the minimum number needed to guard the cargo, or with the permission of the police station chief where you start.
Do not exceed the passenger capacity (including the driver) written on the vehicle inspection certificate. Three children under 12 count as two people.
Do not exceed the maximum load weight written on the vehicle inspection certificate.
Load length and width must not exceed 1.2 times the vehicle's length and width. Load height must not exceed 3.8 m from the ground.
The load must not stick out from the front or back of the body by more than 1/10 of the vehicle length, or from the sides by more than 1/10 of the vehicle width.
Do not load or seat people in a way that blocks the driver's view, the controls or the mirrors, makes the car unstable, or hides the indicators, number plate, brake lights or tail lights.
Close the doors firmly and tie down the load with rope or a sheet so that people and goods cannot fall or scatter. If goods fall onto the road, remove them promptly.
Before opening a door, check behind you. Open it a little, stop, then check again. The driver must check behind, lock the doors and make sure passengers do not open them carelessly. In heavy traffic, get in and out on the left (kerb) side.
To tow another vehicle you need a towing licence in addition to your licence, unless the towed vehicle's total weight is 750 kg or less or it is a broken-down vehicle towed by rope or crane. When towing a broken-down vehicle with a rope, keep within 5 m and tie a white cloth of at least 30 cm square to the rope.

Numbers to remember

x 1.2Maximum load length and width compared with the vehicle's own length and width.

3.8 mMaximum load height from the ground for most cars (2.5 m for small cars up to 660 cc and three-wheelers).

1/10Maximum overhang of the load at the front/back (of the vehicle length) and at the sides (of the vehicle width).

3 = 2Three children under 12 count as two people for the passenger limit.

750 kgTowing a vehicle of total weight 750 kg or less does not need a towing licence.

5 mMaximum gap between a towing car and a broken-down car tied with a rope (white cloth at least 30 cm square).

Common traps

Number mix-up: 1.2 times is for load length and width, 1/10 is for overhang, 3.8 m is for height. Do not swap them.
'Passengers may ride on a truck bed on short trips.' Wrong: only the minimum needed to guard the cargo, or with permission.
'The passenger limit does not include the driver.' Wrong: it includes the driver.
'Towing always needs a towing licence.' Wrong: not for a towed vehicle of 750 kg or less, or a broken-down vehicle towed by rope or crane.
'Only the driver must care about door opening.' Wrong: the driver must check behind and stop passengers from opening doors carelessly.

Japan sets exact limits for load size, overhang and passenger numbers, and carrying people on a truck bed is generally banned. You must check the limits on the vehicle inspection certificate.

Try 2 questions

It is fine to load so that the turn signals or number plate are hard to see from outside, as long as driving is not affected.

Before moving off, you must close the doors firmly so that nobody falls out of the car.

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