🚗 Residential Road Speed Limit Cut to 30km/h!

❓ What's changing?

Since September 1, 2026, the revised Road Traffic Act Enforcement Order sets a 30km/h default limit for motor vehicles on ordinary roads without center lines, marked traffic lanes or structural separation of opposing traffic, including many residential roads. It replaces the previous 60km/h default. Statutory exceptions include motor-vehicle-only roads. Where signs or road markings specify a maximum speed, that specified limit takes priority.

🛣️ Which roads are affected?

• ●Mainly residential roads without center lines or marked traffic lanes
• ●Ordinary roads with center lines or marked traffic lanes retain the 60km/h default
• ●Divided roads and motor-vehicle-only roads also retain the 60km/h default
• ●Posted maximum speeds take priority, including signs specifying 30km/h or 40km/h

📊 Why the reduction?

The change aims to protect pedestrians and cyclists on residential roads. On narrow roads, check the surroundings as well as your speed and drive safely.

⚠️ What are the penalties?

• ●Exceeding the applicable posted or default speed limit is a violation
• ●Points and monetary penalties depend on the excess speed, vehicle category and other circumstances
• ●Driving above 30km/h does not automatically mean a flat ¥15,000 penalty
• ●Check the Tokyo Metropolitan Police official tables for violation points and traffic violation payments