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Road Transport Vehicle Act, Safety Standards, and Inspection Standards

Automobile Maintenance (SSW 2) · 自動車整備分野(2号) · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

Purpose of the Road Transport Vehicle Act and Vehicle Classifications (5 Types)

The 'Road Transport Vehicle Act' aims, with regard to road transport vehicles, to (1) publicly authenticate ownership, (2) ensure safety, prevent pollution, and conserve the environment, and (3) improve maintenance technology while contributing to the sound development of the automotive maintenance business.

Under Article 3 of the Act, motor vehicles are classified into 'five categories' according to structure, total engine displacement, and body dimensions: 'Ordinary motor vehicle', 'Small-sized motor vehicle', 'Light motor vehicle (Kei)', 'Large-sized special motor vehicle', and 'Small-sized special motor vehicle'.

The single most important exam point here is that the vehicle classifications of the Road Transport Vehicle Act do NOT include 'Large-sized motor vehicle (大型自動車)' or 'Medium-sized motor vehicle (中型自動車)' (Large-sized motor vehicle is a driver's license classification under the Road Traffic Act, and falls under Ordinary motor vehicle in the Road Transport Vehicle Act).

The criteria for a four-wheeled 'Small-sized motor vehicle' are: overall length 4.70 m or less, overall width 1.70 m or less, overall height 2.00 m or less, and total engine displacement 2,000 cm³ (2.0 L) or less for gasoline vehicles; any vehicle exceeding these limits becomes an 'Ordinary motor vehicle'.

Furthermore, the criteria for a 'Light motor vehicle (Kei car)' are specified as: overall length 3.40 m or less, overall width 1.48 m or less, overall height 2.00 m or less, and total engine displacement 660 cm³ (0.66 L) or less.

Key points


  • Motor vehicle classifications under the Road Transport Vehicle Act consist solely of five types: 'Ordinary, Small-sized, Light, Large-sized special, and Small-sized special'.

  • 'Large-sized motor vehicle' and 'Medium-sized motor vehicle' are NOT included in the classifications of the Road Transport Vehicle Act (the #1 trap on the Type 2 exam).

  • Light motor vehicles have displacement ≤ 660 cm³ (length ≤ 3.40 m, width ≤ 1.48 m, height ≤ 2.00 m); Small-sized gasoline vehicles have displacement ≤ 2,000 cm³ (length ≤ 4.70 m, width ≤ 1.70 m, height ≤ 2.00 m).
WordMeaning
Road Transport Vehicle Act
motor vehicle classifications (5 types)
Ordinary, Small-sized, and Light motor vehicles
Large-sized special and Small-sized special motor vehicles

Safety Standards: Lighting Devices (Backup Lamps, Headlamps, Turn Signals, Stop Lamps)

Under the Road Transport Vehicle Safety Standards, the required number of 'backup lamps (reversing lamps)' indicating to the rear that a vehicle is backing up is '1 or 2', and the light color is specified as 'white'.

Regarding the mounting position of backup lamps, the 'height of the upper edge of the illuminated surface must be 1.2 m or less above the ground', the 'height of the lower edge must be 0.25 m or more above the ground', and 'illumination must be recognizable in daytime from a distance of 100 m behind the vehicle'.

Furthermore, backup lamps must have a 'structure that illuminates only when the transmission is shifted into the reverse position', with the main beam aimed downward so as not to dazzle or obstruct other traffic behind the vehicle.

Meanwhile, 'driving headlamps (high beams)' must be white and enable recognition of obstacles '100 m' ahead at night, while 'passing headlamps (low beams)' must enable recognition of obstacles '40 m' ahead at night.

Additionally, 'direction indicators (turn signals)' and 'hazard warning lamps' must emit 'orange (amber)' light and flash at a constant rate of '60 to 120 times per minute'; 'stop lamps' and 'tail lamps' must be 'red'; and 'license plate lamps' must be 'white' with a structure that cannot be switched off from the driver's seat.

Safety Standards: Lighting Devices (Backup Lamps, Headlamps, Turn Signals, Stop Lamps)

Key points


  • Backup lamp standards: number '1 or 2', color 'white', height 'upper edge ≤ 1.2 m & lower edge ≥ 0.25 m', visibility distance '100 m behind in daytime'.

  • Headlamp standards: color 'white', nighttime forward obstacle visibility distance is '100 m' for high beams and '40 m' for low beams.

  • Direction indicators are 'orange' with a flash rate of '60–120 times/min'; stop and tail lamps are 'red'; license plate lamps are 'white (cannot be switched off)'.
WordMeaning
backup lamp (white, 1 or 2 lamps, 100 m behind)
upper edge ≤ 1.2 m and lower edge ≥ 0.25 m
driving headlamp (100 m) and passing headlamp (40 m)
direction indicator (orange, 60–120 flashes/min)

Safety Standards: Steering, Braking, Running (Tires), and Fuel Systems

Under the Safety Standards, when the steered wheels (front wheels) travel straight ahead, the 'side slip amount' measured by a side-slip tester must be 'within 5 mm (inward or outward) per 1 m of travel'.

As a standard for the 'running system (tires)', tires must have no cracks or exposed cords, and the anti-skid 'tread groove depth in the contact area must be 1.6 mm or more' for four-wheeled motor vehicles (excluding large/small special vehicles and motorcycles; slip signs appear below 1.6 mm).

In the 'fuel system' of motor vehicles using liquid fuel (gasoline or diesel), the fuel tank and piping must be robust, securely mounted so as not to be damaged by vibration or impact, and 'must not protrude beyond the outermost side of the vehicle body'.

Furthermore, to prevent fire, the fuel tank 'filler port and gas vent port' must not be in the discharge direction of the exhaust pipe and must be 'separated by 300 mm or more from the open end of the exhaust pipe'.

At the same time, the fuel tank filler port and gas vent port must be 'separated by 200 mm or more from exposed electrical terminals and electrical switches' that could produce sparks.

Key points


  • Steered wheel side slip must be 'within 5 mm per 1 m of travel', and tire tread groove depth on four-wheeled vehicles must be '1.6 mm or more'.

  • The fuel tank filler port and gas vent port must be separated by '300 mm or more from the exhaust pipe outlet'.

  • The fuel tank filler port and gas vent port must be separated by '200 mm or more from exposed electrical terminals and electrical switches'.
WordMeaning
side slip amount (within 5 mm per 1 m of travel)
tire tread groove depth (1.6 mm or more / slip sign)
distance from exhaust pipe outlet (300 mm or more)
distance from exposed electrical terminals/switches (200 mm or more)

Automobile Inspection Standards: Daily Inspection vs. 1-Year & 2-Year Periodic Inspections

Users of motor vehicles are obligated to perform 'Daily Inspections' prior to operation or according to driving distance, as well as 'Periodic Inspections' at fixed intervals (every 1 year and every 2 years for private passenger cars and light passenger cars).

Main items of the 'Daily Inspection' are those visually verifiable around the exterior, from the driver's seat, and in the engine room: 'brake fluid level', 'coolant level', 'engine oil level', 'battery fluid level', 'windshield washer fluid level', 'tire inflation pressure, cracks, and groove depth', and 'lighting/flashing of lamps'.

Conversely, '1-Year Periodic Inspection items for private passenger cars' include: 'fluid leaks and damage of brake hoses and pipes', 'clearance between brake drums and linings, and lining wear', and 'clearance between brake discs and pads, and pad wear'.

Furthermore, the 1-Year Periodic Inspection includes: 'looseness and damage of the fan belt', 'spark plug condition', 'connection condition of battery terminals (looseness and corrosion)', 'transmission oil leaks and oil level', 'mounting looseness and damage of exhaust pipes and mufflers', and 'looseness of wheel nuts and bolts'.

As a critical trap on the Type 2 exam, 'battery fluid level' is a Daily Inspection item and 'battery fluid specific gravity' is a 2-Year Periodic Inspection item; therefore, neither is included in the '1-Year Periodic Inspection items for private passenger cars' (the only battery item in the 1-year inspection is terminal looseness/corrosion).

Key points


  • 'Battery fluid level' is a Daily Inspection item and 'battery fluid specific gravity' is a 2-Year Periodic Inspection item; neither is a 1-Year Periodic Inspection item.

  • The battery item included in the 1-Year Periodic Inspection for private passenger cars is 'looseness and corrosion of the terminals'.

  • Brake hose leaks/damage, lining/pad clearance and wear, and fan belt looseness/damage are 1-Year Periodic Inspection items.
WordMeaning
Automobile Inspection Standards
Daily Inspection (battery fluid level, brake fluid level)
1-Year Periodic Inspection (terminal looseness, pad wear)
2-Year Periodic Inspection (battery fluid specific gravity)

Specific Maintenance (Disassembly & Electronic Control), Certified Garages, and Record Books

'Specific Maintenance' under the Road Transport Vehicle Act combines traditional 'Disassembly Maintenance' performed by removing critical assemblies with 'Electronic Control System Maintenance' for servicing cameras and radars of advanced safety systems (AEB and automated driving systems).

The '7 systems' subject to Disassembly Maintenance are: (1) Engine (removing engine), (2) Power transmission system (removing clutch, transmission, propeller shaft, differential, etc.), (3) Running gear (front axle, hub, etc.), (4) Steering system (gearbox, tie rod, knuckle, etc.), (5) Braking system (master cylinder, caliper, brake drum, shoes, etc.), (6) Suspension/buffer system (leaf, coil, or air springs), and (7) Coupling device (tractor fifth-wheel coupler, etc.).

Operating a Specific Maintenance business requires 'certification by the Director of the Regional Transport Bureau', and a certified workplace (Certified Garage) is obligated to appoint and register a 'Chief Automobile Maintenance Engineer' from among Level 1 or Level 2 certified mechanics.

Furthermore, among certified garages, at a 'Designated Automobile Maintenance Business (Designated Garage / private inspection station)' equipped with completion inspection equipment and an 'Automobile Inspector' and designated by the Regional Transport Bureau Director, when the inspector issues a Security Standards Conformity Certificate, physical presentation of the vehicle at the Transport Branch Office is waived.

Additionally, an 'Inspection and Maintenance Record Book' must be kept in the vehicle and recorded promptly whenever Specific Maintenance or periodic inspection is performed. The retention period for the record book is '2 years' for private passenger cars and '1 year' for commercial vehicles and private cargo trucks.

Specific Maintenance (Disassembly & Electronic Control), Certified Garages, and Record Books

Key points


  • Specific Maintenance = 'Disassembly Maintenance (7 systems)' + 'Electronic Control System Maintenance', requiring 'certification' by the Regional Transport Bureau Director.

  • At a Designated Garage, when an Automobile Inspector inspects the vehicle and issues a 'Security Standards Conformity Certificate', physical presentation at the government inspection station can be omitted.

  • The Inspection and Maintenance Record Book must be kept in the vehicle, with a retention period of '2 years' for private passenger cars and '1 year' for commercial/cargo vehicles.
WordMeaning
Specific Maintenance (Disassembly Maintenance 7 systems & Electronic Control System Maintenance)
certification by the Director of the Regional Transport Bureau (Certified Garage)
Designated Automobile Maintenance Business and Automobile Inspector
Inspection and Maintenance Record Book and Security Standards Conformity Certificate

Overview and Eligibility for the Type 2 (2号) Auto Maintenance Evaluation Exam

'Specified Skilled Worker Type 2 (Tokutei Ginou 2号) in the Automotive Maintenance Field' is a residence status for foreign maintenance personnel possessing advanced skills; it has no cap on residence period renewals and allows family members (spouse and children) to accompany the worker if requirements are met.

The 'Specified Skilled Worker Type 2 Evaluation Exam' is conducted at a 'level equivalent to the Level 3 National Automobile Mechanic Skill Test', and candidates must pass both the 'Written Exam' and the 'Practical Exam'.

The 'Written Exam' uses a 4-choice True/False format with '40 questions in 80 minutes' (Structure/Function: 15, Inspection/Repair/Diagnosis: 15, Basics/Materials/Lubricants: 5, Laws: 5), while the 'Practical Exam' uses a paper (or CBT) format with illustrations and numerical values consisting of '3 tasks totaling 21 questions in 30 minutes'; the passing standard for both is '60% or more of total points'.

As eligibility requirements (and residence status application requirements), in addition to being at least 17 years old on the exam date (at least 18 for Indonesian nationals), candidates must have 'at least 3 years of practical work experience at a workplace certified by the Director of the Regional Transport Bureau (Certified Garage)' and submit a 'Practical Work Experience Certificate (Form No. 12)' certified by their employer.

Note that candidates who have passed the 'National Level 2 (or Level 1) Automobile Mechanic Exam', or those who satisfy 'Level 3 Mechanic pass + completion of the Foreign National Skills Training Course + 3 or more years of practical experience at a Certified Garage', are exempt from the Type 2 Evaluation Exam.

Key points


  • The Type 2 Evaluation Exam consists of a 'Written Exam of 40 questions (80 min)' and a 'Practical Exam of 3 tasks / 21 questions (30 min)', both requiring '60% or more' to pass.

  • Taking the exam requires 'at least 3 years of practical work experience at a workplace certified by the Regional Transport Bureau Director (Certified Garage)' and a 'Practical Work Experience Certificate (Form No. 12)'.

  • Passing the 'Level 2 Automobile Mechanic Exam', or holding 'Level 3 Mechanic + Foreign National Skills Training Course completion + 3 years practical experience', exempts the candidate from the Type 2 Evaluation Exam.
WordMeaning
Specified Skilled Worker Type 2 Evaluation Exam (Written 40 Qs, Practical 21 Qs)
workplace certified by the Director of the Regional Transport Bureau (3+ years)
Practical Work Experience Certificate (Form No. 12)
Foreign National Skills Training Course and Level 2 Automobile Mechanic

Common Exam Points and How to Remember Them

The laws and regulations section appears every year as the final 5 questions (Questions 36 to 40) of the Type 2 written exam with nearly identical patterns, so memorizing the numbers and classifications guarantees a perfect 5 out of 5.

For Question 36 (Vehicle Classifications), there are only '5 types: Ordinary, Small-sized, Light, Large-sized special, and Small-sized special'; the instant you spot an option containing 'Large-sized motor vehicle (大型自動車)', mark it 'False (×)'.

For Question 37 (1-Year Periodic Inspection), 'battery fluid level (Daily Inspection)' or 'battery specific gravity (2-Year Inspection)' is mixed in as a trap. The only battery item in the 1-year inspection is 'terminal looseness and corrosion'.

For Questions 38–40 (Safety Standards), memorize the exact numbers: 'Backup lamp = 1 or 2, white, upper edge ≤ 1.2 m & lower edge ≥ 0.25 m, daytime visibility 100 m behind', 'Side slip = within 5 mm per 1 m of travel', 'Fuel filler & vent ports = ≥ 300 mm from exhaust outlet, ≥ 200 mm from exposed electrical terminals & switches'.

Key points


  • 5 vehicle classifications: Ordinary, Small-sized, Light, Large-sized special, Small-sized special ('Large-sized motor vehicle' does NOT exist).

  • Inspection standards: 'Battery fluid level' is a Daily Inspection item, NOT a 1-Year Periodic Inspection item for private passenger cars.

  • Backup lamp: 1 or 2 lamps, white, upper edge ≤ 1.2 m & lower edge ≥ 0.25 m, recognizable from 100 m behind in daytime.

  • Safety standard numbers: side slip 'within 5 mm per 1 m'; fuel filler port '≥ 300 mm from exhaust pipe & ≥ 200 mm from electrical terminals'.
WordMeaning
vehicle classifications (Large-sized motor vehicle is false)
battery fluid level (Daily Inspection)
backup lamp standards (1.2 m, 0.25 m, 100 m)
fuel filler port separation distances (300 mm, 200 mm)

Road Transport Vehicle Act, Safety Standards & Inspection

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