A police car without a siren is just like a normal car
If you look at social media, you will see that riders and drivers react as follows when there is a police car or similar vehicle ahead:
“I’m driving at the legal speed, but I won’t overtake because I’ll probably get caught if I do.”
“I’m behind someone on the highway, but they’re not passing me, so there’s a traffic jam behind me.”
It seems that even if people are driving slowly, they are hesitant to let police cars get in the way and continue driving behind them.
I also often hear stories of people who worry, “If I pull it out, will I get caught?” and become nervous.
So, is it actually a violation to overtake a police car in front of you?
First of all, the conclusion is that police vehicles such as patrol cars are the same as regular vehicles when their red lights and sirens are not on. In other words, there is no problem with passing them.
Police vehicles, such as patrol cars, are the same as regular vehicles when they are not using their red lights or sirens. In other words, there is no problem with passing them.
Watch your speed when overtaking
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when overtaking. First, don’t go too fast.
For example, if a police car is driving at the very limit of the road speed limit, if you speed up to overtake it and exceed the speed limit, you will be charged with speeding.
Article 22 of the Road Traffic Act states:
“Vehicles must not travel at a speed exceeding the maximum speed specified by road signs, etc. on roads where the maximum speed is designated, or the maximum speed specified by government ordinance on other roads.”
In other words, by law, exceeding the speed limit by even 1 km/h is considered speeding.
However, motorcycle and car speedometers have a margin of error between the actual speed and the actual speed, and may display an error of about 10 km/h above the actual speed. Therefore, even if you exceed the speed limit on the meter, you may not be immediately arrested.
However, it is also true that this does not mean that you won’t get caught if your speedometer reads up to 10km/h above the speed limit. If you are caught speeding, you will be fined and have points deducted, so it is better not to overtake someone and take the risk.
With that in mind, it would probably be best to think of the speed displayed on the meter as the basis for your driving speed, check it carefully, and if you can overtake within the speed limit, then do so.
Be careful when trying to pass a police car that is driving at the very limit of the road speed limit, as you may end up going too fast.
It is also not advisable to stay in the right lane on the highway.
It is also illegal to continue driving in the passing lane on the right after passing a police car on a highway. If you do not change lanes into the driving lane on the left after overtaking, you may be charged with a “lane violation.”
By the way, it is said that lane violations are the second most common violation on expressways after speeding.
For example, according to the “2025 Traffic Safety White Paper” published by the Cabinet Office, the top three violations on expressways in 2024 were as follows:
1st place: Speeding violations 259,683 cases
2nd place: Vehicle lane violations 44,197 cases
3rd place: Failure to maintain a safe distance between vehicles 4,713 cases
Speeding is by far the most common violation, but lane violations also account for a significant number of cases compared to other violations.
Number of traffic violations on expressways in 2024 (Reiwa 6) and 2023 (Reiwa 5) (Source: 2025 White Paper on Traffic Safety)
Furthermore, there are no clear standards for distance or driving time for lane violations. Whether or not to enforce a lane violation is left to the discretion of the police officer, so even if you fail to change lanes into the left lane immediately after overtaking, you could be subject to enforcement.
If you are caught, the following penalties will be imposed on you if you are riding a motorcycle.
[Lane violation penalties (for motorcycles)]
・Violation points: 1 point
・Fine: 6,000 yen
As such, when overtaking a police car or other vehicle, it is important to pay close attention to the lane you are driving in.
If you continue to drive in the passing lane on a highway, you may be caught for lane violation.
Yield when sirens and red lights are on
Furthermore, of course, overtaking is prohibited in places where road signs prohibit it, or near intersections, crosswalks, and railroad crossings.
Also, if a police car is driving with its red lights on and siren blaring, you should give way because it is heading to the scene of an emergency such as a crime or accident.
When an emergency vehicle such as a police vehicle or ambulance approaches with its siren and red lights on, the general rule is to move to the left side of the road and give way. Also, if you encounter one at or near an intersection, regular vehicles such as motorcycles and cars should avoid entering the intersection and move to the left side of the road and stop temporarily.
If a police vehicle such as a patrol car has its red lights on or a siren on, it is best to give way.
To reiterate, as long as police vehicles such as patrol cars are not using their red lights or sirens, they are treated the same as regular vehicles. As long as you are obeying traffic rules, there is no problem with overtaking them. Therefore, even if you see a patrol car or police motorcycle, you should remain calm and drive without panicking. However, a certain degree of caution is also necessary, so remain calm, assess the situation at the time, and drive carefully to avoid violating the rules.
