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SSW truck exam pass mark: 18/30 theory and 12/20 practical
Many people think 60% of all 50 items is enough. It is not: theory and practical are judged separately, and each needs at least 60%. This page explains it with examples and suggests how to split your time. It gives no pass rate, because our sources have no official figure.
Last updated: 2026-10-12
At a glance
- 18/30theory true/false items or more
- 12/20practical A/B/C items or more
- 2conditions, both required
- 80minutes shared by 50 items
The pass rule
According to the MLIT exam guideline, the exam has 30 theory items (学科, がっか, true/false ○×) and 20 practical items (実技, じつぎ, choose 1 of 3), taken in 80 minutes. The rate of correct answers in each part must be 60% or more. In items:
| Part | Items | 60% means | Most you can miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theory ○× | 30 | 18 items | 12 items |
| Practical A/B/C | 20 | 12 items | 8 items |
The 50 items are not added up and checked against 60%. A high score in one part does not make up for the other.
Pass and fail examples
| Theory | Practical | Total | Result | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/30 | 12/20 | 30/50 | Pass | Both parts exactly 60% |
| 25/30 | 10/20 | 35/50 | Fail | Practical is 2 items short |
| 17/30 | 20/20 | 37/50 | Fail | Theory is 1 item short |
| 22/30 | 14/20 | 36/50 | Pass | Both parts above 60% |
The third row totals 37/50, or 74%, and still fails. That is why a high total does not guarantee a pass: one part below the line is enough to fail.
Why the practical part catches people out
- It has only 20 items, so each miss costs 5% of that part. Nine misses fail you, even with near-perfect theory.
- Practical items describe a situation, often with a picture, and take longer to read than ○× items. If you spend too long on theory, you rush the practical part at the end.
- All three options often sound reasonable; you must pick the safest action that follows the rules. See hazard prediction (KYT).
A suggested split of the 80 minutes
This is a personal suggestion, not a rule. 80 minutes for 50 items is 1.6 minutes per item on average. ○× items are usually shorter than practical items, so you can move through the ○× part faster than average, keep time for the 20 situation items, and leave a few minutes at the end for flagged items. A blank answer can never be right, so answer every item.
Practise with the same scoring
Each exam in Tokutei Transport has 30 ○× and 20 practical items with an 80-minute timer, and the result screen shows theory (x/30) and practical (x/20) separately with percentages, so you see at once which part is below 60%. The app then collects your wrong answers for review.
- Take a free exam and note the score of each part.
- Revise the weaker part first: traffic rules, truck handling, loading.
- Redo the wrong answers, then take the next exam. Aim for a few items of margin above the line in both parts.
Get started
Take the 3 free exams or try the 15 sample questions with answers. Read more about the exam format and study tips.
Sources checked: the MLIT exam implementation guideline (December 2024 edition), the Immigration Services Agency page for the automobile transport sector and the ClassNK portal. Rules can change, so check the latest version at these sources.
VIP unlocks exams 4 to 20, the full vocabulary book and the exam tips. VIP is bought inside the iOS app with Apple payment, and Apple shows the price. The App Store version is coming soon. You can try the free exams on the web now.
FAQ
How many correct answers do I need to pass the SSW truck exam?
At least 18 of 30 theory ○× items and at least 12 of 20 practical A/B/C items. You need both.
Is a total of 37/50 always a pass?
No. For example, 17/30 theory and 20/20 practical make 37/50 but fail, because theory is below 18.
What is the pass rate of the exam?
This page gives no pass rate because we have no official figure. Check the organiser's announcements.
How does the app score?
Each exam scores theory (x/30) and practical (x/20) separately with percentages, like the real pass rule.
Take a mock exam and see right away which items you missed and why.
Try it free now3 free papers with furigana. Opens in your browser, no sign-up.
More topics
- Tokutei TransportTruck exam practice app (vi / ja / en)
- What the exam is50 questions, 80 minutes, 60% needed in each part
- How to registerEligibility, the ClassNK portal, 7 steps
- Free mock exams20 CBT exams, first 3 free, wrong-answer review
- Trucking vocabulary510 words with furigana and meanings
- Study tips and common trapsPart-by-part pass rule, ○× traps, 1-3-7 review
- Loading, securing, overloadingOverloading, loading, securing and blind spots in the exam
- Roll call and inspectionRoll call before, during and after a trip, and inspection
- Hazard prediction (KYT)Picture, hazard, safe action; common situations
- How to answer ○× itemsHow to read ○× items and the words that change meaning
- 30-day study planA 30-day study plan built on the app's features
- Traffic rules for trucksSpeed, junctions, following distance, crossings, parking
- Accidents, breakdowns, disastersAccidents, expressway breakdowns, heavy rain, earthquakes
- Blind spots and off-trackingBlind spots, off-tracking, rear overhang, brake fade
- Handling marks, pallets, forkliftsHandling marks on boxes, pallets, forklifts, safe loading
- Manners, health, eco-drivingGreetings, health, no alcohol, eco-driving
- Practice questions with answers15 sample items from free exams 1-3, with answers