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Manners, health and eco-driving for truck drivers in Japan

The exam does not only ask about traffic law. Chapter 1 of the textbook also teaches greetings, dress, speech, health, staying away from alcohol and saving fuel. These are easy points if you know the main ideas.

Last updated: 2026-10-12

At a glance

4S整理, 整頓, 清掃, 清潔 in the cab
8points of eco-driving (エコドライブ)
0times you may drive with alcohol still in you
3images a truck carries: company, customer, industry

1. Greetings and speech

At work: smile, use a bright voice, look people in the eye, and greet first.
With customers: they expect careful handling and punctuality, and they also notice dress, speech and attitude. The driver is the face of the company.
Talking to customers: put brightness first and speak sincerely. Speak clearly, look at the person and avoid vague wording. Talking too fast, too quietly or trailing off makes you hard to understand.
Driving is solo work away from the office, so the short times at the company, such as roll call (点呼), are a chance to talk with managers and other drivers.

2. Appearance (身だしなみ, みだしなみ)

Appearance means dress and behaviour that do not make others uncomfortable. Some points from the book's checklist: hair neat and clean, cap on straight, no towel wrapped on the head or round the neck, no beard, clothes clean and tidy, name tag worn correctly, clean collars and cuffs, short clean nails, heels of shoes not trodden down, shoes not very dirty. Clothes get messy while driving, so check yourself on breaks.

3. 4S in the cab

4S	Meaning and example
整理 (seiri)	Separate what you need from what you do not, and get rid of the rest. Slips, maps or a helmet by the passenger-side safety window can hide pedestrians
整頓 (seiton)	Keep what you need where it is easy to use and does not disturb driving. Papers on the dashboard can reflect in the windscreen
清掃 (seisou)	Keep the cab clean. An empty can stuck under the brake pedal can cause a serious accident
清潔 (seiketsu)	Keep up the other three. Without them, drivers care less for the truck and drive more roughly

4. Health

Driving is done alone, for long hours, needs split-second judgment and keeps you seated in one position. You cannot do it well when unwell, so health is a condition for safe driving. Drivers' hours are irregular, so sleep enough, eat a balanced diet, have a place to relax, exercise moderately, keep a hobby to switch off and keep a calm mind. Rest properly on days off.

Health-related accidents (健康起因事故) are those where illness stops the driver from continuing to drive. Lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, left untreated, can cause a stroke or heart attack at the wheel. Take the regular health check every time, not only when you feel unwell.

5. Alcohol: never

Drunk driving is a dangerous crime. Even without an accident it can bring prison, fines, or licence cancellation or suspension; causing death or injury often means prison.
If alcohol is still affecting you the next day (二日酔い), it is still drunk driving. Having slept or waited a few hours does not make it legal.
At pre-work roll call the company checks for alcohol with a detector (アルコール検知器).

6. Digital tachographs and dashcams

A digital tachograph (デジタコ) records speed and time, and some models record hard braking, hard acceleration and fuel use, which helps coaching for safe and economical driving. A dashcam (ドラレコ) records video around a shock such as a collision or hard braking (some record all the time) and can be used as evidence after an accident.

7. Driving manners

A business truck should be a model for other drivers. Never crowd a vehicle alongside (幅寄せ) or drive aggressively (あおり運転).
A truck is a "moving billboard" carrying the image of the company, the customer and the trucking industry.
The base is consideration (思いやり) and giving way (譲りあい). Because a truck is strong, it should help those weaker.
On a narrow road, stop and let the oncoming vehicle go first. Never throw litter from the truck, even when parked; it is also banned by law.
Follow the route set by the operation manager; do not change it on your own.

8. Eco-driving (エコドライブ)

エコドライブ is driving skill and mindfulness that cut fuel use and CO2 and help prevent global warming. It helps the environment, safety (relaxed driving means fewer accidents) and costs (fuel, tyres, repairs). The eight points:

Gentle starts and acceleration at low engine speed.
Shift up early. Driving one gear lower can use 20-40% more fuel.
Keep a steady speed. Constant speeding up and slowing by about 10 km/h can make a difference of about 10%.
Use the engine brake; do not select neutral or press the clutch until just before stopping.
Keep to the economical speed. Going from 50 to 60 km/h, for example, can use about 10% more fuel.
Read ahead so you stop and start less.
No revving in neutral.
Switch off the engine while loading, waiting for cargo, resting or waiting long at a crossing.

Practise

Free exams 1-3 include items on alcohol checks at roll call, next-day alcohol, dashcams, the definition of eco-driving, communication, 4S, how to speak to customers, regular health checks and drivers as essential workers. Take the 3 free exams, read the sample questions with answers and roll call.

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

If I sleep after drinking, can I drive the next morning?

Not necessarily. If alcohol is still affecting you, it is still drunk driving and is punished. With any effect left, do not drive.

What is 4S?

整理 (get rid of what you do not need), 整頓 (keep what you need in place), 清掃 (clean) and 清潔 (keep up the other three). It prevents distraction and keeps your view clear.

Is the regular health check only for when I feel unwell?

No. Take it regularly. Untreated lifestyle diseases can cause a stroke or heart attack while driving.

What are the benefits of eco-driving?

Less CO2 and exhaust, fewer accidents thanks to relaxed driving, lower fuel and tyre costs, and less wear on the engine and brakes.

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