Thailand:
Traffic Rules.
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Reference: 
Traffic-rules.com
The transition to new traffic laws has already begun, with more types of offenses and harsher
penalties for
offenders. Here's what you should know:
Three months of grace
Despite the fact that the new traffic laws went into effect on September 5, police
have decided
to be lenient for the first three months to allow Thais time to adjust or improve
their road behavior.
For instance, instead of slapping a speeding driver with the new 4,000-baht maximum
fine, traffic officers will
issue 500-baht fines during the grace period.
Harsher Penalties
Jumping a red light or failing to stop for pedestrians at a zebra crossing now
carries a maximum fine of 4,000 baht,
up from 1,000 baht under the old laws. Driving against traffic and failing to wear a
crash helmet or safety belt,
on the other hand, carries a maximum fine of 2,000 baht, a fourfold increase from
500 baht.
Those found guilty of driving without regard for the safety or lives of
others face
a fine ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 baht
and/or up to a year in jail. Penalties range from a maximum of three
months in
prison and a fine of 2,000 to 10,000 baht.
The new laws make drunk driving a particularly serious offense. Drunk
drivers who
are convicted face a fine of up to 20,000 baht
and/or a one-year prison sentence. If they commit the same offense
within two years
of their first, the resulting fine will
include a mandatory jail term. The fine can be up to 100,000 baht, and
the jail term
can be up to two years.
New Types of Crimes
The new traffic law also includes a broader range of offenses. Previously,
passengers in the back seats were not required to wear
a seat belt. Failure to do so, however, is punishable by a maximum fine of 2,000
baht under the new law.
Preparing for a road race is also now a crime. Gathering on a public
road with at
least five illegally modified cars or in preparation
for a road race is punishable by up to three months in prison and/or a
fine ranging
from 5,000 to 10,000 baht.
Garages that are caught modifying cars for road racing will be
considered
accomplices. They will receive two-thirds of the penalties for
road racing, which is punishable by up to three months in prison and/or
a
5,000-10,000 baht fine.
Child car seats are not yet required
Thailand has decided not to enforce a child car-seat rule for the time being, citing
the need for authorities to develop guidelines on
what can be used to protect young passengers if car seats cannot be
installed.
The car-seat rule is set to take effect later this year.
Pay the fine or appear in court
At the moment, motorists can contest traffic tickets in subdistrict courts. However,
the procedure is quite complex.
Once the bill is passed, the process will be streamlined. The Cabinet has already
approved the draft law, which is now being reviewed by
the Council of State, the government's legal experts.
A traffic officer who loses a court challenge will face disciplinary
action,
according to the bill. As a result, traffic officers will be
more cautious about issuing tickets.
Statistics on road fatalities
So far this year, road accidents have killed 10,186 people and injured 634,680 more.
The majority of the accidents involved motorcycles,
and the majority of the victims were riders.
Thailand is already well-known for not following traffic laws. However,
there are some rules that must be followed when driving on Thai roads. Some of the rules are
listed here to help you with your driving experience.
A Driving License
The first and most important prerequisite for driving. If you live in Thailand, you
must
apply for a license. If you're a tourist, make sure you have your English driver's
license.
Traffic Lanes
Thailand has people who drive on the left side of the road. Despite the fact that
this is the
incorrect side to drive on, Thailand has it. Thailand has an excellent road network
and is an
excellent option for vehicle travel. The country's major roads and highways are of
high quality,
which improves Thailand's roadways.
The Intersection
Intersections continue to be the most dangerous parts of the road for foreign
drivers. When
approaching an intersection, neither the traffic light signal nor the opposing
transport can
prevent Thai drivers from slowing down. Cars and two-wheeled vehicles frequently
pass each other
in close proximity.
The Circle
Local drivers follow a set of rules that they must strictly follow. Local drivers
always give
priority to cars moving in the circle. A car about to enter the circle must pass
vehicles that
are already in motion. Traffic controllers frequently control traffic in these
areas.
Parking
Use extreme caution when selecting a parking spot. Locals never leave their vehicles
in prohibited
parking areas. You are not permitted to park your car on any road with a
red-and-white curb or a
specific road sign prohibiting parking. If you do, your car's wheels will be blocked
in minutes and
you will be fined heavily.
Safety Rules
Driving without a seat belt and texting while driving are two of the most common
penalties. Thais
take seat belts and cellphone use while driving very seriously, and they try very
hard not to break
the rules. Extensive police checks are conducted on occasion. The police conduct car
checks to identify
and fine drunk drivers. Motorcyclists who do not wear helmets go through the same
procedure.
Foreign driver regulations
Because international visitors are treated harshly in the country, foreign drivers
should exercise
extreme caution and refrain from breaking the rules. You should not believe that if
you follow all of
the rules, you will be safe and have no accidents. It is critical to keep an eye on
the road situation
and to look around frequently.
A PEDESTRIAN shall walk on the footpath or road shoulder. If there is neither footpath nor road
shoulder,
he shall walk along the edge of the way on his right. (Fine not exceeding 200 baht).
Pedestrian shall not cross a roadway except in the pedestrian crossing, unless there is no crossing
for a
distance of more than 100 meters from where pedestrian wishes to cross. (Fine not exceeding 200
baht).
In Thailand, a driving license is a document that allows the holder to drive on any road in Thailand
and other
ASEAN countries without an International Driving Permit. The minimum age to operate a motor vehicle
is 18, and
the minimum age to operate a motorcycle is 15. The Department of Land Transport, Ministry of
Transport, and its
branches and land transport offices throughout Thailand issue and administer driving
licenses.
Every driver must pass the driving test and obtain a provisional license. After holding the license
for at least
two years, the driver can convert it into a full public or private license of their choice. They can
also apply
for heavy goods or passenger vehicle licenses. Drivers who have had their license revoked
previously, typically
by a court order, must also obtain a probationary license.
The Department of Land Transport is enacting a new regulation in response to the introduction of
extremely
powerful and heavy motorcycles. Drivers who want to drive a motorcycle with a power exceeding 45 kW
or an engine
larger than 400 cc will need an additional license as well as more stringent training once the
regulation goes
into effect. This additional license is no longer available as of September 7, 2022.
The issuance of a driver's license
Thailand uses a probationary or temporary license for new and previously
disqualified drivers, which has fewer
restrictions than the majority of learner's licence systems around the world.
Learner drivers in Thailand are not
required to have a license, but they must be accompanied by a fully qualified driver
who has held a license for at
least three years. Before taking tests at the Department of Land Transport or any
local land transport offices, they
must obtain a medical certificate confirming that they are free of active
tuberculosis, elephantiasis, leprosy,
alcoholism, drug addiction, and other potential conditions affecting their ability
to drive and public safety.
Physical Test
- The reaction test. The candidate must press the pedal of the testing equipment
until the red light appears,
then quickly switch their foot to the braking pedal. A response time of 0.75
seconds or less is acceptable.
- Perception from a wide angle. The candidate must place their face
against the testing machine, face forward,
and tell the color as seen through either their left or right eye.
- Perception of depth. Two white rods, one stationary (on the right)
and one movable, make up the equipment
(on the left). The stationary rod remains lit, while the movable rod
is turned off. The goal is to move the
left rod so that its brightness equals the brightness of the right
rod. In other words, two rods are parallel
if their irradiances are equal.
- Color blindness examination. The candidate must specify the color
shown on the equipment. Some testing
facilities use traffic lights, while others employ a testing chart.
This is the most contentious part of
the test, as many colorblind people are disqualified at this point,
forcing them to drive without a license
and face penalties. The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
argued that most colorblind people can
drive safely, but the Department of Land Transport did not agree.
Theory Test
After passing the physical exam, the candidate must attend a 5-hour (1-day) lecture
on driving etiquettes, defensive
driving, related laws, and other useful topics. The lecture lasts 10 hours for
larger vehicles (2 days). After the
lecture, the candidate takes the theory test the same day or the next working day.
The exam consists of 50 questions,
with a passing score of 45. Prior to 2014, a passing score of 35 was required. If
the candidate fails the theory test,
they must attend the subsequent test as directed.
Driving Test
After passing the theory test, a candidate must pass the off-road driving test. The
test center chooses only three of
the seven maneuvers available. These are some examples:
- Stopping at the curbside safely and legally. The distance between
the left wheels and the curb must not exceed 25 cm.
- Progressing and reversing in a narrow course.
- Reverse park into the bay on the left.
- Stopping and starting on the hill. (Not used for automatic cars.)
- Making a u-turn within a specified course.
- Making a left or right turn within a specified course.
- Driving in accordance with the signage.
- Driving in accordance with the signage.
- Driving on a small pathway.
- Driving on a Z-shaped path.
- Driving on an S-shaped path.
- Driving on a training course.
Most testing facilities choose the highlighted maneuvers. If the driver passes all of the maneuvers,
they will be given a
provisional license. Drivers who fail one or more maneuvers, on the other hand, must obtain an
appointment slip and retake
the test. The time between two consecutive tests must be at least three days, or as specified by the
invigilator. The entire
process, from application to license issuance, cannot last more than 90 days.
Because appointment slots at land transport offices in large provinces are frequently filled for many
months, some learner
drivers may attend a local approved driving school or the Land Transport School in Bangkok and Pathum
Thani. Those who choose
to go to the testing center will go through the same procedure. However, the driver must complete at
least 10 hours of off-road
and on-road driving practice, in addition to 5 hours of theory training. Following program completion,
the driver must pass
both the theory and practical tests, which are overseen by approved invigilators. The practical test at
most driving schools is
usually less stringent than the one at the land transport office because there is no three-day gap
between a failed and
successful test. If the driver fails to complete a maneuver, they can receive additional training and
try again. The school
then issues proof of completion to the learner, who then goes to the land transport office to get their
licenses.
A driving school must adhere to the Department of Land Transport's standards, such as having qualified
driving instructors
and a suitable driving course. Private driving schools must strictly adhere to the program used by the
government-run Land
Transport School.
Expats who intend to drive a car in Thailand should obtain a Thai driver's license. This is the only
way
to ensure that you can legally drive in the country and that you are fully covered by a car
insurance policy.
It can also be used as a government-issued ID card. Furthermore, a Thai driving license can be
obtained in
a single day for a few hundred baht and is valid in ten ASEAN countries.
To be eligible for a Thai driving license, you must be at least 18 years old, in good physical and
mental health,
and in possession of a valid non-immigrant visa. Although you must demonstrate that you are either
living and
working in Thailand or are on a retirement visa, some people have reported that they can obtain a
Thai driving
license with a tourist visa.
A driving license can be obtained from any Department of Land Transport office in Thailand.
If you intend to ride a motorcycle in Thailand, I recommend that you obtain both your motorcycle and
driver's
licenses at the same time. If you don't, you'll have to retake the tests if you decide to make
either one later.
This guide's information is derived from credible news sources, Thai agency websites, forums,
Facebook groups,
interviews with visa experts, fellow expats' experiences, and my own personal experience as a
tourist, then as an expat.
If you live in Thailand, please consider our premium subscription. It includes a hundred pieces of
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Starting in October 2021, it will be possible to apply for or renew a driver's license in
Thailand. Expats can
walk into the Department of Land Transport without first booking a spot in the DLT Smart Queue
(the app only
works for Thais at the moment.)
Required Documents
Although the forms you must fill out and process are mostly in Thai, officers from
the Department of
Land Transport
can communicate in basic English and explain the steps required to obtain a driver's
license.
Even if you don't understand Thai, you can still go there and get your
license. Alternatively, you
could bring
a translator with you.
- a passport along and non-immigrant visa
- copies of the first page of the passport
- copies of the page containing the valid non-immigrant visa
- copies of the page containing the last entry stamp for Thailand
- your TM.6 departure card
- a letter of address certified from the
Immigration Bureau or from the
applicant’s embassy, dated within thirty days
of application or a work permit with a signed copy
- a health certificate, issued at any clinic or hospital, dated within
thirty days of the
application
- optional: a valid international driver’s license with a signed copy,
or regular driver’s license
from the applicant’s home country
translated into English and certified by the embassy or consulate
Because the required documents are subject to change, it is best to
double-check with the Department of
Land Transport before applying for the license.
Department of Land
Transport
The Department of Land Transport issues Thai driving licenses, which are available
throughout
Thailand, with at least one in each major town and
several in major cities.
You must bring your completed application form to the testing center and inform them
that you are
applying for a one-year Thai driving license.
Because the Department of Land Transportation is a government agency,
applicants must dress
appropriately: shirts must have sleeves, and shorts
or skirts must be below the knee.
The Department of Land Transportation is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00
p.m., Monday through
Friday.
The number of people who can apply for a driving license per day is
limited due to COVID-19. You
might have to go to the Department of Land
Transport twice. The first time, except for the driving test, you must
take all of the tests. The
second is to take the driving test and obtain
your license.
Although it is possible to handle the entire process on your own, there
are agencies that can assist
you in obtaining a Thai driving license.
They handle everything, from assisting you with test preparation to
filling out paperwork.
Driving School
Alternatively, you can apply for a driver's license at a Department of Land
Transport-approved
driving school. In addition to teaching you how to drive,
they offer a similar test to the Department of Land Transportation.
If you pass all of the tests, you will be given an approval document
that you can use to obtain a
driver's license from the Department of Land Transport.
It will be faster and more convenient, but also more expensive.
Driving lessons and tests cost between 6,000 and 10,000 baht at a
driving school.
The Department of Land Transportation website has a list of approved
driving schools. Please keep in
mind that this data is only available in Thai. You can
translate using Google Translate.
Procedure and Tests
Please submit your documents. You must complete and pass all tests after the
documents have been
approved and stamped. It should be noted that applicants
who already have a driver's license from their home country or an international
driver's license are
exempt from taking the theory and practical driving tests.
It is recommended that you go to the Department of Land Transportation
early in the morning if you
do not have a driving license from your home country (before 8 a.m.).
Most processes will be completed on that day. Then, hopefully, you'll
have to return the next day
for the driving test.
It will be faster and more convenient, but also more expensive.
Even if you already have a driver's license from your home country, you
should still go to the
Department of Land Transport early in the morning to ensure that
everything can be completed in a single day.
From minutes 1:00 to 5:30 of this video, Jonny shows how to get a Thai
driving license without
taking the theory and practical driving tests.
Color Blindness
One of the testing station officials will point to various colored dots on a poster.
You must state
the name of each color that they see, usually in Thai, though testing
station staff understand and accept answers in English.
It is also common for some test stations to simply skip the color blindness test
entirely.
Peripheral Test
You must place their head on a test station while looking ahead to an official. They
must then tell
the exact traffic color shown on their left and right sides several times
without moving their eyes. If you answer incorrectly, you will be given the
opportunity to retest
one or two more times.
Reflex Test
You sit behind a simulated brake and gas pedal and press the accelerator until the
green LED lights
on the panel in front of you begin to light up. It is critical that you apply
the brakes before the LED lights enter the red zone. Applicants who fail the reflex
test are given
one or two more chances, similar to the peripheral test.
Depth Perception Test
This test can be difficult and requires a steady hand because you must use special
forward and back
buttons to align a moving pin with one fixed in a small box set around
ten meters away. If you fail the test, you can retake it a few times.
Theory Test
Take the time to learn the rules of the road in Thailand, as they can differ greatly
from those in
their home countries. Before taking a theory test, you must first complete
a five-hour theoretical class, which is typically a video with English subtitles
teaching Thai
traffic rules and regulations.
The video and theory test can be taken online through https://www.dlt-elearning.com/.
You can save a screenshot or print a certificate after passing the
test.
The Thai driver's test in English can be read in advance online here. It is
presented in the form of a multiple-choice test.
The great thing about this practice test is that the correct answers are
provided instantly,
allowing you to practice and, if possible, memorize the answers in order
to significantly increase
your chances of passing the test.
If you really watch the theoretical class video, you should have no
trouble passing the theory test.
More info: 
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