Tips on Driving in Thailand

[villager]

Thai Driving Test
Applicants for a driving licence must be 18 years old.

The Department of Land Transport Office processes all of Thailand's driving licences. Go in person to the nearest local office to complete the paperwork and get a driving licence.

For a list of local offices in Bangkok and throughout Thailand. Click here
The following paperwork is required by the DLT with copies:

Passport with valid non-immigrant visa (tourist visa is not accepted)
Work Permit or Certificate or Letter of Residence issued by Thai immigration or the Embassy. The work permit must be valid and the letter or certificate no more than 30 days old
Medical certificate – no more than 30 days old
Two photographs, 1x1 inch (no more than six months old)
Fee
Applicants for Thai driving licences have to be prepared for lengthy queues so it is better to arrive early (between 08:30 and 09:00). It is not possible to make an appointment to take a driving test, but applicants who need to take the test must arrive at 08:30.

The whole process will take a few hours to complete. It is best to take along a Thai speaker for interpretation and filling in the forms which have to be completed in Thai.

Applicants will be required to:

Fill in the licence application form
Hand in the application
Participate in an eyesight test
Participate in a reaction test
Participate in a two-hour Thai road regulations training session
Complete a written test on road regulations
Take a practical driving test. The driving test takes place within the DLT's grounds on a mock road system and not on the roads. It normally takes no longer than half an hour
Once all the formalities have been completed the person will receive a temporary Thai driving licence, valid for one year. After this period the person will need to renew their licence and can apply for a licence that is valid for five years.

Just a question Kant, what would you suggest the Government do about the 100s of thousands of under-age school kids ., no license ,no insurance, no safety helmets rideing 4 up on a motorcycle with no reg plates, on the wrong side of the road in the night with no lights showing (an every night occurrence) of which the totally useless police just look on and do SWEET FA!.

[Sean Moran]

One difference between driving in Australia and in Thailand came to mind this morning as I was driving up to the local shop. It's about turning left onto a priority road.

It's well known that we drive on the left in Australia, and in Thailand ... mostly. So, in Australia it is quite normal, as you approach a major road from a side street, to look up that road to the right to check for oncoming traffic, and if there is nothing approaching from the right along the main road, then you're fairly safe to make the left turn onto that main road without the need to look to your left first. There is never anything (well very rarely) driving or riding down the main road on the right hand side so all all on-coming traffic in the left lane that you're turning into will be approaching from your right as you head towards the corner.

Not so in Thailand. Bicycles and motorbikes and whatever else might be approaching the intersection along the right-hand side of the main road, which will be on your left as you approach the turn. Don't pull out onto the main road unless to check for oncoming traffic in BOTH directions or there might be tears and consequences.

[villager]

One difference between driving in Australia and in Thailand came to mind this morning as I was driving up to the local shop. It's about turning left onto a priority road.

It's well known that we drive on the left in Australia, and in Thailand ... mostly. So, in Australia it is quite normal, as you approach a major road from a side street, to look up that road to the right to check for oncoming traffic, and if there is nothing approaching from the right along the main road, then you're fairly safe to make the left turn onto that main road without the need to look to your left first. There is never anything (well very rarely) driving or riding down the main road on the right hand side so all all on-coming traffic in the left lane that you're turning into will be approaching from your right as you head towards the corner.

Not so in Thailand. Bicycles and motorbikes and whatever else might be approaching the intersection along the right-hand side of the main road, which will be on your left as you approach the turn. Don't pull out onto the main road unless to check for oncoming traffic in BOTH directions or there might be tears and consequences.

ABSOLUTELY spot on Sean, if you want to avoid an head on collision here you have to look to your left first and right second, as some grinning maniac could well be turning right on YOUR side of the road!,and sometimes in the dark with no lights on!!.

[Sean Moran]

by villager on Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:25 am

ABSOLUTELY spot on Sean, if you want to avoid an head on collision here you have to look to your left first and right second, as some grinning maniac could well be turning right on YOUR side of the road!,and sometimes in the dark with no lights on!!.

What I found rather amazing was the therapeutic benefit. No kidding! I had a sort of mild whiplash for the seven months since my first motorbike accident. In Australia I could barely move my neck more than a little bit up or down or left or right and that was still a big hassle the day I got on the plane to get back to Thailand.

Then, after three days of walking around Nonthaburi, no more whiplash! This was because of the need to look in all directions at once. Funny how the body will adapt to the requirements of its environment, isn't it?

[villager]

Hey Sean , have you ever give it some thought that having the independent vision of a Chameleon could well prove to be of immense benefit whilst driving here in Thailand? LOL.

[Sean Moran]

Hey Sean , have you ever give it some thought that having the independent vision of a Chameleon could well prove to be of immense benefit whilst driving here in Thailand? LOL.

OH YEAH!

That's why they make motorbikes with twin rear view mirrors - so you can look in front and look behind all at the same time. It helps to be cross-eyed I suppose, but Bangkok is about the most exciting place I've ever commuted.

Anyway, I don't mean to take this thread off-topic. Thanks for the chat once again Mr Villager.

[hidalgo]

One difference between driving in Australia and in Thailand came to mind this morning as I was driving up to the local shop. It's about turning left onto a priority road.

It's well known that we drive on the left in Australia, and in Thailand ... mostly. So, in Australia it is quite normal, as you approach a major road from a side street, to look up that road to the right to check for oncoming traffic, and if there is nothing approaching from the right along the main road, then you're fairly safe to make the left turn onto that main road without the need to look to your left first. There is never anything (well very rarely) driving or riding down the main road on the right hand side so all all on-coming traffic in the left lane that you're turning into will be approaching from your right as you head towards the corner.

Not so in Thailand. Bicycles and motorbikes and whatever else might be approaching the intersection along the right-hand side of the main road, which will be on your left as you approach the turn. Don't pull out onto the main road unless to check for oncoming traffic in BOTH directions or there might be tears and consequences.

-------

Hi Sean, you are right about looking both ways! But not just for 2 wheelers but even pick up trucks (utes) may be expected to come from your left in order to avoid a u-turn!!
By the way, does anybody know if the Australian licence is valid to drive in Thailand for a short period (2 weeks)? My Thai licence is expiring soon, and as someone is this forum has pointed out, a tourist visa is not good enough to apply for a Thail licence.

[villager]

Hey HIDALGO, if your DL has got your Photo on, This seems quite sufficient for the Cops, i drove for 4 years on my UK license and got "pulled over" more times than i care to mention without incurring a fine, its my belief that "attitude" helps a great deal when dealing with the "boys in brown".

[Sean Moran]

I think Villager is fairly right about the attitude factor, and it might be that having a valid overseas licence is more important than the International Permit that the RAC (auto club) issue for twelve months based on the validity OF the overseas d/l. I always have a valid internat permit as well as a valid aussie licence, but they always seem more interested in the REAL photo-licence than the permit.

The part I like the best is that I can only drive cars and trucks and things in TLC (The Lucky Country) but in Thailand they let me ride motorbikes as well!

It's probably not a problem as long as you have the valid overseas licence but if you want to be sure it's legal, you can probably buy an internat permit from the home auto-club online if you have a valid c/c and a fax machine.

[hidalgo]

Hello Sean and Villager,

Thanks so much,

So you reckon i dont have to worry if i go 1-2 weeks and drive once in a while. i will keep my expired Thai licence along with my valid Queensland licence.

Regards.