bangkokbonecollector

26 minutes ago, johng said:

Right  so you are saying that  everyone now has to use a driving school...you can't just go to the DLT

do the theory test then do the off road practical test and receive a licence..maybe never having driven on the real road at all ?

I said right at the end that this is the way things are going. As I said in another post, you can't change the tide so quickly when 70% of the people on the road haven't been through the new style of testing and driving schools. My girl friends driving instructor said that soon you will only be able to learn and take your tests at designated driving schools ????  no where have a denied the poor levels of driving in any of the posts I have made on this thread. I am not making excuses but I am merely pointing out that things are in the process of being done about it but you just can't change this problem by flicking a switch. 

Great read Rooster59; I really enjoyed that! 

Just now, johng said:

She spent 0 time "on the road" during the test !  yes maybe 20 hour with the instructor.

Oh dear oh dear, the reputable schools now examine both practical and theory for the Land and Transport Department and then issue you a certificate to take to the L and T Department where they give you your license straight away. The practical does involve passing the off the road course but it is also an hr drive on the road back and forth to a specific destination which involves all basic driving requirements such as u turns, changing lanes, parking etc etc so no actually you are wrong. I am not saying this is already standardised throughout Thailand but this is the way things are going! ???? 

12 hours ago, genericptr said:

Every day I see people driving on the wrong side of the road going around blind corners. How is this an education issue that governments can fix? I don't believe for a second if I told those people what they're doing is dangerous they would stop. The must be doing a cost/risk analysis and decided it was worth the risk.

It is a mixture of the ones who did their license before the new style of examination and training came into play and just unaccountability because traffic laws, and flouting of them, are not enforced. There is no points base system on your license and there needs to be. I was at the land transport office the other day and enquired about this, apparently this is a year away...which probably means 3 years away! They are trying to make improvements on the roads and in the driving schools but when maybe 70% of the drivers out there never took a theory or even went near a decent driving school, its hard to turn the tide so quickly! ????

11 hours ago, Caine said:

Have you ever watch someone take their driving test here in Thailand it's an absolute joke, they don't go near a road. A competent driver of which Thailand has nil would complete the course in 3 minutes. Then they are let loose in their on the knock Chelsea Tractors to maim all and sundry. A friend of mine a full British license holder took his Thai test a few years back, did his reverse parking on the first attempt and received a standing ovation from the examiners they had never seen it happen before. These are the clowns you are dealing with.

That is a lie, my girl friend just completed her driving course and she spent nearly 20hrs on the road and 10hrs studying. I used the same school as her 2 years ago and it was even more professional than when I did it. Do you drive here? Have you ever completed a driving course at a reputable school? Do you have a Thai driving license? 

16 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

I am surprised, that the carnage is not much much higher - given the way they handle licenses and their extensions!

I've passed an European driving license 43 years ago and have been renewing my Thai license for the sixth 5-years cycle last week - in beautiful Nong Khai.

The procedure of extending this license is nothing short of a first class Monty Python act. While I can level with the ability of distinguishing different colours, the reaction test borders at absolute idiocy. 

To top it off, one then has to sit into a two hours video lesson which starts  with the different categories of vehicles from TukTuk to ten wheelers and army vehicles.

Following suit there is an excursion into the listing of various fines - which is a blunt joke as well as fines are usually settled in cash without receipt on location.

Then the entire range of signs is described in a most infantile way. A blue round sign with an arrow turning left means that here you have to turn left; a blue round sign with an arrow turning right ..... etc. 

Nobody explains unattended railway crossings nor the purpose of the yellow box at an intersection which is self-explanatory.
No damage done here though as absolutely everybody was texting around on their mobile phones, taking a nap and another guy feasted on some taken-away fried chicken. 

Two hours pass, when the little spinster, who introduced herself as "Call me Khun Mae" whisks everyone downstairs to pay the B555 and get the picture taken. We all will be back in five years for yet another pristine example of governmental stupidity of the finest order! Pathetic, complete and utter waste of time on all sides! 
 

I don't think it is the fault of the gov that people do not pay attention to the theory video. Maybe you should have to take and pass the theory test again every 5 years. Maybe those who have never taken the theory test should be required to do so next time they go in for renewal. 

Just now, Yadon Toploy said:

Nonsense.

I don't think you understand what I mean. They are no less capable of learning how to drive properly if there is a proper training system in place; which there is now! You will probably fin most of these accidents are caused by drivers who passed their tests before the current theory test and video was introduced. I drive everyday around Bangkok and most weekends I drive long distances into the provinces; I can assure you a lot of Thai's are perfectly good at driving. It is usually the older generation I see being reckless and that is down to having never been properly schooled on how to drive. 

1 hour ago, Plstandby said:

Have they thought about driving course to get a license or you know giving ticket for crossing full line or reckless driving ????????????

They do have a driving course and a driving test; both theory and practical. The practical is somewhat expedited but my driving school was very thorough and professional. The theory is out of 50 and I think you have to get 47 to pass, I got 50 so I wouldn't know what a fail was 5555. There is a 4hr video you are forced to watch before the theory test. I think the problem lies with drivers who passed their test before this 4hr video and theory test was implemented. Thai's are skilled enough to be able to drive properly and safely; it is just for a long period they didn't have the western standardised theory and test ???? 

2 hours ago, Asquith Production said:

Point 1. You should be driving at a speed that you can stop in for the distance you can see to be clear.

Point 5. You should have just slowed down very gradually without harsh braking and allowed him to overtake. Its not worth the accident

I don't know if you drive here but I hope you can see my point. 

Good job Thaigov!

One of my friends is a single Japanese girl living in BKK. Could you tell me why it's dangerous? We may start using other methods such as uber.

It's not unless your going to the sticks or the darkest deepest depths of huay kwang or klong toi slums. Just take a picture of the ID plaque and send it to a friend if you feel scared. Some drivers won't speak, not because they are dangerous but because they might not know any English at all.

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I think it is different when you are obviously a tourist. When you speak thai and can direct them in thai, they can't and won't try anything dodgy.

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