Report Thailand Tightens Rules for Foreign Drivers: Tests Now Mandatory

[RandolphGB]

Yes, foreign drivers are the problems are Thai roads. 

[brianbiegler]

Anyone know how this pertains to tourists renting cars? They're already moaning about "reduced tourist revenue" ...

[koolkarl]

Another reason to not stay in Thailand.

[TigerandDog]

15 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I think it does not apply for renewals. But, like everything else each office may set its own requirements. 

In a roundabout way it does apply to renewals because to currently renew your license you must watch the video online and then pass the written test. So all they're doing is extending those conditions to holders of IDP's and temporary license applicants.

[stevecarteraus]

Last year had to do an online test to get local licence, not sure what a written test will add.

[DualSportBiker]

14 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

Test the people who have a driving licence from a country with much stricter road safety and more stringent learning and testing...  Makes perfect sense.

 

More efforts to make foreigners look bad in order to divert attention.  That will help tourism for sure.

Not all visitors here do come from countries with 'much stricter road safety...' Many come from places with perhaps not equally lax, but sufficiently lax to warrant better controls.

 

BUT, the current Thai tests are not better controls. The written test has mistakes in it in the English version and the practical test is a parking test!

[CharlieH]

I suspect many couldn't care less! And will opt for simply not bothering and just pay the fine "IF" you get caught.

Let's be honest a 400bt fine for no licence isn't going to break the bank.

 

Of course, living in a tourist area you could get it as the BIB rub their hands and count the dats takings as a result of this.

Motorcycle rentals may be hit hard as will car rentals.

[PB172111]

15 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Having done the written test last year, twice in fact as failed the first attempt, I hope that they will get someone who can actually speak/read English to translate the often bizarre questions/answers.  And in a 4 answer multi-choice exam there is usually 1 correct answer...not here, some questions had 3 correct and one incorrect....I was told I failed the first attempt because I didn't select the "most correct" answer.

You failed because you answered it incorrectly.

there are no questions where 2 or 3 answers are correct….None.

Provide us with the example you are quoting.

[watchcat]

15 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Why don't they put their resources into education of Thai drivers. 

 

And who'll educate the teachers, as they are mostly all bad drivers.

[AhFarangJa]

My take on this, right, or wrong, who knows, is that they want to introduce more stringent tests, but do not want to be seen to have dual standards, so foreigners will have to comply too, regardless of qualifications. A bit like the introduction of tax on income, they want to grab money from Thai expats abroad, so include foreigners so they are not seen to be just picking on Thais.

[RickyJB]

Racist Thai's once again. Thai do no wrong. I got knocked off my scooter years ago by an absolute donkey behind the wheel in his truck. Thai police told me, if i not there, accident not happen. 

[watchcat]

15 hours ago, transam said:

Very strange, as foreign folk from first world countries have to pass a stringent driving test,

 

But they don't know this as  Thailand is the center of universe.

[NedR69]

This reads like more headaches for expats living here.

[Expat60]

I remember a few years ago they were going to introduce new motorcycle license based on the the size of engine and Rider test, it never happened. 

[watchcat]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has proposed a draft regulation requiring all foreigners to pass a written test,

 

But this we have to do already. Reinventing the wheel?

[crazykopite]

I know many Thais who drive with no license I’ve had a Thai drivers license for 18 years with no issues except for one time when I was doing the traffic light test and I said amber the guy failed me because according to him it was yellow I explained that in Europe we say amber so he let me do it again insisting I say yellow 

[advancebooking]

In the past 10 yrs, I have found them to be the most incompetent govt department. They still make everyone watch that stupid long video before you can get the license. Its got to be 20 yrs old. 

[watchcat]

9 minutes ago, NedR69 said:

This reads like more headaches for expats living here.

 

Could be the opposite?

[thailand49]

This just confirms my opinion that Thai leaders don't have a clue as to what they are talking or doing when it comes to driving.

 

This is being done so we conform to " International Standard "  🤣   These leaders can pick anyone any Thai leader they want give them an unannounced driver road test based on their own standard which from the beginning was taken from the West but decades they have water down the rule definition and proper execution " This is Thailand "  that 99.9 would fail!  

[Asean Tiger]

I'm surprised they provide foreigners driving licenses at all as it hurts Thai employment 

If every single place you go you could be paying for a taxi, or at least buy your Thai girlfriend a car

A job killer. 

 

[newbee2022]

15 hours ago, Cornish Pasty said:

Thai’s are the worst drivers I have ever seen, and believe me, I have been around!

 

Mark.

No, I don't believe you. The most are in Africa 

[lordgrinz]

25 minutes ago, AhFarangJa said:

My take on this, right, or wrong, who knows, is that they want to introduce more stringent tests, but do not want to be seen to have dual standards, so foreigners will have to comply too, regardless of qualifications. A bit like the introduction of tax on income, they want to grab money from Thai expats abroad, so include foreigners so they are not seen to be just picking on Thais.

 

If they want to become more "stringent", then institute actual road tests, though that would pretty much invalidate 99% of all Thai drivers from the roads. Let's not even get into enforcement, I could write 1000 tickets an hour here in my area, and probably tow 100's of cars an hour. Just the arrests for driving without a license would be off the charts. They aren't fooling anyone by thinking it's the farangs who are untrained in international driving standards. Like I said earlier, Thai's shouldn't even be allowed to carry an IDP, their country lacks any safety standards on the road, and with the lack of even basic road testing, it should be a HUGE Red Flag!

[jeannot]

I did it 6 months ago not easy and you have to do 2 times the same test for car and motorbike as well !

[lordgrinz]

5 minutes ago, Asean Tiger said:

I'm surprised they provide foreigners driving licenses at all as it hurts Thai employment 

If every single place you go you could be paying for a taxi, or at least buy your Thai girlfriend a car

A job killer. 

 

If there is a Thai driving these vehicles, anyone in that vehicle is in serious danger.

[wensiensheng]

15 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Is this related to the spate of accidents involving Chinese drivers?

Perhaps.

There are a fair few involving Russians in my area also. Speeding through small gaps  with no thought to movement of other vehicles/people, seems to be their specialty.

[jwl53]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The main objective of these reforms is to align with international standards and enhance road safety. "The changes are designed to ensure fairness and competency for all drivers

Does this mean I can:-

Drive on the wrong side of the road,

Pull out in front of other traffic,

Run red lights

Not stop at junctions,

Not stop at pedestrian crossing 

Drive drunk, drugs 

Drive without lights, brakes etc etc

Etc, etc, etc, etc, etc the list is endless

But I'm happy it's going to be fairness for all

THE COMMITTEE NEED TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES FIRST

[Surasak]

15 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

I don't see this as a bad thing - in isolation. It can't hurt for foreigners to take a written exam so they better understand the rules of the Thai roads.

 

However, the issue lies with the quality of examinations in the first place.

 

 

Then of course , this completely ignores the elephant in the room...    a bit elephant, knocking one out and spaffing in the face of common sense....   

 

Thailands traffic woes are created primarily by the the drivers on Thailands roads...  from blocking box junctions, creating gridlock, to pulling out without looking, jumping lights and riding down pavements etc... 

 

Thailand 'has' to start looking inwards to see improvements - it can't always 'look' out for external reasons for its issues - when many are so obviously home grown.

 

This isn't an anti-Thai rants - its an anit-absence of common sense rant - ALL licensing needs to become more strict with greater training and oversight - not just foreigners.

 

 

One major problem, which will take millennium to change. Who will train the trainers? !

Somchai says, "This is the way I was trained, so it must be correct! You farang, you not know Thai way!"

[renaissanc]

15 hours ago, ukrules said:

No affect on renewals then?

 

I've have multiple licenses over the years, I think it's been 1 year, then 2 x almost 6 years as I went within the week after my birthday each time to get the extra year.

So I'm good until late 2026 right now but then I will need to renew.

Good idea!  I couldn't have used it last year anyway as my 5-year license had expired by a few months. I didn't realise. Fortunately, traffic stops only take place twice a year around here.

[Expat60]

27 minutes ago, NedR69 said:

This reads like more headaches for expats living here.

More likely the new expats looking to apply for their first Thai license

[lordgrinz]

Just now, Surasak said:

One major problem, which will take millennium to change. Who will train the trainers? !

Somchai says, "This is the way I was trained, so it must be correct! You farang, you not know Thai way!"

 

I say pull out the Road Traffic Act, then tell Somchai that his King signed it, so why does he disrespect his King?