Report Thailand Tightens Rules for Foreign Drivers: Tests Now Mandatory

[KhaoHom]

1 The action is based upon??  Rarely if ever read of a foreigner driving an auto causing an accident

 

2 Thai drivers are simply horrible. This action addresses none of that

 

3 just more xenophobia and additional reasons to move out of the country.

 

4 uncertain the exams will look something like the English ONET exams offered to Thai students currently. Perhaps they professional knowledge exams that were given to teachers but very long time ago. Both were nonsensical, confusing and often with dual answers

 

I lost my license during COVID-19 as the DMV created all sorts a barriers to my renewal. The last of which was not giving me an appointment for renewal. The woman wanted to schedule my appointment months after my license expired despite having pages and pages of blank appointments available. Of course, those were reserved for Thai

[Upnotover]

1 minute ago, Issanraider said:

You did well. I failed the 50 question test 5 times because as a driver for over 50 years in England, 15 of which as a professional driver, I made the mistake of giving sensible answers based on Road knowledge and common sense. Some of the questions were nonsensical and had no relevance to actual driving 

Indeed, I went away and found a online practice site where I could memorize the "correct" answers.  44/50 before, 48/50 after.

[newbee2022]

17 hours ago, Quentin Zen said:

oh, it's coming

Well, enjoy it 😂

[LeoM]

Always the farangs fault. Maybe it's this attitude that's causing tourists to go elsewhere.

[KhaoHom]

They may have just killed the entire motor vehicle rental agency business. Getting tourists off of scooters is probably a good thing, but possessing a valid driver's license I see no reason why they should not be allowed to operate in automobile. Even the worst foreign driver has got to be better than the average Thai driver behind the wheel

[newbee2022]

4 minutes ago, johnc925 said:

Oy! I just spit my coffee out reading this 😆 in my 10 years of driving here, foreigners are not the hazardous drivers here!! 

What about the wheelies recently. Not hazardous?😳

[OldmanJ]

Many of the Thai people have to be the worst disrespectful drivers i have encountered,a drivers license is easily available for them and they have never been taught right from wrong.

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, Expat60 said:

And yet they can visit the UK and use their Thai license on UK roads for up to 12 months 

What is good actually. Coming back with that experience it will make them better drivers👍

[willip]

The difference between farrang drivers and thai???? 

Farrang have the most difficult tests. The thai don't even have to go on a public road!!.

15minutes around a very small circuit. And finish???

I've seen it!!! Not professional at all. Then you're released to undertake! Drive the wrong way down the road! Turn right on the wrong side etc.

It's about time for a professional change. MAKE SURE THEY HAVE DRIVEN ON THE ROAD THAT THEY ARE GOING TO USE!.

BAN drivers that have no insurance. BAN drivers that get caught drink driving. 

Take away cars motorcycles  for these reasons. 

Every day we see unroadworthy vehicles. Etc. 

The police make it easy for these people because we all know what time ' what place the police are going to be! So they avoid these times and places. Corruption is another reason there are so many bad drivers. They have to pay a fine! But they can't be touched for 24hrs for the same offense. 

How ridiculous!

 

[The Alien]

The only country in the world issued driving license for life! 

[RonJr]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo courtesy of Thai Visa Expert

 

Thailand is set to introduce stricter regulations for foreign nationals seeking to obtain a Thai driver's licence. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has proposed a draft regulation requiring all foreigners to pass a written test, irrespective of holding a valid international driving permit (IDP).

 

The change aims to revoke the current acceptance of IDPs as sufficient proof for acquiring a temporary Thai licence. According to a Ministry of Transport source, the DLT is actively seeking public feedback on the draft, which highlights updated protocols for training, testing, and licence renewals for both Thai and foreign drivers.

 

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, while also improving regulatory oversight," the source explained.

 

Key changes include:

 

• Temporary Driver’s Licences: IDPs will no longer be valid for obtaining a temporary licence.
• Foreign Licence Holders: Foreign nationals must now pass a written exam to convert their existing foreign licence to a Thai one. This requirement was previously waived.
• Licence Validity Extension: The validity of personal driving licences will increase from two years to five for applicants with a previously expired Thai temporary licence.
• End of IDP Fast Track: Neither foreign-issued driving licences nor IDPs will exempt applicants from the written test.

 

These proposed rules could significantly affect tourists, expats, and foreign workers who have relied on IDPs for quick access to Thai roads. The DLT has not announced when these regulations will be implemented, but an official announcement is anticipated following the public consultation phase.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-20

 

 

If they did, wouldn’t it violate the very treaty that is the reason the international licensing is recognized and accepted ??? strang rule, learn to read write thai for test. ya right this will never ever happen, probably some broke agents pushing this

[willip]

17 hours ago, bdenner said:

That was multy choice, they are talking about "written". A whole different ball game - If the OP is correct that is.

Good point!.quite often the people who enforce the rules are idiots in the making 

[newbee2022]

1 hour ago, Aussie999 said:

Sorry, but I that's irrelevant to this article...might as well say remove all Thai drivers, make them retest, and prove their driving skills...never gonna happen.

Better prove your skills to tackle Thai driving style

[cjinchiangrai]

17 hours ago, Cornish Pasty said:

Thailand is done and dusted.

 

Vietnam has already won.

 

Mark.

Then leave, your complaining is insulting and annoying.

[willip]

17 hours ago, blaze master said:

 

Questions 2. You're at a red light do you....

 

1. Wait until it's green to proceed.

2. What red light ?

3. Wait to see what Somchai does first..then blast through the light when its kinda clear.

4. Is that a cop. Turn around go the wrong way back down the soi because you weren't wearing a helmet.

Nobody knows the thai laws for driving!!. They don't have to!!!

[newbee2022]

17 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Kind of unbelievable.   Why don't they put their resources into education of Thai drivers.  The total abuse of common sense driving here is sickening. 

 

Given that you're right....what you want to do now? What are your next actions? 

Rallying on the streets, protesting in front of the office? 😂

[cjinchiangrai]

It sounds reasonable to expect a written test, I would hope that they get some expats to review the test questions so they make sense. I would suggest a three person team from UK, US and Australia to avoid confusing vocabulary.

[willip]

9 minutes ago, OldmanJ said:

Many of the Thai people have to be the worst disrespectful drivers i have encountered,a drivers license is easily available for them and they have never been taught right from wrong.

So true 👍 

[decca60]

i am always amazed by the number of ''click baits'' we see almost everyday on this forum. look

 

at the title : Thailand Tightens Rules for Foreign Drivers: Tests Now Mandatory

 

Then the first line :The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has proposed a draft regulation requiring all foreigners to pass a written test, irrespective of holding a valid international driving permit (IDP).

 

So we go from a title which says done deal it is a new law  to, it's a proposal (to whom) and Buddha knows how many "proposals" are done in this country on everything and nothing and which the day after are completely forgotten.....in fact, so far nothing new until it will be eventually published in the Royal Gazette....

 

By the way for all those who complain on a maybe,perhaps,  if proposal, in many countries if you want to get the local driving license you cannot change it against an IDP and you have to pass a written test in the local language only. The only difference is that EVERYBODY including locals are obliged to do it, so no discrimination between local and foreigners ... 

 

So wait and maybe see ....

[Lacessit]

13 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

What about the wheelies recently. Not hazardous?😳

Congratulations, you've just joined the band of statistical illiterates for whom a sample of one supports a global hypothesis.

[Lacessit]

5 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

It sounds reasonable to expect a written test, I would hope that they get some expats to review the test questions so they make sense. I would suggest a three person team from UK, US and Australia to avoid confusing vocabulary.

Americans drive on the other side of the road.

[Geordieabroad]

In Thailand believe something "IF" and when it happens. Till then just have a laugh about it

[cjinchiangrai]

1 minute ago, decca60 said:

i am always amazed by the number of ''click baits'' we see almost everyday on this forum. look at the title : 

 

Thailand Tightens Rules for Foreign Drivers: Tests Now Mandatory

 

Then the first line :The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has proposed a draft regulation requiring all foreigners to pass a written test, irrespective of holding a valid international driving permit (IDP).

 

So we go from a title which says done deal it is a new law  to, it's a proposal (to whom) and Buddha knows how many "proposals" are done in this country on everything and nothing and which the day after ere completely forgotten.....in fact , so far nothing new until it will be eventually published in the Royal Gazette....

 

By the way for all those who complain on a maybe,perhaps,  if proposal, in many countries if you want to get the local driving license you cannot change it against an IDP and you have to pass a written test in the local language only. The only difference is that EVERYBODY including locals are obliged to do it so no discrimination between local and foreigners ... 

 

So wait and maybe see ....

The locals have to take a written test to get the first license, just like we did. They are assuming that because we have a license, that we took a test somewhere, at some point.

 

The stupid part is the IDP that has no legal validity. The other is that foreign licenses are valid. I would require confirmation that foreign licenses are valid and active and a certified translation of the confirmation and the license.

[cjinchiangrai]

2 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Americans drive on the other side of the road.

And boots go on your feet.

[pookett]

Another useless requirement. Yes there are plenty of foreign maniacs on the road BUT a negligible amount compared to the mass of untrained and lethal Thai drivers.

 

Introduce a stringent driving test ( up to falang standards ) for ALL drivers on Thai roads.

Existing license holders get a 2 year reprieve to catch up.

 

Start policing/inspecting and applying laws to all the rental businesses, all vehicles must be factory standard and all renters must have correct papers.

Make fines actually hurt! Non standard bike = permanent confiscation.

Renting to anyone without correct papers, ฿10,000 flat fine per instance and same for the driver/rider.

Using phone while driving/riding, proper fine, if cannot pay, impound vehicle and cancel license.

[KhaoHom]

17 minutes ago, OldmanJ said:

Many of the Thai people have to be the worst disrespectful drivers i have encountered,a drivers license is easily available for them and they have never been taught right from wrong.

 

Yeah, no joke.

 

Afoot in BKK I'm always dodging motor vehicles. Even when you yield to them they still do crazy shi+ that infringes on your pedestrian rights.

 

Win and grab food back to reckless driving on foothpaths.

[Lacessit]

11 minutes ago, willip said:

Good point!.quite often the people who enforce the rules are idiots in the making 

What enforcement?

 

In 15 years here, I have yet to see a patrol car on the side of the road writing a ticket for any motorists.

 

Sitting at checkpoints checking registrations is not going to improve road safety.

 

 

 

[newbee2022]

5 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Congratulations, you've just joined the band of statistical illiterates for whom a sample of one supports a global hypothesis.

Your style to answer doesn't show any hint of literacy. But I will tolerate it😂

[jerrytr]

17 hours ago, transam said:

Very strange, as foreign folk from first world countries have to pass a stringent driving test, where as here, that is non-existent............

Have to blame everyone except themselves after the WHO continually rate them in the top 10 countries for the worse drivers with the most road deaths. What do we do? It hast to be the farang. Lol

[lordgrinz]

11 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

It sounds reasonable to expect a written test, I would hope that they get some expats to review the test questions so they make sense. I would suggest a three person team from UK, US and Australia to avoid confusing vocabulary.

 

Being that Thailand ranks very-low in English proficiency, and next to last in South East Asia (only Laos being worse), I'd say you're on to something.