Report Thailand Tightens Rules for Foreign Drivers: Tests Now Mandatory

[lordgrinz]

2 minutes ago, Cat Boy said:

That's an enforcement issue. 

 

And again, their country, their law enforcement, their citizens abidance to their laws. 

 

Your position as a farang is limited to endless whinged about it on social media, or better yet, not driving at all, and keeping your negative views to yourself. 

 

Oh look, another apologist for Thai bad behavior that endangers not only foreigners, but also Thai's. It's people like you that I hate more than those bad behaving Thai's, in fact, people like you are more dangerous. 

[ChrisKC]

11 minutes ago, Cat Boy said:

As far as I know both are required. 

 

When I got my Thai driver's license I had to take both a "written" test (it was point and click multiple choice questions on a desktop computer after watching a long video that was at least 90 minutes), and a hands-on driving test. 

 

For the driving test they had a car, or cars, at some nominal cost, like 100 baht. Test was like parallel parking and backing into spaces. 

 

I failed the driving test the first time, I think I bumped a cone or something. I hadn't driven for 10 years. Second test went fine. 

 

I used the license as an ID card. I never actually drove. Driving was fun as a teenager, later commuting to and from work it became a tedious bore. Having moved to Thailand if I never drove again that would be great for me. 

Yes, I have taken that test as well  - it was at the back of the Licence Office - but it wasn't on Thai roads in real life normal traffic conditions.

[10baht]

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Foreign nationals must now pass a written exam to convert their existing foreign licence to a Thai one. This requirement was previously waived.

I never had it waived. Even for a renewal.

[Cat Boy]

1 minute ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Oh look, another apologist for Thai bad behavior that endangers not only foreigners, but also Thai's. It's people like you that I hate more than those bad behaving Thai's, in fact, people like you are more dangerous. 

Absolutely hilarious and in a large measure why I avoid social media and farang in general, endless bitterness and complaining. 

 

That I inspired hate by some little comment you disagree with says more about you than it does me. 

 

Take your meds, or you'll have an aneurism. 

[Burma Bill]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Foreign nationals must now pass a written exam to convert their existing foreign licence to a Thai one.

 

Will the exam form be printed in Thai or in a foreign language the applicant can understand such as English, Chinese, Russian, Indian, Malay etc.? 

 

Many years ago when I got my first Thai Driving License, I did not take the written test as it was only printed in Thai and I did not understand it. It was waived but I had to take the practical tests. I still have my Thai Driving License which, although expired, makes a good ID card here in Cambodia.

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, ChrisKC said:

Yes, I have taken that test as well  - it was at the back of the Licence Office - but it wasn't on Thai roads in real life normal traffic conditions.

 

I didn't take the road test, but I did have proper drivers training back in the USA for both car and motorcycle, the motorcycle training was through a course offered by the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation).

[lordgrinz]

3 minutes ago, Cat Boy said:

Absolutely hilarious and in a large measure why I avoid social media and farang in general, endless bitterness and complaining. 

 

I hate everyone equally, but apologist for dangerous behavior more than any, you're part of the problem, not the solution.

[ChrisKC]

3 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I didn't take the road test, but I did have proper drivers training back in the USA for both car and motorcycle, the motorcycle training was through a course offered by the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation).

My driving test was in the UK in 1969 - on the roads! I had verbal questions to answer while on my test re the Highway code. No written test required!

 

I passed first time!

[Cat Boy]

3 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I hate everyone equally, but apologist for dangerous behavior more than any, you're part of the problem, not the solution.

No one here is an apologist or apologizing for dangerous behavior. 

 

There is a huge difference between offering an explanation and and a justification or excuse. 

 

Thailand's traffic mortality rate is at or near the top globally, there is no excuse or justification for that. 

 

An explanation is poor or entirely absent law enforcement, poor or non-existent drivers training, leaving Thai drivers, however wrongly, to believe that, since they're not going to get caught, fined or penalized in any way, anything goes. Again, that's an explanation, NOT an excuse, NOT a justification, NOT an apology. 

 

Given your self-proclaimed hatred of everyone equally, try dialing it back a bit, to propose solutions rather than generalized, broad-based condemnations of an entire society that leads nowhere. 

 

Clearly law enforcement and driver training is warranted, plain and simple, to begin and improve better compliance to existing statutes in the general population. 

[cjinchiangrai]

12 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I didn't take the road test, but I did have proper drivers training back in the USA for both car and motorcycle, the motorcycle training was through a course offered by the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation).

I had the same, Driving school for cars and then the MSF course for bikes. I still remember most of it, like what a double stripe means. Two separate written exams, They used a closed course for the car and the MSF certified to road test for bikes. Both courses have saved me many times.

[wensiensheng]

4 hours ago, 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!"

It’s just a pre set multiple answer question paper. No need to train any trainers.

[lordgrinz]

12 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

I had the same, Driving school for cars and then the MSF course for bikes. I still remember most of it, like what a double stripe means. Two separate written exams, They used a closed course for the car and the MSF certified to road test for bikes. Both courses have saved me many times.

 

Yup, I actually really loved the MSF course, I had a blast, we started out with several courses laid out on a runway at the local airport. They had basic courses and advanced courses, you could really let loose, and test all kinds of emergency situations and hardcore braking scenarios. It definitely weeded out a lot of bad drives though, one older guy I remember vividly, his wife bought him a brand new Harley, but he couldn't even master the basics on the smaller MSF bikes. Some people just shouldn't be on a motorcycle.

 

There are courses offered here too, I know the large Suzuki dealer in Pathum Thani, has a course which is pretty good and I think also will help riders get certified. I believe this was what the Government was trying to force a few years ago for Big Bike riders, but the Big Bike license never happened.

[cjinchiangrai]

3 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Yup, I actually really loved the MSF course, I had a blast, we started out with several courses laid out on a runway at the local airport. They had basic courses and advanced courses, you could really let loose, and test all kinds of emergency situations and hardcore braking scenarios. It definitely weeded out a lot of bad drives though, one older guy I remember vividly, his wife bought him a brand new Harley, but he couldn't even master the basics. Some people just shouldn't be on a motorcycle.

 

There are courses offered here too, I know the large Suzuki dealer in Pathum Thani, has a course which is pretty good and I think also will help riders get certified. I believe this was what the Government was trying to force a few years ago for Big Bike riders, but the Big Bike license never happened.

We were looking for a driving school for my wife but can't find one. That says a lot. If the neighbors are giving the lessons, the rules will be very inconsistent.

 

She has had a bike license for 30 years but not a car. The rules are the same but the driving part is different.

[Karlik Pu]

20 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............

It would be great  also to arrange a written test for farang  in Thai so that they start learning  intensive Thai language  as soon as possible 55

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, cjinchiangrai said:

We were looking for a driving school for my wife but can't find one. That says a lot. If the neighbors are giving the lessons, the rules will be very inconsistent.

 

She has had a bike license for 30 years but not a car. The rules are the same but the driving part is different.

 

Yeah, my wife did her training and licensing in the USA, not in Thailand. She failed it twice, but did pass the test on the 3rd try. I made her take it slow here before she went out on her own, we practiced over and over, until I felt she was safe enough to drive on the lefthand side of the road. She's been driving here now for 4 years, she is doing fine and much better trained than most Thai drivers.

[Ironmike]

Maybe if the Thai police actually did their jobs and pulled. Over thais and checked there licence there wouldn't be as many accidents but instead their to busy shaking down the Farangs for money, the rental places give anyone with money a bike and no one really cares... 

And of course all the Internet scammers making money ripping lazy people off are going to make a killing.... 

Warning there are no companies that legally can get you a licence so stop wasting your money.. 

[Jumbo1968]

2 hours ago, hanbla said:

Well, it's a proposal, not a new law yet. It affects mostly people who stay here on a short time visa or tourist visa, they only get a two year driving licence not people on long-term like non-immigrant O  or so. This is not affecting us who already have a 5 year driving licence .

If you live here on a non-immigrant or so,  convert your driving licence from your home country to a thai driving licence. 

 

How do you do that ?

[Myran]

"Tests Now Mandatory"

 

"The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has proposed a draft regulation"

 

So which one is it? Are tests now mandatory, or is it just a proposal?

[Robert Smith 2]

20 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

How could you test people on a road where following the rules is impossible?  You'd either be involved in a collision trying, or fail when you drive appropriately for Thai roads.

Really good point, driving to the rules is dangerous driving 

[Blueman1]

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

 

That is not a proper test, a Road Test should be on the road incorporating laws and rules of the road. I would suggest they include roundabouts, red lights, Stop signs, merging, lane changes, seatbelt use, proper speed control, right-of-way, etc.

Agreed 1000%.....

[lordgrinz]

3 minutes ago, Robert Smith 2 said:

Really good point, driving to the rules is dangerous driving 

 

I drive according to the rules every day, not been a problem yet. I am sure Thai's hate me for it, but I'm not about to follow the herd of imbeciles.

[Blueman1]

22 minutes ago, Karlik Pu said:

It would be great  also to arrange a written test for farang  in Thai so that they start learning  intensive Thai language  as soon as possible 55

Especially Thai SWEARY Words 'Eh ??

[RedRoadRunner]

Stupid it's as stupid does !!!

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

9 minutes ago, Robert Smith 2 said:

Really good point, driving to the rules is dangerous driving 

 

I drive according to the rules every day, not been a problem yet. I am sure Thai's hate me for it, but I'm not about to follow the herd of imbeciles.

 

I think its a valid point - some rules have to be 'nudged aside' otherwise we wouldn't get anywhere.

 

A perfect example of this is turning out into a busy main road from a side soi - if we sit there and wait for a sufficient space we'd be waiting a long time as no one slows to give way... thus, we have to apply a little 'assertion' and nudge out and force someone else to give way... especially in Bangkok (this is generally slow speed traffic of course)....  

But, from the 'rules perspective' we are pulling out when the road is not clear and that is a breach.

 

There are many similar circumstances where traffic conditions and local behavior force this 'bending' of the rules.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, RedRoadRunner said:

Stupid it's as stupid does !!!

 

You mean anyone wishing to get their licence is now stupid if they take this test ?

[GanDoonToonPet]

58 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

My driving test was in the UK in 1969 - on the roads! I had verbal questions to answer while on my test re the Highway code. No written test required!

 

I passed first time!

 

Same here but 1993...good for another 20 years 😂

[lordgrinz]

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I think its a valid point - some rules have to be 'nudged aside' otherwise we wouldn't get anywhere.

 

A perfect example of this is turning out into a busy main road from a side soi - if we sit there and wait for a sufficient space we'd be waiting a long time as no one slows to give way... thus, we have to apply a little 'assertion' and nudge out and force someone else to give way... especially in Bangkok (this is generally slow speed traffic of course)....  

But, from the 'rules perspective' we are pulling out when the road is not clear and that is a breach.

 

There are many similar circumstances where traffic conditions and local behavior force this 'bending' of the rules.

 

 

 

Right outside of our Communities front gate we have a three lane road, with a speed bump that doesn't cover the far left lane (because I suspect - poor drainage), take a guess what every car does when they go by our exit road? You guessed it, they fly through the left lane at MACH speed to avoid the speedbump and/or to undertake cars in the other two lanes. Can be daunting trying to exit our community.

[YayaManos]

21 hours ago, Cornish Pasty said:

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

 

Mark.

I do AGREE!

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Right outside of our Communities front gate we have a three lane road, with a speed bump that doesn't cover the far left lane (because I suspect - poor drainage), take a guess what every car does when they go by our exit road? You guessed it, they fly through the left lane at MACH speed to avoid the speedbump and/or to undertake cars in the other two lanes. Can be daunting trying to exit our community.

 

We have the same in our moo-baan...     there are those 'rubber' speed bumps across the road...  but they don't go 'all the way across' and there is a 50cm gap in directly in-front of our house.

 

What do all the delivery motorcyclists do ?...  Maintain speed and swerve towards our house so they avoid the speed bump - which means - the speed-bump itself has simply moved faster moving motorcyclists closer to the front of our house !!!...   (time to place a well positioned 'plant-pot' or cone, I think.

 

 

[Qld4000]

I’m assuming this will also apply to tourists renting bikes.   The bike rental outfits will love this idea.