Report Thailand Tightens Rules for Foreign Drivers: Tests Now Mandatory

[condo62]

Will Thais need to get a licence too......😳

[josephbloggs]

3 hours ago, quake said:

Doesn't take much to understand, who the

bad guys and girls are on the road here.

Thailand pointing fingers in the wrong direction again.

Bad farang did it.  ( Thailand's blame game culture up and running )

Grow up Thailand and look in the mirror. 

 

Sigh.

Converting your country's license or IDP to a Thai license is still insanely easy, only now you have to answer a multiple choice test on Thai road signs, rules etc. That. Is. All. 

Who is blaming farang for anything? It's a minor change and, actually, a sensible one as the rules her are not the same as your home country. Seriously why get all upset and persecuted? 

Oh wait, you didn't read the article did you....

[quake]

10 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Sigh.

Converting your country's license or IDP to a Thai license is still insanely easy, only now you have to answer a multiple choice test on Thai road signs, rules etc. That. Is. All. 

Who is blaming farang for anything? It's a minor change and, actually, a sensible one as the rules her are not the same as your home country. Seriously why get all upset and persecuted? 

Oh wait, you didn't read the article did you....

 

Mate.

The Thais are the bad guys on the roads.

open your eyes.

 

Quote

The main objective of these reforms is to align with international standards and enhance road safety

 

Yes right on.

Please teach me something Thailand about road safety.

What a laugh. 

Have we got to 60 dead today yet. 

[Kalasin Jo]

Just another brick in the wall

[richard_smith237]

7 minutes ago, Kalasin Jo said:

Just another brick in the wall

 

So, you don't need no education, you don't need no thought control....    ???

 

 

[pepi2005]

I heard the renewal of the 5-year driving license can be done online now, is this correct?

(if yes, how/where?)

[Jumbo1968]

24 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Sigh.

Converting your country's license or IDP to a Thai license is still insanely easy, only now you have to answer a multiple choice test on Thai road signs, rules etc. That. Is. All. 

Who is blaming farang for anything? It's a minor change and, actually, a sensible one as the rules her are not the same as your home country. Seriously why get all upset and persecuted? 

Oh wait, you didn't read the article did you....

I have searched the net and nowhere can I find you can covert your country or IDP to Thai Licence by taking the multiple choice written test ?

[richard_smith237]

5 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

32 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Sigh.

Converting your country's license or IDP to a Thai license is still insanely easy, only now you have to answer a multiple choice test on Thai road signs, rules etc. That. Is. All. 

Who is blaming farang for anything? It's a minor change and, actually, a sensible one as the rules her are not the same as your home country. Seriously why get all upset and persecuted? 

Oh wait, you didn't read the article did you....

I have searched the net and nowhere can I find you can covert your country or IDP to Thai Licence by taking the multiple choice written test ?

 

Because thats not part of the process yet.

 

Simply put... 

IF your home nation Driving License is in English - you can acquire a Thai Driving License very simply (process discussed on this forum many times).

 

The only addition that 'may be' added, is the requirement to do a 'written test' (multiple choice test) and thats the subject of this announcement...  thats it, just one additional 30minute step.

[josephbloggs]

7 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

I have searched the net and nowhere can I find you can covert your country or IDP to Thai Licence by taking the multiple choice written test ?

Read the OP.

 

Quote

• 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.

 

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

12 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

I have searched the net and nowhere can I find you can covert your country or IDP to Thai Licence by taking the multiple choice written test ?

Read the OP.

 

Quote

• 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.

 

 

"Set to introduce stricter regulations".....   nothing in place yet, and as others have mentioned... this could be just a 'nothing burger'.... 

 

... those in positions of even the remotest level of authority here in Thailand love to make an announcements...   

We read of these announcements every day...   Thailand loves its announcements as much as it loves its 'crack-downs' and being the 'hub' of something...   Its could well be the 'hub of announcements'...  

 

But..  the reality is - nothing has changed, whether something does change simply remains an unknown as we all know by now that an announcement means absolutely nothing...   

 

...  yet such announcements still managed to cause a little incontinence and urine leakage for some !!!!

 

 

On 6/20/2025 at 4:56 PM, snoop1130 said:

Thailand is set to introduce stricter regulations for foreign nationals seeking to obtain a Thai driver's licence.

[outsidetrader]

On 6/20/2025 at 5:23 PM, jvs said:

Meanwhile on facebook everyday i see advertisements for acquiring a DL without out the need to even go there!

Sure i don't believe it but a lot of people do and they all lose their money.

I think 2500 baht for car.

Ot means ,that when the test is completed ,they will give you 5 years and not the 2 years first .Seems fair enough to me .

IDPs are still good for up to 90 days .

Mountain out of a Molehill yet again. .

Its the same almost World wide ...

Thats,far better than getting the 2 year and then extending to 5 ..You will get 5 years automatically .

Who needs agents ? Its soooo cheap without them,.

[outsidetrader]

IdPs There is aclbsolutely nothing to worry about .

This does not effect anyone as the IDP is permits driving in Thailand for up to 90 days or when their visa expires whichever comes first .

 

Its meant for  only Foreigghners  who stay over 90 days at 1 time .

 

Nothing changed apart from the written test part which is easy .

 

Again ,nobody seemed to understand correctly .

 

There is no Temporary Thai license anyway .

 

90 days,is plenty enough to apply and go through procedure to obtain a Thai Driving License .

 Yes all are covered by Insureance  if have a valid license anyway ..

So only the written test is differrence ,which is perfectly fair and online with Internation rules ;)

On 6/20/2025 at 5:11 PM, 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.

Correct ,exactly what I do ,renew 1 day after my Birthday to recieve 6 years .I can update on that early July .

 

On 6/20/2025 at 5:13 PM, 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............

All have the same rules .

If not staying over 90 days at anyone time ,then IDP is just fine .

On 6/20/2025 at 5:15 PM, bkk6060 said:

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

I am renewing mine early July ..so I will know 1st hand if there's anything changed for renewing .I also do the tests every 3 years anyway as I have an Heavy Goods License here too ...

[outsidetrader]

Just now, outsidetrader said:

IdPs There is aclbsolutely nothing to worry about .

This does not effect anyone as the IDP is permits driving in Thailand for up to 90 days or when their visa expires whichever comes first .

 

Its meant for  only Foreigghners  who stay over 90 days at 1 time .

 

Nothing changed apart from the written test part which is easy .

 

Again ,nobody seemed to understand correctly .

 

There is no Temporary Thai license anyway .

 

90 days,is plenty enough to apply and go through procedure to obtain a Thai Driving License .

 Yes all are covered by Insureance  if have a valid license anyway ..

So only the written test is differrence ,which is perfectly fair and online with Internation rules ;)

Correct ,exactly what I do ,renew 1 day after my Birthday to recieve 6 years .I can update on that early July .

 

All have the same rules .

If not staying over 90 days at anyone time ,then IDP is just fine .

I am renewing mine early July ..so I will know 1st hand if there's anything changed for renewing .I also do the tests every 3 years anyway as I have an Heavy Goods License here too ...

IDPs are still allowed as always ,just dont exceed your 90 days or your visa,expirey date .Nothing new,here ..Its in fact better for long term stayers as they will get a 5 year license and not the 2 starter pack.

If you are here for 90 days or less, nothing at all wrong with an IDP.

[Prakhon Chai PD]

The English version of this test is very confusing.

[Purdey]

On 6/20/2025 at 5:25 PM, bdenner said:

Would be interesting to see this multy lingual written test. Would be something like the Thai only check the box test I did 23 years and get a score of 25/30. They let TW translate for me = WTF is a "zig-zag"?

Zig-zag lines are those that mark areas near zebra crossings for example. 

 

[richard_smith237]

45 minutes ago, outsidetrader said:

There is no Temporary Thai license anyway .

 

There is... 

 

The The Temporary License is two years and it says "Temporary" on the license itself (its what eveyrone will received as their first driving license in Thailand, whatever overseas license they transitioned from). 

 

After this initial two year probationary period (or whatever you want to call it) then next licence will be a Full Thai Driving Licence which is valid for 5 years.

 

 

Differences for the Temp Licence: 

- Two years rather than 5

- You cannot get an IDP based on the 2 hear Temp Licence.

- DUI limits are lower (0.02% rather than 0.05% BAC)

[Jumbo1968]

48 minutes ago, outsidetrader said:

IDPs are still allowed as always ,just dont exceed your 90 days or your visa,expirey date .Nothing new,here ..Its in fact better for long term stayers as they will get a 5 year license and not the 2 starter pack.

If you are here for 90 days or less, nothing at all wrong with an IDP.

 

49 minutes ago, outsidetrader said:

IDPs are still allowed as always ,just dont exceed your 90 days or your visa,expirey date .Nothing new,here ..Its in fact better for long term stayers as they will get a 5 year license and not the 2 starter pack.

If you are here for 90 days or less, nothing at all wrong with an IDP.

1968 model IDPs (Thailand)are valid for up to 3 years. However, validity of IDPs cannot exceed the validity of your domestic drive license.

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, Purdey said:

On 6/20/2025 at 5:25 PM, bdenner said:

Would be interesting to see this multy lingual written test. Would be something like the Thai only check the box test I did 23 years and get a score of 25/30. They let TW translate for me = WTF is a "zig-zag"?

Zig-zag lines are those that mark areas near zebra crossings for example. 

 

Nope... Its the 'path a Grab delivery rider' takes when looking for directions on their phone while riding... 

[Purdey]

Foreigners crashing cars and bikes is a frequent news item. Cracking down on foreigners is always a good idea to prove to Thai drivers that they aren't the only bad drivers.

- S.A. R. Chasm

[paul1804]

Its really difficult to understand the thought process of the Thai authorities, the Thai people not unlike several other south east countries are generally terrible drivers. In Singapore the driving standards are quite good so it really comes down to education & discipline which Thailand severely lacks. I have said this many times, corruption is Thailands achilles heel and until they can address this they will always remain a third world country with third world practices, driving no exception! The real problem is those with position and / or money use the corrupt system to better their financial status and the rest of the populous suffers. 

So why bother making legal changes to the driving licence test when its only going to be enforced when the authorities feel like it and if there is a monetary benefit then they will look the other way, nothing will really change. Most Farang's in their respective countries have to sit a written & oral test and when passed then its a driving test which also requires a pass. 

When I got my Thai license we had to watch a movie, I was the only Farang 20 minutes into the movie that wasn't asleep!I  Sure there are some foreigners that are also rubbish drivers so make everyone pass a proper test which includes an actual driving test without the online purchase scams etc etc, the problem is they will never properly enforce it!!

[richard_smith237]

12 minutes ago, paul1804 said:

the Thai people not unlike several other south east countries are generally terrible drivers.

 

When we, or I actually think about it - Thai drivers are very skilled...   in slow traffic on the expressway when that 'extra lane is used' to make a 3 lane motorway 4 lanes... or when people are merging and filitering in with no one giving way....   the drivers get very close - when other vehicles get this close to our cars in the West we flip a lid as if our personal space has been invaded...    here mirrors are nearly touching !!

[lordgrinz]

39 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Thai drivers are very skilled..

 

The large percentage of injured, maimed, dead people can attest to that.

[metisdead]

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[richard_smith237]

15 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

56 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Thai drivers are very skilled..

 

The large percentage of injured, maimed, dead people can attest to that.

 

80% of road deaths are accidents...   Approx half of those because of no helmet wear.

 

When comparing like for like - 4 wheeled vehicles (i.e. removing motorcycles from the stats) on a per-capita basis the USA fatality stats are worse than Thailands.... 

 

I'm not defending the standards of the driving in Thailand - but I am pointing out that optics through which we as 'westerners' look at driving here can be quite distorted.

 

 

 

 

 

[George FmplesdaCosteedback]

Another misleading headline that states: "tests now mandatory", which is not true, yet...

I took the test 30 years ago and passed but I have lost my licence card. Can I get a new one?

Enforcing this could be very detrimental to tourism.

I wonder what the percentage foreign nationals is in the cause of road accident figures?

 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

1 hour ago, lordgrinz said:

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Thai drivers are very skilled..

 

The large percentage of injured, maimed, dead people can attest to that.

 

80% of road deaths are accidents...   Approx half of those because of no helmet wear.

 

When comparing like for like - 4 wheeled vehicles (i.e. removing motorcycles from the stats) on a per-capita basis the USA fatality stats are worse than Thailands.... 

 

I'm not defending the standards of the driving in Thailand - but I am pointing out that optics through which we as 'westerners' look at driving here can be quite distorted.

 

 

I need to make an edit for that: 

 

80% of road deaths are motorcyclists...   Approx half of those because of no helmet wear.

 

When comparing like for like - 4 wheeled vehicles (i.e. removing motorcycles from the stats) on a per-capita basis the USA fatality stats are worse than Thailands.... 

 

I'm not defending the standards of the driving in Thailand - but I am pointing out that optics through which we as 'westerners' look at driving here can be quite distorted.

 

 

-------

 

To the stats: 

 

Thai Stats:

WHO Figures: 25,000 road deaths per annum in Thailand. 

80% motorcyclists: leaving 5000 road deaths for 4 wheeled vehicles or more

Population 71.7 Million = 6.97 Road Deaths per 100,000 people.

 

USA Stats: 

In 2023: 40,901 road deaths per annum in the USA

15% motorcyclists: leave 34,566 road deaths for 4 wheeled vehicles or more

Population: 334.9 Million = 10.32 Road Deaths per 100,000 people.

 

 

Obviously other facets come into this such as the distance people drive, so 'death rate, per 100,000 of population per 100,000 KM driven would be a more accurate comparison - but its difficult to dig out those stats)

 

 

 

This is what the net drags up - for ALL road deaths including motorcycles:

 

Thailand

By population: ~25.4 deaths per 100,000 population 

By vehicle distance: ~112 deaths per 10 billion vehicle-km 

Removing 80% motorcycles: 22.8 deaths per 10 billion vehicle-km (non-motorcycle) 

 

United Kingdom

By population: ~2.6 deaths per 100,000 population

By vehicle distance: ~28 deaths per 10 billion vehicle-km 

Removing 19% motorcycles: 22.7 deaths per 10 billion vehicle-km (non-motorcycle) 

 

United States

By population: ~12.8 deaths per 100,000 population 

By vehicle distance: ~70 deaths per 10 billion vehicle-km

Removing 15% motorcycles: 59.5 deaths per 10 billion vehicle-km (non-motorcycle) 

 

 

The conclusion there is: When removing motorcycles from the equation the USA is nearly 3x more dangerous than Thailand which, on a per vehicle-Km basis (i.e. per distance travelled per vehicle) the UK and Thailand have similar road fatality stats: 

 

 

A lot of people won't like that...  but is simple enough to work out the stats yourselves and find the info if you can be bothered.

 

It's doesn't tell the whole story, because we do see some crazy stuff here...   but it stats don't quite paint the same picture as some of the comments here.

 

 

 

[JamesPhuket10]

18 hours ago, Upnotover said:

I did the test last year.  1 non-Thai (me), 19 locals.  Of course they made me go first so they could have a good laugh.  5 of us passed, the rest had to come back another day.

 

Wow, they must have been really bad drivers if they failed such a test, I bet when they saw you do it they thought it was easy until they tried. 😃

 

My partner had some driving lessons and passed the driving test first time maybe ten years ago.

 

Once or twice she picked me up in her car after I have been out for a beer with the lads, I have to keep on reminding her not to keep on changing lanes, I have to give her a running commentary on how to drive.

 

It is quite fun as there is no traffic at that time of night in Phuket in my area Kathu. 

[JamesPhuket10]

29 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I need to make an edit for that: 

 

80% of road deaths are motorcyclists...   Approx half of those because of no helmet wear.

 

When comparing like for like - 4 wheeled vehicles (i.e. removing motorcycles from the stats) on a per-capita basis the USA fatality stats are worse than Thailands.... 

 

I'm not defending the standards of the driving in Thailand - but I am pointing out that optics through which we as 'westerners' look at driving here can be quite distorted.

 

 

-------

 

To the stats: 

 

Thai Stats:

WHO Figures: 25,000 road deaths per annum in Thailand. 

80% motorcyclists: leaving 5000 road deaths for 4 wheeled vehicles or more

Population 71.7 Million = 6.97 Road Deaths per 100,000 people.

 

USA Stats: 

In 2023: 40,901 road deaths per annum in the USA

15% motorcyclists: leave 34,566 road deaths for 4 wheeled vehicles or more

Population: 334.9 Million = 10.32 Road Deaths per 100,000 people.

 

 

Obviously other facets come into this such as the distance people drive, so 'death rate, per 100,000 of population per 100,000 KM driven would be a more accurate comparison - but its difficult to dig out those stats)

 

 

 

This is what the net drags up - for ALL road deaths including motorcycles:

 

Thailand

By population: ~25.4 deaths per 100,000 population 

By vehicle distance: ~112 deaths per 10 billion vehicle-km 

Removing 80% motorcycles: 22.8 deaths per 10 billion vehicle-km (non-motorcycle) 

 

United Kingdom

By population: ~2.6 deaths per 100,000 population

By vehicle distance: ~28 deaths per 10 billion vehicle-km 

Removing 19% motorcycles: 22.7 deaths per 10 billion vehicle-km (non-motorcycle) 

 

United States

By population: ~12.8 deaths per 100,000 population 

By vehicle distance: ~70 deaths per 10 billion vehicle-km

Removing 15% motorcycles: 59.5 deaths per 10 billion vehicle-km (non-motorcycle) 

 

 

The conclusion there is: When removing motorcycles from the equation the USA is nearly 3x more dangerous than Thailand which, on a per vehicle-Km basis (i.e. per distance travelled per vehicle) the UK and Thailand have similar road fatality stats: 

 

 

A lot of people won't like that...  but is simple enough to work out the stats yourselves and find the info if you can be bothered.

 

It's doesn't tell the whole story, because we do see some crazy stuff here...   but it stats don't quite paint the same picture as some of the comments here.

 

 

 

 

You have not taken into account that cars can also hit motorcycles or cause them to crash.

 

Thailand: 18 000–22 000 deaths/year, about 75–80% are motorcyclists, 41% of those motorcycle crashes are caused by car drivers.

 

USA: about 42 000 deaths/year overall.

 

UK: about 1 700 deaths/year overall.

 

Summary:

 

Thailand (including motorbikes):  about 30.3 deaths  per 100k

 

Thailand (excluding motorbikes on motorbike deaths but incudes deaths to motorcyclists cased by cars):  about 17.0 deaths per 100k

 

USA: about 12.6 deaths per 100k

 

UK: about 2.8 deaths per 100k

 

 

 

[Liverpool Lou]

On 6/20/2025 at 10:07 PM, josephbloggs said:

On 6/20/2025 at 9:42 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

Try reading to whom I was responding and the context before the pointless, insulting personal attacks. I was responding to BangkokReady, not you.

Ah fair point. I just saw my quote in there and didn't click "expand" so it did look like you were replying to me.

You made it "look" that way by not reading but leaping to attack me, it actually didn't "look" that way at all.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 6/21/2025 at 7:11 AM, Artisi said:

On 6/20/2025 at 8:56 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

It's also just a proposal.

Oh! sorry, for the pedant I should have fully checked my post

You should have just read the OP.   Pointing out an error is not pedanticism.