1 minute ago, cynic1 said:

They failed you because they wanted Tea money from a farlang like all corrupt government officials

Nope. And what is a"farlang"?

The heading of this subject highlights how out of touch the Thai Road Dept is and of course the politicions. The heading being " Thailand Tightens Rules for Foreign Drivers," How about they tighten rules on Thai drivers who contribute to, in my estimate, 99% of road deaths. Most foreign drivers do a thorough test before you get a basic licence i.e. Australian Red P Platers, Green P plate drivers then full licence. Which takes about 4 years till you get a full licence in Australia. 

 

I remember about 3-4 years ago I decided to get a full Thai licence and had an Aussie license since about 1975. What the testers gave me was two ropes and had to pull the left and right rope . Not one question about the difference between their road rules laws and Australian, I enquired as to why I have a left rope and right right. The answer was to ensue you can indicate left or right, AMAZING Thailand.

On 6/22/2025 at 1:22 PM, harryviking said:

And does not tests and the like come under "Education"??? If you do not "test drive" you never learn how to drive! Education??? WHAT EDUCATION!!!🤪

When I learnt to drive the entire learning process took place behind the wheel of a car on the public road. accompanied at least  by a qualified driver but normally  by a driving instructor  it was called a "driving lesson"   That was the educational part

The driving test was to check I had learnt how to drive correctly it was not educational in itself

A "test drive"  is for the purpose of checking out the condition of  a  car  before buying it 

 

6 hours ago, harryviking said:

🤪🤪😪🤣 I dont know if to cry or laugh.....we are still talking about driving a car ?? Not going to a University?🙄

Seems like a strange reaction but Laugh or cry whatever you feel is appropriate.   I didn't mention university !   but as far as driving education is concerned "driving schools" are not uncommon in developed countries and can even be found over here

Lets just leave it at that shall we 

28 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Nope. And what is a"farlang"?

Oops typo "Farang" , An way google it.

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

The same principles apply... 

 

Better driver education makes safer roads...          a test is a form of 'proving' that the education is understood.

 

Japan has one of the most stringent driving courses and testing programs - it has the safest roads in the world of any 'larger country'.. (i.e. not tiny nations like Monaco or Singapore)

That's exactly what I said,  that the test itself is not "educational" but as you say, a way of checking that the education has been understood,

However they could make the test here as difficult and demanding as they like, I doubt it would do much to improve things on the roads significantly, Its not rocket science to drive correctly and even your average "Somchai" is perfectly capable of operating a vehicle to the correct standard When he has to  ie for the duration of the test. the problems start once he has passed and is able to drive unsupervised as he will invariably  soon resort to type    

Some sort of attitude adjustment would appear to be necessary for many

On 6/21/2025 at 10:31 AM, Lacessit said:

My mechanic told me to watch out for Beemers, Volvos and Mercs.

Same the world over, but  don't forget to include Audis too, especially black ones

1 hour ago, cynic1 said:

They failed you because they wanted Tea money from a farlang like all corrupt government officials

No, they failed him because he didn't get enough questions right. It is all done on a computer terminal, there is no human involvement.

Has any one here ever been asked for bribe money from the DLT? I've been driving here for nearly 30 years and never been asked, and I don't know anyone who has ever been asked.  Just more baseless idiotic bashing.

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

It actually does - Thai's a are better at reverse parking as well, because that seems to be the only way they park !!!...   they know the spacing of their car when vying for space on the roads etc... 

The motorcyclists are skilled riders zipping in and out of traffic.

 

I'd argue there are no less skilled than drivers else where... But that is a different perspective than 'risk' so the motorcyclist zipping through traffic, may be skilled at controlling his bike, but he has no road sense which is something different.

 

 

 

Richard you only have to look at the road stats for accidents & fatalities to realise there is a problem in Thailand. Both in vehicles and on motor bikes they take uncalculated risks, I dont say that all Thai's are but generally speaking they are just undisciplined drivers and reverse parking or squeezing through traffic doesn't mean they are skilful.

1 hour ago, cynic1 said:

They failed you because they wanted Tea money from a farlang like all corrupt government officials

 

No...  they didn’t pass him… because he got too many questions wrong !!!

 

Or, to put it more precisely – the phrasing of the translated questions often left just enough ambiguity to cause confusion, making consistently accurate answers a challenge – especially when some questions seem to lack a clearly correct option at all.

 

The Department of Land Transport is one of the rare government offices that treats foreigners with the same cool indifference it shows to locals. There's absolutely no suggestion of “tea money” changing hands to help someone pass a test or secure a licence.

 

In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who’s ever been encouraged – subtly or otherwise – to slip a backhander to a DLT official just to avoid failing the licensing process.

 

Though - from the 'testing side of things' there are agents who 'can' smooth things over for a cost - this is something most posters have never found necessary.

23 minutes ago, paul1804 said:

4 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

It actually does - Thai's a are better at reverse parking as well, because that seems to be the only way they park !!!...   they know the spacing of their car when vying for space on the roads etc... 

The motorcyclists are skilled riders zipping in and out of traffic.

 

I'd argue there are no less skilled than drivers else where... But that is a different perspective than 'risk' so the motorcyclist zipping through traffic, may be skilled at controlling his bike, but he has no road sense which is something different.

 

 

 

Expand  

Richard you only have to look at the road stats for accidents & fatalities to realise there is a problem in Thailand. Both in vehicles and on motor bikes they take uncalculated risks, I dont say that all Thai's are but generally speaking they are just undisciplined drivers and reverse parking or squeezing through traffic doesn't mean they are skilful.

 

....while I don't disagree that there are road safety issues in Thailand across the board.... from trucking, busses, delivery vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians...       as I've already shown, when you look at the stats and break them down, specifically for 4 wheeled+ vehicles they show how close Thailands road safety stats are to the USA.

 

Thus: When you post "look at the road stats"  - I'd suggest crunching a few numbers and seeing how the numbers look from your perspective....

 

For example: 

Work out how safe it is for you to drive a 4 wheeled vehicle in Thailand compared to the USA (this as already been carried out earlier on in this thread - but take a look yourself...   then you will see that when actually looking AT the stats...   the road safety for car users in Thailand is not quite as horrific as people are making out.... 

 

 

 

 

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

Are they really that thick?

 

Sadly, Yes. Another good exmaple is that you'll see them riding bikes wearihng face  masks, but no helmets. 

10 hours ago, Kaopad999 said:

Sadly, Yes. Another good exmaple is that you'll see them riding bikes wearihng face  masks, but no helmets. 

…i've just seen it!

 

this second.

 

mark.

17 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

....while I don't disagree that there are road safety issues in Thailand across the board.... from trucking, busses, delivery vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians...       as I've already shown, when you look at the stats and break them down, specifically for 4 wheeled+ vehicles they show how close Thailands road safety stats are to the USA.

 

Thus: When you post "look at the road stats"  - I'd suggest crunching a few numbers and seeing how the numbers look from your perspective....

 

For example: 

Work out how safe it is for you to drive a 4 wheeled vehicle in Thailand compared to the USA (this as already been carried out earlier on in this thread - but take a look yourself...   then you will see that when actually looking AT the stats...   the road safety for car users in Thailand is not quite as horrific as people are making out.... 

 

 

 

 

Well quite obviously the 4WD owners are a more skilful or disciplined driver, 4WD also cost a little more and company vehicles are usually 2wd, Utes, Vans & sedans. Privately owned are predominately 2wd Utes, sedans and vans  so singling out 4WD vehicles is a misleading indicator. Look at the overall stats which have a fairly consistent year on year number indicating that globally Thailand is a high risk country to navigate the hi ways in. 

19 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

No, they failed him because he didn't get enough questions right. It is all done on a computer terminal, there is no human involvement.

Has any one here ever been asked for bribe money from the DLT? I've been driving here for nearly 30 years and never been asked, and I don't know anyone who has ever been asked.  Just more baseless idiotic bashing.

In 1990/91 Samui we met a lady in Lamai who said we should get our Thai dl as she knew someone at DLT. She took a couple of us to the rather remote office left of the Lamai/Nathon road.

We were given a 2-3 page booklet with sets of multiple choice questions. I soon realized that the correct answers were whited out. When done I put a few hundred baht along with the answer sheet into the booklet and handed it all in .Half our later we left with 1 year paper drivers license.

I eventually did have to take the new electronic test though for some reason. Passed by 1 point. 

1 hour ago, paul1804 said:

19 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

....while I don't disagree that there are road safety issues in Thailand across the board.... from trucking, busses, delivery vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians...       as I've already shown, when you look at the stats and break them down, specifically for 4 wheeled+ vehicles they show how close Thailands road safety stats are to the USA.

 

Thus: When you post "look at the road stats"  - I'd suggest crunching a few numbers and seeing how the numbers look from your perspective....

 

For example: 

Work out how safe it is for you to drive a 4 wheeled vehicle in Thailand compared to the USA (this as already been carried out earlier on in this thread - but take a look yourself...   then you will see that when actually looking AT the stats...   the road safety for car users in Thailand is not quite as horrific as people are making out.... 

 

 

 

 

Well quite obviously the 4WD owners are a more skilful or disciplined driver, 4WD also cost a little more and company vehicles are usually 2wd, Utes, Vans & sedans. Privately owned are predominately 2wd Utes, sedans and vans  so singling out 4WD vehicles is a misleading indicator. Look at the overall stats which have a fairly consistent year on year number indicating that globally Thailand is a high risk country to navigate the hi ways in. 

The comment I’m making based on the stat is that and driving any vehicle of 4 wheels or more (*i.e. Non motorcycles) places a regular driver on Thailand roads at no significant greater risk than driving in the USA - the stats highlight the bias of those so vocal against Thai drivers L, such that element me if bigotry seem to shine throughZ 

 

 

20 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

No, they failed him because he didn't get enough questions right. It is all done on a computer terminal, there is no human involvement.

Has any one here ever been asked for bribe money from the DLT? I've been driving here for nearly 30 years and never been asked, and I don't know anyone who has ever been asked.  Just more baseless idiotic bashing.

Maybe your right as you have experienced the test in Thailand. So I apologise. The main reason I'm pissed off with the testers is believe it or not I have tried to get my Thai stepdaughter here in Australia her Red P plates but they keep failing her and as far as I am concerned she is sufficiently trained and road wise. I have been driving a car for 50 years and not once had an accident that was my fault in all those years so you think I would know.

 

Maybe I should focus on corruption in my own country when it comes to a driver test.

20 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

No...  they didn’t pass him… because he got too many questions wrong !!!

 

Or, to put it more precisely – the phrasing of the translated questions often left just enough ambiguity to cause confusion, making consistently accurate answers a challenge – especially when some questions seem to lack a clearly correct option at all.

 

The Department of Land Transport is one of the rare government offices that treats foreigners with the same cool indifference it shows to locals. There's absolutely no suggestion of “tea money” changing hands to help someone pass a test or secure a licence.

 

In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who’s ever been encouraged – subtly or otherwise – to slip a backhander to a DLT official just to avoid failing the licensing process.

 

Though - from the 'testing side of things' there are agents who 'can' smooth things over for a cost - this is something most posters have never found necessary.

Thanks for the info.

On 6/21/2025 at 1:52 PM, Jumbo1968 said:

How do you do that ?

You can read here how to convert a driving licence from your home country in to a thai driving licence. 

 

https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/2874/iid/341038

50 minutes ago, hanbla said:

You can read here how to convert a driving licence from your home country in to a thai driving licence. 

 

https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/2874/iid/341038

Item 5 E-Learning Training Certificate, confirming completion of an approved course.

What is that and how do you obtain it ?

16 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

Item 5 E-Learning Training Certificate, confirming completion of an approved course.

What is that and how do you obtain it ?

Register. Watch the videos. Answer four (I think) simple questions. When finished and passed you'll get a QR code. Take that when you go for your renewal.

https://dlt-elearning.com/forignerhome

I have  always been amazed that a thai can buy a car without a drivers license or insurance.  I saw Thai driving a new car without even having insurance and or a license. If people don't have a license they should not be able to buy a car in their name.  Driving without any insurance should not be possible. It is as simple as that.

3 minutes ago, ThailandGuy said:

I have  always been amazed that a thai can buy a car without a drivers license or insurance.

Anyone can buy a car without licence or insurance  perfectly legaly  the not legal bit is driving it on a public road without licencse or insurance.

19 minutes ago, ThailandGuy said:

I have  always been amazed that a thai can buy a car without a drivers license or insurance.  I saw Thai driving a new car without even having insurance and or a license. If people don't have a license they should not be able to buy a car in their name.  Driving without any insurance should not be possible. It is as simple as that.

 

Why ???...   you could own a vehicle and not drive it, your wife drives it (for example)...   

 

I'm more amazed (not really) that renters can rent out their motorcycles to tourists without licenses.

 

I've more amazed (again, not really) that the Police can stop people without a license, give them a fine and let them continue riding on.

 

Even more amazed (again, not really) that the Police can stop drunk people, fine and let them continue riding / driving on.

 

 

Simply being able to 'own' something, is different from being legally able to 'operate it'... 

18 hours ago, Jumbo1968 said:

Item 5 E-Learning Training Certificate, confirming completion of an approved course.

What is that and how do you obtain it ?

It's a certificate you get after a complete online course. You have to Google it.

On 6/20/2025 at 5:19 PM, proton said:

Why are they so against having a real driving test- IN TRAFFIC? Basic control of a car in a car park is not a real driving test, even then some can't even manage that and pay under the table for the license 

MY (Thai) wife took her driving test about 2 years ago. After her first day, she came home and I asked her how it went, she told me she had just driven all day from 7:30am to 5pm, 1 hour break for lunch, on major roads in rush hour traffic. Without an accident. Car was automatic. gears.

This new rule probably may not be applicable to Malaysians like me. Thailand is a signatory to an agreement that recognizes driving licenses issued by other ASEAN countries.

3 hours ago, hanbla said:

It's a certificate you get after a complete online course. You have to Google it.

Logged on, I was given the option of renewing my licence, I don’t have a Thai Licence or convert it, I selected convert it and it said coming soon.

4 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

 

Even more amazed (again, not really) that the Police can stop drunk people, fine and let them continue riding / driving on.

 

 

 

 

Got caught over the limit (low range) years ago, taken to the police station..... all the bizzo.

 

Arresting policeman came saw me at the jail cell bout an hour later and suggested 10,000b would have me walk free, or I wait in cell till Monday to go to court.

 

Told him I would need to go to ATM machine, he offered to drive me.

 

Withdrew the 10k... handed it to him when he then mentioned he was now off duty and would I like to have a drink with him, I did.

 

2 hours later he drove me back to my car so I could drive home.

Why would one need a thai driving licence since most foreign ones are recognised by the thai government. Unless you’re a permanent resident here. 

On 6/20/2025 at 12:13 PM, 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. 

 

Because it’s much easier and cheaper to write a new law.