Thailand's Department of Land Transport plans to scrap the use of international driving permits (IDPs) for obtaining a temporary Thai driver’s licence. Under a new draft regulation, all foreigners—regardless of existing permits or licences—must pass a written test to drive legally in Thailand. The move aims to raise road safety standards and ensure fair, uniform testing. Previously, many foreign nationals were exempt from exams. If approved, the rule change could affect tourists, expats, and foreign workers. Public consultation is ongoing.

Does this apply to applications for new licences only. or licence renewals also?

Just now, DaddyWarbucks said:

Does this apply to applications for new licences only. or licence renewals also?

 

New.

7 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

New.

Thanks.

I went in today with my foreign and international licences to get a new Thai licence.  I expected to have to do the computer-based theory test as mentioned here and I passed it. BUT they insisted on me doing the practical driving test as well. Whether this was just bad luck with this particular office I don't know but just be warned that this might be new policy as well.

 

I spoke to a visa agent who said that for example Chiang Mai are not currently even requiring the computer-based theory test as they should be, so there is inconsistency much as you see with immigration offices.

 

Ridiculously given I've been driving for a very long time I failed the practical test, which is just some stuff you have to do in a carpark. I have to go back tomorrow to try again. Crazy that I failed it, but I'm driving a rental at the moment that I'm very unfamiliar with - so failed the parking test and also there is a bit where you have to stop the car with the front wheels in some markings on the ground, and with this car I don't know exactly where the front wheels are. That latter bit is easily resolved - had I known I'd have to do that I would have known that in advance.

CoPilot says this:

 

Reports from expats in Chiang Rai suggest the local DLT often requires the practical test regardless of foreign licence especially for first-time applicants, even though the national rule says it should be waived with a valid foreign licence + IDP. This is a local enforcement practice rather than a change in national law. Other provinces (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket) are more lenient.

dont worry about it, its easy and logical and only 1 correct answer, you just make 2 test tests first, and correct any wrong

Thai children having fun at work.  

Will they ever grow up.  we live in hope.

On 6/23/2025 at 1:18 PM, Video News said:

Foreigners Must Take Written Test for Thai Driver’s Licence

Press the mouse button test.

47 minutes ago, Tuvoc said:

This is a local enforcement practice rather than a change in national law. Other provinces (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket) are more lenient.

Pattaya / Barnglamung  /Chonburi let you convert a foreign licence without doing the practical tests..

(mostly, depending if your licence has written English on it)

also your licence must be valid for the type of vehicle you want to apply for   so if you only have a motorcycle licence there would be no practical test for motorcycle  but  would be for a car/truck.

 

Not to mention the various other permutations, aberrations,local variations and government employee bad hair days. 

The theory test was fine, I got a pass on the second attempt.

 

The requirement to do a practical test was totally unexpected. Had I known that was to be required, I would have researched it first. For example, I thought he was telling me I had 7 seconds to complete the parallel parking test. I rushed it, and in a rental car I was totally unfamiliar with, botched it and failed. Now I see he meant you have up to 7 switches between first and reverse to complete it, and you can take your time !  Grrr.

25 minutes ago, mordothailand said:

dont worry about it, its easy and logical and only 1 correct answer, you just make 2 test tests first, and correct any wrong

 

Well I'm not so sure. 

 

One question was: the temperature gauge is H (in the red). what does that mean ?

one option was

"the cooling system is broken"

another was

"the cooling system has malfunctioned."

 

Well, both are pretty correct, but only one is the right answer.

'Could be worse.  They could insist you pass the test in Thai.

 

6 hours ago, Tuvoc said:

 

Well I'm not so sure. 

 

One question was: the temperature gauge is H (in the red). what does that mean ?

one option was

"the cooling system is broken"

another was

"the cooling system has malfunctioned."

 

Well, both are pretty correct, but only one is the right answer.

 

💯the good thing is there's an easy cheat 😃

Got the licence ! 

 

So it is the 2 year "temporary" licence as I expected. Are there any limitations on this compared to the normal 5-year licence ?

 

EDIT: Oh, Copilot has the answer.... 

 

The word temporary can be misleading. In practice, it’s a full licence with the same driving rights as a 5‑year licence. There are no restrictions on where or when you can drive, or on vehicle types (beyond the category you applied for — car vs. motorcycle).

What’s different is mainly administrative:

• Validity: 2 years only, then you must renew.
• Renewal process: At renewal, you can upgrade to a 5‑year licence (much easier — no practical test, just paperwork, medical certificate, and sometimes a short video or theory refresher).
• Status: It’s considered “probationary” in the sense that you’re new in the system, but it doesn’t limit your driving rights.
• Points system: You’re subject to the same traffic violation point system as Thai drivers.

20 hours ago, Tuvoc said:

 

Well I'm not so sure. 

 

One question was: the temperature gauge is H (in the red). what does that mean ?

one option was

"the cooling system is broken"

another was

"the cooling system has malfunctioned."

 

Well, both are pretty correct, but only one is the right answer.

I had a similar experience.  There was only one obviously incorrect answer, the others were all vaguely correct.  I chose the wrong one and was told I should have chosen the "most correct" answer.

3 minutes ago, Tuvoc said:

Got the licence ! 

 

So it is the 2 year "temporary" licence as I expected. Are there any limitations on this compared to the normal 5-year licence ?

Renting a car abroad is the only one I can immediately think of.

On 6/23/2025 at 7:31 AM, DaddyWarbucks said:

Does this apply to applications for new licences only. or licence renewals also?

Under a new draft regulation, all foreigners—regardless of existing permits or licences—must pass a written test to drive legally in Thailand

I think it is right that the theory test is mandatory - the road rules in Thailand can be different from your home country. There is a site online where I practiced with mock tests. Some of those exact same questions did come up and that was critical in being able to pass, but there were also many that did not appear in the mock test.

 

Having done all that, I'm still not totally clear on uncontrolled intersections. In some of the pictures you give way to the car on the right - which is normal in my home country - but in another it is the car on the left that has right of way. I'll do some further research on that to get extra clarity. But at the end of the day in that situation being cautious, assuming you don't have right of way,  "reading" the other drivers' indentations and being prepared to stop get you through those situations.