Thailand Driving License: Tough new tests from 1st June 2014

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand Driving License: Tough new tests from 1st June 2014

BANGKOK:-- The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has announced the start of a strict new testing and examination process for obtaining a driving license in Thailand.

The new, more stringent tests will be effective nationwide from 1st June 2014 and are in response to urgent calls for Thailand to improve its appalling road safety record.

The key points to the new driving tests will see an increase in the number of training hours for learner drivers from 4 hours to 12 hours or more under the new proposals.

New drivers will also have to get to grips with a more thorough and comprehensive driving curriculum that will include 4 hours and intense lectures, as well as a written examination on driving theory consisting of 50 questions.

In order to pass the written examination, drivers will need to obtain a score of at least 90% or answer 45 questions out the 50 correctly. This is compared to the current driving examination test that includes 30 questions, with a passing grade of 75%.

The new tests will be mandatory for all new drivers in Thailand. Any driver who wishes to renew their 5 year Thai driving license will also need to attend a one hour ‘refresher’ lecture in order to bring them up to speed with the new curriculum. Drivers who are applying for a 5 year license for the first time will not need to take this class.

The Department of Land Transport believes that the new test will bring driving in Thailand to that of international driving standards, making drivers pay more attention when driving and therefore reducing the number of accidents on Thailand’s roads.

A spokesperson for the DLT also went on to confirm that it plans to expand the number of driver training centres nationwide in order to accommodate the increase in training and studying time and that the DLT is actively seeking new trainers to help teach the revised driving curriculum.

-- 2014-05-17

[chooka]

It's not going to make people better drivers or reduce their levels of road rage. The Roads in Thailand are full of unlicensed drivers and idiots. Get the police out onto the roads and actually book people breaking the laws.

[NongKhaiKid]

" Bt. 500 ? "

" yes and you have just passed the new tougher driving test . "

[zydeco]

A spokesperson for the DLT also went on to confirm that it plans to expand the number of driver training centres nationwide in order to accommodate the increase in training and studying time and that the DLT is actively seeking new trainers to help teach the revised driving curriculum.

Who is going to train the trainers?

[trainman34014]

Loads of money making opportunities here then. One smart arse takes the written test and sells copies outside the test center for 300 Baht is just one idea.

What's needed is law enforcement with heavy fines and driving bans for wrongdoer's. How many times have i seen people on phones or stuffing food in their face while driving ? How many jump red lights ? How many tailgate at high speed ? and on and on.

[Som wat]

There is no training that could help the problems among the average drivers.

Only the Thais themselves can decide to drive more safely. Doing so though is admitting to themselves that they are doing something wrong in the first place.

Just not going to happen Dorothy. Training truck and bus drivers about how to drive on hills and curves could possibly help a little bit, but they will likely just ignore it anyway and drive in the way that advantages them, as per the culture - self advantage above everything else.

[selftaopath]

A test means absolutely NOTHING to those who don't/won't/take the test. When there are little/no consequences for operating a motor vehicle - ANY motor vehicle then what's the point?

I/we live in Isaan. I'll bet 99 percent of individuals operating motorized vehicles have no idea a/b road etiquette/rules of the road/nor any semblance of passing a test. Hell in our village and surrounding ones there are children as young as ???? 8 yrs old ridding motorbikes - with passengers. I even saw one whose feet could not reach the ground while seated.

Here they typically drive/ride however they choose including going the "wrong way" or making a right turn from the wrong lane into the wrong land.

Is there any wonder why Thailand has so many accidents?

Will "police" lol lol lol ever enforce anything here in Thailand???? lol ahhhhhhhhhh I crack myself up sometimes. lol

Cheers to all and hope for your continued safety on these dangerous/deadly roads.

[Pralaad]

It's not going to make people better drivers or reduce their levels of road rage. The Roads in Thailand are full of unlicensed drivers and idiots. Get the police out onto the roads and actually book people breaking the laws.

You assuming police actually know the traffic laws, which they hardly ever do.

Having police do their job hardly helps, when you caught driving without a license , you pay the fine of 500 baht and keep on driving

[Mosha]

It's not going to make people better drivers or reduce their levels of road rage. The Roads in Thailand are full of unlicensed drivers and idiots. Get the police out onto the roads and actually book people breaking the laws.

Plus stop punishing the legal car drivers when an unlicensed bike rider was the person causing the accident

[Thaiisnotrequired]

Blessuck me.. I never knew 4 hours was the initial requirement.

Jesus Christo...... now it's 12. That's of great benefit. 4 hours teaching what a pedal is... jam dai dee na krap... . Lessons 4-8 hours: please remember the middle one... Oh! sorry... old instruction booklet... forget the middle one.... the one on the right is MOST important...

Lessons 8-12... leo sai. kwaa.... mai chai... drong bai as fast as you can.... in the fast lane too.... you have a huge one....1

Any lessons about slowing down approaching a yaba induced lorry driver on a frontage road? Put ur foot down quick to get past, before he swerves right to put the **its up you! Any lessons about 'greng-jai' to your fellow drivers..... like not carrying a metal pole or bamboo stick in your car, in case you get angry.

Mind you, sarcasm ignored, 12 hours of learning to drive is much better than 4. ... (unless your name is Na Ayudhya, or similar.)

[Khun Loong]

Can they please include in the new teaching scheme 'how to use a roundabout'.

[Andre0720]

Knowing how to drive well,

When there are absolutely no incentive to do so.

When there is absolutely no fear of any consequences for reckless driving

When the best time to make a phone call is while driving

And when knowing how to drive well makes one think he can then go faster

(Thanks...there fixed)

Edited May 17, 2014 by Andre0720

[Boycie]

Well done to the DLT for making a step forward, but please keep your eyes on the road and make more improvements, step by step and make sure they are implemented and not just talk.

'Tough new tests from June 1st'.........i can see the queues now, starting from Monday for 2 weeks, at all the test centres nationwide.

[Bobobirdiebuddy]

When I renewed my license last year, I was required to sit through a Thai soap opera (complete with sad music and crying kids)safety video. It was rather entertaining. That said, after the Thai driver gets this additional training and safety instruction, they will still back up 100 meters on any road because they missed a turn, tailgate like they want to sit in your backseat, assume indicator blinkers are mere accessories, talk and text on the phone while driving and generally be rude, thoughtless, selfish drivers!

[Jack Mountain]

It will be interesting to see when after a while one half of the country will follow the rules and the other half not. DANGERous!!!

[FangFerang]

You would have luck teaching a wombat to drive safely.

That's funny. Thanks a lot.

I think a wombat would drive better....

[Thaiisnotrequired]

It will be interesting to see when after a while one half of the country will follow the rules and the other half not. DANGERous!!!

Yellow or Red drivers na?

[bangkokheat]

there was 4 hours training time?

[JesseFrank]

So from June 1st the teamoney required to pass the driving test will rise.

[bangkokheat]

i thought this could have been more serious like have to be well dressed for the test

[Thaiisnotrequired]

'Tough new tests from June 1st'.........i can see the queues now, starting from Monday for 2 weeks, at all the test centres nationwide.

I've already registered my new business. It's called "Takethedrivingtest_4you.com". I have a million hits already!

[jonwilly]

I understand it's an ASEAN requirement for all member countries.

john

[Jack Mountain]

Does this also count for the motorbike drivers license?

[ezzra]

The fake driving licensee industry will flourish faster and bigger now than before,

driving education start from home, father do, son see and copy, if father is

shitty careless driver, odds are kids will be the same...

[GeorgeO]

Knowing how to drive well,

When there are absolutely no incentive to do so.

When there is absolutely no fear of any consequences for wreckless driving

When the best time to make a phone call is while driving

And when knowing how to drive well makes one think he can then go faster

...I would think that "wreckless" driving is something we would all love to see ... imagine that, no damaged cars anywhere...!

We do, however, need to stamp out reckless driving...!!

[Som wat]

As long as the belief system is in magic amulets and tattoos that make you invincible, there will be no educating them in driver safety.

Playing on your phone for 12 hours while in a DoLT video room won't teach them not to drive down the wrong side of a busy road, if they do not care about the safety of it already. 'But but I did it yesterday and nothing happened'.

[johnh869]

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It's not going to make people better drivers or reduce their levels of road rage. The Roads in Thailand are full of unlicensed drivers and idiots. Get the police out onto the roads and actually book people breaking the laws.

Wishful Thinking ......Haven't seen it in 44 years!

[Som wat]

"The Department of Land Transport believes that the new test will bring driving in Thailand to that of international driving standards"

[neverdie]

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It's not going to make people better drivers or reduce their levels of road rage. The Roads in Thailand are full of unlicensed drivers and idiots. Get the police out onto the roads and actually book people breaking the laws.

Wishful Thinking ......Haven't seen it in 44 years!

What are you talking about?

Every month they come out, for a couple of days at a time, at which point they take money from 'anything' that's moving. If it doesn't move they clamp it. 3 or 4 days every month.

Then for the remainder of the month, it's hell for leather again.

[neverdie]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

It's not going to make people better drivers or reduce their levels of road rage. The Roads in Thailand are full of unlicensed drivers and idiots. Get the police out onto the roads and actually book people breaking the laws.

Wishful Thinking ......Haven't seen it in 44 years!

What are you talking about?

Every month they come out, for a couple of days at a time, at which point they take money from 'anything' that's moving. If it doesn't move they clamp it. 3 or 4 days every month.

Then for the remainder of the month, it's hell for leather again.