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

[fullcave]

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!

You forgot Arrogant.

If it's so bad you can always move on. Nobody is forcing you to stay after all..

[ThaiSydGuy]

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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!

You forgot Arrogant.

If it's so bad you can always move on. Nobody is forcing you to stay after all..

I'm from Australia and the tests and rules there are much tougher and more strictly enforced but it still doesn't control the idiots, only the Darwin factor can do that. I actually feel a LOT safer driving on Thai roads than I do in Sydney and experience far less road rage and a much more give and take attitude in Thailand.

[gregk0543]

The real education must start in primary school. Teaching how to cross the road. Which side to drive. Roundabouts. An understanding that learning and following the rules is of benefit to oneself and others. These foundation teachings are where they must be lacking. I dont know about you but i learnt most of the basic rules there. Enforcement etc comes much later. We have these same problems in myanmar. Any westerner who drives realises they have never been taught to look both ways before crossing the road. Here they only look where they are going. But in the 3 or 4 years of school in myanmar nothing of importance is really taught. Thailand probably does more. But this and advertising during soap operas is the way to go.

[gregk0543]

The real education must start in primary school. Teaching how to cross the road. Which side to drive. Roundabouts. An understanding that learning and following the rules is of benefit to oneself and others. These foundation teachings are where they must be lacking. I dont know about you but i learnt most of the basic rules there. Enforcement etc comes much later. We have these same problems in myanmar. Any westerner who drives realises they have never been taught to look both ways before crossing the road. Here they only look where they are going. But in the 3 or 4 years of school in myanmar nothing of importance is really taught. Thailand probably does more. But this and advertising during soap operas is the way to go.

[ATF]

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!

You forgot Arrogant.

If it's so bad you can always move on. Nobody is forcing you to stay after all..

I prefer the Anarchist System to the Orwellian State approach to traffic management.

[Thaiisnotrequired]

I just looked at my Thai liscense and of course, it expired on the 28th of March 2014. Does anyone know the regulations / requirements / problems or pitfals to avoid in obtaining a renewal? Does it matter that my liscense is 2 months expired?

Input will be appreciated.. I will post my experience.

I have been driving on my UK licence for the last 10 years,no problem.In that time I have had a couple of minor bumps,once with a taxi,he pulled out without looking and another with a m/c who cut across the front of me and I had no chance of missing.I have always maintained 1st class insurance and when the assesors came they took a picture of my licence and no questions asked.I used to get stopped regularly on the Don Mueng tollway.Showed them my licence which they accepted.The reason I didn't bother with a Thai licence is because a friend of mine went to the Lad Phroa office to get an international licence and he was told he did not need his UK licence was ok,Just as an extra precaution if I get pulled over I never give them my licence but hold it so they can read it.

Snap! I've been driving for 9 years on a UK Licence, been stopped twice by police and never a question.

Hit a lorry last year which decided to turn without indicating, just as I was approaching to overtake it. Wrote off the front of the car, and slightly dented the lorry's rear chassis. Paid the driver 1000B and we both went on our ways...

Of late, as I have a brand new car, police see me and simply wave me by - too much difficult paperwork for them - and I never see it changing.

[Smurkster]

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

Are you American?

Like Clark W Griswold driving around the Roundabout in Westminister "look kids big ben, parliament" no but seriously Americans do have roundabouts, we just call then "rotaries"

[casualbiker]

I just looked at my Thai liscense and of course, it expired on the 28th of March 2014. Does anyone know the regulations / requirements / problems or pitfals to avoid in obtaining a renewal? Does it matter that my liscense is 2 months expired?

Input will be appreciated.. I will post my experience.

I have been driving on my UK licence for the last 10 years,no problem.In that time I have had a couple of minor bumps,once with a taxi,he pulled out without looking and another with a m/c who cut across the front of me and I had no chance of missing.I have always maintained 1st class insurance and when the assesors came they took a picture of my licence and no questions asked.I used to get stopped regularly on the Don Mueng tollway.Showed them my licence which they accepted.The reason I didn't bother with a Thai licence is because a friend of mine went to the Lad Phroa office to get an international licence and he was told he did not need his UK licence was ok,Just as an extra precaution if I get pulled over I never give them my licence but hold it so they can read it.

Snap! I've been driving for 9 years on a UK Licence, been stopped twice by police and never a question.

Hit a lorry last year which decided to turn without indicating, just as I was approaching to overtake it. Wrote off the front of the car, and slightly dented the lorry's rear chassis. Paid the driver 1000B and we both went on our ways...

Of late, as I have a brand new car, police see me and simply wave me by - too much difficult paperwork for them - and I never see it changing.

You and the other guy are still breaking the law if you reside in Thailand. If you are just coming on holiday a few times a year no problem .. if you have a UK license with both parts its a very simple thing to get a Thai license and be legal (yes I know the police blah blah but be legal)

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[bobthomas]

I have been here long enough. I could probably work for the Thai Goverment

Strict New Driving rules: (in order of Importance)

1) Must be be breathing or at least resemble someone that is not actually a corpse

2) Must be completely unable to distinguish left from right.

3) Must have the ability to think about everything other than driving- during the course of driving

4) Must always stop in the middle of the Road, (or preferably in an intersection) when recieveing a telephone call.

5) Must have limited or no experience with previosly operating a motor vehicle or any other type of machinery more complex than a Buffalo

I could go on...but what's the point?

Khun Bob

[bobthomas]

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

I just looked at my Thai liscense and of course, it expired on the 28th of March 2014. Does anyone know the regulations / requirements / problems or pitfals to avoid in obtaining a renewal? Does it matter that my liscense is 2 months expired?

Input will be appreciated.. I will post my experience.

I have been driving on my UK licence for the last 10 years,no problem.In that time I have had a couple of minor bumps,once with a taxi,he pulled out without looking and another with a m/c who cut across the front of me and I had no chance of missing.I have always maintained 1st class insurance and when the assesors came they took a picture of my licence and no questions asked.I used to get stopped regularly on the Don Mueng tollway.Showed them my licence which they accepted.The reason I didn't bother with a Thai licence is because a friend of mine went to the Lad Phroa office to get an international licence and he was told he did not need his UK licence was ok,Just as an extra precaution if I get pulled over I never give them my licence but hold it so they can read it.

Snap! I've been driving for 9 years on a UK Licence, been stopped twice by police and never a question.

Hit a lorry last year which decided to turn without indicating, just as I was approaching to overtake it. Wrote off the front of the car, and slightly dented the lorry's rear chassis. Paid the driver 1000B and we both went on our ways...

Of late, as I have a brand new car, police see me and simply wave me by - too much difficult paperwork for them - and I never see it changing.

You and the other guy are still breaking the law if you reside in Thailand. If you are just coming on holiday a few times a year no problem .. if you have a UK license with both parts its a very simple thing to get a Thai license and be legal (yes I know the police blah blah but be legal)

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Stoped twice in 9 years? Down here- you get stoped twice in one week- and it's "Driver's License!" every single time. and they mean the Thai one! They been stopping cars and pickup trucks for almost a year now. They used to just let cars go right by- especially if they were new or had tinted windows.

[SparklingCascades]

QUOTE - 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. - UNQUOTE

++

THAILAND needs more rules & new laws like we need a hole in the head !!

No matter how many new rules & how many new laws one dreams-up, getting around these regulations will continue - thanks to me being born & living in one of the most corrupt countries in Asia.

If one cannot enforce existing rules/laws what hope is there of enforcing new laws/rules.

Its the corruption stupid !!

[fishism]

What would you do here.

Gf says check the time... If before 6...

15ish years ago in the uk I had just 1 hour of lessons before I was put in for a test, I passed, as i was taught by my mum, but my point is they know how to drive just don't want to drive safely.

Maybe close all sections of roads that have accidents. Or ban trucks and busses.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[johnh869]

Has anyone ever seen a cop chase after someone who went thru a red light or was speeding? I'm not talking about the police traps for money BS. As I said before, I haven't seen it in 44 years. If the Thai traffic cops would act like "Chips" then maybe the deterrent would work somewhat.

[NangrongJ]

Has anyone ever seen a cop chase after someone who went thru a red light or was speeding? I'm not talking about the police traps for money BS. As I said before, I haven't seen it in 44 years. If the Thai traffic cops would act like "Chips" then maybe the deterrent would work somewhat.

What a hideously stupid comment. Totally irrelivant.

[kimamey]

Has anyone ever seen a cop chase after someone who went thru a red light or was speeding? I'm not talking about the police traps for money BS. As I said before, I haven't seen it in 44 years. If the Thai traffic cops would act like "Chips" then maybe the deterrent would work somewhat.

What a hideously stupid comment. Totally irrelivant.

Not really. The police just set up checkpoints and don't seem to work after dark. In the UK at least they are capable of stopping an offender with just 2 police in a car without the need for traffic cones and a dozen police. They also have cameras to prove the offence. It seems to work a lot better than the methods here. As others have said laws are no good if they aren't enforced.

The harder test is fine but the practical part needs to be done on a real road. I just have a feeling this is the normal practice of making an easy announcement.

[NangrongJ]

Has anyone ever seen a cop chase after someone who went thru a red light or was speeding? I'm not talking about the police traps for money BS. As I said before, I haven't seen it in 44 years. If the Thai traffic cops would act like "Chips" then maybe the deterrent would work somewhat.

What a hideously stupid comment. Totally irrelivant.

Not really. The police just set up checkpoints and don't seem to work after dark. In the UK at least they are capable of stopping an offender with just 2 police in a car without the need for traffic cones and a dozen police. They also have cameras to prove the offence. It seems to work a lot better than the methods here. As others have said laws are no good if they aren't enforced.

The harder test is fine but the practical part needs to be done on a real road. I just have a feeling this is the normal practice of making an easy announcement.

[NangrongJ]

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

Has anyone ever seen a cop chase after someone who went thru a red light or was speeding? I'm not talking about the police traps for money BS. As I said before, I haven't seen it in 44 years. If the Thai traffic cops would act like "Chips" then maybe the deterrent would work somewhat.

What a hideously stupid comment. Totally irrelivant.

Not really. The police just set up checkpoints and don't seem to work after dark. In the UK at least they are capable of stopping an offender with just 2 police in a car without the need for traffic cones and a dozen police. They also have cameras to prove the offence. It seems to work a lot better than the methods here. As others have said laws are no good if they aren't enforced.

The harder test is fine but the practical part needs to be done on a real road. I just have a feeling this is the normal practice of making an easy announcement.

The UK police are highly trained in 'sheperding' cars and they do not 'chase'. In contrast, the USA has a notorious record for chasing and escalating the incidents, As stated, either way, this requires enforcement, and just or only enforcement but specialist training. Lets face it, it's not going to happen.

[connda]

A car coming from behind me in the right lane (which means he saw me) came even with my bike and then started drifting into my lane forcing me into the shoulder until I kicked the side of his car to wake him up. Driving test will never alter this type of behaviour. Only mobile police patrols giving out moving violations to idiots who can't fathom right-of-way as protecting the safety of all drivers. In other words, the carnage will continue.

[kimamey]

A car coming from behind me in the right lane (which means he saw me) came even with my bike and then started drifting into my lane forcing me into the shoulder until I kicked the side of his car to wake him up. Driving test will never alter this type of behaviour. Only mobile police patrols giving out moving violations to idiots who can't fathom right-of-way as protecting the safety of all drivers. In other words, the carnage will continue.

Only this evening I was arriving home on a rural road and indicated right. I have to keep over to the left as it's a tight turn. I had to wait for a pickup and bike coming the other way and then checked my mirrors as it's quite common for bikes and even pickups to pass on the right if they see a right signal. there was nothing there so I turned and just missed 2 lads who passed me on a bike with no lights front or back and going very fast.

[kimamey]

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

Has anyone ever seen a cop chase after someone who went thru a red light or was speeding? I'm not talking about the police traps for money BS. As I said before, I haven't seen it in 44 years. If the Thai traffic cops would act like "Chips" then maybe the deterrent would work somewhat.

What a hideously stupid comment. Totally irrelivant.

Not really. The police just set up checkpoints and don't seem to work after dark. In the UK at least they are capable of stopping an offender with just 2 police in a car without the need for traffic cones and a dozen police. They also have cameras to prove the offence. It seems to work a lot better than the methods here. As others have said laws are no good if they aren't enforced.

The harder test is fine but the practical part needs to be done on a real road. I just have a feeling this is the normal practice of making an easy announcement.

The UK police are highly trained in 'sheperding' cars and they do not 'chase'. In contrast, the USA has a notorious record for chasing and escalating the incidents, As stated, either way, this requires enforcement, and just or only enforcement but specialist training. Lets face it, it's not going to happen.

They do chase but you're right they are highly trained and are very good at using other cars to box in vehicles and anticipating directions to cut them off. They also have unmarked cars and video and pay attention to safety. There's no reason why the Thai police can't do the same if they had the training but as you say it's not likely to happen.

[bob6130]

How can driving in Thiland be safe when road markings are placed by idiots. No overtaking on the flat and ok on a brow of a hill.

The idiots in charge put signs up so the locals can ignore them.

The National Debt of Thailand could be payed in one day if the police did their job.

[schnazzy]

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

The logic is astounding. Maybe there are other things that might make it better, like the fuzz actually enforcing the laws a bit more evenly, stop or significantly reduce the tea money, have graduated licenses, training in the school systems, harsher penalties for unlicensed, etc.

The cat is out of the bag now, stuffing it back in, would take a certain amount of time and will power.... and both are much more than anyone would admit to. It will take at least a generation.

One of the primary issues is the use of scooters as it seems, certain crowds (mostly male, mostly young), tend to do as they please. LOS isn't really setup for cars so, this will always be an issue.

BTW, I have taken both the motorcycle and car licenses. The host an online "Practice" test which is verbatim to the real test in the drivers license office. The number of questions in the "pool" seems really really low. There was only one different question between the bike and car tests. This was a super simple test with 10 minutes of road sign study. The test is poorly written and at least one question (in English) is wrong. I missed 1 on the first test but I knew I had to take the test again for the car license so I looked at the end of the test for the correct answer... traded my test card for a new one (for the car test) and got 100%.

I saw foreigners not passing. And the officials let them take it a 2nd time. Some didn't pass the 2nd time. I just don't get it. The answers where at the end of the test if you got some wrong.

The 1 hour (current) training for foreigners is a joke. When the officials stop running the system in a way that is setup to check boxes like, "having all the correct paperwork", sooo much paperwork. But when it comes down to the test, it's a joke. Why not spend more time trying to train people and make the tests more thorough with more questions in the pool. This new system will just be more of the same. I know you cant change the culture of acceptance (care more about if you have all the excessive paperwork than if you can at drive safely) in LOS so that is why I don't see much happening.

[wilcopops]

How can driving in Thiland be safe when road markings are placed by idiots. No overtaking on the flat and ok on a brow of a hill.

The idiots in charge put signs up so the locals can ignore them.

The National Debt of Thailand could be payed in one day if the police did their job.

many see driving in Thai as single issue - that being "All Thai people are morons" - this is rubbish

There are of course many other contributing factors and this is (above) one of them - traffic engineering - the design of road systems, markings, signs etc in a uniform and consistent way, but again it can't be done alone - this aspect is probably one of the most expensive to tackle as it requires to be done together with road engineering - the actual building and use of materials in construction.

[wilcopops]

to all of you describing incidents that have happened to you.....or rather your interpretation thereof.....what do you hope to achieve by this?

[Thaddeus]

How can driving in Thiland be safe when road markings are placed by idiots. No overtaking on the flat and ok on a brow of a hill.

The idiots in charge put signs up so the locals can ignore them.

The National Debt of Thailand could be payed in one day if the police did their job.

many see driving in Thai as single issue - that being "All Thai people are morons" - this is rubbish

There are of course many other contributing factors and this is (above) one of them - traffic engineering - the design of road systems, markings, signs etc in a uniform and consistent way, but again it can't be done alone - this aspect is probably one of the most expensive to tackle as it requires to be done together with road engineering - the actual building and use of materials in construction.

Agreed on that.

So why not do the really simple and easy one first.

Sack the current police and employ some that want to do the job properly.

Then work on the rest.

[selftaopath]

Thanks to all the TV posters. I agree with many ideas/suggestions. Unfortunately IMO the Thai people don’t want change. There would be total rebellion if laws were enforced or -god forbid- corruption was greatly diminished.

Can you imagine the typical Thai response to taking responsibility for oneself? What would the reaction be if every non licensed operator were fined or vehicle impounded; if every infraction resulted in some form of punishment e.g. fine etc. The fallout would be spectacular, and probably a revolt like never before experienced in LOS – Lack of Sanctions.

Thailand typically talks talks talks. They, Thai people/govt, rarely do, or walk their talk.

OK Thailand show me don't tell me.

[kimamey]

to all of you describing incidents that have happened to you.....or rather your interpretation thereof.....what do you hope to achieve by this?

Well in my case it was more in reply to a previous post but it has relevance as it shows the things that can happen without proper training. I wrote what I saw so it's not an interpretation. Thinking about it I may not have seen them partly because of them having no lights and also because of a slight bend which would have put the pickup going the other way in between us. That's the reason they shouldn't have passed me.

I don't think any of the comments on here will make any difference but at least they're a bit more constructive and on topic than yours.

[wileycoyote]

I am also surprised only 4 hours training ?

[Paul888]

Another classic case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. Forget all the death machines on the road already, create an excuse for people to drive without licenses because the test is too hard.

It's great that in a few years 1% of the drivers on the road *may* actually know who has right of way, but it won't mean anything because everybody knows that the biggest car goes first rule trumps everything here.

Until traffic laws start to be properly enforced and the penalties for breaking these laws amount to something a lot more significant than a 200 baht fine, nobody will take a blind bit of notice of road safety.

I drive my kids to school and back everyday and I honestly think that the only people who give a toss about the law of the road here are us farangs. Thais can sit patiently in a temple for hours upon end, but show them a traffic light and 10 seconds is too long to wait.

[penwithcris]

My Thai wife is an excellent driver and has held a UK licence for some time

However, every time she takes her Thai driving test in her home province (Buriram) the examiner fails her. She scores top marks in the theory test and observers who see her carry out manoevres at the test centre says she is excellent

Failure is totally down to the fact that she has a foreign name and the female test examiner is nototious for failing ladies married to foreigners

In contrast my brother- in- law is a dreadful driver and didn't even wear his seat belt during his test but was passed

It seems sad that my wife has to take her test in another area because the local test centre is using her as a cash cow

Very typical of Thailand I'm sad to say