Help please - speed limits and licence for MPV's over 7 seats

[cliveshep]

Hi All, my Thai wife and I are moving to Thailand in a couple of months and we are going to combine with her two sisters etc in one home for economy reasons. Not sure where we are going to live as yet, but one thing is clear which is that the little Nissan Tida is not going to be big enough for the combined family of 5 plus an extra 3 at times and also 3 dogs.

So I am looking with my wife on "one-2-car" for a mpv of at least 7 seats and I was most taken with a Toyota Hiace Commuter, 2005 model within our budget and beautifully appointed as a real mini-bus. It would suit us down to the ground as we won't be doing massive mileages. I think it could have up to 11 seats - or more - photos and blurb do not say, so there are several questions I have for the learrned ones on here to answer please. I do know some variants had 15 seats.

One possible fly in the ointment is my sister-in-law's assertion that van-derived mpv's with only one side door are limited to 50 mph - a speed at which, if we did want to travel anywhere beyond the local shops, would send me to sleep. Can anyone shed any light on speed limits for van derived mpv's that are 7 seats or more and have only one side door behind the front doors?

Also - my UK licence and IDP no longer cover large passenger vehicles thanks to the idiots who surrendered all to the EU and in compliance with them removed my entitlement so that I can only drive up to 7 seats now. Skill set is not an issue, I used to own and run and drive a Plaxton 53 seater coach for a kids club, it was on selling it that suddenly my licence got changed! (Swine!!)

Would a new Thai licence have the same restrictions?

So - advice wanted please. Thanks all!

[alanrchase]

My Thai driving licence has a picture of a pickup, saloon car and Hialeah type vehicle on it. Obtained with and IDP issued on a Saudi licence, photocopy of Saudi licence (had to hand in the real one when I left Saudi)and a UK paper licence. Neither of the driving licences were for minibus type vehicles. You should have no problem once you have a Thai licence.

[alanrchase]

Sorry should read Hiace, damn auto correct.

[ericthai]

Are you saying 50mph or 50kmh? on most main roads the speed limit in Thailand is 80mkh which is about 50 mph and is slower for large trucks and buses. I dont think there are any special speed limits for privately owned min-buses and believe they only have a lower speed limit for commercial min-buses. However none of this really matters. You need to remember this is Thailand and most police departments around Thailand don't have radar detectors and if they stop you most of the time they are looking for tea money so don't matter if you are speeding they will find something else to make you pay up. Following the rules is not the norm especially when it comes to driving. i have rented a Toyota commuter a few times and they are very roomy and comfortable. Most people buy pick up trucks and pile everyone in the back. We started out having a car but ended up getting a truck too as we have a rice farm so helped to have the truck for the farm stuff and then when we go somewhere and the extended family all wants to go too. It;s fun for songkhran too. If I were you i would think about the pros and cons between a van and a pickup. Congratulations on moving to Thailand, good Luck!

[cliveshep]

Thanks Eric, tell me, when you hired a Commuter, were you the one to drive it? Was it on a Thai licence gained from a UK licence and IDP, meaning not a special licence to drive it?

[arthurwait]

I drive a couple of Hi-aces occasionally on a standard Thai licence gained from a UK one. Yes there is a picture of the van on the licence - 5 and 1 year ones.

I don't think there are varying speed limits for them, maybe on some toll or express roads where they have some signs of different vehicles.

The previous post about speeding is spot on.

Remember minibuses running commercial routes crash on a very frequent basis and are repaired unless a complete right off and also thrashed by morons driving them so check it out very carefully.

[Overandout]

I drive a 7 seater (but registered as an 8 seater - possibly for tax purposes so I understand), single side door vehicle and this is the first time that I have heard that there may be a special licence or specific speed limit for this type of vehicle. I drive it on a normal Thai car licence.

I am not saying that I am complying with the law, because I just don't know, but I have driven a lot of kms around Thailand at "normal" speeds and have never even been stopped let alone fined.

[cliveshep]

It is all looking quite encouraging then - standard Thai driving licence and probably no reduced speed limit. When you say "normal speeds" do you mean the sensible UK normal speeds or the Thai 50mph ones? If the Thai cops have no speed guns presumably unless they sit behind you it is all guesswork on their part and driven by a thirst for "tea money"?

[Overandout]

It's difficult to speed in towns anyway. On the highway I cruise at 100 - 120 kph. I have a Toyota Granvia, nice old bus really and I've had it past 140 on the clock, but it's not really my style to push it too much with the family on board.

I have seen radar speed traps on the toll ways around Bangkok, but you get plenty of warning from drivers coming the other way. You'd have to be asleep to get caught.

[cliveshep]

Great, thanks for that. I'll try not to fall asleep at the wheel then LOL.

[casualbiker]

Look at the Proton Exora

[cliveshep]

We did look at them - my wife's concern and objection was the apparent lack of service back-up and spares in the Kingdom.

Toyota are more expensive but can be serviced/repaired anywhere.

I'm undecided if something small like the Azora or the Avansa (I think) would do what we want. The economy attracts long-term, the size doesn't.

[casualbiker]

And the Toyota would probably have about triple the mileage.

[cliveshep]

And the Toyota would probably have about triple the mileage.

Now you've lost me. Why would that be the case?

[casualbiker]

Because they are mini vans .

Sorry I just noticed you mentioned the Avansa.

I was talking about the 11 seater vans you mentioned initially!