Chinese tourists drive off the hillside after renting car at the airport

[Rhys]

Speedy recovery... similar to the Wannabe dudes renting HD and not knowing how to handle it, only good at revving the engine.. ops.. what that the gear shift..

 

[Dtaw]

They always drive like that. 

[luudee]

 

You mean it wasn't failed breaks ? Ohh wait, it wasn't a thai driver ....

 

 

[puukao]

I want everyone banned!!! Everyone arrested!!!  better vetting!!!!  if this can save just one person!!!!

 

no more cars!!!!  

[captspectre]

9 hours ago, futsukayoi said:

 

Not sure what your point is.  I havn't been asked for a license when renting a car so I am sure some people rent without. However, most Chinese I know have a car license and the requirements for getting one are definitely stricter than in Thailand.

My point is---before you can rent a car you should have a valid drivers license! in the civilized world this is ALWAYS required! 

[dunroaming]

I have driven (well been driven) a lot in China over the years and it can be a bit hairy.  However the roads are usually straight and level and unless you live is a particularly mountainous area you will be unfamiliar with winding hilly roads.  These days most young Chinese have driving licences whether obtained legally or through the usual Thai way, I.O.W the back door.

[chickenslegs]

7 hours ago, sandgroper2 said:

So much misinformation again. A foreign lic is of no use here and a international drivers lic is only valid in Thailand for 3 months. Leave, come back, another 3 months etc. why do people post without knowing what they are talking about.

 

Why indeed.

 

[dunroaming]

Most car hire companies around Chiang Mai accept Chinese driving licences for renting cars.  Probably everywhere else too but I only know personally about the Chiang Mai area for that.

[Mousehound]

2 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

 

Why indeed.

 

This subject comes up regularly.  Renting a car without an IDP is not the problem The difficulty arises if there is an accident,  as often insurance does not cover the driver.  Typically my insurance requires me to have an IDP and rent from a licensed hire company i.e. a proper hire company not the guesthouse owners brother that wants to make a bit on the side.

[chickenslegs]

45 minutes ago, Mousehound said:

This subject comes up regularly.  Renting a car without an IDP is not the problem The difficulty arises if there is an accident,  as often insurance does not cover the driver.  Typically my insurance requires me to have an IDP and rent from a licensed hire company i.e. a proper hire company not the guesthouse owners brother that wants to make a bit on the side.

 

Agreed. Making sure that you comply with the conditions on your insurance policy is most important.

I was just pointing out the actual law regarding drivers licenses and IDP's.

 

http://www.adcidl.com/countries-convention-of-road-traffic-1949.html

and

http://driving-in-thailand.com/motor-vehicle-act/#03

(See section 42(2))

 

[lvr181]

Simple really, brake failure, same same as most Thai driver "accidents".

[sandgroper2]

18 hours ago, louse1953 said:

Mmm,of course a foreign licence is of use,in conjunction with IDP.,for 3 months,as you said.IDP does not stand alone.

Please advise where you got your information from. Preferably not 70 year old regulations. 

Edited December 30, 2016 by sandgroper2
Add

[impulse]

12 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

 

Why indeed.

 

 

I doubt China has signed that treaty since foreigners aren't allowed to drive in China without a Chinese DL- even with an IDP.  Or maybe it's another agreement they have signed, but don't honor.

[chickenslegs]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

I doubt China has signed that treaty since foreigners aren't allowed to drive in China without a Chinese DL- even with an IDP.  Or maybe it's another agreement they have signed, but don't honor.

 

Correct.

In post #48 I posted a link to a list of the countries which signed the treaty. Thailand is one.

[The Old Bull]

Rented lots of cars ,never been asked for a drivers licence. Even when I pulled it out nobody wanted to look at it as long as they have the money and your passport they don't care.

[Reigntax]

They need to build a great wall to keep them on the road... or to keep them out?

[Mousehound]

16 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

 

Agreed. Making sure that you comply with the conditions on your insurance policy is most important.

I was just pointing out the actual law regarding drivers licenses and IDP's.

 

http://www.adcidl.com/countries-convention-of-road-traffic-1949.html

and

http://driving-in-thailand.com/motor-vehicle-act/#03

(See section 42(2))

 

have a look at section 43 point 10.  This talks about IDPs.   These sections also talk about mutual agreements between countries.  The problem with a very old agreement is that it may well have been superseded. 

[chickenslegs]

1 hour ago, Mousehound said:

have a look at section 43 point 10.  This talks about IDPs.   These sections also talk about mutual agreements between countries.  The problem with a very old agreement is that it may well have been superseded. 

 

The 1949 agreement is still valid, and is quoted on a number of Automobile Club websites (the Clubs which are authorised to issue IDP's - e.g. The AA in the UK).

 

Section 43 of the (Thailand) Motor Vehicle Act 2522 (1979) refers to the types of licence which are available in Thailand. If you have a Thai drivers licence you MAY need an IDP to drive in another country.

[kowpot]

Most countries drive on the right side of the road. Map is of those that drive on the left.

[gk10002000]

I don't know about you but I don't have every road I drive on memorized!  I drive a reasonable and proper speed and sort things out as I go!