Thai traffic regulations or driving instructions for foreigners 

The content of the article:

• Thailand — “vice police” (Vienna Convention and Thailand)
• WU — which is better?
• The procedure for obtaining a Thai driver's license
• What to do in case of an accident 
• Mistakes of tourists

Surely even someone who has never been to this Asian country knows that a popular means of transportation in Thailand is the motorcycle. With the congested traffic on the roads, this mode of transportation becomes the fastest. Not always safe, but the most sought after by locals and tourists alike. More often than not, they are the ones most often taken for rent. Finding transportation is not a problem, the question is rather: whether your national license will be valid in this country and what category you will need in the end. Everything in Thailand is twisted in an interesting way. Although in 2021 the Kingdom signed the Vienna Convention (according to which the driver's license of the participating countries is valid on the territory of Thailand), but Thai police officers can absolutely not react to this, and to argue with them and prove something - it is generally pointless and even fraught. In the absence of an international driver's license (IDL) you can easily write a fine. And since 2023 it is significant - about 10,000 baht. And when renting any kind of motorized transport (scooter, moped, bike) in a rental, the lessor may not even look at your license, because he is not responsible for who he rented his vehicle to. Therefore, if you plan to travel in Thailand on any vehicle, it is better to get an international license in your home country, it will be faster and easier. Pay attention to the fact that moving without a license even on a scooter, you are breaking the law, so in any accident, even when you are absolutely not guilty, you will be found guilty by default, without considering the circumstances.

Thai police are also very careful about the category on your license. You need category A/A1 to drive a motorcycle. Explaining that "B" is "bike" (some tourists used to try to prove it this way) will not help you. 

In addition to an MVU, there is another great way to get around on the roads of Thailand, and that is to get a local driver's license. Yes, this procedure is available to all and offers many advantages:

• first and foremost, you will no longer be fined or made at fault in any collision

• With a Thai driver's license, you can drive freely in other countries that are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

• With a locals' driver's license, you'll get big discounts when visiting any tourist sites, and it's almost 20 times cheaper than for other foreigners.

• it is easier to get a driver's license in Thailand than in other ASEAN countries.

The procedure for obtaining a license is not complicated, but sometimes energy-consuming. At the beginning you need to collect the whole package of documents:

1. Medical Certificate (Medical Certificate) - it can be obtained from any hospital in Thailand, the cost will depend on the prestige of the medical center.

2. Residence Certificate - This can be obtained after temporary registration (propiska in Thailand). To obtain this document, you must apply to the immigration office of the city where you will obtain a residence permit. 

3. You will need to provide photocopies of your passport with visa and 2 3*4 photos (they can be made directly at the immigration center)

4. Application for a Thai driver's license. The form can be obtained from the traffic police, or you can download it from a special website and fill it out in advance. The form must be filled out in Thai, if you do not know it well, it is better to consult a competent translator.

When the package of documents is collected, you need to visit the traffic police (from 8 to 10 a.m.). There you will receive a ticket with a serial number and wait for your turn. Please note that when visiting the hospital and the traffic police, you should not be dressed as "fresh from the beach", but preferably in more closed clothes. Shorts are allowed, but not too short, but shoulders should be covered at all. Thai government agencies are attentive to the dress code of everyone (both natives and tourists). Three tests await you next:

• color blindness test (for foreigners it is conducted in English, if you speak Thai you will pass the test faster)

• distance test (you will need to use an electronic manipulator to place objects in a line)

• reaction speed test (you press the accelerator pedal, and at the right moment, at a certain signal, sharply press the brake. In essence, it is a reaction to traffic signals and unexpected situations on the road when reaction is especially needed. 

The theory test may be scheduled in the afternoon, but if there are a lot of applicants, it may be extended to several days. You need to prepare for the theory test in advance, as the questions may change, and it is better to study the Thai driving rules websites carefully before the test. Moreover, to get a license to drive a car or motorcycle you will have to take two different exams. You can read some of the rules at this link 

https://traffic-rules.com/en/thailand

For example, in Thailand there is no yellow traffic light - it is replaced by flashing red. And of great importance to drivers is the traffic controller. If you hear the whistle once, you need to stop immediately, twice - continue driving. Turned on emergency signals - this is not always an indicator that the vehicle is broken: during the movement of the local sometimes in this way show that they are not going to give way and brake in front of someone, that's where your reaction is needed. The theoretical exam includes 50 questions and is conducted on a computer. A 90% correct answer rate is an indicator of a successful exam. After the theory you will have a practice test. Practical driving starts on the territory of the traffic police, but you take it in your own vehicle, which you can rent. In the Kingdom, the practical exam is a drive on the autodrome, where you demonstrate your knowledge by reacting correctly to the signs, and then drive through the set chips, showing the skills of maneuvering a snake. You may also be asked (if you are taking the A/A1 driving test) to drive on a very narrow straight concrete lane (about 20 cm), which is the hardest for many foreigners to pass, so we recommend practicing beforehand. After passing the practical test, you pay the state duty and wait for your license. 

Let's give you some more tips for successfully passing the exams and getting your coveted license:

• It's best to arrive always and everywhere early, as Thais like to create queues;

• study the exam tickets carefully, even if it takes more time, but it will give you a guarantee of passing the theory (only 4-5 mistakes in the answers are allowed);

• Just in case, take photocopies of your passport, visa and a couple of photos, sometimes the examiner may ask you to do this in advance;

• carefully check all data in your documents and certificates, not all Thais are fluent in English, they often make mistakes in names, and this can cost you time and money for re-registration;

• Be aware of your appearance when going to government offices. While tolerant, Thais like visitors to observe their traditions;

• During the theoretical examination, a paper dictionary is allowed, but it is forbidden to use a cell phone;

• never argue or show aggression, even if you are 100% sure that your answer is correct. Thais may react to this in a mixed way. It is good if you are only reprimanded; in the worst case, your exam may be interrupted and you may be fined. 

License in the Kingdom is issued for a period of 2 years, but it can always be extended, especially after obtaining a residence permit in Thailand. For renewal, you collect the same package of documents as for a new license, but this time you do not need to take exams. You will be offered to pass two tests - for color blindness and reaction speed. If you have not renewed your license before the expiration date, you will have to take the theory again. And if the term of the license has expired more than a year from the established date, then you will go through the procedure as for the first time. Therefore, be attentive to the dates on your license. For residents, the period of validity of the license can be increased, so this is another plus in the piggy bank of foreigners with residence permit. 

Once you have your driver's license, don't forget about insurance and take into account that Thais drive far from according to the rules, so it is better to get a cheap insurance. The most popular is "Knock-to-knock-form" (some drivers have a sticker with the letter "K"). This insurance is popular because if there is no dispute between the injured parties: who is right and who is at fault - they can simply fill out their forms and exchange tear-offs, and there is no need to call the traffic police. The tear-offs are handed over to the insurance company, and the insurance company itself will deal with the matter further. If one of the participants of the accident does not have this type of insurance, or you can not figure out who is right and who is guilty (often in accidents with foreigners Thais do not admit their guilt) should call the insurance company (the number is indicated either on the sticker for the windshield or in the insurance itself). If you do not speak English or Thai well, you can ask witnesses of the accident or the participant to contact the operator and explain the situation. It is important for the operator to know the number of your insurance policy (it is better to make several copies and keep them in the glove compartment) and the location of the accident itself. An emergency commissioner will arrive at the scene within half an hour. He will either issue a referral for repairs or offer other options for resolving the conflict. Most often with a referral you will go to the workshop, from where you will take your repaired vehicle in a few days. Moreover, the emergency commissioner himself solves all issues with the traffic police, so, having called him, you do not need to call the police. In addition, if you are not at fault in this accident, the insurance company for the next year can give you a discount when renewing the insurance policy. If you are at fault, you pay the deductible stipulated by the insurance and lose all the benefits when you reissue the insurance policy. 

If you have only compulsory insurance and it is difficult to reach an agreement with the other party to the accident, you will have to call the police and draw up a report. While waiting for the police officers, it is better to take photos of the accident site, capture the warning signs (if there are any on the street), record all the damage that all the vehicles have received, etc. This may help you in the future when dealing with the situation. 

Thailand has one emergency number, 191. This number is used to call the fire department, police and ambulance. However, it is sometimes difficult for foreigners to explain the situation without knowing Thai, so as an option, you can call the Tourist Police Service 11-55 and try to explain the situation to an operator who speaks your native language.  

Often, seeing other travelers racing motorcycles, newcomers think that riding in Thailand is not difficult and can make a number of mistakes:

1. Thailand has left-hand traffic, which is unusual for many foreigners. 

2. Overtaking vehicles is only allowed by detouring on the right side of the road. Even if you see Thais doing it from the other side, don't forget that a foreigner is in special demand. 

3. Observe the speed limit: 60 km/h in a populated area; 110 km/h on the highway. 

4. learn how traffic lights work: a left turn is allowed on a red signal, in the absence of a prohibiting sign or obstruction to traffic.

5. parking spaces. In Tai, you cannot park at curbs with red and white markings (parking is prohibited for any type of vehicle) or yellow and white markings (parking is for public transport or cabs). Places for long-term parking are marked with black and white stripes.  A sign with a crossed-out square, which can be applied across the entire width of the road, indicates that any stopping is prohibited here.

6. In the Kingdom, the sign "Main Road" practically does not work, because for Thais all intersections are equal and they move according to the rule - the obstacle on the left. 

7. always keep your distance. Thais can be daring and turn as they please. And as many tourists note, locals like to open car doors even while driving, so you should always be a vigilant driver.

8. flashing high beam in Thailand is neither a greeting nor a warning about police officers, but an intention to pass first at an intersection. Although it is not in the code of traffic rules, but it is better to give way in this case. For Thais, it is an unspoken rule - the one who first "blinked" is the one they give way to.

9. a sign with an elephant on it is a warning about the possibility of an animal entering the road. If you see it, do not signal under any circumstances, you do not know how it will react to your klaxon.

10. commands of the regulator in Thailand have advantages over all other markings - traffic lights, road signs, so be attentive to his whistles: one - stop, two - keep moving (above we noted it)

If you are stopped by a patrol officer, do not be nervous, show your documents and answer questions clearly. If you are only spoken to in Thai, ask for a competent interpreter or say you only speak English. Make sure you have not violated anything while driving, otherwise you may be ticketed. The most common penalties for these violations are:

• Riding a bike without a helmet (mandatory for both driver and passenger)

• talking on the phone while driving (if you are holding a phone in your hand)

• swerving

• a fine for "dashing" on the road (sometimes Thai bikers deliberately provoke foreigners for violations)

• Driving under the influence of alcohol is the most serious offense for which you can be taken into custody. Again, don't look at the locals who may claim that 0.5 ppm of alcohol in the blood is acceptable, you will definitely not get away with it.

In general, if you have long dreamed of traveling Thai roads on your own, as they say, easy roads for you. Follow our instructions and travel with pleasure. And in the next article we will touch upon the topic of driving in a country that is somewhat similar to Thailand, but still has its own local traditions. What kind of country do you think it is?