Thailand is ranked 2nd in the world for traffic fatalities. Statistics show a massive 44 deaths per 100,000 people, which is 5.1 percent of Thailand’s overall death count.
It's no surprise that drunk-driving is to blame for 26% of road deaths. But it could well be more, as rescue services report that alcohol is involved in as much as 80% of road accidents.
(Stats according to the World Health Organization and The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute in the United States)
But what about the rest of the traffic accidents? Why so many?
If you've ever driven in Thailand, you'll know why. But what begs belief is that the root of the problem hasn't been addressed yet.
Learning to Drive in Thailand
Last week I went to watch my wife learn to drive. Now, had we been in the UK, this would have involved me watching her get picked up in a new, dual-control Golf, Mini or other car, and returning after an hour on the roads with a fully qualified instructor.
But this was learning to drive Thai style. Something I was yet to experience.
From the outset, I was pretty shocked that she'd only paid 3,600 Baht for 20 lessons (70 odd quid). That would get you just two lessons back home. I was even more shocked when we pulled up to what resembled more of an assault course than a learning centre.
Looks like doomsday. Clearly the Gods knew my GF was learning to drive!
Okay, I'd seen these places before from afar, but getting to grips with the fact that people in Thailand don't learn to drive on real roads, and are instead let loose in these places, takes a fair bit of getting used to.
There is no getting stuck behind a learner driver in Thailand. Instead, learners are confined to wasteland areas, instructed by non-qualified (so it seems) instructors to weave in and out of cone courses, navigate corners marked out by tyres and attempt reverse parking in makeshift spaces.
No expense spared on creating the course
I made sure I was fully kitted out with amulets before leaving the house (sarcasm), and I did warn the staff that they should probably close off near by roads, since my wife is accident prone. I also suggested that my wife change her pink-bowed sandals for more appropriate driving shoes.
The Lesson…
Four new female drivers, including Mrs TTL, were bundled into a Toyota Vios and shown the ropes by a fairly uninterested instructor with Red Bull in one hand and fag in the other. After what seemed like less that 20 minutes, each lady was given a car of her own to start driving – alone!
My girlfriend was given a black Nissan with a sticker slapped on the side that made it look a tad rally style.
I told everyone to stand back…They didn't get the joke.
She did brilliantly though. I was super-impressed. She kept a steady pace and managed to go around the corners without stacking the car into the on-site office or running over any of the resident soi dogs.
I was baffled: How had she managed to change gears by herself after such a short lesson?
“He put a rock on the clutch. All I had to do was steer”.
Huh?
Seriously. That's what they do. Forget dual controls, or even an instructor in the car. They place the car in second gear with a rock on the clutch to keep it from stalling.
A makeshift automatic. Only in Thailand!
She went for another lesson two days later, and upon her return told me that she was left in the car alone for an hour to “figure it out by herself”. She was frustrated as the old taxi she was given didn't work as well as the Nissan.
She added that she had pissed off the instructor by having a go at him for not doing his job properly.Bloody right!
Zero Teaching – Zero Real Road Experience
“This is how you do it, now get in and drive!”
It's madness. This wasteland introduction to driving gives you absolutely zero real road experience and in no way prepares you for the numerous difficulties you might face on a day-to-day basis.
I had assumed that after lesson three they'd take her out on a real road. But the office lady told me this wasn't the case. You learn on site and then put in for your test, which is also conducted on a course (not on a real road), as seen in the video below.
The New Theory Test + Real Questions
One improvement that has been made is the introduction of a harder theory test. In an effort to improve road safety, a new test (effective since June 1st, 2014) requires that students have to answer 50 questions instead of the old 30.
You'll need to score 45 questions correctly to pass, which means a passing grade of 90% instead of the old 75%. That's pretty hard, and needless to say a lot of people are failing.
You can download and print out real test questions at the following links:
>> Thai driving theory test part 1
>> Thai driving theory test part 2
>> Thai driving theory test part 3
But does a harder theory test improve people's ability to drive? Perhaps they will understand more road signs, but at the time of passing their test, their ability to control a car on the road will be limited to the experience of an obstacle course in a car park with no other cars on the road.
Surely the answer to decreasing road deaths and traffic accidents in Thailand is to start offering lessons on roads, and to create a more realistic test that takes users out in real-world situations. Or would that be even more dangerous?
Hell, how many people actually have a real license in Thailand anyway?
If you want to know how drivers should be driving in Thailand, have a look at the official Thai traffic laws here.
How to Apply for a Thai Driving License
What most people don't know is that you are required to have a Thai driving license if you have stayed in the country for 60 or more days. Bear in mind though that you can't get a license on a Tourist Visa.
If you already have an international driving license, you won't need to take the practical test, but will need to take the following:
- A short eyesight test (color perception, peripheral vision, depth perception)
- A reflex examination
- A computer based test (in Thai & English language only) on the rules of driving
Documents Required
1. Medical Certificate
Get this from a local doctor or hospital. It must not be older than 30 days. Cost is between 100-500 Baht.
2. Residency Certificate
This is proof of address and is provided by the Immigration Bureau or foreign embassy. You can download the form here. When you go to get this, take 2 color Photo’s 1.5 in x 2.36 in (4 cm x 6 cm). Proof of residence in the form of a rental contract or yellow residency book or a letter from your landlord.
3. Copy & Original of Passport & Non-Immigrant/Other Relevant Visa
Simply copy the front page of your passport, the visa page, latest stamp page and your TM6 card. Take your original passport with you too.
4. Valid License / International License
You will need your current motorbike or car license, be it an international one or one issued by your country. If you don't have one you will have to complete the practical and theory exams. If you license is not in English, you will have to get it officially translated and authorised by your embassy.
5. Identification Card / Other Card Substituted for ID Card
6. Application Forms
>> Download the license application form
>> Download the English translation
If you are renewing a license or extending from 1-year to a 5-year, click here for the official requirements.
To find your local transportation office, see this directory here.
And lastly, a nice man called Vladimir, who took the driving test in Thailand, has put together a mock Thai driving test that you can take online. It basically combines those PDF questions I gave you earlier into a test format. You can find that here.
Whether you need lessons or simply to apply for a Thai driving license, I hope you've found this information useful. If something has changed in the law or procedure that you know about, please do leave it in the comments section and I'll update the post.
Stay safe on the roads!
More Tips for a Better Life in Thailand
Send Money to Thailand:
Use Transferwise. It is fast, cheap, and gives you the market exchange rate. Me and the majority of my readers are using it.
Get Good Health Insurance:
Start with a quick quote from Cigna. Then compare my other recommendations here.
Improve Your Thai Skills:
Learning Thai makes life here easier and more fun. I use Thaipod101. It is free to get started & easy to use.
Protect Your Online Privacy:
A VPN protects you against hackers and government snooping. I always use one. You should too. Read why here.
Last Updated on
bharat joshi says
Jul 19, 2019 at 9:46 am
Kenneth Parmar says
Since then i've had health issues and other problems that have kept me from going to the Department of Land Transport to get the physical license card ( i have documentation saying i've passed and completed hours) now i'm just worried if it will expire or has it already expired / Would i need to redo the whole proceess of completing hours and doing the exam again? Or does it not expire so soon?
Thanks so much in advance!
Jun 27, 2019 at 12:49 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jun 27, 2019 at 3:25 pm
gary says
Just thought I would update you with the latest requirements ( seen yesterday) for anyone wishing to get a Certificate of Residency at the start of applying for a Thai Driving Licence.
I attended Bangkok Immigration Centre to comply with my 90 day reporting and thought I could also apply for my Certificate of Residency while already attending Immigration to save another visit. I had my printed out form and thought it would be easy but was turned away as were 3 others with me at the same time as we did not have the following documents in addition to the application form.
1. Fully filled out TM 30
2. Copy of House/condo owners ID card or Passport
3. Copy of House Registration of house master
4. copy of rental contract or land sale document
5. copy of applicants passport
6. passport photo page
7. Copy of Arrival stamp
8. Copy of both sides of TM 6
As you can imagine getting hold of items 2 & 3 are going to be tricky for most of us who don't own our own properties and in my case the owner doesn't seem interested in assisting just so I can get a Thai driving licence. I suspect the list is aimed at putting many off . I thought I would give people the heads up to save a wasted trip to the Immigration office if the correct documents are not in hand.
Jun 20, 2019 at 5:11 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jun 20, 2019 at 5:15 pm
Bernard says
Apr 06, 2019 at 5:10 pm
TheThailandLife says
Apr 06, 2019 at 11:38 pm
Steph says
Sep 11, 2018 at 4:47 pm
Chandra says
Sep 29, 2018 at 12:35 pm
Sean says
If it has expired within 3 years you can reapply and get another one for a 5 year period.
However, if it has been expired for more than 3 years, you are considered to be a new driver and are required to spend 2 days at the office..
The first day you are required to watch videos and do a written test. If you fail the test twice, you are required to come back on another day and submit a new application and do the whole thing again.
The second day is practical driving test day and if applying for car and motor bike, you will need to do 2 separate tests. (There are usually motor bikes available to hire).
When you pass, you will be issued with a 5 year licence instead of the 1 or 2 year temporary licence.
Having an International or your own country's licence becomes irrelevant in the above case and you can only use an international licence once in a lifetime to acquire a temporary Thai driving licence.
The same documentation mentioned earlier in this thread is required. TIT.
Aug 21, 2017 at 10:11 am
TheThailandLife says
Aug 21, 2017 at 3:44 pm
Raymond M Kemp says
Jul 29, 2017 at 9:08 am
James says
I'm in the midst of the same process right now. But, I did find out something that may be helpful. If your license is in English you don't need an international license. It's a reciprocal agreement between a number of countries that allow them to accept each others' licenses for visitors. So - until your stay in Thailand exceeds 3 months - you're fine for renting, borrowing, etc. a car or motorbike. If you visit Thailand for longer than 3 months or want to buy your own vehicle, that's when you need a Thai license.
The key thing you need is a permanent - i.e. not a hotel - residential address. In Thailand this is proven by having yourself recorded in a house book (a concept I still haven't wrapped my head around) and taking a copy of the house book with you when you get your license. Along with some other things. You also need to be in the country on a Non-immigrant visa, not a tourist visa.
There are some websites around with detailed information. I found this one to be helpful: http://driving.information.in.th/
Good luck and let us know how it all goes.
Jul 30, 2017 at 7:40 am
jimjfox says
Not true- I have rented hotel apartments for all 3 yrs in Chiang Rai- I have to go to Immigration where I registered my address & get a Residence Certificate [300 Baht, varies] to take to Dept of Land Transport who conduct the tests. Cannot get a Yellow Book for various reasons, nor a Blue Book cos I don't own a Thai property.
Dec 02, 2017 at 3:56 am
jimjfox says
Dec 02, 2017 at 4:49 am
Clive says
Jun 27, 2017 at 8:30 pm
TheThailandLife says
Jun 28, 2017 at 9:26 pm
jimjfox says
Dec 02, 2017 at 4:22 am
Your doctor says
Feb 18, 2018 at 3:27 pm
Boonchu says
(1) would you have any contacts for agencies who can arrange / assist for the application of the driving licence ?
(2) Do we need to go through the tests - both highway codes + eye sight tests if we have a valid overseas licence ?
Jun 21, 2017 at 12:32 am
Matt says
I can't exchange my licenses because it is lost, and my enbassy does not issue driving licenses. I feel like my only option is to start from scratch
May 12, 2017 at 11:17 am
TheThailandLife says
May 13, 2017 at 2:33 pm
jimjfox says
yes, 5 hrs! Watching a 30-min video of largely obvious info [what is a roadway...]. Why a mini prison sentence? No answer, just do it.
No, you will almost certainly fail the first of two attempts allowed at the E-Exam room [theory] where you must get 45 of 50 correct. Some answers beggar belief so study the links given, several times!
I got 43/50, then 44/50- FAILED.
But at least I was granted a 'Temporary Driver Licence'
Then you have to take a real driving test, the hardest part being parallel parking; here you have to start with a RH 90 degree bend, then straighten up & drive up to the 'start' line- with your wheels straight & within about 5 cm of the curb. I watched 7/7 people fail this; so did I.
'Come back next working day'. You are allowed ZERO errors.
So 3 visits at least, for me. Obviously most people pass but only after several attempts, nobody I speak to passed first time. Like everything here, it seems to depend on the mood/ attitude of the local testing officials.
Dec 02, 2017 at 4:28 am
jimjfox says
Dec 02, 2017 at 4:29 am
Jan-Ove Björkman says
Sep 12, 2017 at 5:49 pm