40 tips for driving abroad
Avoid getting tickets on the highways !
Last updated on August 29th, 2025 at 09:01 am
Highway speed limit varies depending on the section of the highway you’re on and the type of vehicle you are driving. For cars, most Highways have a speed range from 80km per hour to 120km per hour.
Your speed is monitored, several ways;
- Marked highway Patrol cars that can pull you over.
- Radar cameras placed oin the highway, in which a ticket is mailed to you, commonly used for catching those crossing a solid white line or speeding.
- Police road blockages in which your speed was recorded passing the road makers as few kilometers back and when you enter the check point. You will be ticketed, fines are usually 500 baht in cash.
Recent Driving related News
All new driver’s license applicants must take written exam
As of July 2025 Thai driver’s license process has changed! New applicants MUST take a written exam. In the past, the written exam had been waved under some conditions. This new rule does not affect those renewing their license if it has not expired.
Reference related articles to this story;
- Thaiger Article; ” Foreigners must take written exam
Increased fines for motorbike violations plus more monitoring by police
Under Thailand’s new “Safety First Project” initiative, fines for not wearing a helmet while riding a motorbike have increased from 500 Baht to 2,000 baht for drivers and 4,000 baht for passengers. Other driving violations have also significantly increased, such as running a red light, speeding and failing to stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings. Repeat offenders may incur double penalties, emphasizing the authorities’ commitment to reducing fatalities and injuries among motorcyclists.
Officers are now strictly enforcing Section 122 of the Land Traffic Act, which mandates that both motorcycle drivers and passengers wear helmets at all times.
Reference related articles to this story :
- The Thai times “Thailand enforces new helmet laws” – July 2025
- Pattaya Mail “Tough on helmet violations” June 3, 2025
- Tourinformation – “New traffic fines” – June 1,2025
5-Year driver's license reduced to 2-Year for some Visas
New Driving License Rule Causes Concern Among Expats in Thailand.
A recent change in driving license regulations in Pattaya and Rayong is causing confusion among the foreign community. As of 17th July 2025 foreigners with visas valid for less than a year will only receive two-year driving licenses, whether applying for the first time or renewing.
This new rule, not yet a national policy, has ignited speculation on social media. Many fear that popular annually renewable visas, such as those for retirement or marriage, might now prevent expats from obtaining a five-year license.
Reference link: “Expats rattled over driver’s license change”
Integrity Legal video: “No more 5-year driver’s license for expat? “
You can see more tips for driving abroad tips here
“How to get a Thai Driver’s License”
and
“Best type of vehicle for Thailand”
Big City vs. Country Driving in Thailand
Big City Driving Conditions
A motorbike is more convenient than an automobile in cities with the frequent heavy traffic, small roads and a lot of interactions with motorbikes. Using a motorbike can cut your driving time my 70% and save on transportation costs. But it’s more risky, only accomplished drivers should try this.
Additionally, I recommend having accident insurance to cover you if you fall or are in an accident. I hear some Expats say they got in a motorbike accident from a soi dog trying to bite them. While a dog rarely runs after a motorbike, it does happen. This maybe a contributing factor, but it is more likely due to poor driving abilities. Your risks increase at night with bikes harder to see and some drivers drinking and more distracted, Local traffic police frequently focus on motorbike for common driving violations. While cars and trucks are less monitored.
Driving an automobile in the big cities can be frustrating as a lot of your time will be in traffic. Finding a parking place for an n automobile is more difficult than a motorbike and entail longer walks from parking lots to your destination. Motorbikes tend to pass you on both side, even while you are turning, so extras skills and patience are requires for city driving.
Countryside Driving Conditions
There are different concerns while driving in the countryside. The main difference between city and the country driving is that automobiles are a better choice over motorbikes. Some road dangers are for motorbikes with no lights or reflector on while driving on roads with no streets lights.
Passing and being passed at high speeds on 2 way road with no divider can be risky, drivers tend to driver 3 abreast with oncoming cars expected to more to the emergency lane if needed. Many trucks are massively overloaded, causing slow and dangerous passing. Farm vehicles are also very slow moving, interacting with autos and nearly invisible motorbikes, at times passing at 100 km/h. During the rainy season, road flooding can be a problem in some areas, owning a raised truck can solve this problem. However, the major roads are new or being updated, so most flooding issues are in local villages.
This section under development
- No turn on red. Can get you a very big ticket at 3 intersections in Pattaya,
- The common types of tickets the police will have checkpoints for: Tickets for no helmet, no license, no insurance or tax/ registration
- Highway tickets mailed to you for crossing a solid white line.
Best and most common Gas Stations are:
- PT
- PTT
- Bang Chak
Bang Chak …offers slightly better pricing, and better promotions such as free water or energy drinks, discounts on fuel with member card.
Taking off from tragic light safety… Never be the first on out into the intersection if that is anyone nearby, let them go first there area many drivers that run red lights.
- If you have a vehicle accident .call the insurance company FIRST.
Don’t speak to police. Let the insurance agent do that. Don’t move vehicles until you take photos. The insurance sticker on the window.of all insured cars, so you can get a personal info, even f they are not cooperative. - Only Thais can do…. You will get in trouble …
- Auto repair stations are hard to find.
- Safety. Many roads are dark, for safety get reflective road hazard signs.
- Dash cams, good idea front and back
- VIP insurance for new cars. Coverage is good. Bit some red tape with claims. Also check around for pricing if you are hot and cannot identify the car that did it… Your insurances company will consider the accident on your record, resulting in higher insurance rates in the future. You can get a quote from other company
- Stay out of the fast lane on the highway.
- Motorbikes in the countryside have no lights or reflectors.
- When to buy a home… Check if this is in a flooding area
- If you’re in a car, take is slow around corners and as a light turns green, pedestrians and motorbikes are everywhere
Crucial Expat Driving Tips
Avoid getting tickets on the highways !
Highway speed limit varies depending on the section of the highway you’re on and the type of vehicle you are driving. For cars, most Highways have a speed range from 80km per hour to 120km per hour.
Your speed is monitored, several ways;
- Marked highway Patrol cars that can pull you over.
- Radar cameras placed oin the highway, in which a ticket is mailed to you, commonly used for catching those crossing a solid white line or speeding.
- Police road blockages in which your speed was recorded passing the road makers as few kilometers back and when you enter the check point. You will be ticketed, fines are usually 500 baht in cash.
Recent Driving related News
All new driver’s license applicants must take written exam
As of July 2025 Thai driver’s license process has changed! New applicants MUST take a written exam. In the past, the written exam had been waved under some conditions. This new rule does not affect those renewing their license if it has not expired.
Reference related articles to this story;
- Thaiger Article; ” Foreigners must take written exam
Increased fines for motorbike violations plus more monitoring by police
Under Thailand’s new “Safety First Project” initiative, fines for not wearing a helmet while riding a motorbike have increased from 500 Baht to 2,000 baht for drivers and 4,000 baht for passengers. Other driving violations have also significantly increased, such as running a red light, speeding and failing to stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings. Repeat offenders may incur double penalties, emphasizing the authorities’ commitment to reducing fatalities and injuries among motorcyclists.
Officers are now strictly enforcing Section 122 of the Land Traffic Act, which mandates that both motorcycle drivers and passengers wear helmets at all times.
Reference related articles to this story :
- The Thai times “Thailand enforces new helmet laws” – July 2025
- Pattaya Mail “Tough on helmet violations” June 3, 2025
- Tourinformation – “New traffic fines” – June 1,2025
5-Year Expat driver's license reduced to 2-Year
New Driving License Rule Causes Concern Among Expats in Thailand.
A recent change in driving license regulations in Pattaya and Rayong is causing confusion among the foreign community. As of 17th July, 2025 foreigners with visas valid for less than a year will only receive two-year driving licenses, whether applying for the first time or renewing.
This new rule, not yet a national policy, has ignited speculation on social media. Many fear that popular annually renewable visas, such as those for retirement or marriage, might now prevent expats from obtaining a five-year license.
Reference link: “Expats concerns over driver’s license change”
Integrity Legal video: “No more 5-year driver’s license for expat? “
You can see more crucial Expat driving tips here
“How to get a Thai Driver’s License”
and
“Best type of vehicle for Thailand”
Misc. Driving Tips
( this sections in a work in progess)
- turning left in a No turn on red intersection can get you a very big ticket at 3 intersections in Pattaya, there are 3 intersections you can not turn left on… they are clearly marked in English and in Thai.
- The common types of tickets the police will have checkpoints for: Tickets for no helmet, no license, no insurance or tax/ registration
- Highway tickets mailed to you for crossing a solid white line.
Where to get Fuel
Best and most common Gas Stations are:
- PT
- PTT
- Bang Chak
Bang Chak …offers slightly better pricing, and better promotions such as free water or energy drinks, discounts on fuel with member card.
Taking off from tragic light safety… Never be the first on out into the intersection if that is anyone nearby, let them go first there area many drivers that run red lights.
- If you have a vehicle accident .call the insurance company FIRST.
Don’t speak to police. Let the insurance agent do that. Don’t move vehicles until you take photos. The insurance sticker on the window.of all insured cars, so you can get a personal info, even f they are not cooperative. - Only Thais can do…. You will get in trouble …
- Auto repair stations are hard to find.
- Safety. Many roads are dark, for safety get reflective road hazard signs.
- Dash cams, good idea front and back
- VIP insurance for new cars. Coverage is good. Bit some red tape with claims. Also check around for pricing if you are hot and cannot identify the car that did it… Your insurances company will consider the accident on your record, resulting in higher insurance rates in the future. You can get a quote from other company
- Stay out of the fast lane on the highway.
- Motorbikes in the countryside have no lights or reflectors.
- When to buy a home… Check if this is in a flooding area
- If you’re in a car, take is slow around corners and as a light turns green, pedestrians and motorbikes are everywhere