Thailand traffic rules and self driving car rental tips

The Complete Thailand Driving and Rental Guide

Hiring a car to drive in Thailand can be very pleasant as highways are well maintained throughout the country. However, when you are driving in the big cities, heavy traffic may make your road trip far more challenging. This brief guide will provide a complete cover-up aiming to help you when planning a trip to Thailand.

Speed Limit and Traffic Signs

Driving in Thailand is on the left-hand side of the road. Some driving norms in Thailand can somewhat be seen as particular depending where you come from. For instance, tailgating is quite common and accepted by the locales, and people often cut each other off or cut into lines of cars.

Speed Limit

The speed limits for Thailand are 90 km/h on open roads, 50km/h in towns and 120km/h in motorways unless signs say otherwise.

Traffic Signs

There are mainly three types of road signs in Thailand, including regulatory signs, warning signs, and informational signs.

Thailand regulatory signs have different shapes, most of them featuring red border and white background. Note that the Stop Sign is written in Thai language instead of English or by pictogram, but a typical Octagon is applied to imply its meaning like most of the countries.

Stop(Thai Language)

Give Way(Thai Language)

Slow Down(Thai Language)

No Overtaking

Give Way to Oncoming Vehicles Used to Traffic Bottleneck Points

Thailand warning signs mostly feature a yellow background with black pictogram.

Hump

Divided Road Begins

Divided Road Ends

Pedestrian Crossing

Wild Animals Crossing

No Overtake Zone

Thailand information signs are blue with rectangular or square shapes.

Dead End

Clinic

End of Motorway

Seatbelt and Child Safety

Seatbelt Laws

A new law has come into effect from the 5th of April 2017, stating that passengers in the rear seat of a car are now required to wear seatbelts in addition to the driver and front seat passenger. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to 500 Thai Baht.

Booster Seat Laws

The Thailand law states that children should be restrained in an age-appropriate system. Children under 12 years old should not sit in the front of a vehicle.

Parking, Fuel and Toll

Parking

Because of the heavy traffic, parking in some Thai cities can be difficult to find. Parking rules and rates are usually marked on signs with English translations in tourist areas.

· Permitted Parking

- White rectangle on the road indicates a designated car parking space. Many shops, malls, restaurants, sights and hotels offer to park and if payment is needed, it will not be expensive.

- Yellow and white markings indicate a short-term parking space only, for usually no more than five minutes. These markings also indicate a bus stop. It is therefore not advised to park there.

· No Parking

- Red and white markings indicate a no parking zone, which means cars may not park here.

Thailand Parking Red and White Markings (Image from shutterstock.com)

- Multiple white diagonal lines indicate parking spaces for motorcycles only and no cars can park here.

Thailand Multiple white diagonal lines

Fuel Prices

The average price for Thailand gasoline price between July and November 2017 was 34.36 Thai Baht, and diesel was 26.79 on 4th Dec.2017.

Toll

Only the big Bangkok-area expressways demand electronic payment, while cash can be used in other places. The usual charge is between 40 and 50 Thai baht. If you do not have an electronic sensor (automatic deduction), do not go to the easy pass lane with blue marks on the ground.

Failing to pay the toll in time may lead to the car rental company paying on your behalf by debiting your credit card, charging a total amount of the toll fee and its management fee from your credit card. Please be aware that this management fee can be costly.

Traffic Violation

DUI Laws

Drivers who have had their licenses for over five years are allowed to have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of up to 0.05% when behind the wheel, while divers under 20 years are only allowed to have maximal BAC of 0.02%. A hefty fine of 60,000 THB and/or a 6-month prison sentence will be applied in case of DUI.

Foreigners driving after an excessive consumption of alcohol may also risk being deported, depending on the severity of the case.

Traffic Fines

Speeding fines in Thailand are between 200 THB to 400 THB. Parking in the wrong place or exceeding the time allowed will result in a parking ticket. Finally, parking in a non-parking area may result in a fine of 200 Thai Baht.

Some of the fines can be paid on the spot. In case you have not paid a fine, your car hire company will collect the fine’s charge as well as an added administration fee directly from your credit card.

Should you have questions in terms of traffic fines collection, you are always welcome to contact QEEQ for assistance.

Driving Licence and Age Requirements

As a tourist or visitor driving or renting a car in Thailand, it is necessary to have a valid foreign driving licence with a photograph. Many car hire companies require a full driving licence held for a minimum of 2 years with no major endorsements.

If your domestic driving licence is not in English (Arabic, Japanese, Cyrillic etc), an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) or an official translation in English or Thai is required when you drive in Thailand. Please note that an International Driving Permit (often referred to as an International Driving Licence) does not replace the requirement for a regular driving licence. And you must carry your current overseas driver’s licence, IDP or translation with you all the time when driving in Thailand.

Minimum age in Thailand is 21 years(age may vary by car category). If you're 21-25, you are likely to have to pay a young driver fee. If you're 65 or older, you may have to pay a senior driver fee.

Guest reviews

1 /

Henry koh

February 3, 2023

Destination: Chiang Rai

10Very efficient and fast in booking and collection of car.

The car looks very new and clean. Pick up and return of car were very fast and easy. Perfectly up to my expectation.

Firdhaus

Destination: Bangkok

9.3Repeated QEEQ user

Quick check in and check out. No fuss.

Mike Y

January 31, 2023

Destination: Chiang Mai

10Very positive car renting experience!

Was a new car - taking/handing over were very smooth (though Yesaway has no counter at the airport. Just need to give a call, and staff came to receive us. No problem for the 6 days (880km) of rental Value for money, excellent services!

Cheah Fen

8.7Have to state the drop off point clearly

The drop off point very hard to find it, we spend almost 20mins to get to the location. Staff told us will waiting for us but we still have to wait them and we very rush to check in flight, feel very tension.

10Great experience in renting car here

Very helpful staff, help us fixed the baby seat, everything go smoothly

Reid F Morthel

January 17, 2023

10Great experience with quality car and service.

Outstanding!

Allison

January 16, 2023

10Excellent

Overall is satisfied

s.matsuura

January 13, 2023

6.7出発ギリギリのタイミングで一番安く借りれました！

円滑に進み待ち時間もありませんでした。英語ですが返却場所、給油所のＱＲコードで返却時ま問題ありませんでした。

K.Kai Lun

January 12, 2023

Destination: Phuket

8Very Good

Difficult to found the counter, fortunately the information desk help to call the staff because my Thai SIM card not working , the man hand me the car was very helpful.

Steve Ole

January 11, 2023

Destination: Phitsanulok

9.7Happy with QEEQ would use again. When car checked between hire volt meter should be used to check ba

Had problem with car battery and car would not start. Checked battery and water level very low. Topped up.with water and had someone jump start us. I called and advised this to Hertz and they said it should be OK now. After this we needed help to start car 3 more times as if ignition was left on for longer than 1 minute or interior light on car would not start even after a 3-4 hour drive.

Chloe Chung

January 9, 2023

7Good

Good experience of car rental in Thai

K.KIMURA

8.7Very Good

貸与された車の引掻き傷が非常に多かった。あまりにもひどいので、コンパウンドを購入して傷を消した。

F.FLORIDO

January 8, 2023

10Great experience

All good, many thanks

N.Promchae

January 5, 2023

8.3The pricing booking for this car is not worth it at all.

I have book for TOYOTA Fortuner ended up we reach chiang rai airport they pass us and Isuzu Car which they didnt let us know… car have reverse sensor, but it’s not working . Car player not really functioning. I do understand is a high season but they needs to let us know they dont have Toyota Fortuner and we can try find somewhere else.. not when we reach then we knows that we’re not getting the TOYOTA FORTUNER CAR .

K.ITO

January 4, 2023

10Good service

Staff was very kind I recommended ASSP

rolex loh

for rent car service must open until 12am because lot of customer flight delay after 5pm cannot take a car.

Great vehicle.

Great customer service

Great vehicles always.

10Great

Great! Well maintained vehicle.

10Excellent.

Smooth check in and out. Smooth return.

D.Chin

December 27, 2022

5.7This is my 2nd time I used your services

Car was ok a bit battered and old The back window was very hard to see out of as the film was taken off and left a sticky residue overall car was reliable and economical

Muttamas Wongwanich

December 16, 2022

10ได้รถดี คุ้มราคา

1. รถใหม่ป้ายแดง สภาพดีมาก แต่จริง ๆ รถเช่าอยากได้ป้ายขาวมากกว่า เพราะกังวลว่าอาจมีปัญหาตอนขับกลางคืนหรือขับออกต่างจังหวัด 2. ระยะเวลาคืนเงินมัดจำค่อนข้างนาน (15 วัน)

C.Lam

December 6, 2022

8.7Decent experience

Hassle free rental, smooth. Car in decent condition.

Kushal Majithia

10Quick, easy and hassle free

Very easy and hassle free process of getting the car from the team. Minimal documentation work as well and quick handover of the car at the Phuket airport. Everything good about the car as well. They gave me a Toyota Vios as promised. Also the return of the car was easy. Very good car rental for your next trip!!

H.KIM

December 4, 2022

All staff is very kind . And car is very clean and new.

W.Chun Nam

December 1, 2022

7.3Generally good

Wait too long to get the car

November 30, 2022

Destination: Haad Yai

10Satisfied.

Fast and quick registration.

M.Cahill

10Simple and easy- no fuss

Good value

T.Khanna

November 28, 2022

Destination: Koh Samui

10Great!

Excellent team at Koh Samui Airport. Thank you.

November 24, 2022

9.7very good.

Good service.

Noii

Good staff and new car.

Destination: Krabi

9Excellent

Enhance ur drop off place, eg: provide the clear instructions how to find drop off place and put big sign board in drop off place. Separate domestic and international drop off point.

S.Charansarn

November 22, 2022

9.3Excellent

good experince

November 15, 2022

8Good and fun, will book again with QEEQ as it get better price

The car condition hope can improve, the engine sounds loud and the car don't look like well maintained

Aaron Tan

November 14, 2022

Would be better if you called them upon arrival, we had to walk to a different pick up point. Other then that, everything was smooth. Recommended!

E.Siswanto

10Easy, convenient car rental service and process

Excellent

อนิรุธ สาราลักษณ์

November 13, 2022

Easy!

Alan Chua

Budget car rental price is very good.

S.Wongsa

November 12, 2022

Destination: Khon Kaen

7.7Good

Car company it not at the airport, I didn’t get phone number to call when I arrived

Y.Rong Wah

November 8, 2022

5Average

I already paid the car rental. And when I arrived still charge me 1440 baht for no reason. And gas not even full fuel. And ask me return for full fuel. I will never book again

m.Tse

November 6, 2022

9.3Convenient

Staffs was very nice.

J.Lee

October 27, 2022

8.7Good trip but will be even greater with a safer car

The car back windscreen and 2 front 2 windows were blur and quite a driving hazard. Good to do something about it.

T.Noisri

October 26, 2022

There is many ants are in the car. Seems like the car is not clean properly.

D.Tan

October 24, 2022

9Overall good!

The drop off took over an hour as the office did not open until 7:30 am, but our flight was 8:25 am. Good thing Krabi Airport is small, so there was no problem going through security checks and going to boarding gate.

October 19, 2022

3Poor

Terrible staff at the counter (night shift). I will not come back to use the service again.

S.Lim

October 11, 2022

9.3Good Experience with QEEQ and Keddy Europcar

While my booking was for a Nissan Almera (1500cc), I was given a Toyota Yaris (1200cc). The reason given to me was that the Nissan was not available. Other than that, experience with Keddy was good with smooth handing and taking over, and the car was ok to drive around Krabi - just need a little more pressure on the accelerator if you are overtaking.

Good service, I like it

D.Hopkins

October 10, 2022

9.7An excellent experience with QEEQ and Thai Rent A Car.

It’s the 2nd time I’ve used Thai Rent A Car at Khon Kaen airport and both times I’ve been very happy with the counter staff. They are very helpful and the process was very quick to collect and return the car. I was definitely use them again.

J.Chiu

November 9, 2022

6.3average

On return, staff was not sure about the damages the car already carried, and asked me if it was new. I had to load up photos takens during pick up to show the damage was already there. this would be a dispute had i not taken pictures as proof. Rear wind screen is covered with a film that made viewing unclear.

Thailand Car Rentals