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.

Thailand Parking White Rectangle (Image from miamiexoticcarrentals.me)

- 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 /

S.Imjongjairak

April 1, 2021

Destination: Phuket

7.3Good

Need to do tire and wheel check up. Tire are so bad. A car is not balance and can be slip when driving in the rain

M.Aphithanang

March 21, 2021

Destination: Chiang Rai

6.7The pick up and drop off point is not in the airport.

The pick up and drop off point is not in the airport.

tomoe tanaka

March 14, 2021

Destination: Bangkok

10良かった

また借ります

S.HARIS

March 4, 2021

10Excellent

Good car good experience. A lot of fun in this trip. Will book again next trip. Thank you.

Matt PIERCY

February 28, 2021

8.3We would be happy to rent again. Thank you!

We were cery pleased. The airport return was not easy.

D.Chung

December 30, 2020

10Great!

Staff was really nice and fast.

Richard Walter

December 24, 2020

Destination: Chiang Mai

9.7Easy, smooth, efficient and great value for money.

Great car that easily fitted in my family if 5. Great customer service; quick, efficient and smooth. Thanks to all.

Y.Boonlert

December 17, 2020

8Very Good

Carseat for baby is very bad, it’s not safety and very old and dirty.

December 14, 2020

Very clean and wonderful service

Sakkarn Sangkhamanon

December 6, 2020

9.3Excellent

A bit too far parking lot to get the car You have to walk across international terminal (from counter at domestic termimal) to find the car.

W.JITRAWANG

November 29, 2020

7Good

Smell in thecar is pretty bad.

P.Sintusak

November 24, 2020

8.3Good service and good car

The car was not too much mileage and enough conditions for me but there are so many scratch on this car otherwise it’s not an eco car but it safe about the fuel overall I’m appreciated.

BKK driver

November 14, 2020

10Worth and professional services!

National staff is really helpful. They provide the car the same as describe in the booking detail. The car is clean, fully functional. Recommend National.

A.Homduang

October 29, 2020

9Very good service. Easy and comfortable. I will book again. Thank you.

Very good service. Easy and comfortable. I will book again. Thank you.

p.chanruechai

9.7Very good service. Easy and comfortable. I will book again. Thank you.

P.Amornthitipong

October 27, 2020

Destination: Krabi

6.3Too terrible

Old car over 10 years. Used over 200,000 kilometers up Too bad

NoTe Ratsarin

September 29, 2020

10Great service and car

Have a promotion or coupon

August 25, 2020

8.7Very Good

The car was in good condition, although the staff have to be more careful not to leave any garbage and lost/ found artifacts in the vehicle. Booked for the Krabi branch. There was no pick up counter. Had to call for pickup and the number given was wrong.( Gave me a bit of heart attack when they did not contact me near time). Staff later called and informed that they will be later for drop off 10mins. Overall satisfactory service.

s.tungkulpanich

August 21, 2020

8.7good

I'm understand about "or similar" I selected TOYOTA yaris but I got NISSAN amera It will be better if you can support the kind of car that I selected.

Noksukanya

August 20, 2020

8.3Very Good

I like your promotion

Suwannee T.

August 14, 2020

9.7Easy to have a car, and make our trip is fun.

Very good Easy pickup and return Small comment, my freind told that the smell in the car is a bit some smell. We ave to buy a car fragrance.

P.Latchapirom

August 13, 2020

Good Service, Nice Staffs

August 11, 2020

9.3Brilliant!!!

Good staff, very professional. They supplied you with umbrella, car charger etc.

T.KATSUMATA

August 10, 2020

Destination: Ubon Ratchathani

6.7Herzと共用

Thriftyという会社名は聞いたことあったけど、利用したことは無かったので、どんな会社かなと思ってました。受付カウンターがHerzと共用（故にちょっと分かり難かった）だったし、Herzのゴールドメンバーなので安心しました。

P.SANGKHANGAM

7.7Good

Thank you. Will book again later. Recommend.

A.Sukklun

9.7Excellent

C.Thanitsaksamala

Thank you.

K.Winwan

Excellent service

T.Barr

Destination: Koh Samui

8Ripped off

They ripped me off for extra day rental cos it took 30mins to find drop off zone so will never use them again

August 9, 2020

9Good

Good service, easy to pick up.

July 31, 2020

Destination: Surat Thani

Well.

K.LOW

8Fair.

Fair.

C.Boonmanee

July 29, 2020

I bought a insurance from app. Unfortunately my car had accident and I have to paid some amount of money(4000 bath)at the counter. So, I recommend for buying insurance from owners more than buy from application. Some of counter desk at dmk airport didn't provide enough information.

July 24, 2020

The car and staff quite good

B.Virochpoka

July 23, 2020

yes!

Caballeros.Societies

July 17, 2020

Nice and service-mind staff.

July 15, 2020

9Excellent

THE STAFFS ARE NICE AND VERY HELPFUL

July 13, 2020

Nope

May A.

July 7, 2020

8.7Clear and easy booking with Qeeq.com

The staffs were very nice and have good service-minded. However, I think the company's policy needs some improvement such as terms & conditions and the insurance details should have been clear and available for customers to view on the website.

M.Purdy

July 6, 2020

Destination: Pattaya

10Amazing company....

Excellent friendly service

June 29, 2020

Good car,good service

June 26, 2020

5.7Average

Staff no service mind. And do not take care much compare with other company

Vinol Joy Dsouza

June 15, 2020

10Thai rent a car - good prices and Amazing experience

Even though my car had been thru an accident, the staff handled it very well and it was a smooth process

Stephan Fernandez

June 11, 2020

9.7Easy rental process and great value. Car was very new as well

car was almost brand new. finding the location was a little bit confusing as it is located in a separate terminal which you have to go out to get to. service on pickup and drop of was great, the guy who checked the car upon return even brought us to the nearest petrol station to refill instead of us paying the rental company rate which was a really nice touch.

Vadim Lecineaste

June 3, 2020

9Professional

Servive was ok but long waiting time

C.Yeo

May 21, 2020

9.7Easyrentcar - the preferred way to rent a car

National provided very good service and I will come back again.

A.Baylis

May 19, 2020

9.3Nice car and service

Nice car and service, we had trouble finding the rental desk which was in the domestic terminal and not the international terminal

T.Gomi

May 2, 2020

10次回もこちらでレンタルします。

予想以上に良いクルマでした。またりようしたいです。

Nosch

April 28, 2020

Destination: Udon Thani

10Recommended for sure.

All staffs is very nice and helpful. I really appreciate them.

Thailand Car Rentals