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 EasyRentCars 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 /

May A.

July 7, 2020

Destination: Chiang Rai

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

Destination: Chiang Mai

10Excellent

Good car,good service

June 26, 2020

Destination: Bangkok

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

Destination: Phuket

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.

Sheng

April 24, 2020

8アルメーラー

まあまあ良かった。

8まあまあ良かった。

8タイレンタカー

まあままあなレンタカー会社

April 23, 2020

8突然の営業時間変更！！

営業時間が変更になっており直前に言われたので大変だった。

W.JITRAWANG

March 30, 2020

Vehicle is in very good clndition. Very clean and looks new. A/C was good. I'm happy

S.Hunziker

March 28, 2020

7.7Cheap car for good price

No ventilation in the back is totally unexpected and bad! (Doesn‘t need a 2/4zone AC but atleast ventilation in the back too. Cruise control would bring alot of comfort. Otherwise this car is great and can be used for almost everything(not too much power but for the price its a good car) Drop off location , in udon they gave me a paper where to drop it off in chiang mai.. it isnt really good but thats it.

R.TAHIR

March 24, 2020

10Reliable booking, value for money

A bit troublesome after booking wben we were required by vendor to send photo of credit card. Worried if it was a scam

Keith Mcateer

10Smooth transaction from start to finish

Counter staff very helpful

J.Chapman

9.7Easy rental

The staff was very helpful and even helped to check the car for scratches and dents. Very proactive, very friendly.

March 22, 2020

8.3Good !! I will use Qeeq in the future for sure

It was a little hard to find. The car had plenty of scratches and dents but the agents marked them down - even the smallest ones.

K.Senaloes

Destination: Khon Kaen

7.3Good

Good

Bro Bear

March 21, 2020

6.7The very upset they don't recognize the insurance that we buy from this app (Qeeq) offers.

The not maintained properly too many dents and scratches hard identified if new ones.. The suspension of the car is too soft.. Hopefully next can give a better maintain car to drive around Thailand

Jklitos

March 20, 2020

Destination: Haad Yai

8.3I will be back

Hatyai airport you need to go outside if the terminal so staff will come to show your name and taje you to the office. And krabi airport you need to drop the car at the terminal 1 there are sign if the company you just park the car go inside the terminal and look for office and drop the key.

J.Solanilla Sanchez-Hermosilla

March 19, 2020

8Fast and efficient way of finding the car rental you need for the best price.

Things went smoothly but they could tell in advance that credit cards and not debit cards are required for the deposit. They started using my debit card for the deposit, they had to cancel it and then finally use a credit card.

C.Jenkins

March 18, 2020

9Another good easyrentcars experience

Good clean car, however inside of windows should have been cleaned prior to pick-up

h.Gavin-Allen

March 16, 2020

Destination: Krabi

Very good service and quick pickup&drop off

8ホンダをレンタル！

MT車の種類を増やして欲しい！

8ホンダのSUVです！！

スタッフが気楽で良かったです！！チップを上げました！！

8ホンダのSUV！！

スタッフが気楽で良かったです。チップを上げました。

Kervin

March 12, 2020

8Fast and nice experience

Value for money. Will choose them again next time.

Napat Puranamaneewiw

Easy to pick up the car.

T.TSURUNAGA

March 10, 2020

10安心

いつも安心して利用させていただいてます

T.Soo Hock

March 9, 2020

7Good

counter staff must improve. services too bad

9.3Easy and convenient

No one was at counter upon arrival at Phuket Airport. Had to call and wait for service staff to arrive. Service staff was friendly & efficient though.

9.7Easy to book, friendly service staff.

Car was relatively good. Service staff friendly.

March 8, 2020

9.7Simple, friendly & value for money.

The car provided far exceeded my expectation as it was upgraded with choices provided. Condition was fantastic and model was the latest.

J.Spencer

10Fast efficient cheap car rental service

The whole process was easy and straightforward, however, they did offer me the upgraded Super Collision Damage Waiver which meant I had no responsibility for any damage to the car and no excess, but then I still had to pay £225 deposit which I didn't understand. I'm still waiting for this amount to be returned.

Aliaksandr Kananchuk

March 7, 2020

9.3Everything is Ok.

Everything was fine.

T.Gilbertson

Destination: Ubon Ratchathani

9Excellent

I was given a Nissan and it was a car I’ll ask not to have again.

G.M.

March 6, 2020

9.7Excellence

1. From the easyrentcars my request about 2 child seat was confirmed, but in the place no. It's good because we saved money for it, but it's not normal. 2. The deposit was taken doesn't matter that we paid full insurance

S.HUI

March 3, 2020

9The car was good condition but the deposit refund is a bit slow

I still haven’t received the THB 5000 deposit refund. I expect The refund should be immediately after the car return instead of waiting 2 weeks as the staff mentioned to me. That’s not so beneficial to customers. Also, the car should be ready 1 hour before the car pick up time, instead of black facing customers asking customers waiting.

Firdhaus

10Satisfied!

Have always enjoyed booking with them! No issues, easy drop off - at departure point of airport terminal!

P.Chompoodeang

March 2, 2020

9.3Excellent

It's hard to find the counter because it's far from domestic arrival.

N.WEI KIAT

9Booked the Toyota Fortuner. Almost brand new car. Mileage around 10k plus Highly recommended

Booked the Toyota Fortuner. Good condition! New car! Mileage about 10k only Highly recommended

February 29, 2020

10Satisfied, good price

8.7店員の態度は悪いが車は快適

1人態度の悪い店員がいる

8.7車は古いけど快適

車が古かった

Y.Tsukada

8店員は最悪、車や手続きは良い

受け取りの時の店員の態度が悪い、年に3〜4回ここを利用しますが1人だけ態度の悪い店員がいる。

E.Chua

February 27, 2020

9Excellent!

Staff helpful and courteous

Thailand Car Rentals