Driving licence in Thailand is a document that allows the holder to drive on any roads in Thailand and in other ASEAN states without an International Driving Permit. The minimum age to drive a motor vehicle is 18, and to drive a motorcycle is 15. Driving licence is issued and administered by the Department of Land Transport, Ministry of Transport and its branches, land transport offices across Thailand.
All drivers must pass the driving test and obtain a probationary driving licence. Once the licence has been held for at least two years, the driver can convert it into a full public or private licence according to their choice. They can also apply for licences for heavy goods or passenger vehicles. Drivers who previously had their licence revoked, usually by a court order, must also obtain a probationary licence.
Due to the introduction of very powerful and heavy motorcycles, the Department of Land Transport is introducing a new regulation. Once the regulation is effective, drivers who want to drive a motorcycle with the power exceeding 45 kW or the engine larger than 400 cc must have an additional licence as well as more stringent training. As of September 7, 2022, this additional license is not available.
Types of Driving Licence
Civil Driving Licence
Driving licence in Thailand is issued under two different laws: (1) Automobile Act, 1979 for small cars and motorcycle; (2) Land Transport Act, 1979 for heavy good and passenger vehicles. In accordance with the Automobile Act of 1979, driving licences may be classified as follows:
All drivers must begin by obtaining a probationary licence. Once the licence has been held for at least 2 years and they are at least 18 years old, they can apply for a full licence. Either public or private licence are available according to their choice. A private licence does not require a criminal record test, while a public licence does require a criminal record test. Anyone who has completed a sentence of imprisonment and who has been discharged for at least three years shall be considered fit for a public driving licence. A private driving licence is valid for 5 years, while a public driving licence can be used for 3 years.
The minimum age for obtaining a probationary licence is 18 years old. The exception is that a probationary motorcycle licence may be issued to people aged 15–17 years old (inclusive). For a full licence, however, the applicants must be at least 18 years old. This means the driver who obtained their probationary motorcycle licence when they are 15 must obtain the same licence again when they are 17.
Learner drivers do not need a learner's permit or similar documents, but must be accompanied by a qualified driver who has held a full licence for at least three years.
The Land Transport Act, 1979, defined different licences to be issued. These include:
The prefix A and P stands for "all types" and "personal only" respectively. The licence of the higher category can be used in place of the lower ones. The "all types" or A licences can be used instead of the "personal only" or P licences. For instance, an A4 (ท.4) licence can be used in lieu of P4 (บ.4), A3 (ท.3), P3 (บ.3), A2 (ท.2), P2 (บ.2), A1 (ท.1) licences. An A2 licence can be used in place of P2, A1 and P1 licences.
Drivers who wish to obtain P1-P4 licences must meet the minimum age requirements as well as pass an approved course at the local transport office or approved driving school. In addition, A1-A4 licences also require a criminal record check.
The probationary car licence is, according to the legislation, not needed for P/A 1-4 licences. In practice, most drivers learning to drive large vehicles must already learnt how to drive smaller vehicles, requiring the probationary car licence. Some driving schools and land transport offices often require the probationary car licence before the driver can learn to drive a large truck.
Military Driving Licence
Military personnel can apply for a civil driving licence and use it in their career. However, the Military Automobile Act, 1933 empowered the Department of Army Transportation to issue driving licences to soldiers. These include: