Things You Should Know About Driving Law
Things You Should Know About Driving Law
In our primary schools, we were taught that, there are four common necessities in life, namely Food, Shelter, Clothing and Medication. However, these days, 'vehicles' have already become the fifth necessity for most people. No matter where we go now, we see people depending on vehicles of some kind, whether it be a private car or public transportation.
Vehicles have already become such an important element in our life. Therefore, I would like to introduce some things you should know when it comes to safety on the roads. With better knowledge on dos and don'ts on the road, you should be able to diminish roadside risks as well as chances of violating traffic laws.
Driving License:
- A Thai national becomes eligible to undertake a Driving License test when he or she is 18 years old. Once obtained, the Driving License and a copy of your vehicle registration manual should always be stored safely in the car. A practicing driver (who has not obtained a Driving License) must be, at all times, accompanied by another person who has had a Driving License for at least 3 years.
- By law, a driver without a Driving License must be penalised by a one-month detention or a 1,000-baht fine or both. If you are unable to present your Driving License and a copy of your vehicle registration manual, you are liable for a 1,000-baht fine. Also, anybody driving while his or her Driving License has been terminated, confined or expired, will be penalised by a 1,000-baht fine.
Driving Tips:
- It is the responsibility of the driver, at all times, to make sure that the driver's car does not hit any pedestrian. Special care must also be given when you come across pedestrians who are children, the elderly or the handicapped.
- In Thailand, the traffic moves on the left. You are not allowed to drive your car on the middle traffic line that separates both sides of the traffic, unless there is any emergency such as blocked roads.
- Slow drivers are to stay on the far left lane. However, in case that the road has a bus lane, slow vehicles are to stay on the lane next to the bus lane.
- When you want to make a turn, slow down, stop where you need to make turn, wait until other cars at the rear pass you, then make a turn. According to the law, turning signals, either by hand or by lights, are to be made at least 60 metres before making a turn.
- In two-way traffic, cars are to stay in their left lane. However, if the road is too narrow, cars on both sides need to slow down and larger cars are to stop close to their left edge and wait until smaller cars pass them.
- For safety in an emergency, keep an appropriate distance between your car and the car ahead.
- When climbing a bridge or a steep road, be careful not to let your car slip down and hit the car at the back.
- Never drive faster than the traffic limits.
- Never drive while your driving ability is limited, especially when intoxicated. Drunk driving is a serious violation of the law and often results in accidents.
- Traffic signs are to be understood and strictly followed by all drivers, pedestrians and animal caretakers using the roads.
- o Violators of any traffic sign are liable to a 1,000-baht fine.
When using the roads, it is a mutual responsibility of everybody to respect and follow traffic regulations, especially during rush hours when everybody is in a hurry. A little bit of 'give and take' and 'generosity' that Thai people are famous for will make a big difference in eliminating stress on the roads.
