Driving licence in Thailand is a document that allows the holder to drive on any roads in the Kingdom of Thailand."ใบขับขี่ไทย" ใช้แทนใบขับขี่สากลได้ 10 ประเทศอาเซียน 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.ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, , เล่ม ๑๓๗ ตอนที่ ๘๘ ก, ๒๒ ตุลาคม ๒๕๖๓. (Ministerial Regulation on the Application and Extension of Driving Licences, 2020) Once the licence has been held for at least a year, 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.ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, , เล่ม ๑๓๒ ตอนพิเศษ ๙๕ ง, ๒๗ เมษายน ๒๕๕๘. (Announcement of the Department of Land Transport on the Conditions for the Re-issuance of Driving Licence for Previously Disqualified Drivers, 2015)
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 2026, the specialized licence 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; (Automobile Act, 1979) (2) Land Transport Act, 1979 for heavy good and passenger vehicles. (Land Transport Act, 1979) In accordance with the Automobile Act of 1979, driving licences may be classified as follows: +Driving Licences according to the Automobile Act, 1979CategoryValidity (years)Vehicle TypeNotesTemporary or Probationary Licence2CarThis is the first licence that allows the holder to drive independently according to the vehicle specified by the licence. The validity is two years. There are some restrictions, including the inability to obtain an International Driving Permit and lower alcohol threshold.TricycleMotorcyclePrivate Licence5CarOnce the probationary licence has been held for 2 years, the holder may apply for the full licence of the same vehicle type. This licence is valid for five years from the upgrade or renewal date. If the licence is due to expire before the next birthdate, the actual expiry date will be amended to be the next birthdate. No matter how long since the first upgrade, the licence always show the same issuance date. The only difference is the expiry date.TricycleMotorcyclePublic (or Taxicab) Licence3CarLike a private licence, a public licence may be obtained by anyone who wants to drive a taxicab. The applicant must pass a Criminal record test by demonstrating that they have never committed serious crimes, or they completed their sentences for at least 3 years before the application date. This licence is valid for three years. The condition on expiry date as a private licence still applies. Note that professional driving and certain labour-intensive jobs, including riding a tricycle and pusing a cart, are restricted to Thai nationals. (A Schedule for the Decree Prohibiting Foreign Nationals from Certain Professions, 1979).TricycleMotorcycleRoad Roller Licence5Restricted to road rollers, both single and trailed.Tractor LicenceRestricted to tractors.Other LicencesFor example, agricultural vehicles. 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 check, while a public licence requires one. 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: +Driving Licences according to the Land Transport Act, 1979ClassMinimum age (years)DescriptionClass 1 (A1 or P1)A1: 22 P1: 18This licence is for a good vehicle with the combined weight of up to 3,500 kg, or a passenger carrying vehicle with 20 or less passengers. The vehicle must not trail another vehicle. For example, minibus and van.Class 2 (A2 or P2)A2: 22 P2: 20Like Class 1, but the combined weight and the passenger number is unlimited. For example, bus and coach.Class 3 (A3 or P3)A3: 22 P3: 20This licence covers everything in Class 2 and trailers.Class 4 (A4 or P4)A4: 25 P4: 25This licence covers everything in Class 3 and vehicles carrying dangerous goods. 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 members of armed forces.ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, , เล่ม ๕๐ หน้า ๗๙๓, ๙ ธันวาคม ๒๔๗๖. (Military Automobile Act, 1933) These include: +Military Driving LicencesClassVehicle TypeEquivalent Civil LicenceM1Tracked vehicleA3 and P3M2Car or tricycle with the combined weight exceeding 2 tonnesA2 and P2M3Car or tricycle with the combined weight of up to 2 tonnesA1, P1 and Car licenceM4Tricycle with a sidecarTricycle licenceM5Trailed motorcycleNot availableM6All typesA3 and P3
Issuance of the Driving Licence Thailand utilises a probationary or temporary licence for new and previously disqualified drivers with less restrictions than most learner's licence systems around the world. Learner drivers in Thailand do not need a licence, but must be accompanied by a fully qualified drivers who has been holding a licence for at least 3 years. Once they are ready, they must obtain a medical certificate confirming that they are free from active tuberculosis, elephantiasis, leprosy, alcoholism, drug addiction and other potential conditions affecting the ability to drive and public safety before attending tests at the Department of Land Transport or any local land transport offices.
Physical Test At the test centre, the candidate must pass a physical test comprising:
Reaction test. The candidate must press the pedal of the testing equipment until the red light shows, then they must switch their foot to the braking pedal as soon as possible. The acceptable response time is 0.75 seconds or less. Wide angle perception. The candidate must place their face against the testing machine, looking forward. The invigilator then switch on the white light on either side. The candidate must raise their hand correctly on the illuminated side. Stereoacuity or depth perception. The Howard-Dolman apparatus, which consists of two white rods, one stationary (on the right) and another movable (on the left) is employed.Howard HJ (1919) A test for the judgment of distance. Amer. J. Ophthalmol., 2, 656-675Harmel, Lisa & Wingert, Timothy & McAlister, William & Bachman, William. (1994). The Effect of the M43 and M17 Protective Masks on Stereoacuity. Military Medicine. 159. 751-754. 10.1093/milmed/159.12.751. The stationary rod is kept lit while the movable rod is not lit. The candidate must move the left rod such that its brightness is equal to that of the right rod. In other words, both rods are parallel if they have equal irradiance. Colour blindness test. The candidate must specify the correct colour as shown on the equipment. Some test centres use traffic light, while others use a chart containing coloured dots. This is the most controversial part of the test, as many colour blind people are disqualified from the test at this stage, forcing them to drive without a licence and have to be punished. Thailand's National Human Rights Commission argued that most colour blind people can drive safely, but there was no positive response from the Department of Land Transport.
Theory Test Once the physical test is completed, the candidate must attend a 5-hour lecture (1 day) comprising driving etiquettes, defensive driving, related laws and other useful topics. For larger vehicles, the lecture lasts 10 hours (2 days). When the lecture is completed, the candidate sit the theory test at the same day or the next working day. The exam contains 50 items and the passing score is 45. Prior to 2014, the passing score was 35. If the candidate fails in the theory test, they must attend the later test according to the instructions.
Driving Test After passing the theory test, a candidate must pass the driving test off-road. There are 7 different manoeuvres but the test centre selects only 3 of them. These include
Car and Large Vehicles
Stopping at the kerbside safely and legally. The distance between the left wheels and the kerb must not exceed 25 cm. Progressing and reversing in a narrow course. Reverse parking into the bay on the left. Stopping and starting on the hill. (Not used for Automatic Car). Making a u-turn within a specified course. Making a left or right turn within a specified course. Driving in accordance with signage.
Motorcycle
Driving in accordance with signage. Driving on a small pathway. Driving on a Z-shaped path. Driving on an S-shaped path. Driving on a training course.
The highlighted manoeuvres are usually selected by most test centres. If the driver passes all the manoeuvres, they will be issued with a probationary driving licence. On the other hand, drivers who fail to pass one or more manoeuvres must get the appointment slip and attend the test again. The interval between two consecutive tests must be 3 days or more, or as specified by the invigilator. The overall process, from the first day of application to the issuance of the licence, must not exceed 90 days.