Title 3: Driver's License

This Article is part of the Motor Vehicle Act

Anyone who wishes to drive a motor vehicle on public roads must possess an appropriate driver's license. The driver must carry the driver's license and a photocopy of the registration book and show them to competent officers upon request. This does not apply for those who are learning to drive a motor vehicle according to the provision of Section 57.

If the driver is an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa, he may drive a motor vehicle with a driver's license specified in the Section 42-2. In such a case, he must carry documents specified by the treaty between the Thai government and the government which issued such driver's license, and show them to competent officers upon request.

In case there's a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver's license, an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver's license issued by such a foreign government, or an automobile association authorized by such a foreign government.

Anyone who wishes to drive a motor vehicle must apply for a driver's license according to following categories:

1. Temporary license for a private car, three-wheeled car, or motorcycle
2. License for a private car
3. License for a private three-wheeled car
4. License for a public car
5. License for a public three-wheeled car
6. License for a motorcycle
7. License for a roller car
8. License for a tractor
9. License for a motor vehicle not specified in 1. - 8.
10. International Driving Permit for a car or motorcycle

Those who has a license #4 may drive a private car. Those who has a license #5 may drive a private three-wheeled car.

A driver's license under the category #1 - #6 or #9 is valid for one year. A driver's license under the category #7 or #8 is valid for three years. Upon renewal of a driver's license, it is valid for either one year or three years.

A driver's license under the category #2, #3 or #6 may be renewed as valid for life.

To apply for a driver's license, the applicant must satisfy requirements set by this Act.

Requirements for application of license #1

1. He (applicant) is at least 18 years old. In case for a motorcycle under 90cc, he is at least 15 years old.
2. He has sufficient knowledge and skills for driving the vehicle.
3. He understands traffic rules set by the Land Traffic Act.
4. He doesn't have disabilities which affects him in driving the vehicle.
5. He is certified by a medical doctor that he's not suffering from illnesses which endanger him in driving the vehicle.
6. He is not suffering from mental illnesses.
7. He doesn't have a driver's license which he wants to apply.
8. His driver's license is not under suspension. In case his driver's license has been revoked, sufficient time has passed since the revocation.

Requirements for application of license #2 - #6

1. He has possessed the license #1 for at least one year.
2. He satisfies provisions of Section 46.
3. He hasn't been fined more than once during the past six months for following traffic offenses. In case he has been found guilty at a law court for these offenses, it has been at least 6 months since his completion of the punishment.

• a. ignoring traffic signs and signals
• b. driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
• c. obstructing other traffic
• d. speeding
• e. driving dangerously
• f. driving selfishly

Requirements for application of life-long license #2, #3 and #6

1. He has possessed a license #2, #3 or #6 for at least 1 year.
2. He satisfies requirements of Section 46. He's at least 20 years old.
3. He satisfies the third requirement of Section 4

Requirements for application of license #4 and #5

1. He has possessed license #1 for at least 1 year.
2. He satisfies provisions of Section 46. He's at least 25 years old.
3. He satisfies the third provision of Section 47.
4. He is a Thai national.
5. He's familiar with roads of the province which he wants to apply his license for.
6. He's not suffering from infectious diseases.
7. He's not an alcoholic or drug-addict.
8. He hasn't served a jail term for certain serious crimes. In case he has, it has been at least three years his completion of the term.

He who wishes to apply for license #4 or #5, but cannot satisfy the 8th provision of Section 49, may turn in a petition.

Requirements for application of license #7, #8 or #9

1. He satisfies requirements of Section 46.
2. He has sufficient knowledge and skills for the vehicle.

He who has license #2, #4, #5 or #6 may apply for license #10.

(appointing of inspectors who examine applicants)

A driver's license may be revoked when the driver no longer cannot satisfy the requirements.

A driver's license may be suspended for not longer than one year for following reasons:

1. He is found guilty at a law court for violation of this Act.
2. He refused to obey an order by a competent officer while driving.
3. He is found guilty at a law court for endangering other people by reckless driving.
4. He caused serious threat to public safety on the road.

In case of losing a driver's license, the driver must report it within 15 days, and receives a substitute license. After receiving a substitute license, if the lost license is discovered, he must return the substitute license within 15 days.

The owner or driver of a motor vehicle must not let anyone without a proper driver's license to drive the vehicle, except under the provisions of Section 57

When practicing to drive a motor vehicle, the learner must be under the instruction of a driver who has had the license for that vehicle for at least 3 years.

During the driving lesson, no other person than the learner and the instructor may stay in the vehicle.

The instructor is responsible for any damage or accident during a lesson, unless it is proved that the learner refused to obey his instruction.