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.

- 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 QEEQ 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 /

K.Ylisoini

December 9, 2023

Destination: Bangkok

9.3Quick and easy booking and handling.

Pick-up and drop-off were quick and smooth with helpful staff. The condition of the car was not top notch, but good enough for our purpose.

F.M Tong

9.3Excellent

English are hardly to understand. Improvement are recommended

A.Liau

Destination: Chiang Mai

9.7Chiang Mai 5-7 December

fast, simple and friendly

Jumpon

December 8, 2023

Destination: Ubon Ratchathani

7Good

สภาพภายในฝุ่นเยอะมากเหมือนไม่ได้ดูดฝุ่นบนเบาะจากผู้เช่าคนก่อน

Wai Ming

8.3Very good

Condition is good

10Very Good, New Car

New Car

December 7, 2023

Destination: Phuket

6.7Ok

Was made to pay additional for picking up after 8pm.

December 6, 2023

9.7Excellent

They are changing Xpander to Toyota Veloz. So it’s brand new at the moment.

J Cheung

December 2, 2023

8.3I would prefer QEEQ to book my rental car

Rental company that you can rely on based on my last experience. If you want to have worry free self drive trip, it is highly recommended to include AXA full insurance cover.

K.Tantirujananont

10Great experience

Smooth process. Great car.

Ken

November 16, 2023

8.7Very good

Thanks for good service and vehicle

November 13, 2023

10Exceeded our expectations

The car exceeded our expectations. We got a free upgrade and the car was brand new! Will keep booking through Qeeq for sure. We also recommended this service to many others!

T.MUROTANI

November 1, 2023

4.7QEEQは借りてはダメ

　QEEQは初めての利用で、Chic Car Rent の車を借りルのも初めて。レンタルしたのは、HONDAのBRV。２０２１年に新車が出ているのに、１７万㎞以上走っている使い古しすぎる車。　Chic Car Rent は、タイのHONDAのディーラーでで、現行車を扱っているはず。なのに、ここまでボロい車を提供するとは・・・。ガッカリです。　このボロい車。雨が降ってもワイパーはボロボロで効果なし。ひどい！運転に支障はないものの、ずっと室内はガタガタと異音がして気になる。

September 14, 2023

8Very good

Car was older than expected.

W.Lo

September 5, 2023

The car has a huge luggage storage, but the pick up point is a bit difficult to find

Dy K

August 30, 2023

10They checked car and found my airpods!

Nice staffs they found my airpods!

Destination: Krabi

10Yesaway fortuner review

Rented fortuner and it was nice new car so we enjoyed driving

R. LEE

August 29, 2023

Destination: Koh Samui

10Easy, reliable and reasonable price.

Condition of the car is good.

L.Cheuk Kit

August 24, 2023

9.3A very good driving experience in the Northern part of Thailand. A pleasant journey.

Very efficient throughout the car pick-up and drop-off process. Very good customer service in the counter and the car park. A pleasant journey.

Yossi

August 16, 2023

9.7Efficient and smooth

Efficient and smooth process in both Pick-up and Drop-off.

Eukleides

August 15, 2023

10また利用します！

新車でした！スマホとカーナビが接続できて快適なドライブ！

David Wells

August 14, 2023

9.3Very staisfied

Counter staff were very thorough and helpful. Location of counter was easy to find and car was waiting nearby. Car was relatively high mileage (20k kms) but clean and performed well. Return process was very helpful and efficient

A.Guo

August 9, 2023

10Easy and pleasant reveal experience.

Rental booth is located in domestic terminal, we got off the international terminal needed a bit of walk to get there. Car rental staff are friendly, pickup process were very professional, drop off process are even easier, will definitely rent from them again.

Shin

August 1, 2023

7.7Good

nice

T.Uramoto

10とても素晴らしいレンタカーでした。

車両はトヨタヤリス、セダンタイプでした。とても手入れがされていて、車内もきれいでした。25キロのスーツケース2個がトランクに入れることができます。プーケットのアップダウンする道路、狭い道、高速での走行も問題なく快適でした。借り受け時の車周りのチェックもスムーズに終えて、返却も空港に到着する20分前に事務所に電話して、午前6時30分に到着6番ゲート出口に到着すると、既に係員が待機してくれていて、3分くらいで外周、エンジンチェックを終えました。旅行中ドライブや病院^_^などに行くのに大活躍してくれて本当にレンタルしてよかったです。ありがとうございました。

KL.Chua

July 30, 2023

Destination: Haad Yai

8Highly recommended

Clean and comfortable Staff very courteous Could not ask for more

Vlastislav Hud

June 25, 2023

9.3I will order again next time.

The car's antenna is probably bad, only a few stations can be tuned.

June 6, 2023

7.7very nice trips

So fAr So GOOd,

M.Theeran

February 24, 2023

8.3excellent

awesome service

February 15, 2023

9.3Over all great experience, family loved it, Thanks QEEQ, Thanks CHIC

Short Staffed on this day i guess, had to wait for other renters to finish their renting process till my turn came...its OK about 20-25 mins Staff friendly, Car Good, clean, spacious Honda city, Car return is a bit confusing, chic gave a GoogleMap pin, but does not navigate much within Airport building. Getting to 1st floor for drop off is a bit confusing, had to exit & re-enter Airport again... not Chic's fault, the signboards are confusing GO TO TAXI STAND IN AIRPORT, Car return is beside it, you will see Chic staff in their uniform work-jackets, hard to miss... call Chic before entering airport so staff is ready for return process (under 10 mins) Over all great experience, family loved it.

Henry koh

February 3, 2023

Destination: Chiang Rai

10Very efficient and fast in booking and collection of car.

The car looks very new and clean. Pick up and return of car were very fast and easy. Perfectly up to my expectation.

Firdhaus

9.3Repeated QEEQ user

Quick check in and check out. No fuss.

Mike Y

January 31, 2023

10Very positive car renting experience!

Was a new car - taking/handing over were very smooth (though Yesaway has no counter at the airport. Just need to give a call, and staff came to receive us. No problem for the 6 days (880km) of rental Value for money, excellent services!

Cheah Fen

8.7Have to state the drop off point clearly

The drop off point very hard to find it, we spend almost 20mins to get to the location. Staff told us will waiting for us but we still have to wait them and we very rush to check in flight, feel very tension.

10Great experience in renting car here

Very helpful staff, help us fixed the baby seat, everything go smoothly

Reid F Morthel

January 17, 2023

10Great experience with quality car and service.

Outstanding!

Allison

January 16, 2023

10Excellent

Overall is satisfied

s.matsuura

January 13, 2023

6.7出発ギリギリのタイミングで一番安く借りれました！

円滑に進み待ち時間もありませんでした。英語ですが返却場所、給油所のＱＲコードで返却時ま問題ありませんでした。

K.Kai Lun

January 12, 2023

Difficult to found the counter, fortunately the information desk help to call the staff because my Thai SIM card not working , the man hand me the car was very helpful.

Steve Ole

January 11, 2023

Destination: Phitsanulok

9.7Happy with QEEQ would use again. When car checked between hire volt meter should be used to check ba

Had problem with car battery and car would not start. Checked battery and water level very low. Topped up.with water and had someone jump start us. I called and advised this to Hertz and they said it should be OK now. After this we needed help to start car 3 more times as if ignition was left on for longer than 1 minute or interior light on car would not start even after a 3-4 hour drive.

Chloe Chung

January 9, 2023

Good experience of car rental in Thai

K.KIMURA

貸与された車の引掻き傷が非常に多かった。あまりにもひどいので、コンパウンドを購入して傷を消した。

F.FLORIDO

January 8, 2023

All good, many thanks

N.Promchae

January 5, 2023

8.3The pricing booking for this car is not worth it at all.

I have book for TOYOTA Fortuner ended up we reach chiang rai airport they pass us and Isuzu Car which they didnt let us know… car have reverse sensor, but it’s not working . Car player not really functioning. I do understand is a high season but they needs to let us know they dont have Toyota Fortuner and we can try find somewhere else.. not when we reach then we knows that we’re not getting the TOYOTA FORTUNER CAR .

K.ITO

January 4, 2023

10Good service

Staff was very kind I recommended ASSP

rolex loh

for rent car service must open until 12am because lot of customer flight delay after 5pm cannot take a car.

Great vehicle.

Great customer service

Great vehicles always.

10Great

Great! Well maintained vehicle.

Thailand Car Rentals