Rules
The rules cheat sheet
The numbers and rules that come up again and again in the theory test, in one page.
Key numbers to memorise
Leftside of the road you drive on
60 km/hdefault for cars in built-up areas
90 km/hdefault for cars outside built-up areas
30 mminimum distance to signal before a turn
0.05%general blood alcohol limit
0.02%limit for under-20s, licences under 1 year, professional drivers
3 mno parking: from a fire hydrant
10 mno parking: from an intersection
12 mno parking: from a bus stop or traffic signal
All seatsseat belts: driver and every passenger
Under 6child car seat required
Helmetrider and passenger, strap fastened
2 peoplemaximum on a standard motorcycle
No expresswaysmotorcycles are generally banned from motorways
Posted limits always win. The defaults above apply only where there is no sign. Some signed motorway sections allow up to 120 km/h for cars; many urban roads are signed lower than 60.
The 60 and 90 km/h defaults above are the figures for cars. Motorcycles can have lower limits on some roads (and are banned from motorways), so always follow the posted sign and check current limits with the DLT.
Right of way
- Minor road to main road: give way to main-road traffic.
- Equal uncontrolled junction: give way to vehicles approaching from your right.
- Roundabouts: give way to vehicles already circulating (clockwise). Signal when leaving.
- Pedestrians: stop for people on, or waiting at, a marked crossing. At junctions, give way to pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into.
- Emergency vehicles (ambulance, fire, police with siren or lights): pull to the left and stop if needed, even on green.
- Police officers override signs and signals.
- Railway crossings: trains always have priority. Stop for lights, bells and barriers.
- Overtaking: normally on the right, only when clear. Never on a solid yellow centre line, near crossings, at bends or at the crest of a hill.
- Narrow road with obstruction: the driver whose side is blocked gives way.
Traffic lights and signals
| Signal | What you do |
|---|---|
| Steady red | Stop behind the stop line. |
| Steady amber | Prepare to stop. Stop unless you're too close to stop safely. |
| Steady green | Go if the junction is clear. Give way to pedestrians and vehicles still in the junction. |
| Green arrow | Proceed only in the direction of the arrow. |
| Flashing red | Stop completely, then go when safe (treat as a stop sign). |
| Flashing amber | Slow down and proceed with caution. |
| "Left turn permitted" sign at a red light | You may turn left on red after giving way to pedestrians and crossing traffic. Without such a sign, wait for green. |
Road markings
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| White dashed | Lanes in the same direction. You may change lanes when safe. |
| White solid | Do not cross or change lanes. |
| Yellow solid centre line | Do not overtake or cross onto the other side. |
| Double yellow centre line | Opposing traffic separated. No crossing or overtaking. |
| White stripes across the road | Pedestrian (zebra) crossing. Give way. |
| White line across your lane | Stop line. Stop behind it at red lights and stop signs. |
| Red/white or yellow/white kerb | No parking. |
| Arrows in a lane | The directions that lane may take. |
Parking
- Park on the left, in the direction of traffic, close to the kerb.
- Never park: on footpaths, bridges, in tunnels, on pedestrian crossings, at intersections, on bends or hill crests, or where you block a driveway.
- Distances: 3 m from a fire hydrant, 10 m from an intersection, 12 m from a bus stop or traffic signal.
- "No parking" lets you stop briefly to load or drop off. "No stopping" does not.
- Before leaving the vehicle: handbrake on, engine off, lights off, doors locked.
Alcohol, phones, fatigue (both)
- Alcohol: 0.05% is the general limit. Under-20s, licences held under a year, and professional drivers must stay under 0.02%. The only safe amount is none.
- Mobile phones: no holding a phone while driving or riding. Hands-free only, or stop safely.
- Fatigue: pull over and rest. Only sleep helps.
CarMotorcycle Rules specific to your vehicle
- Seat belts: driver and all passengers, front and rear.
- Children: under 6 years must use a child car seat.
- Headlights: dip to low beam for oncoming traffic; use low beam or fog lights in fog.
- Reversing and parking: check mirrors and blind spots, go slowly, and give way. Park on the left, facing the flow of traffic.
- Parking on a hill: facing downhill, turn the front wheels toward the kerb and apply the handbrake.
- Motorways: allowed. Stop only on the shoulder, only in an emergency. Signed sections may allow up to 120 km/h.
- Breakdowns: hazard lights, move off the road if possible, warning triangle behind the vehicle.
- Documents: licence, registration, current road tax and compulsory insurance (Por Ror Bor).
- Helmets: rider and passenger, always, with the strap fastened. Choose one that meets an approved standard.
- Passengers: no more than two people in total on a standard motorcycle. The passenger holds on and keeps feet on the footrests.
- Where you ride: keep to the left or the motorcycle lane. Never ride on footpaths.
- Expressways and motorways: motorcycles are generally not allowed. Follow signs, and plan another route.
- Filtering past traffic: go slowly, watch for opening doors, turning vehicles and pedestrians. Don't pass on the left of a vehicle that is turning left.
- Braking: use both brakes together. Brake early and gently in the wet. Painted lines and manhole covers are slippery.
- Gear: bright or reflective clothing, gloves, long trousers and closed shoes.
- Loads: must be secure and must not affect balance or view. Never carry anything in your hands.
- Visibility: assume you haven't been seen. Keep out of blind spots and use your headlight.
Penalties (indicative)
| Offence | Typical penalty |
|---|---|
| Drink-driving | Fine of roughly 2,000 to 20,000 baht and/or up to 1 year in jail, plus licence suspension. Repeat offences are tougher. |
| No helmet (rider or passenger) | On-the-spot fine, up to about 1,000 baht. |
| No seat belt | On-the-spot fine, up to about 1,000 baht. |
| Driving without a licence | Fine and possible vehicle impoundment. Insurance may refuse to pay. |
| Running a red light, speeding, illegal parking | Fines of several hundred baht up to about 1,000 baht, and points or camera tickets by plate. |
Amounts change and vary by case. Treat these as rough guidance and check current figures with the police or DLT.
Emergency numbers
191Police
1669Emergency medical (ambulance)
199Fire
1193Highway police
1155Tourist police (English)