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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
  • Seatbelt and Child Safety
  • Parking, Fuel and Toll
  • Traffic Violation
  • Driving Licence and Age Requirements

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.

Thailand_Traffic_Sign_StopStop(Thai Language)Thailand_Traffic_Sign_Give_Way_Thai_LanguageGive Way(Thai Language)Thailand_Traffic_Sign_Slow_DownSlow Down(Thai Language)Thailand_Traffic_Sign_No_OvertakingNo OvertakingThailand_Traffic_Sign_Give_Way_To_Oncoming_Vehicles_Used_To_Traffic_Bottleneck_PointsGive Way to Oncoming Vehicles Used to Traffic Bottleneck Points

Thailand warning signs mostly feature a yellow background with black pictogram.

Thailand_Traffic_Sign_HumpHumpThailand_Traffic_Sign_Divided_Road__BeginsDivided Road BeginsThailand_Traffic_Sign_Divided_Road_EndsDivided Road EndsThailand_Traffic_Sign_Pedestrian_CrossingPedestrian CrossingThailand_Traffic_Sign_Wild_Animals_CrossingWild Animals CrossingThailand_Traffic_Sign_No_Overtake_ZoneNo Overtake Zone

Thailand information signs are blue with rectangular or square shapes.

Thailand_Traffic_Sign_Dead_EndDead EndThailand_Traffic_Sign_ClinicClinicThailand_Traffic_Sign_End_of_MotorwayEnd of Motorway
*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

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. 

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

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.  

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

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. 

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

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.

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Guest reviews

1 /
Brady Eugene

April 29, 2025

Destination: Phuket

10Excellent

The staff were very professional and friendly.

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Newman Herbert

April 29, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Excellent

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Wendy Wordsworth

April 29, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

The staff at the store are very efficient, with minimal waiting time. They explained everything clearly and patiently!

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Gavin Dora

April 29, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Very good. Although the car had some collision marks, it was very clean and reasonably priced. All marks were documented.

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Dana Haywood

April 28, 2025

Destination: Phuket

10Excellent

Poor attitude and lack of communication with customer service.

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Everley Burke

April 28, 2025

Destination: Chiang Mai

10Excellent

Very good

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Glenn Morse

April 28, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

The service attitude was excellent!

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Monica Kent

April 26, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

The service is quite good.

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M.Butler

April 25, 2025

Destination: Chiang Mai

9No problems and super firm to deal with

Make sure you pick a decent engine size if traveling the hills of Northern Thailand,

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Ingemar Katrine

April 22, 2025

Destination: Phuket

10Excellent

Excellent service, even late at night you can pick up the car at the airport.

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Burnell

April 22, 2025

Destination: Phuket

10Excellent

Overall good. Keep in mind that the roads in Phuket are narrow, making it inconvenient to drive larger vehicles.

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Leopold Chapman

April 21, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Very satisfied

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Marlon Gosse

April 21, 2025

Destination: Krabi

10Excellent

I was a bit unhappy about not getting the car I reserved, but overall the service was very good!

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Daphne Lattimore

April 21, 2025

Destination: Krabi

10Excellent

Although I couldn't get the car I reserved in advance, the overall service was very good. When I wanted to extend the rental period during the trip, I called to inquire and they provided several options.

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Vivien Eliot

April 21, 2025

Destination: Phuket

10Excellent

Very satisfied

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Jeff DuBois

April 21, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Very satisfactory

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Ula Eisenhower

April 20, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Very satisfied.

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Cynthia Clemens

April 20, 2025

Destination: Phuket

10Excellent

The overall service is excellent.

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John Bellamy

April 18, 2025

Destination: Phuket

8Very good

Very good.

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Deirdre Bartlett

April 17, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Easy to find and good service.

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Mortimer Adams

April 17, 2025

Destination: Chiang Mai

10Excellent

Very good, simple and efficient.

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Lennon Lowell

April 17, 2025

Destination: Phuket

10Excellent

Very satisfied

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Tina Robbins

April 16, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

6Average

The service was average, they always claimed there was no insurance, communication was difficult, and they couldn't communicate in proper English.

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Eric Habakkuk

April 16, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Second time visiting, efficient service and well-organized! No extra charges!

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Aries Becky

April 16, 2025

Destination: Chiang Mai

10Excellent

Very satisfied.

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Xaviera Eden

April 16, 2025

Destination: Phuket

8Very good

Smooth and normal process.

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Harold Kellogg

April 15, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

The car was in excellent condition and very new. The entire rental and return process was extremely smooth, and the staff provided great service. Highly recommended!

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Brook Horace

April 15, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

The service attitude of Hertz car rental company was generally good. The staff were friendly and professional, and both the pickup and return processes were smooth. Additionally, there was no waiting in line for this rental, making the experience very efficient! Overall, the service and efficiency were quite satisfactory!

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Page Rhys

April 15, 2025

Destination: Krabi

10Excellent

The service was excellent.

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Yale Valentine

April 15, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Very professional

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Dean Humphr(e)y

April 14, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Very satisfied. The Fortuner is perfect for family trips, offering spaciousness, good safety features, and a comfortable driving experience.

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Tony Barrett

April 14, 2025

Destination: Chiang Mai

10Excellent

Excellent service

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Jerome Stephen

April 13, 2025

Destination: Phuket

10Excellent

Excellent

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Lynn Surrey

April 13, 2025

Destination: Phuket

10Excellent

Very satisfied.

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Nigel Jane

April 11, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Satisfactory

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Virgil Hal

April 11, 2025

Destination: Pattaya

10Excellent

Very satisfied.

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Lena Saxton

April 10, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Quick and efficient service for both pickup and drop-off.

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Caesar Dunlop

April 9, 2025

Destination: Koh Samui

8Very good

It's okay.

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Jerome Stephen

April 9, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

2Poor

The overall service from this company is extremely poor, and all the staff have a bad attitude. The car I rented was very old, with over 140,000 kilometers on the odometer. The interior was very noisy, and the braking system had issues.

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Burton Brook

April 9, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

6Average

The vehicle was relatively old. It's recommended to purchase insurance. While driving, a stone hit the front windshield. Since I didn't buy insurance, I had to pay 10,700 THB. It was very frustrating.

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Alvin Dolly

April 9, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Perfect 10 out of 10

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Norton Simpson

April 8, 2025

Destination: Haad Yai

10Excellent

Very satisfied.

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Audrey Salome

April 8, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Very satisfied

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Montague Dorothea

April 7, 2025

Destination: Phuket

8Very good

Satisfied

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Leopold Chapman

April 7, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

The overall service was excellent. Even though my English isn't very good, they explained everything clearly with gestures. Highly commendable!

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Alva Arabella

April 7, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

Very satisfied

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Yetta Twain

April 6, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

2Poor

From March 30 to April 6, I rented a Haval Jolion model 6 through ASAP. Although I have over 2,500 kilometers of self-driving experience from three previous trips, this rental turned into a particularly unpleasant experience.

1. Vehicle malfunction and delayed assistance
On April 3 at 9:00 AM, the car unexpectedly lost power while driving, with the dashboard displaying a 'Low Battery Pack' warning. I immediately contacted ASAP via WhatsApp for roadside assistance, but it wasn't until 11:30 AM that help arrived. The technician's repair attempt failed, and I was informed it would take another hour for a colleague to deliver a replacement vehicle. Since I had a business meeting to attend, I was forced to pay for a taxi out of pocket. I did not request compensation for time lost or taxi fare from ASAP. The replacement car was delivered as agreed later in the afternoon (see images 1-3).

2. Unjustified claims and poor attitude
On April 6 at 11:50 AM, I returned the car at the airport as scheduled. Due to time constraints, I could not refuel the car fully and informed the staff to refuel on my behalf, deducting the cost from my credit card. However, the staff took me to the front desk where two employees showed me photos of the previously malfunctioning car and accused me of damaging the grille, demanding compensation of approximately 9,200 THB.

I raised the following concerns:
• The photos showed the rear trunk area of the car, yet the alleged damage involved the front grille, which does not correlate;
• How could I, under normal driving conditions, possibly affect or damage the interior side of the grille?
• During the car pickup, ASAP did not open the hood to check the grille, so how can they now conclude the damage was caused by me? (see images 4-7)

One of the front desk staff members responded to my feedback by blaming me for not purchasing full insurance. In my view, insurance is meant to cover incidents like scratches and traffic accidents, not to shift responsibility for ASAP’s own inadequate maintenance. Does ASAP intend to coerce customers into buying more insurance for profit? When I attempted to express my thoughts calmly, this staff member began arguing loudly. I had to ask them to stop.

Overall
This rental experience deeply undermined my trust in the integrity and service of Thailand’s ASAP company. The sudden loss of vehicle power posed a serious safety risk, leaving me with negative impressions. I hope this review will assist other customers in making more informed choices.

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Harry Dorothy

April 5, 2025

Destination: Chiang Mai

10Excellent

Very satisfied

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Lena Saxton

April 3, 2025

Destination: Bangkok

10Excellent

The entire process was very satisfying.

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V.Hud

April 3, 2025

Destination: Haad Yai

10 I am satisfied.

We got a very good car. I have been to this office several times and I am always extremely satisfied.

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Best car rental deals in Thailand

Best rates found by QEEQ users in the last 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

Q1.What is an insurance excess?

The excess is the amount you'll only be liable for in case of damage(under Collision Damage Waiver) or theft(under Theft Protection) of the vehicle.
Information about the excess will be clearly stated in the price inclusion when you reserve a car on QEEQ.

Q2. How can I add an addtional driver?

You are advised to make a request upon your arrival at the rental counter. Additional charge per day will incur unless '1 Additional Driver Included' is stipulated on the rental.
Please note that the same licence and age requirement applys to the additonal driver. The addtional driver is supposed to present the required licence document along with the main driver at pickup.

Q3.What if I want to pick up or drop off my rental car out of office hours?

QEEQ will show you the car offers available at your chosen time on the search results.
However, pick-up or drop-off out of general opening hours may subject to an extra fee unless self-service pick-up or drop-off is available.
After you reserve a car on QEEQ, we will inform you of specific policy of the car hire company by email.

Q4. Can I take the hired car to another country or cross border?

If you want to pick up your car in one country and drop it in another, your search results will show you cars you can do that with.
If you're planning to cross any borders during your trip, bear in mind:
1. You may have to pay more.
There are often extra fees, taxes or additional cover you'll pay at the car hire counter.
2.It may not be allowed.
Depending on where you're hiring, you may not be able to take your car to another country.
Please email us if you want to take your hire car into a different country during your trip, and we'll talk you through your options.

Q5. Can I pick up my car at one location and return it at different location?

Yes. You can pick up the vehicle in one place and drop it off in another. An ‘one-way fee’ will incur. Whether it is inclued in the rental price or what additional cost may arise will be clearly stated at the time of booking on QEEQ.
Please inform the car hire company of your drop-off location when you pick up the vehicle or contact them directly during your trip. You will find a phone number on the rental agreement you signed at pickup.

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