Everything you need to know about the driving license point deductions in Thailand
Driving rules in Thailand just got stricter with the country’s new point deduction system going live on 9th January 2023. The new system aims to curb traffic violations and dangerous driving. Are you wondering how the new point system will work? Then you have come to the right place! In a nut shell, each driver will be given 12 points to start with, and points will be deducted whenever they are caught violating rules.
In this Pacific Prime Thailand article, we take a deep dive into Thailand’s new driver point system and answer the following questions:
- How do driving license point deductions in Thailand work?
- How many points can a new driver receive?
- How many points do you need before you lose your license?
Drive safely or lose driving license points
Highway Police Division commander Pol Maj-General Ekkarat Limsangkat said that for minor offences, one point will be deducted, and for serious offences, four points will be deducted.
One-point offences:
- Speeding
- Talking on the phone while driving
- Not stopping for pedestrians at a zebra crossing
- Driving with no license plate
Two-point offences
- Jumping red light
- Driving against the prescribed traffic direction
- Driving without a license
Three-point offences
- Illegal road racing
Four-point offence
- Driving under the influence
In addition, those who break the rules will also be liable to legal action. For example, if someone is caught driving without a license, they would face jail time for up to three months or be fined THB ฿10,000 under the Traffic Law Act.
Can you increase your license points in Thailand?
Yes, it is possible to get your points back. All points deducted will be credited back to drivers’ accounts after one year. However, if their point drops to six or less than 6 points, drivers risk a 90-day license suspension. In such cases, they can take a course on traffic laws and safe driving to boost their score.
Drivers can check their scores online here.
Suspended and confiscated driving licenses
A confiscated driving license is different from a suspended license. The traffic police have the right to order the seizure of a license if the holder is at risk of driving dangerously. Note that if a driver is driving dangerously because of a health issue, officers may send them to the hospital and alert their emergency contacts or relatives.
On the other hand, the order to suspend a driving license can only be given by a police region commissioner or the Central Investigation Bureau, and the license will be suspended for 90 days.
Related reading:
- How to get a Thai driving/motorcycle license: Documents and tests
- Top travel insurance tips for 2022
- Tesla starts EV sale in Thailand
- Your guide to COVID-19, insurance, and retirement visas in Thailand
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Since joining Pacific Prime, Lakshmi has gained a comprehensive understanding of different kinds of health insurance and their importance in people's lives. Her expertise in this area has allowed her to produce informative and engaging content that helps individuals make informed decisions regarding their health insurance.
Lakshmi's clear, concise, and engaging writing style makes complex insurance concepts accessible to readers of all levels and also adheres to Pacific Prime’s motto: - “Simplifying Insurance.”
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