Driving in Thailand: what to know before you rent
Thailand drives on the left, motorbikes are everywhere and many highways use U-turns instead of right turns. Here's what our customers ask most often before they pick up a car in Udon Thani.
- Leftdrive on the left-hand side
- 80 / 90km/h general limits, in town / out of town
- 0.05%general blood alcohol limit
At a glance
- Side of the road
- Left
- Carry
- Passport + licence (+ IDP)
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance
- 1669
- Tourist Police
- 1155
- O Car Rent
- +66 84 408 0443
Road rules can change and signs always take priority. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Which licence do you need to drive in Thailand?
There are two separate questions: what we need to rent you a car, and what the police may ask to see on the road.
To rent from O Car Rent
- Your original passport
- Your original driving licence; if it isn't in English, bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) with it (an IDP on its own isn't accepted)
- No copies, photos or app-based licences
- Renters aged 25–65 who have held a licence for at least 1 year
On the road
Thai law generally requires foreign drivers to carry an International Driving Permit together with their national licence, or a Thai driving licence. Carry your passport and licence whenever you drive.
You can only get an IDP in the country that issued your licence, so arrange it before you travel. Drivers without the right documents may be fined.
Residents and extra drivers
If you live here long term, a Thai driving licence from the Department of Land Transport is the simplest option. Thai citizens rent with their ID card and a valid Thai licence.
Sharing the driving? Give us the additional driver's name when you book, and show their original licence at pick-up (with an IDP if it isn't in English). Every driver must be 25–65 and have held a licence for at least 1 year. Additional drivers
Driving on the left, speed limits and alcohol
Driving on the left
Traffic keeps left and cars are right-hand drive. All our cars are automatic, so you only need to get used to the side of the road. Take extra care at junctions and roundabouts, and when you pull out of a car park. Overtake on the right.
Speed limits
- Towns and built-up areas
- generally 80 km/h
- Outside built-up areas
- generally 90 km/h
- Some signed highways
- higher where posted
Posted signs override the general limits, and roads through villages and past schools often have much lower limits.
Alcohol limit
- Most drivers
- 0.05% BAC
- Licence held under 5 years
- 0.02% BAC
The lower limit also applies to some other groups, such as drivers under 20. Our advice is simple: if you drink, don't drive.
- Everyone wears a seat belt, front and back
- Phone in a holder, not in your hand
- Turn left on red only where a sign allows it
Motorbikes, U-turns and police checkpoints
Motorbikes
- Motorbikes pass on both sides and often ride along the left shoulder, sometimes against the traffic.
- Check your left mirror before every left turn and before opening the door.
- Give extra room at night: some bikes have weak or no lights.
U-turns
- On dual carriageways you often can't turn right across the central reservation. Drive past your turning, use the next U-turn point (กลับรถ) and come back.
- Move into the right lane early and signal.
- Watch for oncoming traffic and for motorbikes squeezing in beside you. They may not slow down for you.
Police checkpoints
- You may come across police checkpoints, especially around public holidays.
- Slow down, stop where you're told and open the window. At night, switch on the interior light.
- Be polite and show your licence, passport and IDP (if you have one). If you get a ticket, keep it and tell us.
A flash of headlights from another driver usually means "I'm coming through", not "go ahead".
Petrol stations and which fuel to use
Petrol stations are easy to find on main highways, and at most of them an attendant fills up for you. Just say the fuel type and "full" (เต็มถัง, tem tang).
Petrol cars
Economy cars, sedans and 7-seat MPVs run on petrol and take Gasohol 95. The correct fuel is shown on the label inside the fuel flap and in your contract.
Pickups and SUVs
Our pickups (Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Hilux Revo, Mitsubishi Triton) and SUVs (Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport) run on diesel.
Wrong fuel?
Don't start the engine. Call us on +66 84 408 0443 straight away. Our rentals are full-to-full: if the tank isn't full on return, fuel is charged at cost plus a ฿500 refuelling fee.
Emergency numbers and what to do after an accident
Emergency numbers
After an accident
- Stop somewhere safe, switch on the hazard lights and check whether anyone is injured. If anyone is hurt, call 1669 first.
- Call O Car Rent on +66 84 408 0443 or share your location on WhatsApp before you agree to anything or admit fault.
- Don't move the car before taking photos of the scene, every vehicle, the number plates and the other party's documents, unless it is unsafe to stay where you are.
- Wait for the insurance surveyor or the police as we advise. Don't settle privately with the other party, or the cover may not apply.
Breakdown or flat tyre
- Stop somewhere safe and switch on the hazard lights.
- Call us with your location (share it on WhatsApp or LINE) and describe the problem.
- We'll talk you through a quick fix, or arrange a mechanic and a replacement car, subject to the rental terms.
CDW is included, and SCDW cuts the excess to ฿0
Every O Car Rent booking includes CDW. If you're at fault, you pay no more than the excess per incident for damage that's covered.
- ฿10,000Excess: economy cars / sedansCDW included in the rental · maximum per incident
- ฿15,000Excess: 7-seaters / pickups / SUVsCDW included in the rental · maximum per incident
- ฿0Add SCDW฿250/day for economy cars and sedans · ฿350/day for 7-seaters, pickups and SUVs (exclusions apply)
Rental cars may not be taken into Laos, including over the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge. Drink-driving, driving without a valid licence or off-road driving breaches the rental terms, and CDW / SCDW may then not cover you.
Driving in Thailand FAQ
Can I rent a car in Thailand with my foreign driving licence?
Yes. Bring the original licence issued in your home country. If it isn't in English, bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) with it; an IDP on its own isn't accepted. On the road, Thai law generally requires foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence, or to hold a Thai licence, so carry your passport and licence whenever you drive.
Which side of the road do you drive on in Thailand?
On the left. Cars are right-hand drive, and all O Car Rent cars are automatic.
What are the speed limits in Thailand?
Unless signs show otherwise, cars are generally limited to 80 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h outside them. Some highways are signed for higher speeds. Always follow the posted signs.
What is the drink-driving limit in Thailand?
Generally 0.05% blood alcohol. For drivers who have held their licence for less than 5 years, and some other groups, it's 0.02%. The safest choice is not to drink at all if you're driving.
What should I do if I have an accident?
Make sure everyone is safe and call 1669 if anyone is injured. Then call O Car Rent on +66 84 408 0443 before you agree to anything with the other party. Take photos before moving the car unless it's unsafe, and wait for the insurance surveyor or police as we advise.
Can I drive the rental car into Laos?
No. Rental cars may not be taken into Laos, including over the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.
Not sure about something? Ask us before you drive
Our team in Udon Thani can help with licences, routes and your booking on WhatsApp, every day from 07:00 to 20:00.
15 automatic models from ฿750/day on rentals of 2+ days, CDW included · free pick-up at Udon Thani Airport daily 07:00–20:30 (+฿500 per handover before 07:00 or after 20:30).
Written by the O Car Rent team · last updated 26 Sep 2026