A guide to Thailand's new points-based driving licence system

Everything you need to know about the new points-based driving licence system that will be introduced in Thailand, which will make you lose or gain points.

From 9 January, any driver who violates the Highway Code will not only face a legal sanction, but also a loss of points.

And if their points drop to zero, their licence will be suspended for up to 90 days.

The Commissioner General of the National Police, Damrongsak Kittiprapas, explained that the points system is designed to promote safe driving.

Every year, road accidents claim more than 22,000 lives in Thailand, which has the ninth highest traffic accident rate in the world.

See : Why are Thailand's roads among the deadliest in the world?

Drive safely or lose points

All licence holders will start with 12 points each, said Traffic Police Division Commander Major General Ekkarat Limsangkat.

However, these points will be deducted whenever they are caught in the act of breaking the traffic law.

"For minor offences, we will deduct one point.

For serious offences, we will deduct four points," said Ekkarat.

Speeding, failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing, talking on the phone while driving or driving a vehicle without a number plate will cost the driver a point.

Two points will be deducted if they are caught running a red light, driving the wrong way or driving while their licence is confiscated or suspended.

The three-point deduction is reserved for illegal road races, while the highest penalty, a four-point deduction, will be applied for serious offences such as drink-driving.

How to increase your points

All points removed will be credited back to the driver's account after one year.

But if their points are so low that they risk a 90-day licence suspension, drivers can take a course on traffic rules and safe driving to improve their score.

"If drivers take a course with the Land Transport Department (LTD), they can get some points back before the end of the year," Ekkarat said.

When the new driving points system comes into force, drivers will be able to check their score on ptm.police.go.th or on the Paotang application.

"The police and the Land Transport Department systems will be linked to ensure a smooth implementation," Ekkarat added.

Fine or prison sentence

According to Mr Ekkarat, the introduction of the points system does not mean that traffic offenders will be spared a fine or a prison sentence.

"In addition to losing points, they will also be liable to prosecution," he said.

For example, if a person is caught driving while their licence is confiscated or suspended, in addition to having their points taken away, they face a prison sentence of up to three months and/or a fine of 10,000 baht ('270.50) under the Road Traffic Act.

Confiscated or suspended driving licence

A confiscated driving licence is different from a suspended driving licence.

The traffic police can order the seizure of a driving licence if the holder is likely to drive dangerously, for example, because he or she is too tired, sleepy or emotional.

"When drivers are found to be well enough to drive properly, their licences are returned to them," said Mr Ekkarat.

He added that a driver, for example, can be stopped by the police and have his or her licence confiscated if he or she cuts in front of other vehicles due to stress or perhaps a big argument with his or her sweetheart.

"This measure aims to prevent dangerous driving that threatens not only the driver but also others.

If a driver is caught driving dangerously due to a health problem, traffic police officers can send him/her to hospital and inform his/her relatives.

The order to suspend a driving licence can only be given by a regional police commissioner or by the Central Investigation Bureau.

The driving licence will be suspended for 90 days from the date of the order.

Review of the driving licence system

Titipat Thaijongrak, director of the Land Transport Safety Office, said Thailand was improving its driver licensing system to reflect the fact that drivers are a key factor in road safety.

"Our improved system aims to encourage awareness, discipline and road safety education," he said.

"Our training and testing now also covers accident prediction and risk analysis to improve accident prevention.

Source: Thai PBS World