Driving in Afghanistan vs. Thailand: Key Differences
Discover the unique driving customs between Afghanistan and Thailand, two nations with distinct road regulations. Key differences include driving sides—right in Afghanistan and left in Thailand—as well as speed limits and overtaking rules. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey while navigating their diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
afghanistan:
Right
thailand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
thailand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
thailand:
Prohibited
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
thailand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Afghanistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Afghanistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
afghanistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
afghanistan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days