Driving in Indonesia vs Thailand: Key Safety Differences
Discover the driving landscape of Indonesia and Thailand in this insightful comparison. Key distinctions emerge in lane usage, speed regulations, and documentation requirements, impacting road safety. While overtaking rules differ, both nations emphasize the necessity of an International Driving Permit, ensuring a secure experience behind the wheel for travelers.
Lanes
| Indonesia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
thailand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
thailand:
Prohibited
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
indonesia:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
100 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
80 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Indonesia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Indonesia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Indonesia | 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 required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | 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: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
thailand:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
indonesia:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Indonesia | 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
indonesia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
indonesia:
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
| Indonesia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
indonesia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days