Poland vs Thailand: Key Driving Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Poland and Thailand, drivers will encounter notable distinctions in regulations and practices. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison highlights crucial aspects that can significantly impact your driving experience in each country.
Lanes
| Poland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. | Prohibited |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
poland:
Right
thailand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
thailand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
thailand:
Prohibited
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
poland:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
poland:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
poland:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Poland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
poland:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
poland:
20 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
poland:
70 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
poland:
140 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
poland:
100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
poland:
80 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
poland:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Poland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Signals a change to green is imminent. | Not used in Thailand |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. | Yes, for all turns and lane changes |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting. | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Polish; symbols are standard. | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border. | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
thailand:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
thailand:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
poland:
Signal when exiting.
thailand:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
thailand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
thailand:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
thailand:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
thailand:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
thailand:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
thailand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Priority
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
thailand:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
poland:
Triangular with red border.
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Poland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs. | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
thailand:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
thailand:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
thailand:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Special Turn Lanes
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
thailand:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
poland:
Prohibited.
thailand:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Poland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every year. | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield. | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
thailand:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
thailand:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
poland:
Mandatory every year.
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
poland:
Mandatory.
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
poland:
Mandatory.
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Poland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
thailand:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
thailand:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
thailand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
thailand:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
thailand:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
thailand:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
thailand:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Poland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently. | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial. | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
poland:
0.02%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
poland:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
poland:
0.00%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
thailand:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
thailand:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
thailand:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Poland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| 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 |
Priority: Entering
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
thailand:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
thailand:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
thailand:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
thailand:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
poland:
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
| Poland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 997 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 981 or through your insurance provider. | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
poland:
112
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
poland:
997
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
poland:
Mandatory.
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
poland:
Mandatory.
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Poland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply. | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and license points apply. | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. | Varies; typically within 7 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
thailand:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.
thailand:
Possible if fines are not paid