Driving in Thailand vs Uzbekistan: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the nuances of road regulations in Thailand and Uzbekistan reveals significant variations that impact travel experiences. While Thailand drives on the left and imposes strict lane usage, Uzbekistan adheres to right-side driving and emphasizes higher speed limits. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Thailand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
Driving Side
thailand:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
thailand:
Prohibited
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
thailand:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
thailand:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
thailand:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
Speeds Limits
| Thailand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
thailand:
50-60 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
thailand:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
thailand:
90 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
thailand:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
thailand:
60-80 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
thailand:
90-120 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
thailand:
80-90 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
thailand:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Thailand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Thailand | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Thai; some signs include English | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Warning signs are triangular | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
thailand:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
thailand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Thailand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
thailand:
Not allowed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Thailand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for registration renewal | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
thailand:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
thailand:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Thailand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use to alert other drivers | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
thailand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Thailand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
thailand:
0.03%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Test Refusal
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
uzbekistan:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Thailand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
uzbekistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
uzbekistan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Thailand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 1193 | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
thailand:
191
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
thailand:
1193
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Thailand | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from ฿500 | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines up to ฿500 | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines up to ฿500 | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines start from ฿500 | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can be paid at the scene | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 days | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
uzbekistan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
thailand:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines