Department of Land Transport Turns 85 — "Phiphat" Sets Goal to Elevate from "Vehicle Oversight" to "Standards Oversight," Launches "EV Ready — Free Inspection, Drive with Confidence" to Build Confidence Among EV Users
On 11 August 2026, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, presided over the ceremony marking the 85th anniversary of the Department of Land Transport's founding, held under the concept "Give Heart, Give Way, Give Life, Give Happiness." He also launched the "EV Ready — Free Inspection, Drive with Confidence" project to raise electric vehicle safety standards and build public confidence amid the continued growth of EVs in Thailand. Deputy Minister of Transport Siripong Angkaskulkiat also attended the event.
Phiphat said that the Department of Land Transport must be ready to embrace changes in the world of transportation — in technology, energy, and service models — and must elevate its role from an agency that "oversees vehicles" to one that "oversees standards," protecting safety, reducing the financial burden on the public, and preparing Thailand's road transport system for future technologies.
As for Thailand, the country is fully entering an energy transition era. The number of EVs continues to grow, presenting an opportunity to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, cut pollution and PM2.5 dust problems, lower energy costs for the public, and maintain the competitiveness of Thailand's automotive industry. However, sustainable EV promotion should not be measured solely by the rising number of vehicles. The government must also assure the public that, as more EVs appear on the roads, Thailand has appropriate safety standards and supporting systems — for the vehicles themselves, for drivers, and for other road users.
The Ministry of Transport has tasked the Department of Land Transport, together with vehicle manufacturers and distributors, to implement the "EV Ready — Free Inspection, Drive with Confidence" project. The project gives members of the public the opportunity to bring their electric vehicles — including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) — for a free preliminary inspection. The inspection covers high-voltage battery safety, electrical safety-related systems, diagnostic analysis using OBD tools, and a physical inspection, along with advice on vehicle maintenance to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Soraphong Phaithunphong, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, said that over its 85 years, the Department has continuously carried out its mission for the benefit of society and the nation, with a commitment to developing a road transport system that meets high standards, is of quality, and is safe — in line with government and Ministry of Transport policy. This year, the Department is committed to driving the power of safety through the "4 Give" concept: "Give Heart, Give Way, Give Life, Give Happiness," with achievements in advancing six key Quick Win policy priorities to elevate Thailand's land transport system to international standards:
1. Promoting the country's economy in land transport: DLT Ready Support / Support Plus, the Govt TOP-UP project, the Taxi Di Phrom project, Thai Help Thai Plus, reducing the vehicle inspection frequency for taxis aged 7–9 years from 3 times to 2 times per year, reducing logistics costs and improving transport efficiency through the Q Mark and Q Cold Chain measures, and infrastructure improvement and development.
2. Supporting clean and alternative energy: Introducing a new license plate format and letter category for electric vehicles, using a blue background with a distinct symbol to clearly identify EVs, and pushing measures to reduce the annual vehicle tax for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by 80% for a period of 3 years.
3. Road safety enhancement measures: Upgrading people and vehicles by adding a Hazard Perception Training course for driving license applicants, and setting frontal and side vehicle crash standards (under UN Regulations R94 and R95) to come into force on 1 January 2028; implementing proactive measures requiring dump trucks to install in-cab warning devices to prevent accidents caused by forgetting to lower the bed before passing under a bridge; upgrading 28 existing checkpoints to permanent stations through private-sector co-investment; and amending the objectives of the Road Accident Victims Protection Fund (RAVPF) to allow direct subsidies for public transport vehicles and school buses.
4. Elevating school buses to international standards: Organizing an integrated "Roadmap to School Bus Safety" conference in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Royal Thai Police, and related agencies.
5. Regulating ride-hailing app vehicles: Collaborating with 8 ride-hailing applications to upgrade drivers to hold public driving licenses. From 30 September 2026 onwards, no new drivers without a public driving license will be accepted, and the apps must suspend job assignments for drivers who violate regulations.
6. Advancing the government's digital systems: Connecting the criminal record verification system via the Linkage Center with the Department of Corrections and the Royal Thai Police, helping to reduce the time required to issue licenses; developing an online driving license renewal system through the "Paotang" application for persons aged no more than 55 years (whose license has lapsed for no more than 1 year), with the reaction test waived; and pushing the DLT E-Transport License system for truck transport business licenses to reduce logistics costs and achieve fully paperless operations (100% Paperless).
This year, the Department is committed to driving the power of safety through the "4 Give" concept: "Give Heart, Give Way, Give Life, Give Happiness."
The Department of Land Transport has therefore partnered with vehicle manufacturers and distributors to implement the "EV Ready — Free Inspection, Drive with Confidence" project to build confidence among electric vehicle users. The project gives members of the public the opportunity to bring their electric vehicles — including battery electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles — for a free inspection covering high-voltage battery safety and electrical safety-related systems, using OBD diagnostic tools and a physical inspection to assess vehicle readiness, along with maintenance advice to ensure safe and efficient operation.
In addition, the Department of Land Transport will work with partner networks to develop electric vehicle inspection standards, build knowledge and safety data systems, and produce public communications materials on the safe use of electric vehicles for dissemination through various channels — in order to accommodate the growth of electric vehicle adoption and support the development of Thailand's EV ecosystem to grow in a stable and sustainable manner.
