Don’t worry – it’s not in the UK. The Bangkok Post reports that the new multiple choice test introduced a few days ago is showing a greater than 90% failure rate in the first set of results from Chiang Mai.
It seems that the new multiple choice test introduced last Sunday – which requires 45 correct answers out of 50 – is similar to the one we use in the UK. The recent change has increased the number of questions from 30, and set the pass rate at the higher level of 90%.
The department has enforced tougher measures to obtain driving licences after it found that many road accidents were caused by a lack of drivers’ ability.
I wonder if Thailand’s driving instructors are blaming the authorities yet? After all, that’s what many of them do over here when one of their little darlings fails the UK theory test.
Thailand is also piloting a system it calls “E-driving”.
Instead of having an examiner sitting in the car with them, test cars will be equipped with computers and cameras to monitor drivers.
“The E-driving system provides accurate and precise results and will do away with problems in the old system, which relies on a committee to assess results,” says Department chief Asdsathai Rattanadilok Na Phuket.
I’m not 100% sure what this chap is saying – is it the old method which requires a committee decision, or the E-driving one? Who will decide now? Just one person? But he adds:
It will also bring a drop in the number of applicants passing the test, from 70% to only 30%.
Interesting.