September 2019 updated post for obtaining Driver's License on Samui
Apply for license at DLT (Department of Land Transport) in Lipa Noi (link to Google Map)...
Official document requirement list...
The office opens at 8:30 am Monday till Friday, come not later than 9 am to pick a queue-number from DL service-window #1 at left, the numbers are hanging on the wall. The tests start at 9:30 am.
Documentation and photo-copies needed before you apply, if applying for both car and motorbike two sets of photo-copies are needed:
Medical certificate when applying first time for a Thai DL. You shall ask for a medical check and the formular for DL at a hospital, or in a clinic.
I used Thai International Hospital opposite Tesco-Lotus in Bo Phut, they charged 250 baht for check and form; it takes about 30 minutes or less.
Certificate of Residency, or Work Permit, i.e. something legal to prove your address. The sign says a certificate of Residency can be obtained from one's embassy (in Bangkok), but normally a letter from Samui Immigration is accepted (I used that first time); Samui Immigration normally charge 500 baht for issuing an address confirmation letter. If you are registered in a House Book, i.e. Yellow House Book, you can use that; I did it when renewing my DL five years ago, and again today, where I also used my pink Thai ID-card.
Using the pink ID-card for aliens gives you, your Thai ID-number on the DL, instead of your passport number; then you don't need to renew your DL when renewing your passport, and getting a new passport-number.
Foreign DL and International Driver's Permit are needed first time you apply for a Thai DL, but it seems like Samui DLT accept foreign DL without a IDP, but the DL must then be translated to English and certified by your embassy – I had both DL and IDP when I applied for my first Thai DL, no translation needed as IDP is in English – if you don't have a DL, you need to take a full test.
It has been posted before that full initial test is only performed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Your first Thai DL will normally be valid for 2 years.
Renewal of Thai DL the old license must be expired.
It's been posted before that you can renew up to one year after the license has expired, after that time you'll need a full test.
The first two times I renewed a Thai DL I came a few days before, which was accepted. This year I came two days efter expiry, which gave me almost one year longer validity of my new license, as it runs over 5 birthdays; i.e. I got 5-years and 363 days.
Applying for DL and tests
The office opens at 8:30 am, come before 9:00 am. Pick your queue number and wait for being called to the DL counter.
All photo-copies must be signed, best to do it in advance due to queue line and waiting time. Bring originals in case your are asked for them, or you need an additional photo-copy, which can be made in a both outside the DLT building. You'll be asked to write your name and telephone number, and sign a form when applying for DL.
Passport, you need to copy the bio-page, and the page called "visa", which is your current non-expired visa, or your current extension-of-stay; i.e. photo-copies of two pages from your passport.
Address documentation must be original letter from embassy or Immigration office, or photo-copy of Work Permit, or photo-copy of Yellow House Book – both "page 1" with house-address, and the page with your name (often page 2) – plus eventual pink ID-card.
Medical form has to be original letter from hospital or clinic. Even it has been mentioned in the news that a medical form is also required for renewal, but Samui DLT don't want it.
I once again wasted time and money, but had on the other hand the experience of enjoying a fine service, and a kind doctor, at the hospital.
Current foreign DL; and translation to English, or IDP; both original and photo-copies when applying first time for a Thai DL.
Current Thai DL when applying for a renewal, no copy is needed.
Tests begin from 9:30 am at 2nd floor.
There is also a 10:00 am team, might be for renewals only.
Your name will be called by the DLT instructor, he will normally say "mister" or "miss/mrs." when calling foreigners, and using first name only (as per Thai culture), but your name might not be pronounced correctly, so pay attention. You will be handed your paperwork, stampled with the old DL when for renewal.
Normally you need to pass physical tests for
Combined color blindness and peripheral vision test
Depth-perception (Three dimensional vision test)
Reaction time (Brake test)
(All three tests are fine explained here, OP #2, #3, and #4)
Then follows an about one hour mandatory video.
When renewing DL today (September 2019), we foreigners, and some few Thais, on the 10 am team were not tested on the peripheral-machine, and we should not watch a video.
Getting your new DL
After passing the tests, your papers will be signed by the instructor. You go downstairs to DL-counter #2 and hand in the papers, and pay the fee (about 600 baht per license).
Wait in front of DL-counter #1, they'll call your name – first name, and might not be pronounced correctly – walk inside and have your photo taken, then again wait outside till called, and receive your new DL.
I'm ????, I just passed 70-years, and got another almost 6-years license to drive...????