CaliTransplant

With great trepidation and after a great deal of research, I went for my initial, temporary driving licenses today. Yes, plural - auto and motorcycle. I was a bit apprehensive as it's the first day back after a big 3-day weekend and figured it would be jam packed in there. But my morning activities went well and I figured I'd push my luck. This afternoon, it seemed remarkably quiet.

Before going, I read that one needs the medical certificate. I also read that one does not need it. Well, the Ministry's website says one does indeed need it. I figured for the 100 bath it cost me to get one, I would rather have it and not need it than the other way 'round. How come there's never enough time to do it right but there's always time to do it over. I wasn't about to make 2 trips for the licenses.

I also needed to get a certificate of residency. I'd read that it's not possible to get it at Promenada. I'd also read that it is possible. Well, as of a week ago, it was possible. At Promenada, on the ground floor, to the left of the copy shop that is to the left of immigration is a little shop with no signage. For 500 bath you can get your certificate next day. I decided instead to get it from the American Consulate. I was in and out of there in less than an hour with the certificate in hand. Easiest interaction with any government I've had in decades, and I've dealt with several in different parts of the world. 

Also I have a valid US driving license with a motorcycle endorsement. I also have an International Driver Permit again with the motorcycle endorsement. I think because I'm already licensed for both cars and bikes, the only test I was required to do was the color test.

Last night I printed out the license application. Two copies, as is required for two licenses. I made copies of my passport with the information page, the Departure Card, date of entry, and my Retirement Visa. Also made copies of the medical report and the residency cert. I assembled two complete packages and checked it against the Ministry's list of required documents. 

Why do I tell you all this? Because when I went there today, I was in and out in 2 hours. I arrived at 12.30pm and was out by 2.30pm. And that includes watching that hour-long training video that nearly put me to sleep. The staff all spoke good functional English. That is, enough English to transact business. There was no miscommunication nor any misdirection. I repeated back to them each instruction to confirm and make sure I understood. 

So for what it's worth, here are my recommendations.

- Be prepared before you arrive. Have all the required documentation. This list is from the Ministry's website, taken a week ago. Your experience may vary, but again, better to have a document and not need it than to need it and not have it. Why take chances? Also neglecting to bring the required documents can re-route your application to requiring additional testing such as the 4-hour training, and theory, physical, and practical tests.

     -- For new licenses, bring your passport, medical certificate, residency cert, and either an English language driving license or an International Driving Permit. All documents must be current and valid. For 2 licenses, make additional copies for the second application.

     -- For renewals, the list of documents is the same except they want your existing 1- or 5- year Thai license(s) rather than your foreign license.

- If you're getting 2 licenses (car and bike), the original medical report and residency cert go with one application and a copy of each goes with the other. When I showed the 2 assembled packets at the 2nd floor information desk, they rifled through them and sent me immediately to window 21. Other people had to queue up and go to other windows. I waited about 1 minute for all this. At window 21, I had to sign the copies. Typical everywhere here.

- Be polite, smile a lot, and you get major brownie points for wearing a black shirt. I was treated with respect by everyone there. I don't know where the forum comments about rude staff come from. No one I interacted with was at all unpleasant.

All things considered, it was a relative breeze. I was quite apprehensive before hand. When I go back to change my initial license to a 5-year license, I'm gonna walk in like I know what I'm doing.

Oh, one last thing. My initial, temporary license is good for 2 years. I thought it would be for only 1. Yes, 2 years. The expiration date is 2018. Sweet.