I was dreading the experience of getting my car and motorbike licences at the Pattaya Office, however, I bit the bullet and got on with it.  I thought that I would share the experience. 

 

Went to Immigration the day before and got two Residence Certificates.  Very easy, in and out in 15 minutes.  I tend to go late morning and it was reasonably quiet.  Then went down the road to a local clinic and got two medical certificates.  Wait was again 15 minutes

 

Photo copied passport pages, medical certs and residence cert, twice for each licence , plus my UK licence, back and front.  I only gave one original of the Res Certs to the driving licence people and kept one original for other uses should I need it.  Working on the assumption that morning would be too busy, I elected to go at 12:45pm, I think that was a good decision. It was fairly busy,  but  only about 50 people waiting for the process, which is better than the reports i had read before hand.  Just take a ticket and follow the  instructions/LED screen. I helps if you are familiar with Thai numbering as they  seemed to call out the next ticket in Thai, not English.  I am, so it wasn't a problem , but it clearly confused some Farangs there.  

 

Dealing with the paperwork was easy.  Next came the astigmatism test and the colour perception test, all fairly standard, if a bit Heath Robinson.  Then had to sit and watch the 'training video' for around 40 minutes.  Note, had my International Driving Permit  from the UK not expired 10 days before, I would have been exempt the video.  The video is not good, although the points it's trying to make are of course valid and  judging by the driving standards in LOS, drivers here sleep through it.  Most of the Thais in the room were on their phones the whole time, but maybe they were for  re newing and had seen it a few times before.  It's a pity that they don't introduce the hazard perception test carried out in the UK, but I guess that most here would fail it!  After the video, picture  taken for the card and get the two licences. 

 

I was out in 2 hours 15 minutes, which I was very okay with.   Altogether, an easy enough process, far better than I imagined it was going to be.  Apart from one Russian  chap who tried to jump the line, twice,  and had to be 'educated' a little, it was all okay.     

 

 

Thanks for sharing that.        Please tell us  what you paid for the residence certificates.   Were you just doing overkill with the photo copies of them or were two copies needed for each license?

 

Good idea to have extra copy of residence certificate but isn't there a short shelf life for them?

 

What technique was used to "educate the chap who tried to jump the line, twice,".' 

 

 

13 minutes ago, watcharacters said:

 

 

Thanks for sharing that.        Please tell us  what you paid for the residence certificates.   Were you just doing overkill with the photo copies of them or were two copies needed for each license?

 

Good idea to have extra copy of residence certificate but isn't there a short shelf life for them?

 

What technique was used to "educate the chap who tried to jump the line, twice,".' 

 

 

I should remember the prices , but I don't, so here are the estimates, that are not far wrong.  Each cert was, I think, 200 Bhat. I thought i needed two, but I read  on a forum that one and a photo copy was enough, so  I did that and kept on of the originals. It was one photo copy of everything for each licence.  

 

You may be right on shelf life, but my next 'adventure'  is to try to get a Green Book, so I will try that next week and for that I need a  Res Cert.

 

He first tried to push in front of me.  I said to him, as politely as I could muster at that point,  that I was not invisible and I gently 'steered him ' back. He then tried to push in  front of the Thai  chap behind me, at which point I was slightly less gentle in pointing out to him that there was a line, and he was at the back of it.  He  then moved back.  Interestingly, I followed him out of the car park and he drove at around 15 mph for ages. Maybe he was emotionally impacted by the video, or drunk,  or just a bit slow.     

19 hours ago, Pilotman said:

I should remember the prices , but I don't, so here are the estimates, that are not far wrong.  Each cert was, I think, 200 Bhat. I thought i needed two, but I read  on a forum that one and a photo copy was enough, so  I did that and kept on of the originals. It was one photo copy of everything for each licence.  

The Banglamung (Pattaya) Land Transport Office will accept one original and one photocopy when applying for both auto and MC license -- But, Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration will insist you get two originals if you tell them it is for both license.

What if you already have thai bike and car licences but need to renew them? Still need to do any kind of tests or anything? 

13 minutes ago, sikishrory said:

What if you already have thai bike and car licences but need to renew them? Still need to do any kind of tests or anything? 

Yes - the reaction test and color test are usually always given - sometimes, they also do a test of peripheral vision and depth perception.

I keep reading that no-one bothers to watch the video. Perhaps they should refuse to issue a licence to anyone who hasn't bothered. Have an official there, like a teacher in a school exam. If they don't pay attention then send them home or make them start again in the next group.

On 6/14/2018 at 5:00 PM, watcharacters said:

 

 

Thanks for sharing that.        Please tell us  what you paid for the residence certificates.   Were you just doing overkill with the photo copies of them or were two copies needed for each license?

 

Good idea to have extra copy of residence certificate but isn't there a short shelf life for them?

 

What technique was used to "educate the chap who tried to jump the line, twice,".' 

 

 

Can't imagine why the cost of the residence certificate would be of interest to most people?...Around 200 or 300 Bt. is unlightly to break the bank. 

4 hours ago, sikishrory said:

What if you already have thai bike and car licences but need to renew them? Still need to do any kind of tests or anything? 

The video room was full of people re newing their licences, so I guess yes is the answer. 

4 hours ago, soisanuk said:

Yes - the reaction test and color test are usually always given - sometimes, they also do a test of peripheral vision and depth perception.

There was no reaction test, maybe because I already have a full UK licence.  Come to think of it, I didn't see anyone take the reaction test.  

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I keep reading that no-one bothers to watch the video. Perhaps they should refuse to issue a licence to anyone who hasn't bothered. Have an official there, like a teacher in a school exam. If they don't pay attention then send them home or make them start again in the next group.

The 'teacher' was in the room throughout the video play, he was on his phone the whole time!  Go figure 

4 hours ago, sikishrory said:

What if you already have thai bike and car licences but need to renew them? Still need to do any kind of tests or anything? 

I renewed my 5 Year Thai License quite recently for the second time and I had to do everything the OP mentioned. 

2 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

5 minutes ago, GOLDBUGGY said:

I renewed my 5 Year Thai License quite recently for the second time and I had to do everything the OP mentioned. 

How many years they give ya? I read a long time ago it was reduced from 5 to 3 or something 

3 minutes ago, sikishrory said:

 

Still 5, nearly 6 if you go just after a birthday.

7 minutes ago, sikishrory said:

 

Mine was renewed again for 5 more years. 

 

I seem to recall also they made some changes like you said, which effected my wife as a new driver. I think her first license was changed from 5 years to 3 years, or maybe it was only 2 years. But after the first time it remains 5 years. So this law did not effect me as it was my second renewal.  

2 minutes ago, GOLDBUGGY said:

Mine was renewed again for 5 more years. 

 

I seem to recall also they made some changes like you said, which effected my wife as a new driver. I think her first license was changed from 5 years to 3 years, or maybe it was only 2 years. But after the first time it remains 5 years. So this law did not effect me as it was my second renewal.  

First licence has been increased from 2 to 3 years, second remains at 5 years.

11 minutes ago, GOLDBUGGY said:

Mine was renewed again for 5 more years. 

 

I seem to recall also they made some changes like you said, which effected my wife as a new driver. I think her first license was changed from 5 years to 3 years, or maybe it was only 2 years. But after the first time it remains 5 years. So this law did not effect me as it was my second renewal.  

Yes,  both of my licences are for 2 years.  My understanding is that I get the 5 year ones on first renewal  

9 minutes ago, giddyup said:

First licence has been increased from 2 to 3 years, second remains at 5 years.

Mine are for 2 years?? 

That might be so, but it supposed to be free FWIW

2 hours ago, giddyup said:

First licence has been increased from 2 to 3 years, second remains at 5 years.

As at the 15th January 2018 the first license is only 2 years

12 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I keep reading that no-one bothers to watch the video. Perhaps they should refuse to issue a licence to anyone who hasn't bothered. Have an official there, like a teacher in a school exam. If they don't pay attention then send them home or make them start again in the next group.

 

Are you watching that video from beginning to end.?

I don't and take a nap while sitting there.

I drive a car and MC here in Thailand on a daily basis for over 40 yrs and don't need a stupid video to tell me how to drive a car.

Had my first car drivers license in 1976 and never bothered to get a MC license.

1 hour ago, bandito said:

 

Are you watching that video from beginning to end.?

I don't and take a nap while sitting there.

I drive a car and MC here in Thailand on a daily basis for over 40 yrs and don't need a stupid video to tell me how to drive a car.

Had my first car drivers license in 1976 and never bothered to get a MC license.

 

YOU may not need to watch it, but the locals do. They haven't been driving since 1976. They have never had a licence. And they have probably never even driven on a road in traffic before.

16 hours ago, dotpoom said:

Can't imagine why the cost of the residence certificate would be of interest to most people?...Around 200 or 300 Bt. is unlightly to break the bank. 

 

Perhaps you have a limited imagination.

?

14 hours ago, giddyup said:

First licence has been increased from 2 to 3 years, second remains at 5 years.

Sorry, my mistake. First licence is for 2 years.

5 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

YOU may not need to watch it, but the locals do. They haven't been driving since 1976. They have never had a licence. And they have probably never even driven on a road in traffic before.

For Driver Training purposes this video is actually quite useless. Even they know that but this was all they had. But now they are purchasing many Video Road Simulators, which I am sure first time drivers will have to pass in order to get there licenses in the future.

 

Also My Thai Wife had a MC License for many years, but never had one for a car/truck. We decided that the best way for her to go was to a Driver Training School, which turned out to be a great idea and worked wonders with my wife. Not sure if this improved her driving skills but it did give her confidence. 

 

After Driver Training it only took my wife about 6 months before she finally started to drive near the speed limit on the highway. But I have to admit that it was hard on the nerves at first, being passed by anyone on a Tuk Tuk, Motor Cycle, Sugarcaine Truck, and even an Old Guy on a Bicycle once.   

16 hours ago, Russell17au said:

As at the 15th January 2018 the first license is only 2 years

I got both my licenses 2 years ago, i.e. 10 June 2016 and they were for 2 years, I had just renewed them, and after going through everything again, plus the video which I didn't see the 1st time, I got 5 years, and it was a copy of the original residency certificate two years ago that we gave again now and one copy for the bike license, whether that has anything to do with me having a yellow book and a pink ID, have no idea, but if they wanted a new one, I would be peed off because it would be a 3 hour return journey to immigration.

 

But all smooth sailing about 2 hours as the original poster stated.

22 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I keep reading that no-one bothers to watch the video. Perhaps they should refuse to issue a licence to anyone who hasn't bothered. Have an official there, like a teacher in a school exam. If they don't pay attention then send them home or make them start again in the next group.

There was never any requirement to watch a video at Chonburi, but that my have changed if the new block is up and running.

4 hours ago, GOLDBUGGY said:

After Driver Training it only took my wife about 6 months before she finally started to drive near the speed limit on the highway. But I have to admit that it was hard on the nerves at first, being passed by anyone on a Tuk Tuk, Motor Cycle, Sugarcane Truck, and even an Old Guy on a Bicycle once. 

 

Not including your wife in this, but you can always tell who hasn't taken/passed a test or is drunk when you come up against someone creeping along at 30kph ?

On 6/14/2018 at 4:40 PM, Pilotman said:

Apart from one Russian  chap who tried to jump the line, twice,  and had to be 'educated' a little, it was all okay.     

"Ooooh  Those Russians".............but most of us couldn't tell a Russian from a Scandinavian, or any of the other 15 or so former Soviet bloc states.  I thought my neighbor was Russian, till I heard him complain about the Russians cooking their dreadful food down the hall, found out he is Norweigian.  They called the crazy guy damaging apartments on the fourth floor with the firehouse, Russian, he was Swedish..........maybe all same same??  Dunno.     

 

Good post though, I will be doing this in a few months, wonder if this can be done with a Visa Exempt stamp, or do I need a one year Visa - I am not married.     

There was a problem half way through watching the video when I applied for licence. Was told just to sit for two more hours in a room as if we were watching.  Couldn't leave.  Some farcical stuff happens down there.