Qman Posted July 28, 2022 Share Posted July 28, 2022 I was away from Thailand for two years and my drivers licenses expired. I went to renew and was told that as they expired over one year ago I will need to do two hours training at the license office and take the license exam in about 10 days. The exam concerns me as I have seen some old ones online and due to translation into English and Thai driving rules it is not very straightforward and it might be easy to fail the exam. Does anyone have recent experience with taking the licensing exam? If so, can you provide guidance regarding sources to study and the best way to prepare for the exam. Any other thoughts would also be appreciated. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tom89 Posted July 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted July 29, 2022 I got my Thai license about one year ago. The test is difficult. There is the issue of bad translation, but also many of the questions have nothing to do with driving. There are a number of question about various drugs and there effects. I got my license by taking a course at Honda Safety Park in Chiang Mai. It's a driving school primairly for motorcycles, but they also have a couse for a car license. There several throughout Thailand. They have a large pool of test questions to help you prepare. I don't think I would've passed if I hadn't taken the course. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IAMHERE Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 I agree; several that don't translate well or are just a little bit off to western minds. I take the test August 1st and not sure I'll pass. Same two year covid 'gotcha' scenario. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBChiangRai Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 I am from the UK, we also drive on the LHS. I have only noticed one difference with the law here, if you are on the main road turning right into a side road, people exiting the side road have priority and you must give way, it is totally the opposite in the UK. Then you have local customs, in Chiang Rai we only have one roundabout, it is fed by a dual carriageway each side and two side roads perpendicular to the dual carriageway. All the approach roads are clearly marked with white stop lines on the road, but drivers on the dual carriageway think they have priority. I witnessed an accident there once and discussing with the insurance assessor he told me that the guy who thought he could cross the white line straight onto the roundabout was at fault, i.e. exactly the same as in the UK (I think France is different) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GreasyFingers Posted July 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted July 29, 2022 Check your local Transport Department for any employees that moonlight as driving instructors. Very easy way to be assured to get a license, for a Thai anyway. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post userabcd Posted July 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted July 29, 2022 (edited) This site has most of the Q and A. Thai Driving License Exam Test Questions & Answers 2020-2021 - ASK ABOUT THAILAND (move2thailand.com) Just learn these and if you fail just make another appointment to redo the test. Not the end of the world, people fail and pass all the time. Its strange that people can fail many times, but can get it right one time, and that one pass which may be lucky, is then considered a pass to qualify them. Edited July 29, 2022 by userabcd 3 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post crazykopite Posted July 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted July 29, 2022 If a Thai can pass the driving test you can 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HarrySeaman Posted July 29, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted July 29, 2022 Here are the questions and answers. A few hours study should get you past the exam. Thai Driving License Exam Test Questions Thai driving license exam with answers, 2020 | ASK ABOUT THAILAND Thailand Driving license Practice exams – 2021 Thai regulatory traffic signs 7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimmer Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 A post linking back to this topic has been removed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denim Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 43 minutes ago, crazykopite said: If a Thai can pass the driving test you can Problem is that outside the cities there are a lot that don't bother with it at all. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thailand49 Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 Depends on your location, in Pattaya! If you got a International Permit with stamp for Motorbike you can bypass the written test. There are approx 3 set of test comprising of 50 questions each the set with answer can be purchased on Soi Pothole Canterberry book store. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tropposurfer Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 I'm curious as to you having to sit a written exam? I'd consider going to other Transport offices and seeing what they say. I can understand, if you hailed from a nation that is known as producing poor drivers and an equally poor driver ed/teaching system, you being told you need to sit for a written exam, but with a full English license???! If you are very young this might have something to do with it as I was told by one of the senior manager-fellas at Phuket transport they often direct falang youngsters to the ed and test streams as well as those known to drive very poorly in their home nations. I have no way to verify if this is Transport department fact. I was an emigre from Australia to LOS. with 46 year driving experience with multiple types of driving licenses, we also drive on the left. I never 'renewed' an expired Thai license so maybe as you wonder in your post, yours being expired is the simple reason for you needing to sit for an exam ... and perhaps its a newish edict for falang drivers? Maybe its just cause you look shifty lol ???????????????? The Honda driving schools are good I hear, and as far as I can remember being told by a few folks on the island they help with mock exams questions so you have a good feel for the actual exam questions on the day. I got my new (first time 2 year) Thai license in early 2019 (as a retiree) and I didn't have to sit for any written exam. But, this was at Phuket offices, and as we all know, colloquial nuances make for colourful, and disparate experiences through any government department here. For me a reflex and eye test, and accompanying current Australian license, as well as my International Drivers Permit for my first 2 year license. My 5 year renewal of that 2 year license (not expired but coming due to expire) was simple as pie also and a matter of paperwork reflex and eye exam (same as for my 2 year car, truck (articulated vehicles) , and motocy license). Good luck ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soisanuk Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 3 hours ago, Tropposurfer said: I'm curious as to you having to sit a written exam? I'd consider going to other Transport offices and seeing what they say. If it is more than one year since your Thai license expired then you do have to take the written test. If it is more than 3 years, you have to do the written test and the practical (driving) test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiDiChok Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 I'm surprised and then not surprised that they told "Qman" he couldn't renew. Yet again I think you must be careful about which office you go to and how you conduct yourself while there. I renewed mine in Pattaya when it had expired 2½ years before. Yes, an agent told me I had to go back to square one as it was over a year. But I just went to the desk in my best suit, white shirt and tie. I asked no questions, had everything ready and said "I've come to renew my licences" and they did. It really doesn't help you to ask any questions at all in Thailand and to remember that the default answer is "Yes" to everything. Ensure officials are always in charge and be extra polite. There was an article I read that said while the emergency decree was in force because of the pandemic, that you could renew expired licences up to when three years had passed. Lots of regulations were side-lined and the pandemic is still going. Even the Police and Insurance companies were treating expired licences as valid as well. That may have ended but I don't think so as I haven't checked. If it was me, I'd just ignore the fact that I'd been refused and just go there and try again or better, try at another DLT Office. I only got my Thai Bank account by persisting in the same way at loads of branches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtrnuno41 Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 https://thaidriveexam.com/ https://www.dlt-elearning.com/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qman Posted July 29, 2022 Author Share Posted July 29, 2022 9 hours ago, thailand49 said: Depends on your location, in Pattaya! If you got a International Permit with stamp for Motorbike you can bypass the written test. There are approx 3 set of test comprising of 50 questions each the set with answer can be purchased on Soi Pothole Canterberry book store. I don't have an international driving license although I did previously when getting the original licenses. As I understand the process if you use that you only get the two year license. At least I can go for the five year version by taking the test. I will look into Canterberry to see what they currently have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qman Posted July 29, 2022 Author Share Posted July 29, 2022 9 hours ago, Tropposurfer said: I'm curious as to you having to sit a written exam? I'd consider going to other Transport offices and seeing what they say. I can understand, if you hailed from a nation that is known as producing poor drivers and an equally poor driver ed/teaching system, you being told you need to sit for a written exam, but with a full English license???! If you are very young this might have something to do with it as I was told by one of the senior manager-fellas at Phuket transport they often direct falang youngsters to the ed and test streams as well as those known to drive very poorly in their home nations. I have no way to verify if this is Transport department fact. I was an emigre from Australia to LOS. with 46 year driving experience with multiple types of driving licenses, we also drive on the left. I never 'renewed' an expired Thai license so maybe as you wonder in your post, yours being expired is the simple reason for you needing to sit for an exam ... and perhaps its a newish edict for falang drivers? Maybe its just cause you look shifty lol ???????????????? The Honda driving schools are good I hear, and as far as I can remember being told by a few folks on the island they help with mock exams questions so you have a good feel for the actual exam questions on the day. I got my new (first time 2 year) Thai license in early 2019 (as a retiree) and I didn't have to sit for any written exam. But, this was at Phuket offices, and as we all know, colloquial nuances make for colourful, and disparate experiences through any government department here. For me a reflex and eye test, and accompanying current Australian license, as well as my International Drivers Permit for my first 2 year license. My 5 year renewal of that 2 year license (not expired but coming due to expire) was simple as pie also and a matter of paperwork reflex and eye exam (same as for my 2 year car, truck (articulated vehicles) , and motocy license). Good luck ???? As I am "renewing" a license which expired over one year ago I must take two hours of training on site which I believe is watching videos and the written test. I do not have to do the physical driving test. I just go caught out by covid and missing the renewal window by a couple of months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qman Posted July 29, 2022 Author Share Posted July 29, 2022 2 hours ago, DiDiChok said: I'm surprised and then not surprised that they told "Qman" he couldn't renew. Yet again I think you must be careful about which office you go to and how you conduct yourself while there. I renewed mine in Pattaya when it had expired 2½ years before. Yes, an agent told me I had to go back to square one as it was over a year. But I just went to the desk in my best suit, white shirt and tie. I asked no questions, had everything ready and said "I've come to renew my licences" and they did. It really doesn't help you to ask any questions at all in Thailand and to remember that the default answer is "Yes" to everything. Ensure officials are always in charge and be extra polite. There was an article I read that said while the emergency decree was in force because of the pandemic, that you could renew expired licences up to when three years had passed. Lots of regulations were side-lined and the pandemic is still going. Even the Police and Insurance companies were treating expired licences as valid as well. That may have ended but I don't think so as I haven't checked. If it was me, I'd just ignore the fact that I'd been refused and just go there and try again or better, try at another DLT Office. I only got my Thai Bank account by persisting in the same way at loads of branches. The current process in Pattaya is you talk to the representative outside the building at temporary looking facilities similar to what they have outside Immigration in Jomtien. They reviewed all my documents which I had for renewal. You must make an appointment, no walk ins now, and since farangs cannot do online this is the process. All seems to be the new process for renewals and first time applicants. My paper is specific for renewals over one year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Bones Posted July 29, 2022 Share Posted July 29, 2022 (edited) 11 hours ago, crazykopite said: If a Thai can pass the driving test you can My wifes daughter went to a driving school in central plains. I swear to Buddha that after her 8th time behind the wheel of the instructors car on the 500 metre obstacle course, they figured it was easier to just give her a licence. Gearbox and clutch repairs would have cost them a fortune. That was 2 years ago and she still has not driven a car (thankfully.) Edited July 29, 2022 by Lucky Bones Sp. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthainess Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 I think you shouldn't have applied to 're-new your Thai DL' instead apply for a Thai DL with your home country licence just have to pass reaction and eye tests. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Bones Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 9 minutes ago, brianthainess said: I think you shouldn't have applied to 're-new your Thai DL' instead apply for a Thai DL with your home country licence just have to pass reaction and eye tests. Brian, I think you got it in one here, apply with your o/s licence, not renew. If there is a lesson or 2 to be learned for anyone, I would suggest always get a IDP if you intend driving. Also, do not try to renew a overly expired licence, transfer from your home country. A good agent (with contacts in your local DLT can also be of assistance (yes, everything costs here). Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
userabcd Posted July 30, 2022 Share Posted July 30, 2022 (edited) just for info, IDP issued by DLT on a 5 year driving license are now valid for 3 years and not 1 year as before (this IDP is for all countries excluding US and Australia) Edited July 30, 2022 by userabcd 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieAus Posted July 31, 2022 Share Posted July 31, 2022 On 7/29/2022 at 8:11 AM, JBChiangRai said: I am from the UK, we also drive on the LHS. I have only noticed one difference with the law here, if you are on the main road turning right into a side road, people exiting the side road have priority and you must give way, it is totally the opposite in the UK. Then you have local customs, in Chiang Rai we only have one roundabout, it is fed by a dual carriageway each side and two side roads perpendicular to the dual carriageway. All the approach roads are clearly marked with white stop lines on the road, but drivers on the dual carriageway think they have priority. I witnessed an accident there once and discussing with the insurance assessor he told me that the guy who thought he could cross the white line straight onto the roundabout was at fault, i.e. exactly the same as in the UK (I think France is different) I think what you state in. your second paragraph might be common practice rather than law. At traffic lights drivers turn right in front of oncoming traffic. According to the police and DLT officials I have spoken to they do not legally have the right of way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBChiangRai Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 On 7/31/2022 at 5:22 PM, StevieAus said: I think what you state in. your second paragraph might be common practice rather than law. At traffic lights drivers turn right in front of oncoming traffic. According to the police and DLT officials I have spoken to they do not legally have the right of way. Traffic lights is a different case. What I said is actually the law, not custom. When you are turning right into a side road, traffic exiting turning right onto the main road have priority. I saw a poster about this on the steps up to the 2nd floor in the Pattaya driving licence centre and it sometimes features in driving tests on the computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seppius Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 On 7/29/2022 at 1:33 PM, soisanuk said: If it is more than one year since your Thai license expired then you do have to take the written test. If it is more than 3 years, you have to do the written test and the practical (driving) test. Exactly, full UK license, IDP and I had 2x 5 year Thai licenses in the past, but was 3 years out of date. I had to do the whole nine yards in Pattaya, you can do it I believe if you use an "agent" but will cost B5000 up passed 2nd time 45/50 questions right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieAus Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 On 8/3/2022 at 11:39 AM, JBChiangRai said: Traffic lights is a different case. What I said is actually the law, not custom. When you are turning right into a side road, traffic exiting turning right onto the main road have priority. I saw a poster about this on the steps up to the 2nd floor in the Pattaya driving licence centre and it sometimes features in driving tests on the computer. Are you saying that the driver turning out of the side road has priority over all traffic traveling towards them or only the car turning right into their road? If the former is the case it would potentially cause mayhem on two or three lane roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hammer2021 Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 On 7/29/2022 at 8:11 AM, JBChiangRai said: I am from the UK, we also drive on the LHS. I have only noticed one difference with the law here, if you are on the main road turning right into a side road, people exiting the side road have priority and you must give way, it is totally the opposite in the UK. Then you have local customs, in Chiang Rai we only have one roundabout, it is fed by a dual carriageway each side and two side roads perpendicular to the dual carriageway. All the approach roads are clearly marked with white stop lines on the road, but drivers on the dual carriageway think they have priority. I witnessed an accident there once and discussing with the insurance assessor he told me that the guy who thought he could cross the white line straight onto the roundabout was at fault, i.e. exactly the same as in the UK (I think France is different) Yeah I noticed that right turn thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBChiangRai Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 7 minutes ago, StevieAus said: Are you saying that the driver turning out of the side road has priority over all traffic traveling towards them or only the car turning right into their road? If the former is the case it would potentially cause mayhem on two or three lane roads. The car exiting the junction from a side road (turning right) has priority over the car on the main road turning right into the side road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieAus Posted August 4, 2022 Share Posted August 4, 2022 4 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said: The car exiting the junction from a side road (turning right) has priority over the car on the main road turning right into the side road. Thanks for the clarification. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDisplayName Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 I am confused, both by the question, Quote 14. What is the behavior of the driver that is behaviorless and may cause an accident? and the "correct" answer. Quote B. Drive the hijack at the front of the car that drives slowly Along with honk the horn https://move2thailand.com/driving-license-exam-in-thailand-2020/16/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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