Combined car+motorcycle Thai driver's license not possible?

[farrol]

Hello everyone,

I want to convert my Farang+international driving license (car+motorcycle on one license) into a Thai driving license with the help of an agency.

 

License is not in English, so needs to be translated.

The agency tells me, however, that there is no car+motorcycle driving license in Thailand, but that I have to apply for two driving license cards, one for a car and one for a motorcycle, and that this will double the costs (2 x 4000 THB) including all fees and translations.

Is that correct?

[MarkT63]

Yes, that is correct. Separate Thai license for both car and motorbike 🍻

[transam]

They are correct, but it doesn't cost 8,000bht, they are making good beer money........🤕

[BritManToo]

Separate licences, cost between 1kbht and 1k5bht for both.

No translations required, just UK licence, passport, medical certificate (any hospital 100-200bht) and proof of address from immigration.

 

No need for an agent, just turn up at any licence centre, and they'll give you an appointment or do it on the spot if not busy.

 

Takes all morning, mostly sitting watching a video.

[Tropicalevo]

Yes, two licences are a must.

I have no idea if the translation fees etc are good or not, but they do not seem too unreasonable.

First ones last two years and then renew every five years after that.

[Jimjim1]

19 minutes ago, farrol said:

The agency tells me, however, that there is no car+motorcycle driving license in Thailand, but that I have to apply for two driving license cards, one for a car and one for a motorcycle,

Someone is bound to knock this but when I applied for both licences I did submit two applications to Udon Thani immigration but when I went on to register them I was questioned as to why I did it when one would have got me both motorcycle and car on the same licence card.

This was before Covid so it may have changed in more recent years but I have not heard of any changes, However it may pay you to contact various departments to clarify before you commit.

Departments such as the Thai consulate, or immigration in Bangkok.

Interpretation differs across Thailand and you may have come up against someone who interpretes for gain instead of in the correct manner.

As for using an agency WHY!  If an agency can do it so can you.

DIY is a great learning curve and immigration can be very helpful if you are respectful to them.

[Negita43]

Do it yourself - when I did it (UK license) no translation needed (nor an International) you will need a proof of residence from immigration and unless you pay (at Korat at least) you have to wait 10 days for the free one so factor that in, also a medical letter (I think that's valid for 1 month) I did one for each but was also told one would have been enoughI don't know what they do with the UK license now but I kept mine.

[Negita43]

57 minutes ago, farrol said:

License is not in English, so needs to be translated.

 

Sorry just seen this if it's not in English then I'm not sure about translation needs

[transam]

1 hour ago, farrol said:

Hello everyone,

I want to convert my Farang+international driving license (car+motorcycle on one license) into a Thai driving license with the help of an agency.

 

License is not in English, so needs to be translated.

The agency tells me, however, that there is no car+motorcycle driving license in Thailand, but that I have to apply for two driving license cards, one for a car and one for a motorcycle, and that this will double the costs (2 x 4000 THB) including all fees and translations.

Is that correct?

Is your international driving 'permit' in English..?

[KhunBENQ]

If you have a valid IDP for car and motorcycle stamped then I doubt that a translation of your home country license is necessary.

8000 Baht, hell that's a nice pocket money.

Two licenses at the office done on your own is 505( ?) Baht.

[Ralf001]

Do it yourself.

Both icences will cost less than Bt500.00

[KhunBENQ]

Is your home country license a single document combined for car and motorbike?

In this case why should cost for translation double?

I think you are being ripped off.

[DrJack54]

OP, you don't need an agent.

Admittedly I used one during covid to be able to obtain que #.

 

In Bangkok you will need to obtain a certificate of residence, medical, etc.

PLENTY of threads providing details of process and required docs.

Which transport office do you plan to use in Bangkok.

My Oz license on one card is car and bike 

In Thailand it's two separate licenses.

If obtaining both at same time you can ask CW for one COR and photocopy.

If determined to use agent check with Fatboys or BSR bikes.

 

Form for COR

https://aseannow.com/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=439173

[gamb00ler]

1 hour ago, farrol said:

License is not in English, so needs to be translated.

 

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

No translations required, just UK licence, passport, medical certificate (any hospital 100-200bht) and proof of address from immigration.

OP does require an IDP because his license is not in English so obviously not a UK license.  IDP serves as a translated version for him.

[farrol]

1 hour ago, transam said:

Is your international driving 'permit' in English..?

 

My IDP is in various languages, including English. But language on photo page is French.

 

But everything important including vehicle categories is translated to English, too.

 

So maybe I don't need a translation from my embassy. The agent told me I normally do need one but she knows someone in DLT so it will work without. This is in Hua Hin.

 

Main reason I use the agent though is I don't have a residency certificate. She can get me one by providing a rental contract in her house (where I don't really live).

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, farrol said:

Main reason I use the agent though is I don't have a residency certificate. She can get me one by providing a rental contract in her house (where I don't really live).

What is your status in Thailand.

Meaning Non immigrant etc OR tourist 

No offense however for future posts include location.

 

Your profile is Bangkok.

Like everything in Thailand location/immigration office is important. 

[farrol]

Yeah I was in BKK before, now Hua Hin.

 

Visa is DTV.

[BerndD]

German EU driver's license, international driver's license, passport with visa, proof of address, health certificate (100B), small tests, all together took about 1 hour, about 500B for the motorcycle driver's license and about 800B for the car driver's license. Is initially valid for 2 years. That was it. But that was already 10 years ago.

[Skeptic7]

Nope...simple little bits of common sense stuff are apparently reserved only for countries which actually have a shred of the stuff. Thailand disqualified. 

[scorecard]

19 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Yes, two licences are a must.

I have no idea if the translation fees etc are good or not, but they do not seem too unreasonable.

First ones last two years and then renew every five years after that.

 

Unless you have lifetime driving licenses (both car and m/cycle), but unfortunately no longer available. Lifetime licenses stopped more than 30 years ago. 

 

My licenses were issued at Rayong, process almost completed, suddenly the officer said, in good English 'will you live in Thailand for a long time?'I responded 'Yes', he continued 'do you want lifetime licenses?'

 

I didn't know they even existed. I quickly responded 'yes please', 10 minutes later I walked out with a car and a m/cycle lifetime licenses. 

[gargamon]

17 hours ago, farrol said:

Visa is DTV.

Please advise how they handle the DTV visa. Are you able to get a 5 year license after the two year initial one or is it every two years?

[bluemoon58]

20 hours ago, farrol said:

Hello everyone,

I want to convert my Farang+international driving license (car+motorcycle on one license) into a Thai driving license with the help of an agency.

 

License is not in English, so needs to be translated.

The agency tells me, however, that there is no car+motorcycle driving license in Thailand, but that I have to apply for two driving license cards, one for a car and one for a motorcycle, and that this will double the costs (2 x 4000 THB) including all fees and translations.

Is that correct?

Correct but do it yourself. Far cheaper and not difficult to do. 

[Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai]

19 hours ago, gamb00ler said:

 

OP does require an IDP because his license is not in English so obviously not a UK license.  IDP serves as a translated version for him.

Same with Australian license, l, just printed out what the R meant on my South Australian license . They issued both car and motorcycle licenses easily.

[alanrchase]

Haven't they changed the "watch a video" part to the requirement for an online test now? Thought you needed the QR code from that before they will continue to process the application?

[jchfriis]

I suggest you take your passport and all other documents you can imagine pertains to driving licenses. Go to the DLT office and ask them what you need to do. They are probably most helpful. At least they are in Chiang Mai.

Then you’ll get it from the horse’s mouth.
When I got my licenses (2007) I could not use my Norwegian license as it is not in English. I had no desire to travel to Bangkok for a translation, so the lady suggested I take the test. I went back the next and by 3 pm I had both licenses. The test is ridiculously easy.