Hi guys!

I just wanted to let everyone know some of the things I found out today while transferring my Canadian car and motorcycle licenses to Thai ones.

You do need:

-The originals and 2 photocopies of your (valid) driver's license, work permit and passport/visa.

-Your phone number.

-A reaction test, a colour blindness test, a depth perception test, and a peripheral vision test that are all taken there at the office within 10 minutes and are so easy that you'd have to be dead to fail them.

-A smile and a friendly, relaxed demeanor. (this may be the most important point!!!)

You do not need:

-An affidavit of residency from your embassy. (your work permit is an authorised proof of this, this was the first "lie" my embassy told me)

-An Embassy-authorised and translated copy of your original driver's license from your home country. (the Thai transport office was happy to see the original of mine, they just needed 2 photocopies of it. I didn't have to take any kind of driving test in a car or on a bike with this. The second "lie" my embassy told me! My embassy wants my money!)

-2 photos: 3cm by 4cm. (they take your picture at the office for your licence - this must have changed recently so I can't really call it a "lie" from my embassy)

-A bad, impatient, angry, ignorant attitude. (I can't stress this enough! There were some other foreigners there who were being rude and impatient, I was helped before all of them even though I came later! A smile and following the rules goes a long way in this country!)

I can't believe how easy this was! Although I was duped by my embassy into buying the affidavit of residency (1700 Baht!), I didn't get any of the extra license stuff because I figured I would just take the road test. They never asked me to take a road test so I didn't say anything to them about it! I forgot about the photos that my embassy told me to bring, but I'm glad I did, they weren't needed. I was surprised when the lady who helped me told me to keep the affidavits, and when she said I didn't need them!

I was pissed at my embassy then, but I didn't show it. A "Mai Pen Rai" attitude is appreciated here, and if you can let them see that you are at least trying to make things easier for them, they will try to make things easier for you!

I hope this helps some of you who are wanting to drive here, YMMV at the office but as long as you are calm and happy, the people that help you there will be too!

You're lucky then, when I got my 1 year thai driving license I had to have medical cert, housing ownership papers, non immigrant 'o' stamps.

I tried it with some what you're saying but no cigar.

Oh and I was happy and smiling too, but that didn't help either

For my five year license the apartment block I was staying in wouldn't let me use their papers as proof of residence. So it was off to the rip-off consulate to fork out for a cert of residence there.

Needed all the usual stuff and then got it ok.

Hi guys!

I just wanted to let everyone know some of the things I found out today while transferring my Canadian car and motorcycle licenses to Thai ones.

You do need:

-The originals and 2 photocopies of your (valid) driver's license, work permit and passport/visa.

-Your phone number.

-A reaction test, a colour blindness test, a depth perception test, and a peripheral vision test that are all taken there at the office within 10 minutes and are so easy that you'd have to be dead to fail them.

-A smile and a friendly, relaxed demeanor. (this may be the most important point!!!)

You do not need:

-An affidavit of residency from your embassy. (your work permit is an authorised proof of this, this was the first "lie" my embassy told me)

-An Embassy-authorised and translated copy of your original driver's license from your home country. (the Thai transport office was happy to see the original of mine, they just needed 2 photocopies of it. I didn't have to take any kind of driving test in a car or on a bike with this. The second "lie" my embassy told me! My embassy wants my money!)

-2 photos: 3cm by 4cm. (they take your picture at the office for your licence - this must have changed recently so I can't really call it a "lie" from my embassy)

-A bad, impatient, angry, ignorant attitude. (I can't stress this enough! There were some other foreigners there who were being rude and impatient, I was helped before all of them even though I came later! A smile and following the rules goes a long way in this country!)

I can't believe how easy this was! Although I was duped by my embassy into buying the affidavit of residency (1700 Baht!), I didn't get any of the extra license stuff because I figured I would just take the road test. They never asked me to take a road test so I didn't say anything to them about it! I forgot about the photos that my embassy told me to bring, but I'm glad I did, they weren't needed. I was surprised when the lady who helped me told me to keep the affidavits, and when she said I didn't need them!

I was pissed at my embassy then, but I didn't show it. A "Mai Pen Rai" attitude is appreciated here, and if you can let them see that you are at least trying to make things easier for them, they will try to make things easier for you!

I hope this helps some of you who are wanting to drive here, YMMV at the office but as long as you are calm and happy, the people that help you there will be too!

I had much the same experience,its fair to say they weill be over the moon if you pop back with a box of doughnuts..!!

You're lucky then, when I got my 1 year thai driving license I had to have medical cert, housing ownership papers, non immigrant 'o' stamps.

I tried it with some what you're saying but no cigar.

I was exactly the same as you but would add they will not accept a home country UK license.. Had to be a current IDP.

What is an IDP? I wonder if the problems both of you had were from the visa type? Do both of you have work permits as well? Maybe that was why it was easier for me. Or, it could just be the randomness of LOS!

As to the original license, Is the UK license computer-scanable? She scanned mine in while processing the transfer, I wonder if they have a way of verifying over the net or something.

The only thing I wish is that I was able to get a 5 year license, but I think they do the 1 year thing with foreigners. Does anyone have a 5 year license here?

What is an IDP? I wonder if the problems both of you had were from the visa type? Do both of you have work permits as well? Maybe that was why it was easier for me. Or, it could just be the randomness of LOS!

As to the original license, Is the UK license computer-scanable? She scanned mine in while processing the transfer, I wonder if they have a way of verifying over the net or something.

The only thing I wish is that I was able to get a 5 year license, but I think they do the 1 year thing with foreigners. Does anyone have a 5 year license here?

With the third anual renewal you will get a 5 year licence.

What is an IDP? I wonder if the problems both of you had were from the visa type? Do both of you have work permits as well? Maybe that was why it was easier for me. Or, it could just be the randomness of LOS!

As to the original license, Is the UK license computer-scanable? She scanned mine in while processing the transfer, I wonder if they have a way of verifying over the net or something.

The only thing I wish is that I was able to get a 5 year license, but I think they do the 1 year thing with foreigners. Does anyone have a 5 year license here?

With the third anual renewal you will get a 5 year licence.

I thought the five year one came after the first one year one. see pinned post Re. driving licence

With the third anual renewal you will get a 5 year licence.

I thought the five year one came after the first one year one. see pinned post Re. driving licence

Correct, the five year license comes after the first ONE year. I have the five year variety, acquired upon expiration of the first one.

Incidentally, I have two licenses: one is for automobiles, and the other is for motorcycles. I had the auto license first, and am not sure if it is possible to get both license types one one document, but I at least have two separate ones.

S.

What is an IDP?

IDP = International Driving (or Drivers) Permit.

In Canada they are issued (bought) from the local Automobile Association.