Thai Driving License

[Woofer]

I have a friend from Iceland who speak and writes very good English. His international driving license expired and he decided to take the Thai driving license test in Pattaya. He has taken the theory test and failed 5 times. He has been driving for over 45 years including trucks. He met a number of other people at the test who had also failed and were repeating the test. Has anyone else had similar experience when taking the driving test?

[HowardJohnson]

Is this a new thing? I never took a theory test when I got my licence. Just had to do a few tests for eyesight and reaction and that was it.

[Phil Conners]

It's always been like that. Unless you have an international license that can be transferred you have to go through theory and practical tests. They're not too difficult but there are a couple of gotcha's such as "are motorbikes allowed to drive on the pavement/sidewalk (yes/no)." I didn't think they were, but alas, under Thail law they apparently ARE, so, there. Also, many of the questions are translated in an appalling way, as is often the case with translations here, and make absolutely no sense in English.

Edited November 4, 2008 by Phil Conners

[Bomonster]

yes I failed 3 times yet passed 79 out of 80 in uk what puzzled me is that they exchanged my uk car driving license for thai no test. I had my uk pass papers for practical plus theory for motor bike for any size bike but they made me do both practical and theory ( yet the highway code is the same ) I think there is a glitch in the computer. Bit like a lottery tell him keep trying.

I have a friend from Iceland who speak and writes very good English. His international driving license expired and he decided to take the Thai driving license test in Pattaya. He has taken the theory test and failed 5 times. He has been driving for over 45 years including trucks. He met a number of other people at the test who had also failed and were repeating the test. Has anyone else had similar experience when taking the driving test?

[Sapillyder]

What are your options if you fail the very stiff color blindness test, when you can clearly see the difference between the actual red and green traffic lights? Can a doctors certificate override a disqualification that the test center? Does anyone know?

[Soutpeel]

What are your options if you fail the very stiff color blindness test, when you can clearly see the difference between the actual red and green traffic lights? Can a doctors certificate override a disqualification that the test center? Does anyone know?

Sounds like you are red/green deficient, not colour blind, get a pair of glasses with red tinted lens in and you will pass the test.

[Chaimai]

What are your options if you fail the very stiff color blindness test, when you can clearly see the difference between the actual red and green traffic lights? Can a doctors certificate override a disqualification that the test center? Does anyone know?

Sounds like you are red/green deficient, not colour blind, get a pair of glasses with red tinted lens in and you will pass the test.

Isn't there an option to pay the guy 500 Baht

[Soutpeel]

What are your options if you fail the very stiff color blindness test, when you can clearly see the difference between the actual red and green traffic lights? Can a doctors certificate override a disqualification that the test center? Does anyone know?

Sounds like you are red/green deficient, not colour blind, get a pair of glasses with red tinted lens in and you will pass the test.

Isn't there an option to pay the guy 500 Baht

Of course there is that option as well...

[Hssl]

18 months ago when i did my test in Pattaya on the then new computers - the Thai bloke next to kept checking his 'highway code' book. Me and the German guy (the only other farlang that day) did the test in 5 minutes and both passed.

The funniest thing was the German bloke questioning the staff about the 'road safety' DVD we were watching as part of the test - repeatedly asking WHERE in thailand people drove cars like the video........zis is not Thailand yah?? "Yes this Thailand" No No i zink you joke me yah

Edited November 4, 2008 by Hssl

[nam-thip]

I sat the motorbike and car test with four other guys in Phuket some ten years ago and prior to the test were told by another expat who’d just passed “Don’t worry the exam books and questions are all the same”

When handed the test books it was a case of “what have you ticked for question 3”?

and so on.

Unbeknown we all had different books and questions.

Needless to say we all failed.

It took a second trip but on that occasion we answered our own questions and passed.

[SnakeBite]

Check this out:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Driver-s-Lic...ls-t220907.html

It also may help if you watch the film. Just in case you didn't know, tanks are allowed on public roads as they say it on the test that it is during "warface" (lol). Farm equipment are also allowed on public roads so pick the ones that say no headlights or windshields (windscreens) or non working tail lights. 5555

[bdenner]

When I did mine some 5 years ago up here in Isaan, the test paper was written in Thai Only. They allowed TW to accompany me and translate but as she didn't and still does not drive so no help. A very confusing 2 hours to answer the 30 questions and trying to figure what a 'Zig Zag' was when related to driving codes. I managed 20 and 22 was the pass mark, the inspector showed me mercy and told me the answers to two questions to change and pass.

Done and dusted with 105 Baht changing hands and no corruption. 500 Baht at the time.

[soundman]

When I did mine some 5 years ago up here in Isaan, the test paper was written in Thai Only. They allowed TW to accompany me and translate but as she didn't and still does not drive so no help. A very confusing 2 hours to answer the 30 questions and trying to figure what a 'Zig Zag' was when related to driving codes. I managed 20 and 22 was the pass mark, the inspector showed me mercy and told me the answers to two questions to change and pass.

Done and dusted with 105 Baht changing hands and no corruption. 500 Baht at the time.

What does the zig zag mean?

[Lost in LOS]

international license is the best way to do it, not tests. there is a thai driving school next to the hardware store at the beginning of threpprasit road. my girlfriend got here drivers license from there and they bring you to the test. 6,500 baht. i noticed on the wall they say they can get you and international license so there are two alternatives.

[Soutpeel]

international license is the best way to do it, not tests. there is a thai driving school next to the hardware store at the beginning of threpprasit road. my girlfriend got here drivers license from there and they bring you to the test. 6,500 baht. i noticed on the wall they say they can get you and international license so there are two alternatives.

A legal international license has to be issued in the same country as your drivers license is from, its basically just a legal translation, could they arrange an international license based on a Thai drivers license, possible....Legal, international license based on UK/US other countries license...No

The UN licenses, 10 year licenses advertised etc are not legal, a real IDP only lasts 12 months from date of issue

Certainly in Rayong you dont even need a IDP to be issued with a Thai DL, just a current license from your own country, they have a big book there with samples of what other countries DL look like and is kept up to date.

[LukDod]

I presume that the OP meant taking the _written test_ when he mentioned the 'theory test'.

I acquired my Thai car and separate motorcycle license, about 5-years ago, at the licensing center in Banglamung.

At the time they did not administer a color blindness test...at least when I was there.

Although I tried to 'gift' the clerk, as friends had previous acquired their license(s) that way. It was to no avail

as the license bureau had put a halt to..bribing.

So, I had to take a written test and the separate driving tests for both car and moto. There was an hour of lecture, in Thai, on

the rules of the road for the written test. Farangs were provide with a poorly translated English document listing some of

the rules of the road. Just watch the instructor when he displays the various road signs. They are easy to understand

and will appear on the test. I did learn that it is legal to have either only one passenger or up to a 50-kg package on a moto, in addition

to the driver. Obviously this (and many other laws) are _not_ enforced..unless 'tea' money is desired by the boys in brown!

Also it is legal for a moto to ride on the sidewalk, if road traffic is heavy. These latter points appeared on the test. The test itself was

in English for farangs and was fairly straightforward. Learn the road sign meanings and use some basic logic and the test is

easily passed (at least it was for me).

For the actual driving test, I saw all the Thai's being passed, though some were horrible drivers. Surely, this doesn't surprise

anyone. The road test, which is held on a track behind the license bureau is where most farangs fail their driver's test.

Stay back and pay attention to those who take the actual driving test before you. Learn from their mistakes.

[huahinguy]

I just tried to get my license in Pranburi last Friday. When I got there, they gave me a book of road signs to study, printed in various languages including English. Since they're mostly international symbols anyway, I had them memorized very quickly.

When I sat down in front of the actual computer test, which was in English, there were all these questions about parking, passing and legal/illegal vehicles. I complained that I had not been prepared for this. I ended up failing the test by only one question. I didn't realize it at the time, but if you fail, the computer tells you the questions you got wrong and the correct answer.

Only then did they show me the book about driving theory, written only in Thai. I can read some basic Thai, but very slowly, so I tried to trudge through the book using the pictures and reading key words. Since I can speak basic Thai, I asked for assistance and clarification of some of the diagrams in the book. They said that everyone had to go for lunch. I was allowed to try the test again in the afternoon, so I went for lunch and came back to try again.

I failed again, this time by three. The questions are somewhat randomized and this time the questions were harder (i.e. less about the road signs and more about unknown material). However, I did remember to read through the computer's summary of the answers I got wrong. One of them seemed to be right after all, so I asked the attendant. He agreed with me and shrugged that the computer seemed to be wrong. So it was back home to Hua Hin for the day (a half hour drive each way). You can take the test twice in a day maximum. If you want to try again you have to come back another day.

It's a weird feeling being put in an impossible situation. A test for which there is no preparatory material in the same language. Tiny computer diagrams that are hard to read. Ambiguous questions where the answer depends on how you interpret the question. Questions whose answers seem just plain wrong.

I've almost never failed a test in my life. I guess I'm supposed to be humbled, but I feel more angry that they didn't take more care with the English translation, wasting a whole day of my time. If they are going to provide the test in English, they should provide the textbook in English too.

Edited November 17, 2008 by huahinguy

[Sapillyder]

What are your options if you fail the very stiff color blindness test, when you can clearly see the difference between the actual red and green traffic lights? Can a doctors certificate override a disqualification that the test center? Does anyone know?

Sounds like you are red/green deficient, not colour blind, get a pair of glasses with red tinted lens in and you will pass the test.

Isn't there an option to pay the guy 500 Baht

Of course there is that option as well...

No there isn't that option. Not anymore. Not even up country in the provincial Land Transport Offices. Corruption is gradually being eradicated, for better or worse.

[Bangyai]

What are your options if you fail the very stiff color blindness test, when you can clearly see the difference between the actual red and green traffic lights? Can a doctors certificate override a disqualification that the test center? Does anyone know?

Sounds like you are red/green deficient, not colour blind, get a pair of glasses with red tinted lens in and you will pass the test.

Isn't there an option to pay the guy 500 Baht

Of course there is that option as well...

No there isn't that option. Not anymore. Not even up country in the provincial Land Transport Offices. Corruption is gradually being radicated, for better or worse.

Interesting point that. With all the fuss being made about corruption in general , clearly there are occasions where it might work to an individuals favour. Personaly, I am slightly colour blind so might have a problem with the test even though I can easily tell a red light from a green ( traffic stops at a red light ........... mostly ).

Currently I drive on an international licence. There is a grey area with this too. Apparently, some insurance companies won't provide cover for an international licence for longer than three months from the date of entry. But this is ambiguous. I have a one year multiple entry Non Immigrant visa but do a visa run every 3 months. Technically therefore, I am never in the country for a continuous period of longer than 3 months. Does this mean that on each re entry my insurance clock starts from the begining again The obvious answer is to phone your insurance company and try to obtain written clarification. I have heard others advise this but has anyone actually succeeded with this ??

[jimmybkk]

My TG accompanied me for the colour test as the woman doing it didn't speak English. The test went something like this:

Examiner: (In Thai) "What colour's that?" (pointing to a green circle)

TG: (In English) "What colour's that?"

Me: Green

TG: (In Thai) Green

Examiner: (In Thai) Very good

I could've said anything so long as the missus knew the answer.

You've gotta love this country.

[Soutpeel]

Currently I drive on an international licence. There is a grey area with this too. Apparently, some insurance companies won't provide cover for an international licence for longer than three months from the date of entry. But this is ambiguous. I have a one year multiple entry Non Immigrant visa but do a visa run every 3 months. Technically therefore, I am never in the country for a continuous period of longer than 3 months. Does this mean that on each re entry my insurance clock starts from the begining again The obvious answer is to phone your insurance company and try to obtain written clarification. I have heard others advise this but has anyone actually succeeded with this ??

Why are you even bothering taking a chance with something like this....just go and get a Thai DL, if you have a IDL, its easy to get the license...As I am sure you know, insurance companies make the rules up to suit themselves and are always looking for a way to Not pay out...

As far as I am aware, in Thailand and a lot of other countries you should not be driving on any form of overseas license or IDL, after being 6 months in that specific country, of course you are going to argue that you are doing visa runs every 3 months, so you not in country for more than 3 months at a time, so this doesnt apply to you...

[Bangyai]

Currently I drive on an international licence. There is a grey area with this too. Apparently, some insurance companies won't provide cover for an international licence for longer than three months from the date of entry. But this is ambiguous. I have a one year multiple entry Non Immigrant visa but do a visa run every 3 months. Technically therefore, I am never in the country for a continuous period of longer than 3 months. Does this mean that on each re entry my insurance clock starts from the begining again The obvious answer is to phone your insurance company and try to obtain written clarification. I have heard others advise this but has anyone actually succeeded with this ??

Why are you even bothering taking a chance with something like this....just go and get a Thai DL, if you have a IDL, its easy to get the license...As I am sure you know, insurance companies make the rules up to suit themselves and are always looking for a way to Not pay out...

As far as I am aware, in Thailand and a lot of other countries you should not be driving on any form of overseas license or IDL, after being 6 months in that specific country, of course you are going to argue that you are doing visa runs every 3 months, so you not in country for more than 3 months at a time, so this doesnt apply to you...

What you say is very true. There is another thread somewhere on Thai Visa about a guy who had his 800,000 baht Fortuna stolen and could not get the insurance company to pay out as they didn't have the ready cash available. ( see : Insurance Check Returned Unpaid )

As for why I have no Thai Driving Licence.....well I have been assured by the insurance company that I am covered so many times that I have probably been lured into a false sense of security. I will see about getting the Thai Drivers licence although, as I say, I have failed colour blind tests before so will need to look into this.

Now I think of it there is another point. In Thailand it is not the driver who is insured. It is the car that is insured. I once had an argument with an insurance company about this regarding 3rd party insurance for an 11 year old Toyota pick up truck. I found it surprising that anyone could drive the car and that there were no named drivers. I asked them what would be the case if a 9 year old child stole the car and killed a buffalo. They laughed and said ' Yep, still insured '. I was even more sceptical.I then hypothasised a monkey escaping from zoo ( no licence ) , starting the vehicle and killing said buffalo ( again ). Yep , still insured.???????

Whether the rules on fully comprehensive insurance vs third party only insurance are the same seems to be yet another grey area.

Edited January 5, 2009 by Bangyai

[davyboy]

12 years ago I took both car and motor bike tests. when my wife and I arrived at the test centre, my wife recognised a friend walking up to the enterance, so after talking and smiling to each other, my wife said that the lady lived in the next village to ours. Nothing more was said.

I was called in to do the written test (no comp's them days). I sat down and started to read all the questions ( although in Thai/English ) and after reading a couple of them I realized that there was a pen mark against one of the answer options on every question, so I soon realized that they were the answers.

I don't think I have to say anymore. Consequently, passed both, no corruption payment.

The lady is still a very good friend!!

[Soutpeel]

as I say, I have failed colour blind tests before so will need to look into this.

Are you actually color blind or are you actually red/green deficient?

I ask this as I am red/green deficient and never had a problem with the Thai colour vision test

[Bangyai]

as I say, I have failed colour blind tests before so will need to look into this.

Are you actually color blind or are you actually red/green deficient?

I ask this as I am red/green deficient and never had a problem with the Thai colour vision test

No, not colour blind just some shades. I've had to sit tests before where they showed you cards with numbers on them made up of different coloured dots. I was o.k. on most of them but weak in one area...I forget which. BTW I have just edited my last post with some additional info. Food for thought

Edited January 5, 2009 by Bangyai

[Soutpeel]

Now I think of it there is another point. In Thailand it is not the driver who is insured. It is the car that is insured. I

All this is true RE Thai insurance, but if you name the drivers for your car your premium comes down, so there is a cost saving. I have done it on my insurance and its a good excuse when the outlaws want to borrow my car...sorry cant your are not on the insurance...

[Soutpeel]

No, not colour blind just some shades. I've had to sit tests before where they showed you cards with numbers on them made up of different coloured dots. I was o.k. on most of them but weak in one area...I forget which. BTW I have just edited my last post with some additional info. Food for thought

Its the Issikari test (think thats how you spell it) you have done and I cant pass it either, you can try doing the test with a glasses on with red lens in (yes there is a use for rose coloured spectacles that a lot a TV members have on when I comes to all things Thailand) or plan B is get a copy of the Isskari book and memorise the plate numbers and corrosponding number in the dots..

[Bangyai]

No, not colour blind just some shades. I've had to sit tests before where they showed you cards with numbers on them made up of different coloured dots. I was o.k. on most of them but weak in one area...I forget which. BTW I have just edited my last post with some additional info. Food for thought

Its the Issikari test (think thats how you spell it) you have done and I cant pass it either, you can try doing the test with a glasses on with red lens in (yes there is a use for rose coloured spectacles that a lot a TV members have on when I comes to all things Thailand) or plan B is get a copy of the Isskari book and memorise the plate numbers and corrosponding number in the dots..

Well, thanks for the glasses idea .... worth a try. Actually, my 3rd party insurance for 1 year is only 3600 baht....and that was the best I could get. Offers 1 million 3rd party compensation plus 100,000 baht towards hospital fees for myself and any passengers. The only thing not covered is my car but that only cost 150,000 baht.

I don't want to scare you but check out the ' police checks in Nakhornsawan ' thread currently running. Here we have a guy fully insured being dragged through the courts for 14 million baht !!!! His insurance have so far offered 200,000 baht. A slight shortfall don't you think.....gulp

[Bangyai]

Currently I drive on an international licence. There is a grey area with this too. Apparently, some insurance companies won't provide cover for an international licence for longer than three months from the date of entry. But this is ambiguous. I have a one year multiple entry Non Immigrant visa but do a visa run every 3 months. Technically therefore, I am never in the country for a continuous period of longer than 3 months. Does this mean that on each re entry my insurance clock starts from the begining again The obvious answer is to phone your insurance company and try to obtain written clarification. I have heard others advise this but has anyone actually succeeded with this ??

Why are you even bothering taking a chance with something like this....just go and get a Thai DL, if you have a IDL, its easy to get the license...As I am sure you know, insurance companies make the rules up to suit themselves and are always looking for a way to Not pay out...

As far as I am aware, in Thailand and a lot of other countries you should not be driving on any form of overseas license or IDL, after being 6 months in that specific country, of course you are going to argue that you are doing visa runs every 3 months, so you not in country for more than 3 months at a time, so this doesnt apply to you...

Just an update on this. I'm heading to Chiang Mai for a week so thought I'd phone to verify I'm covered in the event of an accident.

My gf is with Allianz C.P with 3rd party cover. I phoned there head office in Silom this morning to see how I stood with an International Driving Licence. From the horses mouth....I am covered no problem. Ah, but what about the 3 month limit. Here the girl had to put me on hold while she checked with her superior. A minute later, she was back with the confirmation that I would be covered for the duration of the policy. She then mentioned that there can be problems with 1st class insurance where there are named drivers on the policy but this was not applicable on 3rd party insurance.

I wouldn't take all this as gospel as it seems that different insurers have different rules so always best to check first and drive safely.

As for a Thai driving licence, it might have other uses like getting you into national parks at the Thai price but this seems to depend on the individuals luck. Personaly, the thought of asking the British Embassy for anything at all depresses me so if I were going to apply for a Thai D.L I would take another posters advice and get a letter from the local Amper confirming residence.