Thai Driver's License

[tropicaldoc]

Today at 08:45 I went to get my first Thai driver's license. I still had a valid US driver's license. Yesterday I obtained a letter to certify my residential address from US embassy ($30 USD) and a health certificate at a local clinic for 100 Baht (form completed by the nurse - no doctor exam). With that and copies of my passport front page (personal details), the TM card, non-immigration visa, and my last entry date stamp I proceeded to the 3rd Bangkok area office.

Bangkok Area 3:

opposite Soi Sukhumvit 62/1,

Bangjak Prakhanong,

Bangkok

tel: 02-332-9688 to 96

Covers the districts: Prakhanong, Pravate, Suan luang, Klong toey and Wattana.

Upon entering the spacious building I proceeded directly to the information counter that had an English sign and presented my documents. I still needed to get a copy of my US license which was available onsite at 2 baht per copy. After this I was sent to counter 8/9 area and watched the video regarding the 4 tests that I needed to take and then was sent to the line waiting to enter room #16 to take the tests. The first test was a simple color vision test that ask you to identify red, green and yellow circles. The second test was a peripheral vision exam where you placed your nose against a notch on a table looking straight ahead and then telling the tester what color you saw in your lateral vision. I had a bit of trouble at first since the yellow light actually was a light green so the tester was expecting yellow but I kept saying green. After she showed me the light it was easy to give the correct color that I was seeing in my lateral vision. The third and fourth test station was taken sitting in a chair where they tested my reaction time - using my right foot to depress a pedal and then when I saw the green light start I had to hit the brake pedal, and finally the last test was a depth perception test where you are required to align two rods in a box about three meters away. Anyway including the waiting time and test time it took about 25 minutes total. After completion I was instructed to return to the "Information" counter where they gave me a number and advised that I would need to pay 205 baht. Sitting to the right of the "Information" counter I had to wait about 10 minutes for my number to come up and then I went to the desk where they collect the money, take your picture, and issue your Thai license.

So less than one hour to get a Thai license which expires in one year and then next year I can get a five year license. I don't have any knowledge about other offices but at the Bangkok area 3 office the staff were helpful, friendly, and efficient. I do speak and read basic Thai but I don't think its necessary since the form was completed by the staff and they were very helpful. So you can do this without a Thai friend. The only thing that I would do different next time is to not restrict the license only to cars but also include motorcycles.

Hope this is helpful for those who are trying to get their first Thai driver's license and have a valid driver's license. Oh, I think if your country's driver's license is not in English you may need a proper translation of the license to take with you.

[pjclark1]

Motorcycle is a different licence.

You have to pay for both licences if you want to drive both.

If you had taken a Thai friend with you, they would have told you to get both.

Edited December 3, 2009 by pjclark1

[garyk]

Yep, I got mine in Khon Kean a week ago.. Nothing to it.