Getting A Thai Driving Licence?

[nashslash]

I've have read on the net regarding getting a Thai driving licence .. but hay, were in Thailand and I suppose you cant believe everything you read???

Currently I hold a Full UK driving licence... and have that with me including the paper counterfoil.

Firstly I understand I need to obtain a resident permit either through my embassy or through immigration? Any idea on the price?

And could anyone clarify the correct procedure in obtaining a licence?

Thanks in advance people .....

[petercallen]

When i got mine about 3 years ago you needed a permit to reside in Thailand, a letter from immigration

stating your right to reside here, a medical certificate from a local doctor and your overseas driving license.

[BIGTOE3]

I got my licence yesterday no problems at all took all of 30 mins.

1/ take UK licence

2/ take a copy of licence

3/ take passport

4/ take a copy of passport : ie picture, visa stamp pages

5/ letter from Doctor ; dont know what is on report as Dr did not ask me any quesions ? Just asked if report was for a licence !! 50 baht

6/ copy of address lease.

7/ Letter from Embassy confirming address and stating UK resident and confirming UK passport number .. 2,408 Baht

8/ Sit test, ie braking, eye sight test for showing not colour blind, eye sight test to prove you have all round vision in both eyes.

9/ pay fee 205 baht

10/ they take your picture

Presto handed New licence, for 1 year

Hope the helps you, in short costs - 2,408 + 50 + 205 = 2,663 Baht

BT

[LivinginKata]

Previous topic on this subject http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Driving-Test...et-t302429.html

[nashslash]

thanks for the replys... and sorry mr mod... will i ever remember that search button...

[LivinginKata]

7/ Letter from Embassy confirming address and stating UK resident and confirming UK passport number .. 2,408 Baht

That's a new one for me ?? I usually just go to the Immigration office in Phuket with copies of house lease/land lord ID/passport pages, and obtain the residential paper for free (although Immigration always ask for 500 baht, which I decline to pay and the officer laughs and says Ok).

[KarenBravo]

Don't forget, you must have a non-immigrant visa, too.

[LivinginKata]

Don't forget, you must have a non-immigrant visa, too.

Strictly speaking that is true, but I have talked to people who have obtained a Thai license with a tourist visa. I guess that Immigration just accepted the house lease paperwork without paying too much attention to the visa type ... TIT ...

[KarenBravo]

Don't forget, you must have a non-immigrant visa, too.

Strictly speaking that is true, but I have talked to people who have obtained a Thai license with a tourist visa. I guess that Immigration just accepted the house lease paperwork without paying too much attention to the visa type ... TIT ...

It's the people at the Licensing office that want the non-im visa. It says so on a big board in their office.

Immigration only give the affirmation of address.

[scalper]

i CAN CONFIRM a tourist visa is enough in phuket

2 friends of mine get their thai driving license with a tourist visa only

one in november 2009 and one 3 weeks ago

[petercallen]

7/ Letter from Embassy confirming address and stating UK resident and confirming UK passport number .. 2,408 Baht

That's a new one for me ?? I usually just go to the Immigration office in Phuket with copies of house lease/land lord ID/passport pages, and obtain the residential paper for free (although Immigration always ask for 500 baht, which I decline to pay and the officer laughs and says Ok).

I have been there three times for residents letter as you need it to register a car or motorbike also,

you don't need landlords ID just house lease and passport and a photo, they do the necessary photo

copying of documents, i always ask them what i owe them and i am told 100 baht which i am happy to pay.

[sarahsbloke]

It's the people at the Licensing office that want the non-im visa. It says so on a big board in their office.

In the Chiang Mai D/L office they have Tourist Visa listed as one of the options.

[KarenBravo]

Things must have changed since I got my license. Before, a tourist visa wasn't accepted.

[gotlost]

Things must have changed since I got my license. Before, a tourist visa wasn't accepted.

It all depends on the area in Thailand your in. The rules change from office to office.

[wtk]

Don't forget, you must have a non-immigrant visa, too.

I got my thai motorbike license last november in phuket. I am in thailand on tourist visa

I had with me: a letter from immigration (certificate of residence i think), medical certificate and some copies from my passport.

took like 6 hours with the tests but no problems

[schlog]

Things must have changed since I got my license. Before, a tourist visa wasn't accepted.

I thought for 1 year license they accept tourist visa, for 5 year license you need a non-visa.

[kirmizi]

8/ Sit test, ie braking, eye sight test for showing not colour blind, eye sight test to prove you have all round vision in both eyes.

Does anyone know what happens if you are colour blind and fail that part of the eye test? I only have mild problems with some colours, but it usually causes me to fail those generic colour tests.

[LivinginKata]

Does anyone know what happens if you are colour blind and fail that part of the eye test? I only have mild problems with some colours, but it usually causes me to fail those generic colour tests.

I believe that you would then need to consult with approved (by DVLC) eye doctor for a more detailed examination of your particular eye problem. The doctor would then issue a letter determining if your eyesight is suitable for driving.

[nashslash]

How or what do I need to get a residents letter from immigration ? We currently rent an apartment and do not have any documentation regarding any lease. Is a letter or something from our landlord stating that we live there suitable to take to immigration to receive a resident letter..

[LivinginKata]

How or what do I need to get a residents letter from immigration ? We currently rent an apartment and do not have any documentation regarding any lease. Is a letter or something from our landlord stating that we live there suitable to take to immigration to receive a resident letter..

You will need a lease agreement to prove your address in Thailand. Without this sort of documentation I doubt you can obtain the 'residential paper' from Immigration.

[merijn]

How or what do I need to get a residents letter from immigration ? We currently rent an apartment and do not have any documentation regarding any lease. Is a letter or something from our landlord stating that we live there suitable to take to immigration to receive a resident letter..

Ask the landlord to write a rental agreement with your and their name and address.

This together with a signed copy of the landlords ID card ( and youre passport off-course ) and your fine for the Proof of Residence".

BTW this is for Phuket immigration, other immigration offices can have other rules!!!!

[wheelyking]

I was under the impression an international driving license was fine, please correct me if i am wrong.

Alex

[LivinginKata]

I was under the impression an international driving license was fine, please correct me if i am wrong.

Alex

Yes, an IDP is fine .... for the first 90 days. After 90 days you are supposed to obtain a Thai Driving License. But the average visitor is not allowed to stay in Thailand for more than 90 days, so it does not really apply to the average visitor ..

[KarenBravo]

International driving license with your home countrys driving licence to be fully legal.

[phuketrichard]

Does anyone know what happens if you are colour blind and fail that part of the eye test? I only have mild problems with some colours, but it usually causes me to fail those generic colour tests.

No problem. I had trouble with the reds and greens and i am a photographer They dont care...

you can only apply for a 5 year license AFTER you have had the 1 year license first.

For the letter, ask your landlord to write a letter stating the address you live at. I even have know people ( in Phuket) to get a license and they were staying at a hotel

[a10ams]

8/ Sit test, ie braking, eye sight test for showing not colour blind, eye sight test to prove you have all round vision in both eyes.

Does anyone know what happens if you are colour blind and fail that part of the eye test? I only have mild problems with some colours, but it usually causes me to fail those generic colour tests.

I also have problems with the Ishihara colour cards and knew I wasn't going to pass this.

Fortunately the lady doing the test didn't speak English and she asked my wife to translate.

As girls are not affected by colour blindness I told my wife to disregard whatever number I said in English, and just to tell the lady whatever she saw in Thai.

Hey presto .... one five-year driving licence.

[royaljenny]

Will be going through the process for this next week!!! We are in Phuket, but I have a couple of questions, so I hope you don't mind me adding them to your topic?

We rent our property, and have a copy, from the Landlord, of the house document which provides the address and other things in Thai) (sorry don't know the name for the document, but it looks like it has come from a 'book' format). We also have a copy of the rental agreement only in 1 name though (in Thai). Apart from our passport, photos etc, do we need anything else to enable us to get a letter from Immigration for proof of address?

We need to apply for 2 licenses (car and bike) so presume we need 2 x copies of all the documents - does anybody know if we can take photocopies of the letter from Immigration or do we need to apply for 2? I understand that we need two doctor certificates as the driving license people won't accept copies of that?

Hope somebody can help?

Thanks very much.

RoyalJenny