Thai Driver's License For Motorcycles And Cars

[Sisaketmike]

I'm trying to make it short. Okay, I went to the Transportation department to renew my drivers' licenses. I had a one year and afterward a six year license (I know normally only five years, but when you go there after your birthday, they'll give you six years).

The lady told me that new regulations started and I had to go through a real marathon.

Holy one, I had to apply for both and had to wait until the afternoon, to make several 'high tech' tests.

1. Pulling at two strings to get two wooden I don't know what in the same position.

2. Eye Test. Si Deng, Si Far, Si bla, bla, bla,

3. Reaction test, using two funny looking pedals and a high tech machine. Checking your reaction, Thais needed three times to succeed.

4. Another eye test. The whole explanation was in Thai.

After almost 4 hours ready to pick my smart cards up. No way. Had to watch a one hour movie in Thai about save driving, most of my Thai Competitors were sleeping. Boring like the Nation.

I was pretty sure to show them how I'm driving, but no driving test needed. I brought my own photos, but they made photos to produce the smart card.

I left exhausted without having any food after five hours. 960 baht for both cards, good for five more years driving in this beautiful country.

Please be aware that no insurance company will pay, if you're driving without a permit. Accidents happen here every day, and to be honest, should a foreigner be involved it's mostly our fault.

Should you come to a situation like that without speaking Thai, please take a Thai who can speak English to let you know what they really want. 2 K might bypass the whole procedure.

For example left in your passport……….

[Heng]

Yeah, should at least get a few (but not all) legally blind and partially handicapped folks off the road (no offense to handicapped folks perfectly able to operate vehicles).

A greater concern are the hundreds of thousands if not a million+ drivers who have those 'no expiration date' licenses and who are now 60-80+ years old with no eye or hand eye coordination tests ever.

[GuestHouse]

These are the standard tests I went through to get my license - Just got in the queue with all the Thais taking the same tests and went through the mill.

As Heng suggests, something of an improvement.

[Sarpedon]

I am off to apply for a Thai driving license on Wednesday! It sounds a little more complicated than the process I was told! By the way, where is the transport department? Is it around Sukhumvit soi 99?

[Sisaketmike]

I am off to apply for a Thai driving license on Wednesday! It sounds a little more complicated than the process I was told! By the way, where is the transport department? Is it around Sukhumvit soi 99?

Sorry, it was here in the deepest Somtham jungle Sisaket. I guess in Bkk. are English speaking 'instructors', but you shouldn't worry. It's like at schools, everybody will pass................enjoy your stay there.

[yankee99]

I am off to apply for a Thai driving license on Wednesday! It sounds a little more complicated than the process I was told! By the way, where is the transport department? Is it around Sukhumvit soi 99?

Sorry, it was here in the deepest Somtham jungle Sisaket. I guess in Bkk. are English speaking 'instructors', but you shouldn't worry. It's like at schools, everybody will pass................enjoy your stay there.

Just curious how long had your license been expired? I went to chonburi near the school for renewal 1 month ago. The process was simple no tests or anything like that. Also same as my original (1 year) no pictures needed...Mine also is closer to 6 years then 5

[Sisaketmike]

I am off to apply for a Thai driving license on Wednesday! It sounds a little more complicated than the process I was told! By the way, where is the transport department? Is it around Sukhumvit soi 99?

Sorry, it was here in the deepest Somtham jungle Sisaket. I guess in Bkk. are English speaking 'instructors', but you shouldn't worry. It's like at schools, everybody will pass................enjoy your stay there.

Just curious how long had your license been expired? I went to chonburi near the school for renewal 1 month ago. The process was simple no tests or anything like that. Also same as my original (1 year) no pictures needed...Mine also is closer to 6 years then 5

I went to the Transportation dep. before my license expired. I made my first one there, might be easier in Chonburi than in the deepest Isan jungle. Hope you got the 'smart card'. This country is sometimes hard to understand...I'm holding a work permit, my wife's uncle is a high shot there, but he couldn't help me.