Warning Of "fake" International Driving Permits

[Bilko]

3 Months is fine.

When you have the correct documentation, you can get the Licence on the day you apply, I went in the morning and applied and picked up a few hours later.

[Preceptor]

Many thanks Bilko!

3 Months is fine.

When you have the correct documentation, you can get the Licence on the day you apply, I went in the morning and applied and  picked up a few hours later.

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[Preceptor]

Thanks George!

hi Bilko,

will a Non Immigrant Visa of 3 months do? Or more then 3 months?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A 3 months NON-Immigrant visa will do perfectly.

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[Bilko]

Many thanks Bilko!     

3 Months is fine.

When you have the correct documentation, you can get the Licence on the day you apply, I went in the morning and applied and  picked up a few hours later.

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<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You're welcome.

The Thai Driving License is really worth having, it doubles as ID also, great for picking up registered Post etc.

Also as mentioned before, you will pay only 20 baht to get into National Parks, instead of the 200 baht you will pay without one, one trip to a National Park more than covers the cost of the License.

[Preceptor]

Also as mentioned before, you will pay only 20 baht to get into National Parks, instead of the 200 baht you will pay without one, one trip to a National Park more than covers the cost of the License.

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[pktkid]

3 Months is fine.

When you have the correct documentation, you can get the Licence on the day you apply, I went in the morning and applied and  picked up a few hours later.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

All depends which location you are applying and how busy they are, in Phuket you pick it up next day.

Here’s a tip for you, DO NOT try and get your DL renewed before your license expires, even so much as 1 day !! If so they will only increase it for an additional 1 year, instead of the 2nd term of 5 years.

And what a stupid look I got from the Thai girl behind the counter, sure, how ridiculous of me for wanting to renew something that had not yet expired ? It was a Friday and it was due to expire on the Saturday (they close Sat & Sun), of course she said I must come back Monday.

When I said to the girl behind the counter "But this means for 2 days I would be driving illegally ?"..... yes you can sort of imagine the blank expressionless reply on her face !

Amazing Thailand !

[Estrada]

The police does get confused or surpirised by my foreign license, suggests that I get an inernational one (like if they can read that ) but never takes or even can take any action....so I would suggest to read your insuirance policy and do not spend time or money on international orThai driverlicenses

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This information is completely false. I can assure you that you are driving ilegally in Thailand, and the cops are cutting you a break by suggesting you get an international license.

Do you think a Thai guy can use a Thai driving License in your country for 6 years and be legal? Can Cops in your country read Thai?

Think about if you knock a kid down in the street, and your insurance company refuses to pay cos you are driving your car with no license, what you gonna do then? Huff and Puff and have a Farang attitude of superiority over Thai cops who cant read Swedish?

Hey, cops in the states can't read Swedish either, but they will gladly escort you to the Jail.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not quite true; Law is you can use your Foreign Licence from an approved Country for 3 months, and no problems with insurance. so if you come and and go every 3 months there is no problem.

Obtaining a Thai licence is easy in Bangkok if your a BRIT as they don't make you take a test as the Thais accept the British Driving licence as proof that you have passed a driving test and know how to drive. We also drive on the correct side of the road as do the Thais [in theory].

An Aussie mate on the other hand was made to take the Thai driving test and failed twice!!!!

I went to work in Malaysia, and it is legal to drive there on a Thai Driving licence. Since it is written in Thai and the validity 2548 -2549, the Malaysian Police can't understand it, or tell whether it is in or out of date. You can also drive in Singapore, Cambodia and Laos.

Edited June 25, 2005 by Estrada

[Scott]

I managed to drive for quite a while without a valid license--from anywhere. Had an accident (rather bad and was in hospital). I managed to get by with a minimum of trouble. I got a 200Baht fine for no license. Insurance paid--I don't think they ever figured out I didn't have one.

I went and got a license--not very difficult. Letter from the embassy with appropriate seal on it, a quick physical exam, an eye test at the site (no driving exam--I had an old expired license from another country and they accepted that). I had my work permit along as well.

It took a day--only because of language difficulties, standing in the wrong line and getting caught in the "nobody works at lunch time" thing. By 3:00 p.m. I had a license. Life's been a lot easier since.

I've renewed every year (before the old one expired), no problem and now have a 5 year license.

When asked for my passport, I show my license and have never had any problem.

[wokkawombat]

I managed to drive for quite a while without a valid license--from anywhere.  Had an accident (rather bad and was in hospital).  I managed to get by with a minimum of trouble.  I got a 200Baht fine for no license.  Insurance paid--I don't think they ever figured out I didn't have one.

I went and got a license--not very difficult.  Letter from the embassy with appropriate seal on it, a quick physical exam, an eye test at the site (no driving exam--I had an old expired license from another country and they accepted that).  I had my work permit along as well.

It took a day--only because of language difficulties, standing in the wrong line and getting caught in the "nobody works at lunch time" thing.  By 3:00 p.m. I had a license.  Life's been a lot easier since.

I've renewed every year (before the old one expired), no problem and now have a 5 year license. 

When asked for my passport, I show my license and have never had any problem.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My travel insurance did not cover me even with a Australian International Permit. I now have a Thai 5 year licence for car and bike. Simple, a non O visa, correct documentation for immigration, medical check and licence in 2 hours. This all occured in Udon Thani. I did previously have a 1 year Thai licence issued in Pattaya at a cost of 500 baht for each letter from Pattaya immigration. Enough said about Pattaya Immigration

Edited June 25, 2005 by wokkawombat

[Bilko]

An Aussie mate on the other hand was made to take the Thai driving test and failed twice!!!!

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I failed the first written test cos the translation from Thai to English is pretty poor, and makes understanding the questions difficult.

A kind women said " We can help you " I was surprised and asked how she could help me, she said " 500 Baht each licence ".

I accepted her kind offer.

[warriors]

Hmmmmmmmm my question is I am Kiwi = from New Zealand we are only allowed a 2 months tour visa, then it is off to the bkk immagration and they give you one months extention. After that you have (I have not had to do one yet) to do the visa run every month. For I will be staying in Thailand for 6 months on holidays this trip as of August this year, so I expect to have to go out 2 times. Then leave again for 2 months back to N.Z. Then I will come back and do it again for another 6 months. After that I will then go for the retirement visa (over50 )

So I will be in Thailand say for 12 months out of the next 14 months.

Now the question will (A) the International driving licence be ok for the first 12 months?

And ( can I use the International driving licence to get an Thai driving licence

Seeing (1) I do not have a work permit and (2) I will only be in the country for 3 months, then a visa monthly run for the following 3 months.

Any good ideas how to get a Thai driving licence under my current conditions. For I truely would love a Thai licence for all the above reasons mentioned by the previous writers.

Thank you for looking my long but hopefully helpfull question.

[Bilko]

Warriors, You will need a NON Immigrant Visa to get the Licence.

[warriors]

As I said before they do not issue them only a 2 months visit one

[warriors]

I am there for a holiday. I have money I am not sponging off anyone. I am not there to work or study if i can work there then sure its easy, or if im prepaired to study 5 days a week and not have any spare time to visit, then sure again I can get one. They do not issue none imms visa in NZ unless you work or study or become a monk

[Bilko]

As I said before they do not issue them only a 2 months visit one

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Warriors, it's what you need though.

One guy I knew travelled to another country that is more Visa friendly to get a NON immigrant visa, cos he needed the Visa to get a Thai driving Licence. Maybe you can do the same.

I know it's a pain in the butt, but that's the way it is I'm afraid.

Edited June 25, 2005 by Bilko

[Greer]

Warriors - is there some reason for the rush?

If you can just put up with the extra charge at the National Parks and the occassional requirement to show some form of ID where you may need to show a passport, it will be much simpler to wait till you get your Non-Immigrant Retirement visa.

You simply get your International Driving Permit before leaving NZ, it is valid for a year, so that will cover you till you get the proper visa (the one you do need), and then you can easily get the Thai DL after that.

Not sure that I understand why they don't issue Non-Immigrant visas in NZ...are you certain of that - or do you mean that they will only issue them in accordance with the visa regulations - meaning it is not too easy to get a Non-Immigrant visa until you qualify for it?

Is it possible for you to get a local company to "sponsor" you for a Non-Immigrant type B (business) visa? It will then give you the required visa for the DL as well as making life easier as far as visa runs go...

Just a thought...

[RDN]

I just got my Thai driver's license, and used 2 methods to get my address verification...

...Take your pick.

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...or the third option: go to Immigration, ask for an address certificate for the purpose of obtaining a Thai driving license, wait five minutes, maybe give him a tip (50 baht)

...All depends which location you are applying and how busy they are, in Phuket you pick it up next day....

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I got mine the same day, after a couple of hours.

[PeaceBlondie]

I got Immigration office in Chiang Mai to issue me the residence certification within an hour. 200 baht. They didn't ask for work permit, of course.

[richard10365]

I tried to get a Thai Drivers License based on the information from a Thai immagration website, http://www.thaiimmigration.com/tse/Driving%20License.pdf.

The information left out an important fact which is you do need a valid non-immagrit visa.

I found this out when I went to Nong Khai immagration. They said I can't get a Thai drivers license with a tourist visa.

I guess I'll have to get married.

I think it will be easier to find a wife in Thailand than to get a drivers license.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

[ChrisP]

Might be a bit off-topic, but it would be helpful if the Dept of Land Transport made the "English" link on their home-page actually work.

These licenses are not valid in Thailand, the Ministry warns.

Source: http://www.dlt.go.th

ChrisP

[Dragonman]

I tried to get a Thai Drivers License based on the information from a Thai immagration website, http://www.thaiimmigration.com/tse/Driving%20License.pdf.

The information left out an important fact which is you do need a valid non-immagrit visa.

I found this out when I went to Nong Khai immagration. They said I can't get a Thai drivers license with a tourist visa.

I guess I'll have to get married.

I think it will be easier to find a wife in Thailand than to get a drivers license.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you think you can get a thai wife for 105 baht and you don't have to renew her after the first year you're onto a good thing.

[DaveYo]

Well folks, the comments made from Cristine in the past postings, is that she is full of HS and BS.

Triple A only charges 10 usa dollars for a valid one years international drivers license and such is recognized worldwide. 10 usa dollars comes out to 395 Baht.

Other method of obtaining a Thai drivers license is having a Thai national take you to the Drivers License Station, and let them verify your residence and you pass their test. Once you pass - presto you got the license.

Also folks, beware of driving around here in Thailand without Insurance. If you get into an accident and the police find out, first your fine is 12,000 Baht, then you have to pay for the persons damages, plus any hospital bills plus whatever Tea money the victim asks for, plus you get a record in the Police Books, and your license and vehicle is taken away until you show proof you purchased Insurance!!!!!!!

This one simple accident can balloon up to a cool 50,000 Baht for starts.

It happen to me, and I was on way to get mine, and was stopped and a biker rammed into me. Found out, he had no brakes, no helmets, was speeding, and his passenger ended up in the hospital licking their wounds for overnight. The police checked on me and did take note of no insurance, but did verify I was on way to get it and was only a half block away with the appointed place to receive it officially. They did go there to check to see if I was scheduled with such appointment. LUCKY FOR ME. Otherwise I was looking at 40,000 plus Baht down the pipe.

So, Total cost for me 800 Baht, as tea money.

If you are involved in one, and don't have insurance, I am sure you know what your supposed to do in saving your assy sassy.

Daveyo

[Bilko]

Your posts are Great Dave Yo !!

Very entertaining.

[warriors]

Greer and Bilko thanks for the info just asking first GREER When you say local company do you mean in Thailand and a company that wants to sponser me for what. What do I have to do in return for them? you mean work at 59 years of age?

Or do you mean a company that specilizers in visa getting for a price like Sunbelt the ones on this site?

Now BILKO question Which country your mate went to? And does it depend on the country of the passport shown or would I still be looked at as a small player because of the New Zealand passport? Long trip for the same result

[Bilko]

Now BILKO question  Which country your mate went to? And does it depend on the country of the passport shown or would I still be looked at as a small player because of the New Zealand passport? Long trip for the same result

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Brisbane, Australia.

You say you are 59, you really should be eligable for a NON Immigrant Visa at age 50 onwards.

Warriors, go to the Visa section of this forum and post some questions there about getting a NON Immigrant Visa in NZ. The main embassy may not give you a visa but there may be a Thai Consulate that will.

If not, I think Brisbane is a good bet, check first though, I think Brisbane consulate has an e-mail address, the guys in the Visa section are the experts on this. Good luck.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Brisbane : [email protected]

[LivinLOS]

Although I cant say this with 100% certainty I am 95% sure that Phuket does not insist on the Non Imm requirement (based on mate having one and not having a Non Imm ever).. They do not however allow the conversion of a UK license like BKK does (as posted in this thread) but will convert an IDP..

Of course once again us under 50's unmarried have a catch 22 situation in most parts of the country.

[Bilko]

Although I cant say this with 100% certainty I am 95% sure that Phuket does not insist on the Non Imm requirement (based on mate having one and not having a Non Imm ever).. They do not however allow the conversion of a UK license like BKK does (as posted in this thread) but will convert an IDP..

Of course once again us under 50's unmarried have a catch 22 situation in most parts of the country.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Livin, that used to be the case in Pattaya also some years ago, before I applied for my licence I had a good ask around, seems things have changed and now it is by the book only, maybe cos they are computerised and linked.

Few years ago it was 2500 baht in a lawyers office, pick up the licence in a few days. People moan about corruption, but it can save a lot of hassles, if you have the money to pay.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The boys in brown are awake to the scam now ( as are the insurer's )