Update On Driving License Eye Test

[kirmizi]

I got my shiny new DL today and I noticed that the eye test was a little different from what I've seen posted on here recently so allow me to update you on the new procedure as of today.

1. The reaction test is the same and is very easy.

2. The depth perception test was fairly easy and simply involves moving one bar to line up with a second one. You use a couple of buttons to move it back and forth. One machine was broken and there were a couple of strings you had to pull to move the bar.

3. The colour test has 2 parts.

1) There is a big card with a hundred coloured dots on it, but no number inside it. They simply point at individual dots and you tell them what colour they are. There were about 5 different colours but they only pointed at the red, green and yellow ones. I'm slightly red/green colour blind but managed to pass this as there were no tricky browns to confuse me. The biggest problem with this part was the fact that there is a window directly behind the card and a white building opposite. So if it is sunny like it was this morning, you'll have a very bright light in your eyes. This was a real problem for me since I have enough trouble with colours already. Also, there are 2 stations for this test. One has a shiny new card with clear bright colours. The other one (mine) has an old card that looks like it has been used as a doormat for a couple of years. You sit about 4 meters away for this test.

2) The second part tests your ability to see colours in your peripheral vision. This was more difficult and I saw one farang fail it. You have to put your face up to a device and stare at a yellow dot about 10cm in front of you. They then flash red, green or yellow lights at you from the side. They are at the extreme periphery of your vision and you must remain staring straight ahead. The red was easy to spot but the green and yellow were quite faint.

That was it for the eye test and despite being mildly red green deficient, I passed.

There's been a lot of discussion on Thaivisa about whether or not foreign licenses are accepted with or without an international driving permit. They accepted my Hong Kong driving license WITHOUT an IDP. They examined it closely and a number of people had a look at it before it was accepted. This allowed me to skip the written and practical tests and I was done by 10:30am with a new car and motorcycle license. I'm not saying this is standard procedure, it's just what happened today.

Worth mentioning is that if you fail the written or practical test, you can come back as often as you like for 90 days to retake that particular part of the test. There is no need to repeat the entire procedure. That was according to the translation I got from my Thai friend this morning. I believe it's pretty hard to fail these but if you do, it's no big deal.

Also worth mentioning is that the people working there were generally very friendly and during the eye test at least, were willing to forgive a few mistakes here and there.

As for documents needed, this seems to be the same as has been said in many other threads.

Copies of passport ID page and visa, health certificate and residence certificate. One of each of these per license applied for (ie. car and motorbike). You must sign all of these copies so do so beforehand to save time.

It was generally a very pleasant morning and everyone was very helpful. Good luck to all.

[katabeachbum]

Glad you made it. Congrats

90 days for retesting unlimited times is correct, and no fees involved until you have passed and pay for your drivinglisence to be made