Thai Driver'S Licence As Of 01-2011

[bill1369]

I have just returned from getting a Thai Driver's License. I had done a lttle bit of research prior and some info is accurate and some isn't so here's a bit of an update:

If you are in BKK, go to the Dept of Land Mgmt opposite Jatuchak Market. Take BTS to Mo Chit, exit # 2 and walk 5-min. The drivers licence section is Bldg 4 in this large complex - it is to the rear right as you face from the entrance gate. Walk up to 2nd Floor and go to information counter at top of stairs. There, the clerk will examine your documents + your passport + your foreign driver's license.

Documents need: (1) relevant passport pages - main page, Thai visa page, current Immigration date stamp. (2) I am from US - need the notartized Embassy letter of my residence in Thailand. (3) Medical certificate from Thai Dr. (4) copy front & back your driver's license from home country. Note: One website I researched said the Embassy ltr must be current w/i 30-days; well, being lazy, I didn't go until mine was more than 4-mos old and the information clerk told me it only needed to be notarized/dated w/i the past year. Also, a guy in front of me didn't copy back of his home d/l and was told to go get it copied (near the info counter); he was back in less than a minute.

After the info clerk examines your documents you will be given a number and told to go to wait before Windows 17 & 18. These are the 'Foreign D/L' windows and with 2 guys in front of me, I waited 5 minutes. When called, the clerk will look through your docs, enter some info into the computer and direct you to have eyes tested on 3rd floor.

The eye test is identify colors, a simulated accelerator and brake pedal - you step on the 'accelerator' and soon a red light flashes and you hit the brake. And, finally, a peripheral test where either red, yellow or green lights appear and you tell the clerk what you're seeing. The whole thing, with about 8 people, was 10 minutes. Finishing that test, it's back down to Window 17 or 18 again. There, you pay 205 baht, have a photo taken and wait 30 seconds for your licence to be printed. (Note, some of the articles said to bring 2 photos - you do not need your own pics.)

The licence issued is for a car. I asked the clerk who said I need all of the same docs + a road test should I want to have a motorcycle license.

The Thai D/L is good for a year from date of issue. At expiration, the clerk told me the exact same process begins anew.

Hope this helps someone.

[Wavefloater]

Thanks for this -- very considerate of you.

Happy to hear that it went so smoothly.

[hansje]

Thanks for sharing, appreciate it a lot!

I do need one myself next week, so very handy.

Im getting Thai id soon, same process? Same places? Since i got my driverslicense already but have 2 nationalities and 2 passports.... What is the best way? What Thais do? Dont know how they do it... Np as long as i dont need to read or speak Thai.

Ps. Thai Id because mommy Thai

[steelepulse]

>>) I am from US - need the notartized Embassy letter of my residence in Thailand.

A letter from immigration won't work?

[hansje]

Hmm will ask my school what they can arrange for me. Ill reply nxt week how it went

[Soutpeel]

>>) I am from US - need the notartized Embassy letter of my residence in Thailand.

A letter from immigration won't work?

And obviously if you have a work permit, dont need any proof of residence, WP suffices

and

" At expiration, the clerk told me the exact same process begins anew" not quite...for renewal, dont need to provide copies of your overseas DL, they already have this on record and a medical certificate may or may not be required depends on the office

[SantiSuk]

95% of requirements are constant throughout Thailand I think but there is always scope for differences between offices, based on my reading of many TV threads before acquiring my first license earlier this month. It's best to do a dry run and ask what is required.

My local amphur (Kantaralak in SiSaket province) told me my embassy letter was no good because they required one that was dated within the last 3 months. There was no driving test and no colour blindness test required. They accepted, as do all amphurs I think, a letter from immigration and I have seen other TV posters say they had success with free letters evidencing their addresses from their local police stations and from the local town hall.

All these people who don't know you from Adam, who haven't an <deleted> clue where you live and who seem to be willing to confirm in writing that they know where you live or they know no reason why you might not live there - quite amusing really. Jobsworths reign supreme in Thailand!

[crisp]

>>) I am from US - need the notartized Embassy letter of my residence in Thailand.

A letter from immigration won't work?

And obviously if you have a work permit, dont need any proof of residence, WP suffices

and

" At expiration, the clerk told me the exact same process begins anew" not quite...for renewal, dont need to provide copies of your overseas DL, they already have this on record and a medical certificate may or may not be required depends on the office

Would you know if the yellow Tambien Ban (house book for farrang) would be good enough for proof of residence, or would i still require a letter of residencefrom my Embassy?

many thanks

Chris

[clives]

>>) I am from US - need the notartized Embassy letter of my residence in Thailand.

A letter from immigration won't work?

And obviously if you have a work permit, dont need any proof of residence, WP suffices

and

" At expiration, the clerk told me the exact same process begins anew" not quite...for renewal, dont need to provide copies of your overseas DL, they already have this on record and a medical certificate may or may not be required depends on the office

Would you know if the yellow Tambien Ban (house book for farrang) would be good enough for proof of residence, or would i still require a letter of residencefrom my Embassy?

many thanks

Chris

Tabien Bann is all you will need, also good for buying and selling cars and a few other address related issues.

[Kwasaki]

>>) I am from US - need the notartized Embassy letter of my residence in Thailand.

A letter from immigration won't work?

And obviously if you have a work permit, dont need any proof of residence, WP suffices

and

" At expiration, the clerk told me the exact same process begins anew" not quite...for renewal, dont need to provide copies of your overseas DL, they already have this on record and a medical certificate may or may not be required depends on the office

Would you know if the yellow Tambien Ban (house book for farrang) would be good enough for proof of residence, or would i still require a letter of residencefrom my Embassy?

many thanks

Chris

Tabien Bann is all you will need, also good for buying and selling cars and a few other address related issues.

Very true, and a few other thing are after 1 year you get 5 yr when you go back next one if you are staying.

One funny thing I remember was about the colours or some of you guys color, yellow, in England we call it " Amber " when I said this they looked at me very strangely.

[Soutpeel]

One funny thing I remember was about the colours or some of you guys color, yellow, in England we call it " Amber " when I said this they looked at me very strangely.

Same Same but different....