Thai Driving License

[BigJohnnyBKK]

I need to get a local driver's license - should have done this years ago, as I've heard it's a no brainer, at some places they actually hand you an answer sheet for the computer?

I can even go quickly up to Pattaya if that's the easiest way, but Bangkok this afternoon or tomorrow would be best - actually they're probably not open Saturdays here, eh?

Otherwise a recommendation on the best way to proceed in Chiang Mai would be helpful. If I show up driving myself to the place where I'm getting the DL, and my int'l DL is expired are they going to want extra tea money? Might be cheaper to take a taxi. . .

[CMSteve]

Don't know about Bangkok or Pattaya, but the Chiang Mai office is a two story office building and they will never know how you got there. No worries about Tea money. BTW, if you have a current DL from another country, chances are you can have a new Thai DL made off of that. May still have to do a reaction test and vision test, but no questions about driving. Don't forget that you'll need the usual doc's. Res Cert, health check, application form.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Don't know about Bangkok or Pattaya, but the Chiang Mai office is a two story office building and they will never know how you got there. No worries about Tea money. BTW, if you have a current DL from another country, chances are you can have a new Thai DL made off of that. May still have to do a reaction test and vision test, but no questions about driving. Don't forget that you'll need the usual doc's. Res Cert, health check, application form.

My overseas licenses have all long expired, but for the British Virgin Islands one you've got to look real hard, squinting at the background to make out an expiration date, so maybe that would squeak by. I'd much rather deal with one of the places that just hands you the answer sheet and sits you down in front of the computer. . .

Re "usual docs", I certainly don't have any "residential certificate", I've lived in Thailand for 12 years on a variety of statuses including valid work permits, but am currently on a non-Imm (A?) based on sole custody of my two Thai children.

However I'm in fact now on overstay, have to pay the ß20K at the airport, so if we're talking about dealing with the BiB for the DL, I guess I'll need to take care of that beforehand.

Health checkup for a driver's license, really? And I assume they'll have me fill out their application form there, is that what you mean?

PS I'm not worried about tea money, often worth every penny, but details should be sent via PM rather than open posting.

[NancyL]

Johnny, the lack of a TDL is probably the least of your problems now. You need to get the visa and overstay situation sorted out first, because you go to Immigration to get your certificate of residency. Your embassy/consulate can also issue a certificate of residency, but they'll probably advise you to take care of the overstay/visa situation before trying to get a TDL.

The medical exam is primarily a check that you're a warm body and aren't color blind. Go into any hospital or clinic and tell them you need a medical exam to get a driver's license. They'll know what you need. It's usually about 100 baht.

As mentioned earlier there is no driving or written exam if you have a valid license elsewhere in the world. If not, yes you'll have to take an exam. They might "help you" with the written part, especially if you can't read Thai, but everyone I know who was helped thru the exam by the staff did it by using charm and attitutide -- not by flashing around money and trying to buy their way to a license.

This isn't Pattaya!

[thaimiller]

You dont have to read Thai to take the exam its in English

[CMSteve]

Its barely English. if anybody needs proofreading services it would be the test writers. But at very least there are pictures to look at.

You dont have to read Thai to take the exam its in English

[Semper]

"My overseas licenses have all long expired, but for the British Virgin Islands one you've got to look real hard, squinting at the background to make out an expiration date, so maybe that would squeak by"

"However I'm in fact now on overstay"

" I'm not worried about tea money, often worth every penny"

Why do you care about a DL? Just pay the fines/tea money as you're used to.

[MESmith]

Invalid insurance would be my main concern

[MJo]

If your going to do the tests, written and drive test, bring your car. It is difficult without one. And no tea money needed.

If your home country DL is in english try with that one, they might accept and convert to Thai DL without tests. Or get copy certified by your Embassy and you should be good.

There was recent thread on CM process and how it worked, maybe in the pinned thread?

[BigJohnnyBKK]

This isn't Pattaya!

As I said, I'd be perfectly happy to run up to Pattaya to help facilitate getting a quick DL especially if it means bypassing the test. Are there English-language study aids if I do end up needing to take it?

> Why do you care about a DL? Just pay the fines/tea money as you're used to.

I'm not worried about the BiB, but my ability to rent a vehicle.

> If your going to do the tests, written and drive test, bring your car. It is difficult without one.

Bit difficult since I don't have one.

> Home country DL is in english try with that one, they might accept and convert to Thai DL without tests.

I can try, but the USA one expired 8 years ago, the BVI and Australian ones 6.

I realize I need to "take care of" my overstay, but unfortunately that will need to wait for a paycheck or two before I can do so - unless you're willing to lend me the dosh in the meantime?

I may need to rent a truck and drive up to CM from BKK in the near future, and almost certainly before I have enough to be able to do the visa run.

So this residency certificate - as an American, I take it going to my embassy and raising my right arm to certify is sufficient? Neither I nor my kids are registered in any tatien baan, and the utility bills are in the landlord's name. I do have a lease that's now 7 years old with my signature on it.

[onthedarkside]

<snip>

I realize I need to "take care of" my overstay, but unfortunately that will need to wait for a paycheck or two before I can do so - unless you're willing to lend me the dosh in the meantime?

So you will be working in Thailand with no visa and no work permit..... and you are discussing this on the forum. You like to live dangerously.

[naboo]

I can't see how you're going to get a letter of residence with no valid visa - from immigration or your embassy.

[NancyL]

I can't see how you're going to get a letter of residence with no valid visa - from immigration or your embassy.

Nor a TDL.

The American embassy/consulate is attesting to your identity -- they don't want to see a tambien book, lease agreement, etc. They will want to see $50, which may be a problem if funds are so short that you haven't been maintaining a valid visa.

Better to get the visa situation resolved and then you can get a letter of residency from CM immigration for just 500 baht.

[Gonsalviz]

Its barely English. if anybody needs proofreading services it would be the test writers. But at very least there are pictures to look at.

You dont have to read Thai to take the exam its in English

+1

[BlackArtemis]

I showed up with my license, I can't comment about yours being out of date, did a reaction test for braking and a colorblindness test. Paid my fees and I was done.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

So you will be working in Thailand with no visa and no work permit..... and you are discussing this on the forum. You like to live dangerously.

I think you're overestimate the actual danger.

I've been here for over 12 years, and about 8 years of that have been covered by work permits. 80% of the teachers I know work without them, the vast majority of commercial language schools don't cover **any** of their freelancers, only the tiny fraction that get hired full-time, and many not even all of them, or it takes many many months.

Have you ever even heard of someone getting deported for teaching English here without a WP?

My current job offer has said they will take care of it after the probation period, and by then I'll have the 20K spare for the fine on the way out.

Believe me I'd prefer not to be in that situation, but at my cost of living averaged over the last six months or so the visa-related expenses would have been nearly a third of my total expenditures.

[bristolgeoff]

this has being on before i,am sure it was explained very well last time

[BigJohnnyBKK]

this has being on before i,am sure it was explained very well last time

Sorry it isn't clear which aspect your "this" is referring to. But it seems clear I shouldn't try to get a DL at this point, the potential cost is too high. I'll hire a truck with driver, or possibly ship my stuff by rail, wait until I have enough money to fly the kids up and send the maid and her family by bus or train.

Thanks to all for your feedback.

[Dante99]

this has being on before i,am sure it was explained very well last time

Sorry it isn't clear which aspect your "this" is referring to. But it seems clear I shouldn't try to get a DL at this point, the potential cost is too high. I'll hire a truck with driver, or possibly ship my stuff by rail, wait until I have enough money to fly the kids up and send the maid and her family by bus or train.

Thanks to all for your feedback.

Congratulations on that great decision. Hope you get your overstay taken care of before you are arrested, jailed and deported.