Anyone Do The Motorbike Test Recently?

[ForumUsername]

Just wondering if there's a best time to go?

I believe I have the necessary papers (health check-up from Chiang Mai ram and proof of residency which is stamped from Immigration) - now I'm just wondering if I can save myself a few hours.

Is it guaranteed that I'll be able to do everything on the day? Hoping to do it tomorrow...

[mcgriffith]

It's not an all day deal if you show up 9-10ish (long before lunch hour break).

Add to your list any current driver license you have from your home country.

If not expired and are from countries Thailand has an accord with...you won't have to take any written tests, just the colour blindness/reaction time, etc. physical tests.

And of course your passport.

Good luck, and let us know how it turned out.

[ForumUsername]

Thanks for the help. I have a European drivers license, only problem is that I've lost it (and have no copies)

Guess I'll go through with the theory exam

[mcgriffith]

No worries, I understand that if you fail, they let you take it again, and again...until you pass.

[moe666]

If you are hving problems the lady there will help you out on the answers. And no money need to change hands

[Semper]

If you are hving problems the lady there will help you out on the answers. And no money need to change hands

Never heard of this. My wife had to do the test 4 times, before she passed the exam.

[anselpixel]

I went at 9AM and finished everything for two licenses by 2:30PM.

Took the theory exam twice: same test really, but you have to be recorded for each license type.

Read the study guide and relax. Easy stuff, except for a couple of unanswerable questions.

[mcgriffith]

Excellent result, and thanks for sharing!

[Genericnic]

I take the motorcycle test every day when I get out and ride in traffic. So far, I have passed every time.

David

[Newguy70]

Early... .......

[Pormax]

Early... .......

When you take the theory test don't expect the obvious answer to be right.

Need to think like a Thai (though saying that as seen above even some Thais don't understand the logic of the questions).

If you fail the first time memorise the wrong answers.

2 answers I got wrong:

When must you not overtake.

The 4 answers all seemed plausible (passing a pedestrian crossing, outside a school, by a bridge and another. I put outside a school,thinking about safety to children, but the answer was by a bridge. Many thai though do not know this even though there is always double lines on the road.

2nd Question:

Can't remember two answers given but there was - if you recently had a drink and if you think you are going to have a heart attack!! I went for the former but no it was the later.

Now before I go out to drive I ask myself if I am going to have a heart attack today!!!!!

Driving test is easy, just stay on the bike.

I'm sure you will be ok.

[TheVicar]

Early... .......

When you take the theory test don't expect the obvious answer to be right.

Need to think like a Thai (though saying that as seen above even some Thais don't understand the logic of the questions).

If you fail the first time memorise the wrong answers.

2 answers I got wrong:

When must you not overtake.

The 4 answers all seemed plausible (passing a pedestrian crossing, outside a school, by a bridge and another. I put outside a school,thinking about safety to children, but the answer was by a bridge. Many thai though do not know this even though there is always double lines on the road.

2nd Question:

Can't remember two answers given but there was - if you recently had a drink and if you think you are going to have a heart attack!! I went for the former but no it was the later.

Now before I go out to drive I ask myself if I am going to have a heart attack today!!!!!

Driving test is easy, just stay on the bike.

I'm sure you will be ok.

I've just taken the test and received my Thai motorycle license a few days ago. In addition to the papers you mentioned you will need:

1) your passport;

2) copies of relevant parts of your passport (entry/exit card; picture page; visa stamp page etc.). They have a copy service there so you need not take the copies with you.

Expect the process to take ALL day. You are obliged to sit through a "driving license" school type lecture from about 9 a.m. to 1:30. There is a sign-in sheet and if you do not attend you will not get a number to get in line. The class is in Thai but they will give you handouts in English covering road signs, rules etc. Study these thoroughly. They do NOT give you much info on parking reulations and info. on right of way situations which will occur on the test. The test items on these questions (the diagrams) are not clear and as a result many people miss these questions. Google the test and you will find a sample written driving test on the internet. It is very, very helpful. I will not give you tips on questions because I think it is better for all to actually take the test seriously and to prepare for it.

If you pass (23 is passing out of 30), you can take the driving test which is quite simple. Just follow a Thai driver. It is critical that you have a helmet AND that you buckle it up. You will fail automatically if you just put it on your head. At the end of the course, turn to the right NOT TO THE LEFT to park. If you turn left, for some reason, you fail automatically. I did and I was following a Thai female driver (also, do NOT follow a Thai female)! After the driving test, you go back to the main building, pay the fee of B 155 and have your picture taken and your license issued on the spot. I went at 7:30 in the morning and got out at 5 pm. My case was not unusual. By the way, when I went, most farangs failed both the written and the driving test. For the written test, wait until 3 pm. when you can retake it. If you fail again, you have to wait until the next day. You can retake the driving part of the test immediately after failing it. By the way, if you fail the written test make sure that you look at the questions you missed and the right answers; they appear on the screen along with the numbers you failed. Do so because it is likely you will see some of the same questions again! The physical part of the driving test (on the bike) only takes a few minutes but there are long, long lines so it takes time. Do NOT attempt to bribe anyone; it doesn't work and can get you into big trouble!

Good luck!

[mcgriffith]

Thanks for the report, Vicar!

I'm sure the unlicensed farang in their home country will be quivering by now...but it is really not too difficult.

Simple logic usually will get a pass grade, except for the one or 2 trick questions that licensing authorities worldwide love to include in these tests.

I used to get 100% for years on California drivers license tests, until they started messing with our minds with inexplicably ambiguous questions, with crap multiple choice answers, none of which really answered the original question. I guess they just couldn't countenance the idea of people passing their tests with a 100% score- too easy.

I highly recommend that every farang who drives here obtains a Thai driver license, for all the reasons that have been beaten to death before....

[toastie]

Did the test last Jan; favourite theory question was :

If you are feeling drowsy while driving, you should

( a ) stop and take a rest

( b ) drive slowly

( c ) drink coffee

( d ) eat a methamphetamine tablet

[TheVicar]

Thanks for the report, Vicar!

I'm sure the unlicensed farang in their home country will be quivering by now...but it is really not too difficult.

Simple logic usually will get a pass grade, except for the one or 2 trick questions that licensing authorities worldwide love to include in these tests.

I used to get 100% for years on California drivers license tests, until they started messing with our minds with inexplicably ambiguous questions, with crap multiple choice answers, none of which really answered the original question. I guess they just couldn't countenance the idea of people passing their tests with a 100% score- too easy.

I highly recommend that every farang who drives here obtains a Thai driver license, for all the reasons that have been beaten to death before....

Actually, MOST of the farangs who took the written test the day I went failed the first time. Part of the difficulty is the language one (the instructions on the handouts given to farangs is quite different than the English on the test!). The other problem is that the handouts given to foreigners do not cover the type of situations (with diagrams in particular) that occur on the written test regarding right of way and parking. The answers are not obvious for these (and the diagrams on the computer screen are blurry!). The good part about it is you can take the written test again at about 3PM the same day. Just look at the computer screen at the end of the test if you failed, and it will give the questions you failed and the correct answers. STUDY those because the same questions likely will occur again! Note that ALL the questions are multiple choice questions for the Thai driving license, so if you had trouble with those in California...

The actual driving test is easy and doesn't take long (but you may have to wait in long lines).