Able to obtaim Thai Drivers License on a tourist visa (with cert. of residency)?

[EdwardAshman]

Hi all,

I know this question has been asked before, and I previously thought this was 100% not possible, but I did find a recent thread that seemed to suggest that it can be done with a certificate of residency from immigration/embassy.

Does anyone have an update on this procedure as of 2014?

I will be coming to Thailand in about a week and will be staying there for about 4 months in Bangkok/Cha-am. I grew up in Thailand so am reasonably familiar with the ins and outs of Thai visas and what they allow, but this area has always confused me.

I do not currently have a valid drivers license from another country (though I can drive) so I would be undertaking the whole deal: reflex test, peripheral vision, colour blindness, hideously bad video and practical exam.

Are there any centres that are known to do this or those which definitely do not around Bangkok or Cha-am? Also, what documentation is needed to obtain a certificate of residency? I will be staying in my families apartment that they own, so there is no rental agreement or lease however I know the building manager well, so could he write a letter that states I am indeed living at this property?

Hopefully I outlined the situation clearly enough to get an answer.

Cheers!

[sotsira]

I can only speak of the vehicle license department in Pattaya in that they do

issue (1 year only) Thai drivers licences to people on Tourist Visas.

You will need:

A resident letter from the local immigration.

A medical certificate from a clinic stating your fit to drive.

Photocopies of your passport main page, entry stamp and visa.

[Tomtomtom69]

Bangkok issues them too - again only 1-year licenses if you do not possess a non-immigrant visa.

I have heard reports of some provincial offices issuing 5-year licenses to holders of any visa but this might be the exception rather than the rule. However, a couple of years ago an elderly Texas man I personally know, who is married to a Thai woman and live together in the states, but visit Thailand often managed to obtain a 5-year license in Kanchanaburi, which he showed me. However, it was unclear if he obtained it whilst living in Thailand for a year back in 2007 or whether he obtained it on a subsequent visit on a tourist visa - I now think the former, but he seemed to boast how he was able to obtain it just by being a tourist and having his wife present in Kanchanaburi.

However, either way all new applicants, Thai and foreign, irrespective of visa class get only a 1-year license to start with and the following year, Thais and eligible foreigners can obtain a 5-year license, foreigners on short term visas or visa waivers usually only receive a replacement 1-year license.