Driving license queue

[gilbreth99]

My wife says it is now a 4-5 month queue to just a number for an appointment to apply for a new driving license. Mine is expired. Before, I would just go early in the morning and get it late in the day.

Is this really the case?

Thank you,

Gil

[djayz]

Up until a month ago, that wssn't the case when I went to have my license reissued. But, that was in Chokchai, Korat. Very small center, not many people.

It might be the case that you have to wait in certain regions/cities, but I'm pretty sure it's not as long as you stated in your post.

Maybe something got lost in translation...?

[dabhand]

It may depend on how long your licence has been expired.

If it is less than one year / three years I believe you may not need to go through the full test process of theory + practical (both if more than three years) and therefore may not need to go onto the appointment system.

This might help:

http://www.dlt.go.th/th/index.php?option=com_content&id=3471:renew&Itemid=88

[Hedghog]

I received my first licence,after an eight year wait.

I had visited the transport office on previous occasions to be met by long lines of customers.

I don't like queuing.

Went on Tuesday,it was cold first thing in the morning.In and out in less than an hour.

Having just bought a new vehicle helped me along,now all legal,for car and bike.

[Fookhaht]

I had a 10-minute wait. Terrible. Central Isaan.

[KhunBENQ]

To the OP: where do you want to apply?

Are you sure that your wife did not refer to the queue for a new Thai driving license (tutoring, 50 Q theory test, practical driving test)?

I had to queue for 3 weeks (Central Isan ) to get that in July 2015 (motorcycle license in addition to existing car license).

You sound like you have some Thai DL (temporary or 5y?) and want to renew?

[kandi]

To the OP: where do you want to apply?

Are you sure that your wife did not refer to the queue for a new Thai driving license (tutoring, 50 Q theory test, practical driving test)?

I had to queue for 3 weeks (Central Isan ) to get that in July 2015 (motorcycle license in addition to existing car license).

You sound like you have some Thai DL (temporary or 5y?) and want to renew?

I've done the same and had to wait I think 2 weeks for the tests (BKK).

[MartinL]

To the OP: where do you want to apply?

Are you sure that your wife did not refer to the queue for a new Thai driving license (tutoring, 50 Q theory test, practical driving test)?

I had to queue for 3 weeks (Central Isan ) to get that in July 2015 (motorcycle license in addition to existing car license).

You sound like you have some Thai DL (temporary or 5y?) and want to renew?

Yes, the OP sounds as though he needs to RENEW an existing licence.

I renewed both car & bike licences about 3 weeks ago in southern Khon Kaen province. Went in about 8.30 a.m., came out a few hours later with 2 renewed licences. No appointment or waiting involved at all. There were about 15 of us going through the process together.

[gilbreth99]

To the OP: where do you want to apply?

Are you sure that your wife did not refer to the queue for a new Thai driving license (tutoring, 50 Q theory test, practical driving test)?

I had to queue for 3 weeks (Central Isan ) to get that in July 2015 (motorcycle license in addition to existing car license).

You sound like you have some Thai DL (temporary or 5y?) and want to renew?

Yes, the OP sounds as though he needs to RENEW an existing licence.

I renewed both car & bike licences about 3 weeks ago in southern Khon Kaen province. Went in about 8.30 a.m., came out a few hours later with 2 renewed licences. No appointment or waiting involved at all. There were about 15 of us going through the process together.

My old license expired years ago, so I will start fresh again. We have called around, its 3 months now in most places to get an appointment. Might head up country, as my residence paper and health cert will expire. Amazing Thailand.

[james.d]

Agree with Kandi,

In BKK the checking of paperwork and do eye & reaction test was same day I went without an appointment. (just had to queue and wait for your number to be announced) Was told the video session and questionnaire was only for maximum 28 or 30 people and was shown the register was full for a long period. However after a bit of pleading was added to the list a week later. Practical test was done week later. IMHO, I would use a rental car for 100THB as these are smaller and I noticed a couple of people struggle with the reversing in larger vehicles during the practical test.

Cheers,

James.d

[KhunBENQ]

But as the OP writes, his license is long expired (more than 3 years obviously), so has to do the full program not comparable with renewal.

Might indeed be worth a trip upcountry.

Good luck.

[gilbreth99]

But as the OP writes, his license is long expired (more than 3 years obviously), so has to do the full program not comparable with renewal.

Might indeed be worth a trip upcountry.

Good luck.

Thanks all, it indeed appears that if you want a license (new one, not a renewal) before 3 months, you need to head up country. This is what I will likely do. Just another example of the massive inefficiency that the Thais love....

[sitta]

Got my first Thai License for 2 years yesterday, armed with letter from immigration confirming address and letter from a doctor plus my Australian international driving license, able to obtain within one hour, fee. 205THB

[MartinL]

Thanks all, it indeed appears that if you want a license (new one, not a renewal) before 3 months, you need to head up country. This is what I will likely do. Just another example of the massive inefficiency that the Thais love....

If you go outside your local province for the licence - for example, if you came here to Khon Kaen - you'll need to provide proof of residence. I've no idea whether or not that has to be residence local to the Land Transport Office you apply at but, assuming it must be a local address, could you provide one?

Most people seem to say that a letter of residence from Immigration (along with a fee) is required for a driving licence but, at least here in KK, a recent TM30 (free) is perfectly acceptable - that's all I've ever used for initial temporary licence & 2 renewals. Ask whether the office you choose will accept a TM30, it saves time waiting for the Immigration letter.

[Sydneycraig]

Do I need proof of residence for renewing a 1 year license ?

[stevenl]

Do I need proof of residence for renewing a 1 year license ?

Yes.

[gilbreth99]

Thanks all, it indeed appears that if you want a license (new one, not a renewal) before 3 months, you need to head up country. This is what I will likely do. Just another example of the massive inefficiency that the Thais love....

If you go outside your local province for the licence - for example, if you came here to Khon Kaen - you'll need to provide proof of residence. I've no idea whether or not that has to be residence local to the Land Transport Office you apply at but, assuming it must be a local address, could you provide one?

Most people seem to say that a letter of residence from Immigration (along with a fee) is required for a driving licence but, at least here in KK, a recent TM30 (free) is perfectly acceptable - that's all I've ever used for initial temporary licence & 2 renewals. Ask whether the office you choose will accept a TM30, it saves time waiting for the Immigration letter.

The letter of residence can be from anywhere.

G

[gilbreth99]

Just wanted to post an update. Renewed my license as follows:

1. Drive to an upcountry land transport office (no appt needed); we went to Ratanaburi; arrive 8:30am after night in Surin.

2. Submit passport, application, health check and address verification papers; get in queue;

3. Depending on your license status (mine was over 3 years expired), certain steps are needed; in my case, start from scratch but get a 5 year license after completion instead of a 1 year temp; step 1 - dubious eye and reflex test.

4. Then, sit thru 4 hour amateurishly authored land transport driving video (scenes of 5 Thais beating on one Thai guy) ; I barely caught a word of it. As a result, failed first attempt at written exam. Had no idea tanks are allowed on the roads.

5. Go home, download the exam and memorize all the correct answers. Google it, don't ask me where.

6. Arrive next morning, re-take exam, passed 48 out of 50 (small wonder) ; proceed to practical test;

7. Fail 1 of 3 practical tests driving (parking alongside a curb at exactly 25 cm; have to wait 3 days for the next chance.

8. Arrive 3 days later, fail test again (touched curb with tire); make a huge scene in front of everyone and request a manager; pass the 3rd time, but touched the curb again when exiting the curb due to the tire angling when exiting the space; failed on the spot. Make a huge scene again, and plead my case about driving 8 hours; finally pass the 4th time.

9. Receive pass papers, head to 2nd floor, photo taken and license printed. Baht 650 and good for 5 years.

10. Drive 8 hours back to BKK.

The requirements for a license have little to do with road safety in Thailand. The video is a challenge to watch (do you need to know that chemical hazard stickers on a chemical truck must be exactly "30cmx45"cm?). There is little actual worthwhile information in the video, especially regarding alcohol, stopping distances, tail gating, penalties for accidents, etc. The exam itself needs an overhaul, many of the "pictures" you're asked to interpret are arbitrary and vague; many questions repeat themselves in the exam, especially the ones about "proper parking." The practical driving test also has little ability to screen poor drivers, e.g., some obviously weak drivers passed quickly because they inched along the course at 2-3km/hr. I can't see how parking exactly 25 cm along a curb will lower traffic accident deaths. Maybe I'm just bitter. Lol.

[KhunBENQ]

Thanks for the atmospheric report

Tanks are allowed in time of war. So don't be surprised to see tanks during the next war

I fully agree that the tutoring/theory education and test are close to worthless.

If you have gone through this you understand the daily chaos on the roads even better.

How could one let drivers on the road with this!!

Safety, caution, respect for the weaker, driving physics/slippery roads, breaking distance?

No word I remember.

Always try to keep calm, don't make a scene. Smile and beg for mercy

[dabhand]

I would hazard a guess that the OP will ensure that he renews his licence at the appropriate time in the future.

The Thai licence renewal process allows a degree flexibility of up to three years beyond the expiry date. Anyone who can't be bothered to renew, even within that extended period, has no real cause for complaint if the renewal process becomes more inconvenient.