I don't drive in Thailand but recognize it's a good idea to get a Thai DL should future circumstances change. Plus it's good to have that second form of ID.

What public transportation options are available to the land transport office/Eastern verification center in East Pattaya?

Depends how far you have to travel to get there... ?

If you are in the town - motorbike taxi is too far on the ass and also dodgy in the traffic crossing Sukh.

Best bet is Charter a Baht Bus - maybe be about 400 baht round trip ?

Friend who has a car to give you a lift there...

Meter taxi - then you can post a thread on here if they put the meter on 5 5 5

There is no "public" transport there. It will all be by private hire...either a motorbike, songtow, "meter" taxi, or Grab Taxi. Price depends on distance of course...maybe best to just rent your own moto for the day at 100-150 baht. There is a local road route to the office that avoids all the highways (and is the shortest way too).

Also, you'll be taking 3-4 trips there to complete the license process.

Why the need for multiple trips to get a license? ISTR I got my first license all in one visit, and subsequent renewals were, too.

Why the need for multiple trips to get a license? ISTR I got my first license all in one visit, and subsequent renewals were, too.

I agree, one trip does it, unless you forgot something, like a residents letter etc.

Why the need for multiple trips to get a license? ISTR I got my first license all in one visit, and subsequent renewals were, too.

I assume your getting a licence from scratch and not renewing an old one. The first trip is just to just check that your application paperwork is in order and to make an appointment to come back and sit for the THREE HOUR instructional and Thai rules of the road video. (Yes, believe it or not, there are actual rules.) You will then return in 2-3 weeks to watch the actual video.

After watxhing the video, you'll come back the following day to take the practical and written driving tests. If you pass both, you'll be issued your license. So that's a minimum of 3 trips. If you fail either of the tests, you cannot retake them that day but must come back the following day(s) until you pass.

I posted a detailed report on my Thai DL experience in the thread at the top of the Pattaya Forum on obtaining a DL.

You could also ask at a driving school. I believe they will take some of the hassle out of the process for a price.

Office outside immigration i saw one time some ads that they take care of driving licenses too.. In practise what does it mean, i have no idea.

I would be interested in this too since my 5 year thai DL is due to expire in may. Not in Thailand now but I will be in town may but not going to have any NON -Imm -status so If there is some office who can make process more smoothly, i d like to know..

Is the license office on Hwy 7? Near the Regents school?

4 hours ago, fred110 said:

Is the license office on Hwy 7? Near the Regents school?

Near Regents School, yes.

With that a bit closer to HW 36 than HW 7.

And can be reached from HW 36 or from the Pattaya eastside (for the pathfinders ).