International Driver's license

[SCARLETIBIS1]

So since I am going to be traveling to several countries soon I decided to get an International driver's license. I checked on the internet for what I needed.

One thing you need is "proof of residency". It didn't say "form" it said proof of residency. Ok, so most people I think would consider the original lease agreement proof of residency no?

So, I drive 25 kilometers to the Driver's License bureau south of the airport and they tell me I also need to fill out the proof of residency "form". Ok, so can you give me one please? Answer, "we don't have the form here". What, are you serious? The place that requires the form doesn't have the form there to fill out? Forgive me for laughing at this point.

So ok where do I get one?

Answer, " go to Immigration at the airport". I thought of going to Promenade but decided since the airport Immigration was toward me residence and it was 106 degrees out I would go home and come back first thing in the morning.

Ok so I drive all the way to the airport Immigration office and they say they don't have the form that I have to go to Promenade Immigration. Forgive me for laughing at this point.

Ok, so I drive all the way to Promenade Immigration and ask for a "form". We don't have the form says the officer at the desk. Are you kidding me? Where do I get this mysterious form then?

Answer, "go next door to the company next to the photocopy place". Forgive me for laughing here.

Ok, so I go to that company which is the one I think connected to someone high up who "helps" those who can't do stuff on their own and then charges lots of money to do so. I ask for the form. The head guy says, " we don't have the form, go to Immigration". Forgive me for laughing here.

Ok, so I go back to Immigration and again ask the same dude behind the main desk what the h.. is going on, that the guy says to get the form here. He says to sit down. I ask, please just can I have the form so I can go? He says sit down and wait. So I wait and wait and wait for thirty minutes then I get pissed. I get back up and ask the same dude who am I waiting for? He says, me. And for me to sit down. So, I start talking to a guy sitting next to me and he asks me what the problem is and I explain and he says that there is another building across the street to get the form perhaps. Can anyone believe this crap?

So I finally get up to leave since I worry this not too nice guy behind the main desk will remember me when I renew my visa and give me problems. So I get up and leave and pass by the girl outside giving out forms and numbers etc and ask her is she knows where can I get the form. She says go to the shop next to the photo copy place. Forgive me for laughing here.

So I go back to that shop and ask the same not too nice guy who told me they have no forms why he says they have no forms since everyone is telling me to go there. So this then tells an employee go get me the form and this guy simply goes in to a file and picks out the form and hands it to me. Apparently, the head guy couldn't be bothered or was too lazy to even ask a subordinate to go get the form. How rude is this place??

The form simply has you fill out your name etc and tells you to provide a copy of your lease. Forgive me for laughing here.

It is beyond belief that the same dept that requires the form (Transportation dept) does not even supply the form at their location. And does anyone else think that some Immigration officers are intentionally being rude to foreigners?

Anyway, welcome to Thailand folks. Then again,it was Friday the 13th

Edited May 14, 2016 by SCARLETIBIS1

[Boon Mee]

Waste of time. You can drive here in LOS on your stateside or other license. The BIB don't even know what an International Drivers License is.

[HLover]

Waste of time. You can drive here in LOS on your stateside or other license. The BIB don't even know what an International Drivers License is.

Another falsehood.

[noise]

OP said he is going to travel to other countries where he will be driving. Therefore, he needs the International Drivers license.

The police do know what an IDL is. And don't be fooled by what is common practice, e.g., renting a motorcycle with a stateside license. It is illegal to drive a car or motorcycle in Thailand without an IDL or a Thai license. If you do not have either, you are running the risk of getting a ticket.

Edited May 14, 2016 by noise

[FolkGuitar]

If you have a US drivers license, you can apply for an "International Driver's Permit" from the AAA, and do it via regular mail.

The cost is $15, takes about two weeks to get it, and they will mail it to you at any address that you specify.

You can download the form here: https://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc.html

There are two licensed organizations in the US that can issue them legally, and both charge $15 for them. There are a LOT of fake companies on line that will sell you their version for $50...

I've used this service many times over the years, and never had a problem with it. And as Noise says, you DO need to have an IDP with you, along with your regular license when driving in Thailand if you don't have a Thai license. The rental companies will rent to you without one, but if stopped at a check point and you only have your home country license, you 'probably' will be issued a ticket, depending on the cop who stops you.

Edited May 14, 2016 by FolkGuitar

[SCARLETIBIS1]

Then there is Laos and Viet Nam to consider. In VN everyone wears helmuts. The point I was trying to make as usual is how utterly brain dead the agency's here are. How can you not supply the form at the DL office if you are required to bring it there. I cannot believe someone with a modicum amount of brain cells that works for the DL bureau would not have figured that out by now. Unbelievable yet not and these people wonder why others bitch and moan about how stupid .....

[Orac]

Then there is Laos and Viet Nam to consider. In VN everyone wears helmuts. The point I was trying to make as usual is how utterly brain dead the agency's here are. How can you not supply the form at the DL office if you are required to bring it there. I cannot believe someone with a modicum amount of brain cells that works for the DL bureau would not have figured that out by now. Unbelievable yet not and these people wonder why others bitch and moan about how stupid .....

They are after a Certificate of Residence issued by immigration.

Edit to add - do you actually have a Thai DL already?

Edited May 14, 2016 by Orac

[SCARLETIBIS1]

Yes, I have a Thai DL. That is not the issue posted.

[Orac]

Yes, I have a Thai DL. That is not the issue posted.

I could be wrong but the 'proof of residence' form that they have sent you to immigration to get is actually a Certificate of Residence which is the same as is normally required for obtaining the DL itself so you would have needed one previously to get the DL in the first place.

[krey]

and you could have saved all that headache by downloading the form off the immigration website

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/res_cert.pdf

[Jdiddy]

I got an australian idp but i have a strong feeling the bib will reject it and go what the hell is this or just continue on down the list

[SCARLETIBIS1]

and you could have saved all that headache by downloading the form off the immigration website

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/res_cert.pdf

Well, if you re-read my post you will see I was unaware I needed a form. I thought I had all the data I needed and just had to go to the DL bureau and submit the data and get the license. I have now been told that AFTER the form is filled out you have to go somewhere to have it stamped first and then wait a day or two and return to pick it up and THEN go to the DL bureau. Not sure how accurate this all is except to say the lady at the DL bureau said to simply go get the form. fill it out and come back and she will give me the International DL.

This is one country that you can consistently be assured that no one knows <deleted> they are talking about.

[stoneyboy]

It's all part of living in Thailand and you have to just let it go over your head.

[Dante99]

and you could have saved all that headache by downloading the form off the immigration website

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/res_cert.pdf

Well, if you re-read my post you will see I was unaware I needed a form. I thought I had all the data I needed and just had to go to the DL bureau and submit the data and get the license. I have now been told that AFTER the form is filled out you have to go somewhere to have it stamped first and then wait a day or two and return to pick it up and THEN go to the DL bureau. Not sure how accurate this all is except to say the lady at the DL bureau said to simply go get the form. fill it out and come back and she will give me the International DL.

This is one country that you can consistently be assured that no one knows <deleted> they are talking about.

Well if you reared the instructions/information you would know you needed a form.

But you are right, absolutely no one knows what they are talking about, that includes you....and m

[krey]

and you could have saved all that headache by downloading the form off the immigration website

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/res_cert.pdf

Well, if you re-read my post you will see I was unaware I needed a form. I thought I had all the data I needed and just had to go to the DL bureau and submit the data and get the license. I have now been told that AFTER the form is filled out you have to go somewhere to have it stamped first and then wait a day or two and return to pick it up and THEN go to the DL bureau. Not sure how accurate this all is except to say the lady at the DL bureau said to simply go get the form. fill it out and come back and she will give me the International DL.

This is one country that you can consistently be assured that no one knows <deleted> they are talking about.

I read your post, it wasn't meant to be a sarcastic comment, it was stating that you can get the form online as well for those that might be looking including yourself the next time you need it. If you plan to live in Thailand this might not be the only time you get this form, i have had to get it a few times for different things.

[terminatorchiangmai]

and you could have saved all that headache by downloading the form off the immigration website

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/pdf/res_cert.pdf

Forgive me for laughing here