I went to the LTO in Phuket town this morning to get the temporary Thai driver's license for both motorbike and car. I do have an IDP issued in Switzerland. The lady at the entrance counter said. "IDP, 1 year, no test, only eye test". I thought great, passed the eye and reaction test and was sent to counter 6. The lady there looked at my IDP and said "No 49, have to come on February 28 for test, 5 hours". 

On my IDP it says "Convention on Road Traffic ... 1968." Hasn't the convention from 1968 replaced the one from 1949? And aren't both versions if IDP valid in Thailand. I don't understand that! Anybody here with similar experience? 

Thanks a lot in advance! 

I think Thailand only recognizes the older one...but any way if you show them your drivers license with photo and english written on it
(no english on licence ?)
or a certified translation from your embassy
or get a 1949 convention IDP.

Remember also that to only do reaction and eye test ( not full test) your existing drivers license must be valid for the category of vehicle you, want so a car license is no good for a motorcycle and vice versa.
Car and motorcycle are 2 physically separate licenses.

I did show it to them. No way to get 1949 IDP here and not even sure if I could get it in Switzerland. I applied for both car and motorcycle license and brought two sets of documents. Of course my existing driver's license is good for both. Anyway, looks like I have to prepare myself now for the theory test.
Thanks a lot!


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I'm sorry to hear they wouldn't except your documents It seems Phuket are more "stringent" than other places.

If you have to do the full test that will mean eyesight and reaction test,computerized theory test and then a practical driving test for both car and bike !

The eyesight and reaction test I passed already. The driving should be no big deal. The theory test will be the most demanding one.


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Yes the theory test has some very confusing,illogical and some just plane wrong "correct" answers.. when I did the test I noticed (later on ) that for some incorrect answers the computer will ask the same question again latter on down the list so if you notice a repeat question (or 3 ) then go back and re-read those before submitting final answer..took me 3 attempts to pass that theory test and now you have to get a higher percentage correct to pass.

Good luck .

Thanks, looks like I have something to do in the next 4 weeks! [emoji28]


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Go to a different office if possible.

 

I got mine done in Udon (a few years ago) and even managed to get a bike licence because of the little picture of a bike on my European licence.

On 31.1.2017 at 4:02 AM, JaseTheBass said:

Go to a different office if possible.

 

I got mine done in Udon (a few years ago) and even managed to get a bike licence because of the little picture of a bike on my European licence.

Thanks, it´s too much effort to go somewhere else. I live in Phuket and I guess there is only one LTO. Anway, I had a look at the test questions at www.thaidriving.info and and seems to be feasible. :)

On 31/01/2017 at 10:02 AM, JaseTheBass said:

Go to a different office if possible.

 

I got mine done in Udon (a few years ago) and even managed to get a bike licence because of the little picture of a bike on my European licence.

Doesn't the application have to be made at the LTD office for the area in which you live? 

Doesn't the application have to be made at the LTD office for the area in which you live? 

I don’t think so, no.