Getting A Thai Driver's License In Phuket

[JennyJJ]

I've read the sticky in the motor section and it sounds fairly straight forward.

Anyone have experience with it here on Phuket? Any special problems, things to avoid?

Thank you.

[thaigerd]

Not difficult at all. Make sure you've got all the paperwork done and go for it, it's easy.

Gerd

[LivinLOS]

Get an IDP and the only test is for your eyes and reaction.. Very simple..

Its even possible to trick your way through with a mail order IDL.. Shouldnt be but they dont seem to know the difference.

[markg]

Get an IDP and the only test is for your eyes and reaction.. Very simple..

Its even possible to trick your way through with a mail order IDL.. Shouldnt be but they dont seem to know the difference.

LivinLOS - i notice that the adverts have started up in the Phuket Gazette again for the 5 and 10 year International Driving Permit. They have slightly changed the advert so it says something like, Translation of International Driving Permit or something similar. I have heard that not only are they not recognized by the cops, but also you cannot exchange them at the Phuket driving licence office for a full Thai licence.

For the OP - the test in Phuket is easy, it's just very time consuming. Budget to use most of a full working day to do the eye and reaction test, the written test, and the practical.

i'm not sure where you come from, but if you are from the UK, you can get a proper International Driving Permit from the RAC on-line for 15 quid, sent to your UK address. Get that sent out here and then they will exchange that for a full Thai driving licence at Phuket office.

[LivinLOS]

I know the IDL is not legal.. However I got one via email and very cheap (much cheaper than PG adverts, just google) for something like 25 USD I received 2 plastic driver cards and one nice official looking translating book (listing Thai, indo, and Cambo etc to show coppers) all arrived, they are valid for 10 years. I know they are technically not a legal item but every 3rd world cop I have waved them at has been happy.. for the 1000 baht they cost I was happy. They can live in my wallet and if lost no big loss to me (I hold a USA driving licnse that the DMV says I cannot get remade without going to the states !!! I now dont carry my Euro ones as the replacement is a hassle)

To make myself really legal I went to get a Thai license.. Used the (illegal) IDL and presto, now have Thai licences without test.. The 1000 baht would have been worth it not to have to sit in that hot classroom alone.

So they may not be legal but they sure seem to work. I hold Thai ones for both car and bike now too so am legal if push comes to shove.

[JennyJJ]

Thank you. I'll give it a try.

[JiaJia]

== as a tourist, you can simply carry your driver license issued from your home country, if have it translated into english offically will be better.

last month i was caught by a police, just showed him my license written in chinese, even no half engish letter, didn't have any prob.

== as a temp/perm resident, a thai DL is requested. if you already got a DL in your home country, just bring it, together with:

* work permit

* passport, with non-imm visa

* basic medical check certificate (with can easily get from any doctor in hospital)

* 2 photos (1*1) taken within 6 months

* fees of 105 baht.

going to 2nd flr of traffic dept building @ 42/4 Rattanakosin Song-Roy-Pee Rd.

== if you don't have any DL, as long as you pass the test, still can get a thai DL with same docs above, then go thru:

* 30min video education (9-11h / 13h-15h)

* 20 mulitple choices (11h / 15h)

* driving test

there're 2 types of thai DL, for motorbike only / for both motorbike and vehicle, be sure you got the latter one.

voila~~~

[khall64au]

Which licence do I need to apply for that enables me to ride up the wrong side of the road with no headlights, carrying 5 passengers with no safety helmets and ignoring all road rules????

[britmaveric]

Also might make a generous donation for a license. Rumour has it, this has also worked.

[LivinLOS]

Which licence do I need to apply for that enables me to ride up the wrong side of the road with no headlights, carrying 5 passengers with no safety helmets and ignoring all road rules????

I think you will find no license at all the normal status of these folks..

Do you lot also play with the cops when stopped ?? My buddy continually shows his divers license always seems to work.. Another buddy had a UK video store card with a photo embedded, showed that to the MiB.. Khop Khun Krap !!

[g00dgirl]

Just make sure you go there in the morning when they open, if you come after 11 they might tell you to come back tomorrow, make sure you come with all documents required and bring several photocopies of all documents and all pages of your passport relating to your current visa and copies of them, copies, more copies.

[JennyJJ]

I hadn't read about having to bring a work permit!

Mine is in process - should I give it up until I have it? Just trying to get these things done so I don't have to take time off from work to do it.

JJJ

[pumpuiman]

Can a Thai drivers licence be issued to a tourist? I stay 3-5 months a year in Thailand, as a tourist...but own a home. Is it possible for me to obtain a Thai licence?

[baabaabobo]

Which licence do I need to apply for that enables me to ride up the wrong side of the road with no headlights, carrying 5 passengers with no safety helmets and ignoring all road rules????

:D :D

[LivinLOS]

I hadn't read about having to bring a work permit!

Mine is in process - should I give it up until I have it? Just trying to get these things done so I don't have to take time off from work to do it.

JJJ

I had no WP and was not asked for one either..

[LivinLOS]

Can a Thai drivers licence be issued to a tourist? I stay 3-5 months a year in Thailand, as a tourist...but own a home. Is it possible for me to obtain a Thai licence?

I had a non O at time of application so am not 100% sure.. I think that any 'real' visa will work but that it is not OK to be on a visa free stamp (and thats getting lots harder to stay here anyway now as I am sure you know)..

So if you mean on a tourist visa (60 days) then I think that works.

[Sir Burr]

^No it doesn't. You need a Non-immigration visa, A or O.

You also need a letter from immigration confirming your residential address. Hotel won't do.

[Axel]

Any valid Non-immigrant Visa will do. Our son applied with a non-imm ED = OK.

Besides of immigration office, your embassy can confirm your address. Hotel-address is a bit tricky, however, just giving the address withoput hotel-name should be ok.

A WP is not required to get a driving licence. Think of all the foreign housewives, who do not work but want to drive.

[LivinLOS]

Ok.. I would have sworn a buddy of mine was on a tourist visa when he got his.. Maybe just a slack day..

And yes a immigration address confirm is required.

[markg]

Which licence do I need to apply for that enables me to ride up the wrong side of the road with no headlights, carrying 5 passengers with no safety helmets and ignoring all road rules????

Oh, that'll be the standard Thai licence for a motorcycle. Thought everyone knew that?!

[smartecosse]

if you have the wp you do not need the letter from the embassy / immigration confiming address