Hi Good People
Ive Finally made the decision to Quit my very insecure job here in the UK, and come to live in Thailand and try and find some work over there, new life etc etc, bla bla bla, (Yeah you've probably heard it all before, more than once !!!) arriving 5th February.
I need to obtain a Thai Drivers License as soon as i get there, so i am insured to drive the brother-inlaws, and mother-inlaws pick up's. (there insurance doesn't cover anyone driving on International license)
Can anyone fill me in on the procedure to do this please ? The missus tells me there is an office in Cha Am and i can do it there, she says i just have to take my UK drivers license, my Cat b Multiple entry visa, a medical report, obtained for about 100THB and the mother inlaw as a guarantor to state that i live at her house in Hua Hin ??
Is she right on everything she says ? Can anyone add other things that i have to do/bring for a nice easy day in obtaining my new Thai drivers license ?
Help/suggestions much appreciated.....
Regards
Lee
How to obtain Thai Drivers License
There is a link here which describes the process, it is really really simple.
http://www.expathuahin.com/vehicles-huahin.php
A bit of an update though, you no longer have to supply photos as the new style licence is the credit card type with a digital photo taken at the office. With a national driving licence from your own country you should not need to take a test, though for the initial 1 year licence you need to take the sight, reaction and co-ordination tests.
It is really very easy,and I have never had to pay "tea money".
A word of caution, be careful when you talk about about working in Thailand, that is a minefield.
http://www.expathuahin.com/vehicles-huahin.php
A bit of an update though, you no longer have to supply photos as the new style licence is the credit card type with a digital photo taken at the office. With a national driving licence from your own country you should not need to take a test, though for the initial 1 year licence you need to take the sight, reaction and co-ordination tests.
It is really very easy,and I have never had to pay "tea money".
A word of caution, be careful when you talk about about working in Thailand, that is a minefield.
When I was back in the Netherlands I was told that there was no need to obtain an international driver's license because I could simply swap my Dutch license for a Thai license. When I went to Pranburi the officials told me this was wrong. I should have brought an international one.
First I did the reaction and eye tests and after that I had to drive a motorcycle around in the parking lot (use indicators!). And in the afternoon I had to do some tricks with my car like driving backwards through a narrow lane and bring it to a halt with the front tires between two white lines. That was the fun part.
But with an international license you can avoid the dreaded theory test. (I must admit I forgot a few things after doing this test in Holland more than 30 years ago). The test is a slide show with if I recall correctly 40 randomly selected multiple choice questions. Prepare for questions like "You want to park here but a little bit further you see a bridge on a slope. Is this allowed"? A. No, never B. Yes, but not within 70 meters C. Only on the right side of the road D. Only during day time.
If you fail the theory exam you get a second attempt. If failing twice you can follow sandman67's advice although I would not be happy with taking initiative in offering tea money. IF you do (not recommended) never say directly: okay, how much will it cost me to pass. Simply ask for "some assistance" or "an alternative solution". Even better, let your girlfriend arrange the deal.
But my advice: bring an international license.
Would be a false start of your new life in Thailand ending up at the police station accused of trying to bribe a state official. Flashing your wallet is NOT per definition a simple solution to all problems. Be careful.
First I did the reaction and eye tests and after that I had to drive a motorcycle around in the parking lot (use indicators!). And in the afternoon I had to do some tricks with my car like driving backwards through a narrow lane and bring it to a halt with the front tires between two white lines. That was the fun part.
But with an international license you can avoid the dreaded theory test. (I must admit I forgot a few things after doing this test in Holland more than 30 years ago). The test is a slide show with if I recall correctly 40 randomly selected multiple choice questions. Prepare for questions like "You want to park here but a little bit further you see a bridge on a slope. Is this allowed"? A. No, never B. Yes, but not within 70 meters C. Only on the right side of the road D. Only during day time.
If you fail the theory exam you get a second attempt. If failing twice you can follow sandman67's advice although I would not be happy with taking initiative in offering tea money. IF you do (not recommended) never say directly: okay, how much will it cost me to pass. Simply ask for "some assistance" or "an alternative solution". Even better, let your girlfriend arrange the deal.
But my advice: bring an international license.
Would be a false start of your new life in Thailand ending up at the police station accused of trying to bribe a state official. Flashing your wallet is NOT per definition a simple solution to all problems. Be careful.
We are all living in 'the good old days' of the future.
Clearly it varies from office to office, I took my International Driving Licence to the Bangkok office, and they were not interested in it, they just wanted to see my UK licence, and didn't, thankfully, make me complete the tests.
But as this is a Hua Hin forum the Dutch experience is more relevant than mine.
But as this is a Hua Hin forum the Dutch experience is more relevant than mine.
I did mine in Pranburi not Cha-am. (That was in May 2007). I tried to find the "official" requirements but cannot find any official Thai government information. Several unofficial information websites give contradicting requirements: some say national license where others say international license.
As you said it probably differs (like with many things here) per office, per day, per person, per occassion etc.
Also maybe they recognize a UK license but not a Dutch license (although the information on the license is in English as well). Or in Bangkok they saw to many people with international licenses obtained on Khao San Road and now they want to see the national license as well??
You never now.
But if Lee808 obtains an international license he can show both!
As you said it probably differs (like with many things here) per office, per day, per person, per occassion etc.
Also maybe they recognize a UK license but not a Dutch license (although the information on the license is in English as well). Or in Bangkok they saw to many people with international licenses obtained on Khao San Road and now they want to see the national license as well??
You never now.
But if Lee808 obtains an international license he can show both!
We are all living in 'the good old days' of the future.
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barrys
- Legend
- Posts: 2296
- Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:52 pm
- Location: Enjoying the sea air on a boat around Pak Nam Pran
As already mentioned, at Pranburi an international licence is acceptable for the issuing of a Thai licence without taking the driving & theory tests.
When I first went to get mine, I did not have an international licence.
I did, however, have 3 valid national licences: Irish, British & German.
They would not accept the German or Irish licences because they contained wording other than the English language.
They did accept the British licence, though, because it contained 100% English language.
The whole process was very easy and the people working at the licence office are very friendly and helpful - though they don't speak very much English.
A tip for the medial certificate:
If you carry on down the main road south to the main Pranburi traffic light intersection, turn left and there is a 7/11 almost immediately on your left.
Opposite the 7/11 there's a Thai medical clinic.
Just tell them you need the medical form for getting a driving licence.
You don't have to show any ID and there's not a stethoscope in sight.
You just write your name on the form, they sign it and you give them 30 baht.
You can go there early in the morning just before the licence office opens.
In the licence office, go to the first floor and the counter for dealing with foreigners is in the far corner.
Make sure you pick up a queue number card at the adjacent counter straight away.
If you don't have the correct photocopies, you'll be sent to the copy shop at the gate to have them done.
During this time, other people will be processed and you could find yourself way down the queue if you haven't picked up a card already.
Another thing:
there is no combined licence.
If you want to drive a car and a motorbike, you need 2 licences.
That means two sets of photocopies.
You only need the one medical certificate though plus a photocopy of it.
Finally, get to the office early, i.e. before 8.30
When I first went to get mine, I did not have an international licence.
I did, however, have 3 valid national licences: Irish, British & German.
They would not accept the German or Irish licences because they contained wording other than the English language.
They did accept the British licence, though, because it contained 100% English language.
The whole process was very easy and the people working at the licence office are very friendly and helpful - though they don't speak very much English.
A tip for the medial certificate:
If you carry on down the main road south to the main Pranburi traffic light intersection, turn left and there is a 7/11 almost immediately on your left.
Opposite the 7/11 there's a Thai medical clinic.
Just tell them you need the medical form for getting a driving licence.
You don't have to show any ID and there's not a stethoscope in sight.
You just write your name on the form, they sign it and you give them 30 baht.
You can go there early in the morning just before the licence office opens.
In the licence office, go to the first floor and the counter for dealing with foreigners is in the far corner.
Make sure you pick up a queue number card at the adjacent counter straight away.
If you don't have the correct photocopies, you'll be sent to the copy shop at the gate to have them done.
During this time, other people will be processed and you could find yourself way down the queue if you haven't picked up a card already.
Another thing:
there is no combined licence.
If you want to drive a car and a motorbike, you need 2 licences.
That means two sets of photocopies.
You only need the one medical certificate though plus a photocopy of it.
Finally, get to the office early, i.e. before 8.30
Re: How to obtain Thai Drivers License
Without trying to be smart, unless you intend to lodge your mother inlaw on a permanant basis, you may have a problem with this part of it! All Thai officials love paper work, and you may find that they require written, certified copy, of your place of recidence. In Bangkok for sure this was required, but as others have pointed out, it does come down to the office and official concerned. Not sure: what is a CAT B Visa?lee808 wrote:Hi Good People
Can anyone fill me in on the procedure to do this please ? The missus tells me there is an office in Cha Am and i can do it there, she says i just have to take my UK drivers license, my Cat b Multiple entry visa, a medical report, obtained for about 100THB and the mother inlaw as a guarantor to state that i live at her house in Hua Hin ??
Is she right on everything she says ? Can anyone add other things that i have to do/bring for a nice easy day in obtaining my new Thai drivers license ?
Help/suggestions much appreciated.....
Regards Lee
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Cha am
I got my five year license last year at Cha Am and had problems (which I outlined in a post at the time) which were only finally solved by my getting a friend of a friend to send a senior policeman ( and two officers) with me to help. ( I was out of there in ten minutes license in hand.)
The clerks were NOT nice and after two visits on my own ( I did not take along a Thai person. . .my big mistake) They told me I needed to go out and get new photos. . . knowing full well that I did not need photos at all since the photo machine which they use to produce the license was right there not ten feet away!!
I only appealed to Thai friends in desperation as my only other national license had expired. The hangup was the proof of residence and I was bounced from one police station to another with no success. None of them would give me the necessary proof, although the Hua Hin officer hinted that a hefty bribe would do the trick.
Pranburi sounds much more welcoming.
Interestingly, all the Thai people involved and those who I told about this had the same reaction. . here is a farang trying to follow the law and do the right thing. . .why are we (they) giving him such a hard time?
The clerks were NOT nice and after two visits on my own ( I did not take along a Thai person. . .my big mistake) They told me I needed to go out and get new photos. . . knowing full well that I did not need photos at all since the photo machine which they use to produce the license was right there not ten feet away!!
I only appealed to Thai friends in desperation as my only other national license had expired. The hangup was the proof of residence and I was bounced from one police station to another with no success. None of them would give me the necessary proof, although the Hua Hin officer hinted that a hefty bribe would do the trick.
Pranburi sounds much more welcoming.
Interestingly, all the Thai people involved and those who I told about this had the same reaction. . here is a farang trying to follow the law and do the right thing. . .why are we (they) giving him such a hard time?
Other than the medical cert, you will also need to bring along your passport and your visa, as well as a letter of residence from the immigration (I was told lately that a letter from your landlord will do, but I got mine from the immigration). Do make sure that the letter of residence state that you are staying in Prachuap Kiri Khan if you are going to the office in Pranburi to get your license converted. My husband got sent back because for some odd reason, his said Petchaburi, which obviously we wouldn't have known since the letter was written in Thai..
A mate got one the other day and he needed:
1. Valid British driving license.
2. Non-immigtant visa or work permit etc.
3. Medical certificate from hospital that covers eye test etc(about 100 Baht).
4. Signed copy of the blue house book of where you living/renting by the owner.
5. Signed copy of the owners ID card.
6. Photocopies of everything in the usual manner.
7. The letter of residence, as mentioned, from immigration.
8. A couple of photos.
When I did mine a couple of years ago I also took a letter from my work place aswell, didn't need it but you never know.
It was quick for me as I rent a house from a local Pol. Lt. Col. so I was dealt with swiftly and "got rid of" ASAP.
The mate I was talking about said it was not too long and didn't have to take a test or anything, just gave him it.
The above was not in HH though and I don't know if there are any variations on the local office level for license issuing.
1. Valid British driving license.
2. Non-immigtant visa or work permit etc.
3. Medical certificate from hospital that covers eye test etc(about 100 Baht).
4. Signed copy of the blue house book of where you living/renting by the owner.
5. Signed copy of the owners ID card.
6. Photocopies of everything in the usual manner.
7. The letter of residence, as mentioned, from immigration.
8. A couple of photos.
When I did mine a couple of years ago I also took a letter from my work place aswell, didn't need it but you never know.
It was quick for me as I rent a house from a local Pol. Lt. Col. so I was dealt with swiftly and "got rid of" ASAP.
The mate I was talking about said it was not too long and didn't have to take a test or anything, just gave him it.
The above was not in HH though and I don't know if there are any variations on the local office level for license issuing.
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
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Khundon1975
- Rock Star
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- Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:05 am
- Location: Boo, I'm behind you.
Passed mine in Pranburi (behind police station) in 2002 during a long visit to LOSEasy, just showed International Uk license and Uk full License, letter from doc. Also took pics but now they use digital camera I think.
Just had to do brake test, colour eye test, awareness test and paid 200 Baht. Did not have to sit any exam or do any driving.
