Driver's license

[Rolf Luettich]

Ive been living here for about 5 months now, and driving my motorbike for 3 months. I never had a license here and the police stopped me only three times. so thats 600 Baht for not having the license. However I'd like to know if I should consider getting a thai drivers license or if its okay to just keep driving without just occasionally paying 200 baht. I'll probably stay here for 2 and a half more years. if i happen to have an accident is it more problematic without a license or is it basically the same
and where could i get the license for car and bike, with an exam in english?

[PeteC]

There are many posts on here about this. Go here for a start. Pete

http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/ho ... 11211.html

http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/in ... 12634.html

http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/wh ... 10006.html

[Rolf Luettich]

okay thanks think i gotit. just few follow ups, how do i find the office in Pranburi? never been there, i'll have to take the exam where can I study for it?

[komfortablynumb]

let us know how you get on with the test.
An interpreter seems a must.
As far as studying.
You really think Thais study for the test.
Seems the Asian way is.
Give way to the bigger vehicle.
And if you do have a crunch. As a farang. It's your fault.

[Khundon1975]

okay thanks think i gotit. just few follow ups, how do i find the office in Pranburi? never been there, i'll have to take the exam where can I study for it?

Drive into Pranburi, left along the dual carriageway going south for about a mile and on your right set well back from the road is a police station, it is behind there, or was, when I took my car test.

Take 2 passport photos with you so they can print license if you pass.

If you need to take anything else with you, I'm sure other members will come on and let you know.

Much better to have a license in case you do have an accident.

Good luck.

[PeteC]

If possible, take a Thai friend with you. If Pranburi is like the offices I've dealt with, a few smooth words, good attitude and contribution to their retirement fund will get you your license, especially if you already have a valid foreign license.

My experience (not Pranburi) has been they don't stop your 'friend' from helping with everything, the written test and even the eye test. Good luck. Pete

[Phyton]

I made my license december 08 in Cha-Am. No Fotos reqiered, cause they make a digital pic for the new driver license.

I have the German and International License, so it is eays, only a colour-test, and brakereaction-test.

[hhfarang]

So are you saying they've done away with the depth perception test with the two pegs and string?

[DSB]

I have passed both the car and motor bike licence in Pranburi, without any problems. If you have a valid international license, they will give you a license without the test. They did spot that my international license was 10 years out of date, unlike the police!

The theory test can be taken in English, and you have to get 80% questions right. They are done on a computer and are all multichoice answers, ie a, b, c or d. You can have a look through their equivilant of the highway code at the place, but if you have a UK license it should be a piece of cake.

The practical test I did for the car was drive between about 30 metres of traffic cones, reverse your way out of it, and then park close to a kerb, within a metre, and between 2 white lines. All of this is done with the car windows down so they can watch you.

Fot the motorbike test, you have to drive down a yellow line, about 5 metres, do a figure of eight around a couple of roundabouts, without falling off, drive around their circuit demonstrating the ability of stopping at a junction.

Paperwork needed is a medical from a doctor, you can get this at the medical centre in Petskasem road, across from the Bankok Bank, for about 150 Baht, a valid non immigrant O visa, and copies of all. There is a photocopy shop next to the driver license place. The new computer they have there will take your photo for your license. You will also have to pass a colour blindness test, ie the multi coloured numbers. I did not pay any extra tea money to them, and the license cost less than 200 Baht. You initially get a one year license, which is upgraded to a five year license on renewal.

I do recommend taking a Thai friend along with you as translator, but I found the people there very helpful

Good luck

[Lung Per]

If possible, take a Thai friend with you. If Pranburi is like the offices I've dealt with, a few smooth words, good attitude and contribution to their retirement fund will get you your license, especially if you already have a valid foreign license.

My experience (not Pranburi) has been they don't stop your 'friend' from helping with everything, the written test and even the eye test. Good luck. Pete

How or where does one find the "retirement fund?" Also, do they have one at the HH Post Office? I'll gladly make a contribution if that will help me getting the P.O. Box I have been waiting for. But being unfamliar with the contribution procedures, how does one go about it? The last thing I want is to be arrested for attempting to (unspeakable word) a Civil Servant or an Officer.....

[Rolf Luettich]

thank u guys these posts were really helpful. i think im getting my license then instead of paying the 200 baht everytime. just for the accidents im about to have. i know im fvcked anyway but prolly gives me peace of mind

[Takiap]

My wife just got her licence at Pran last week. She's never driven a car in her life before apart from taking 5 x 1 hour lessons prior to sitting the test. She did the questions bit and failed but was allowed to try again and then passed. When she did the driving test she rolled back more than a meter when pulling away on a gradient so failed that as a result. (You're not allowed to roll back more than one meter )
She went back the following week and passed so now has a licence so now I'm even more worried when on my bike, knowing that there are other like her on the road. Anyway, bless them all because that's why we're here .......

[f0xxee]

Hi,

My first post on this forum, but I have just come from getting my Motorbike and Car Licenses at Pran Buri so thought an update might be in order. Please note that my Aussie License had expired by two weeks ago and therefore I had to go through the whole testing regime. Even so it was not an unpleasant day out.

1. You CAN get a licence on a Tourist Visa (30 day.) I am now living in HH and as my work is rotational onshore/offshore a Tourist Visa works fine for me. However you will need to prove residence. To do this I was advised to take a copy of my rental agreement to the HH Police which I proceeded to do and a letter of residence was forthcoming. I paid for it.

2. For the medical I went to a medical centre found by turning left at the main Pran Buri intersection, (when heading South) on the left and about 75m down the road... well before the 7/11. If you get to the stereo/PA shop you have gone past it by about 5 shops. The good Doctor has excellent english.

3. Take the following:
A: Letter of residence (original plus a copy if you want both a car and bike license)
B: Medical Certificate plus a copy
C: Passport
D: Country of Origin Drivers License plus copies x 2
E: Copy of passport and visa page x 2
F: A good book!

A translator is handy but not absolutely required: My GF was there, but stayed pretty much engrossed in her book. All the persons I dealt with had rudimentry english, enogh to get through to a rudimentry Aussie.

4. Get there early, before 0830 and offer your paperwork. Sit and read. Around 0915 you will do the depth perception, colour and reflex tests. Having completed these, you will then be in a holding pattern until 1100 hours for the multi choice test.

5. The multi choice test: not as easy as I expected damn it! It took me two goes. If/when you fail it the first time (the computer tells you, the days of books are over) the computer tells you what you got wrong. Make sure you read the answers you got wrong, so then you do it again and hey presto! PASS!

6: Back to the book and lunch until 1300 hours for the motorbike test. First the bike test. You don't ned to bring a bike: just hire one off one of the other candidates. It cost me 100b and a very happy fellow candidate.
As stated elsewhere, its pretty simple... along a 30cm strip slow as possible, a couple of figure 8's and a stop sign. DO: indicate, put on your helmet and stop at the stop sign with both feet on the ground.

7. Car test: Same same. Dead easy. DO: indicate, stop fully at stop signs, and move off promptly at the whistle from the boss man.

My overall feeling was they were really accomodating and pleasant people to deal with. The whole show was professional and I never felt at any advantage or disadvantage over the locals. And you can't ask for more than that.

The testing centre: If travelling south from HH, travel past the first traffic lights (Infantry base) and then U turn (legally!) at the second sets of traffic lights (TESCO). immediately after the police base turn left and go down the road about 400m and the testing centre is on the left with the purple fence. You need to go to the second floor, window 10.

[Big Boy]

Welcome to the Forum f0xxee. A very informative first post - keep it up.

[PeteC]

Welcome F0xxee, great first post. All that's needed to know in a nut shell.

Hope you stick around and give us some insight about offshore/onshore life and duties. Pete