Getting a Thai Drivers License

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buksida
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Getting a Thai Drivers License

Post by buksida »

I have just done this so thought I'd post a report in case anyone was thinking of going in the future.

To get a Thai driving license for car or motorcycle you need to go to the test center in Pranburi (¡ÃÃ
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Jimsknight
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Post by Jimsknight »

Top posting Buks! Bedsides the obvious benefits (ie keeping the boys in brown off your back!) there is (allegedly)
It is said (source - expat newsgroup) also that expats with a Thai Drivers license are seen by the locals as more "one of us". Also mentioned was that the infuriating dual pricing that occurs is often waived by producing a Thai Drivers licence. As it shows the holder is at least in some way 'settled' into medium to long term resident in thailand. And unlikely to be 'just another falang'

Has anyone here on the forum had success with this?
Its got to worth a try when trying the final negotiation/haggle at the markets etc.
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Post by buksida »

I have got into Pala-U waterfall for the Thai price with it however I don't think market vendors will give you any discounts for having something that they probably don't even have themselves.

Best way to get a decent price for stuff is speak Thai and be polite !
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Post by ricardo »

I got myself a motorbike and car licence about 4 months ago in Pranburi.

Everything went well apart from getting the letter off the police.
Phoned up the licencing place in Pranburi - who sent me to the police for my letter stating I was residing in Hua Hin.

I was shown into an office on the second floor wiith 3 boys in brown lounging around - looking like they had just finished their shift.
iexplained what I needed and was told NO CANNOT !

Seems you need a letter from immigration in Bangkok first - once you have this, you take that letter to the police who will then write their letter. I checked up on this and it is actually the law. BUT depending on how they are feeling at the time the plod may write you the letter on the spot.

You can swerve the police completely by getting a letter from your embassy but the British Embassy charge 1600 Baht. Fortunately a friend of mine knows an officer in the tourist police and a purple coloured application got me the letter a couple of days later.

In Pranburi - they seemed really surprised that I had trouble getting my letter.

As I have never had a motorbike licence - I actually had to do the test - 1 of the best and funniest afternoons of my entire time in Thailand - but that's another story.
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buksida
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more bloody paperwork

Post by buksida »

I hear you, it can be difficult at times getting the boys in brown to actually do some work. I just got mine at the reception bit, never went upstairs.

You need a document called a tabien bahn from your landlord (if you're renting a house), they need to be willing also which can often prove to be another problem. If you're staying in a hotel/guesthouse then yes the Embassy is probably the way to go.

Get this; when I went to register the car at the same place in Pranburi they told me I needed a new letter from the police even though the one I had was only 3 weeks old and they new perfectly well I resided in Hua Hin, the plod werent amused.

Freaking bureaocrats :guns:
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Post by suzannejames »

...You need a document called a tabien bahn from your landlord (if you're renting a house), they need to be willing also which can often prove to be another problem...

tabien bahn


HH time is 1pm. I'll seeing my landlord to get house keys :thumb: at 5p later today. I'd love to get this document before he and his wife leave for London, but WHERE DO I GO to get this tabien bahn?

I did a regular search (didn't search this site, tho) and could find nothing.

Anyone reading know anything about this? PLEASE PM me if you can help!

Thanks, Suzanne
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Post by suzannejames »

I messed up the format in my post above, but the question remains. Where do I get this form for my landlord to sign before he leaves?

Thanks again!
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Post by Guess »

Sorry chaps but I have not had time to read the whold dialogue but anywayI have used my Thai license to get me into National Parks at Thai prices. The test is though that you need to speak Thai, which we all know is extemely easy.
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Post by magobligin »

Thanks for your procedure on obtaining a Thai driving licence, it was essential and helped me get my first one-year driving licence on Monday past at Pranburi driving centre....no problems.
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Res Requirements

Post by HonoluluJimmy »

there is some varience about DL (TIT) however one can use the Affidavit issued by your embassy to establish residency...... Mine Cost 30 USD and a bit of a wait for US Passport holdes.... I've have had mixed results getting discounts etc....However, I have had the passport check thing in a couple night spots and my Thai Dl was great as they just waived me on. Onew more thing...Not that there are many but I hade to get my Hawaii DL translated to submit as my DL so I could take only the color blond test. There is a good site abou DL if you need to get one elsewhere
http://driving.information.in.th/
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Post by Perente »

Just going thru the fun of re-newing my licence. Last year I got my residence letter from the Tourist Poilce ( One purple application form required ). This year, "Sorry we no do". Tried the boys in brown "Sorry we no do". Went to the Immigration Office armed with a copy of; my current Thai drivers licence, my Australian drivers licence, my passport, my visa stamps, last years letter and my lease. Half an hour and 2 red application forms latter I have my letter that says I still live here. Off to Pranburi tomorrow, hopefully with 4 copies of everything in Buks first post, and a pocket of application forms it'll go smoothly.

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Post by Randy Cornhole »

Slightly off piste but none the less relevant. I decided to buy a motorsai last year and was told to go to the police station for documentation. I was told that i needed a letter from my rental place plus id verification bla bla bla. I went to the local Hua Hin police station with all the relevant doc's and was told to come back in one week?
I then went to the Honda dealer in Hua Hin and said that I had 45,000 bht and wanted a new Honda quick! No problem she said give me the money and your passport and it will be sorted.
The bike was mine within 30 Min's and is in my name. with my passport details. So where's the problem?
I bought it on my own as a ferrang and have tax and insurance. The documents are in my name and have my passport and visa numbers on. I don't own a house (rent) and am not married.
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Post by Guess »

Randy,

What kind of visa do you have?
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Post by buksida »

Randy, you can use the residency paper from the house you rent, you don't need to own it. This was for getting a license not buying a bike, as far as I know you don't need anything to buy a bike (although I did do it some years back and it may have changed now).
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Post by Perente »

Back from the trip to Pranburi. All very smooth and efficient as far as these things go. They needed my passport, a copy of the front page, a copy of the visa page, a copy of the tm card, a copy of the date permitted page, a copy of the letter from Immigration saying that I do still live here, ( actually 2 copies of everything, one for the car licence, one for the motorbike licence ) my old licences and 890 Baht. ( 560 Baht charged to another Farang getting only his car licence re-newed ). Half an hour later and I have my 5-year licences.

I had the medical certs with me but didn't need them. Certainly made it easy having all the copies with me, thanks for the info Buks.

:cheers:
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