Getting a Thai driving license

[niggle]

Much as I would like to get a thai licence, I would fail the colour test. Any idea how flexible they are on this bit

[barrys]

When I went, there was another farang there and his answers were unintelligible to the poor unfortunate Thai woman overseeing the test. The farang's Thai wife then translated his mumbled incorrect responses into the correct answers in Thai and he passed first time!!

[ricardo]

Niggle

Take someone with you who isn't colour blind, smile and be friendly.

I went along to the licencing office in Pranburi last year with a friend who was colour blind. He started the test and got the first couple right and then really started to struggle.
Amid much tut tutting from the lady giving him the test I prompted him with the answers. All the time they were very friendly and he passed the test and got his licence OK.

[niggle]

I think I might try doing that. Nothing ventured nothing gained

[dtaai-maai]

The ExpatHuaHin site says you can only get a license if you have a Non Imm visa....

is that correct or, like the visa rules, is that applied differently in every office?

sandman, that was kind of the point (although it doesn't apply to me, but I'm such a thoughtful and generous soul that I wanted to clarify it for others...) of my earlier question. I'm pretty sure a friend of mine, about 3 years ago on Samui, got a Thai licence when still on a tourist visa.

But I wouldn't put serious money on it...

However, I'm sure someone can answer your question.

[Chas]

Tried again today to renew my Thai Driver's License. And failed. No surprise there.

Second wasted trip to DMV Tha yang and first to the Cha am police station.

This time I learned from DMV that my photos are outdated and I need new ones . . .not more than six months old. They never said a word about photos last time I was in a couple weeks ago. I even tried a bribe. . but the girl returned it to me with a puzzled look. That is probably a first for Thai officialdom, maybe she was new or something.

Still stuck on the "proof of residence" business. Cha am police would take a letter from the development owners ( I think) but everything was in Thai so I just understood about 1/4 of what was happening. I did understand very clearly that they would not help me. I was a bit afraid to bribe that officer, but maybe I should just go back and try that route. ( Or go back to the Hua Hin station and just pay the 1000 baht bribe they asked for there.)

I still have not discovered if you MUST do this at your town of residence, or if you can do it at any DMV office. I am SO tempted to try the one in Pranburi.[/u]

[edwinadanish]

Very easy to get the Thai license in Pattaya. Just arrive and take a simple test with feet and eyes - so crazy!

[Chas]

Well, I am happy to put an end to my part of this thread with a success story!

I now have my five year Thai license.

After the runaround I was getting over the past few weeks trying to get a renewal ( DMV to Immigration to HHH police to DMV to CHaAM police) I finally spoke to a friend who has a friend. . etc, etc and asked for help.

And today was graciously escorted to the Cha-am- Tha Yang DMV by a high ranking police officer and two policemen. They turned in exactly the same paperwork I had submitted on my second visit. Lots of smiling and a little conversation. . . and lo and behold I had my new licence in my hand in 15 (yes, that's FIFTEEN) minutes. And this included getting a new photo taken.

I have to admit that it is very rewarding to see an officious clerk suddenly have to eat crow. This is the same clerk who told me ( with a self-satisfied smirk) on my second visit that I needed to have a new photo taken because the one I had was over 6 months old. Turns out that he takes the photos right there in the office, but of course he was not about to share that secret with me on my previous visit when I was on my own.

So, I am once again a happy camper. Amazing Thailand!

[Terry]

Congrats and well done Chas




Just think

You can now legally join in the mayhem and carnage of the Thai driving experience.

Good luck

[Chas]

Thanks Terry.
My license expired a few months ago but that didnt stop me from entering the mayhem that is Thai traffic on a regular basis.

It was VERY interesting driving to the DMV office with a Police Colonel sitting next to me, following his car driven by his two subordinates! I felt a little bit like I was taking a driving test!

I called to thank my friend by the way. The fact that she helped me and the fact that her friends took a couple hours out of their lives to help me get this done renewed my faith in humanity. I expressed this to her.

She replied with a phrase I have only ever heard used in a derogatory or depreciating manner, often here on HHAD. And I have used it myself. . .but it was so refreshing to hear her say it in response to my gratitude and it really gave me pause. She said, "This is Thailand.!"

[frankbangkok]

I took my International DL to Pranbury and had my first Thai license in half an hour. Now I have a five year license. The process is quick and easy. I think one key is the International DL.

[Spitfire]

I went to the driving licence place and presented my UK driving licence, which is still valid and a medical certificate etc and they just gave me the car licence, no problem.

Motorbike licence, had to come up with a few extra but not many and just take a simple test of driving around bollards etc.

Sure anyone can breeze it. Maybe different depending on where in LOS you try to get it, some provinces more strict than others.

[cherrydale]

I lost my Thai driver's licence and would like to know from any member of how I can apply for a replacement. Do I need to go through the same procedure as for when I first applied. Do I need to report it to the Police in Hua Hin.

The licence expires this December 2008. I have got a scanned copy of the original licence. Will this help in getting a replacement?

Thanks.

[lomuamart]

I lost my Thai driver's licence and would like to know from any member of how I can apply for a replacement. Do I need to go through the same procedure as for when I first applied. Do I need to report it to the Police in Hua Hin.

The licence expires this December 2008. I have got a scanned copy of the original licence. Will this help in getting a replacement?

Thanks.

I'm not sure of the procedure, but I would reckon that a police report will be necessary. Get it done as quickly as possible.

[FishBoy]

Least we not forget the first and only rule that is consistant. TIT! Most probably one that will almost always seem to apply is the "do it where you live" rule. Yeah, you gotta get your Thai DL whjere you have papers to say you live there. As to those "papers" so be it as you may gather some doc from your Embassy etc that puts all those reles to shite!
Even in the Thai sites on DL's from the various provinces you can see some variants! Here is a good spin, my U.S. DL is in english (of course) and that required no translation... I was in line with a German guy who had to go to some translator a bit of a way to get his translated!

Got DL and INt'l lic suppose to be color blind test only.
Many Farang have asked me about the TEST, like most other things in LOS, TIT and getting thru the bull!