Thai Driving License

[Gunnar]

Hi
What document is required/must be presented if I want to apply for a Thai Driving License.

My status:

1. I am Norwegian
2. I do have a Norwegian Driving License.
3. I have a address (yellow book) in Hua Hin.
4. I do not have a permanent residence in Thailand Hua Hin

PS!
I am tired of paying these 200 bath every time the police stops you.

Thanks for your info

[Norseman]

You have to translate your N driver license to English. You can do that in Hua Hin. (You'll find a translation centre next to the Kodak shop along Pet.kasem Rd)
Then you bring your passport and yellow book and the translated paperwork to either the test centre in Ta Yang/Cha Am or in Pranburi.
First year you'll only get a one year license but if everything is correct you should be able to obtain a five years license next year.
You'll still have to pay the 200 Bt if you're stopped by the MIB's though!!

[Nereus]

You also require a curent Medical Certificate. Any small clinic has the form, no need to go to a big Hospital.

[brianks]

I just renewed my one year for a 5 year license. Didn't have to translate my American DL but just show it. May have been because someone we knew set us up with a person they knew in the office to do the deal. All the other requirements are the same. Should be able to get medical certificate for 100-200 baht at one of those Thai medical clinics.

Went to Cha Am office for the Drivers License and it certainly was not busy either time. Very nice and helpful people there. Even tried to tip and was refused.

[barrys]

Brianks wrote: "Should be able to get medical certificate for 100-200 baht at one of those Thai medical clinics"

Only 30 baht at the doctor's clinic just near the main Pranburi crossroads, only 2 minutes drive from the driving licence office - and not a stethoscope in sight

[Norseman]

Of course you don't have to translate your US or UK licenses into English but the rest of us have to do that.
Nereus is however quite right that you need a medical exam before you go.
I forgot to mention that in my first post so thank you Nereus!!

[CDNinKS]

One other thing, when you do go to re-new your temporary 1 year license, you must wait until it is expired. One day past expiration is ok, but you can not re-new and get the 5 year license before that.

[Nereus]

One other thing, when you do go to re-new your temporary 1 year license, you must wait until it is expired. One day past expiration is ok, but you can not re-new and get the 5 year license before that.

Yes, that is correct. In addtion, if you can wait until just after your next birthday, you will virtually get 6 years, as the 5 year licence is dated from your NEXT birthday, not the date of renewal.
TIT.

[hhfarang]

One other thing, when you do go to re-new your temporary 1 year license, you must wait until it is expired. One day past expiration is ok, but you can not re-new and get the 5 year license before that.

Does the same apply when renewing a 5 year license... "wait until it is expired"?

[Roel]

Yes.

[brianks]

Only 30 baht at the doctor's clinic just near the main Pranburi crossroads, only 2 minutes drive from the driving licence office - and not a stethoscope in sight :

My wife kept telling me that 30 baht is all we should pay but could not find a place open that charged that amount. Thanks for the info.

I renewed my license before it expired. I have read many times about having to let it expire but had no problems renewing for 5 year several days before expiration. Guess we have the right connections through a friend who knows the lady in the office.

HUMMM!

[Condoking]

At Pranburi I needed a letter from Immigration as well.

[Norseman]

You don't need proof of residence letter from the immigration as long as Gunnar brings his yellow book.
It's one of the few good reasons to have this yellow book!

[charlesh]

I suggest he also wears his sunnies 24 hr/day especially in a tinted car like the locals do!

[Gunnar]

I suggest he also wears his sunnies 24 hr/day especially in a tinted car like the locals do!

?