Thai Drivers License

Driver's License - The Test
The written test is a multiple choice answer questionnaire. There are 30 questions you must get 23 correct. If you pass you are issued the temporary Thai driving license valid for one year.
What you will need the first time
(click for printer friendly version) The old system required two recent photographs 3.0cm high x 2.5 cm wide. These will no longer be required because your photo will be taken by the system computer at the Land Transport Office. The new system includes a camera that will take your photo and embed it into a plastic card about the size of a credit card. Health certificate available from most clinics and costs around 80 to 120 baht. Passport with a current NON IMMIGRANT visa for Thailand. Photocopies of : (each copy signed by you) Non Immigrant Visa page in your passport. Include your "Entry to Thailand" stamp. The page of your passport that has your photo and details. Copy of your TM card. (the white card issued to you on entry into The Kingdom of Thailand.) Copy of your current driver's license from your country or International license. Note:If you don't have a driver's license from your country or International license you will have to take the driving test and written test. Sometimes the domestic driving license from your country is not accepted and you will have to take the tests. TIT. A letter from Immigration verifying your home address in Thailand. This costs 200 baht and you will need to give Immigration copies of your passport pages mentioned in a,b and c above as well as two passport size photos. Immigration is located in Soi 5 Jomtien Beach. Note: A complete 'set' of the above documents is needed for EACH license application (motorcycle & car). The second letter from immigration and health certificate can be copies if both license applications are made at the same instant. For further information call 038 069 054 At Immigration you will need to: Give them a copy of your rental agreement ( or your Chanot "deed" if you own a condo, or house papers) for proof of address. Take your passport and 2 recent photos 3.0cm high x 2.5 cm wide. The letter can be obtained the same day that you apply for it however it usually takes one or two hours to process. For example if you lodge your papers in the morning Immigration will request that you return to pick up your document later that afternoon. The duration could be longer say "come back next day" if you use some other immigration office in another provence. Pattaya Immigration is located in Soi 5 Jomtien. Click HERE for a map.
Procedure For Getting a Thai License
Make sure you have all the necessary documents as listed above . Go to the The Department of Land Transport . At the front door (main entrance) you will meet a Thai clerk sitting at a desk. Hand your documents to him / her for checking. She should give you a form to fill in and a queue ticket. If the process has changed and she does not give you the form then go to the counter which is upstairs. Ask for the application form for a Thai drivers license. The form is in Thai language so you might need help from a Thai. Usually there are a few Thais waiting around in the waiting room near the counter or down stairs at the front entrance. You should be able to find one person willing to help. Fill in the application form. If you are unable to find a Thai helper then the staff at the counter are usually accommodating. If you don't have an international drivers license you will have to join a two hour instruction course on how to drive safely in Thailand. If you are unable to understand Thai you should have a Thai accompany you to interpret the instructions. Take a color blindness test and a deafness test. If you don't have an international drivers license you will have to take the written test.
Benefits of Owning a Thai drivers license.	top
Being the owner of a Thai driver's license in Thailand can open up some doors for you. For example, we all know there is a two tier price structure on admission fees to some attractions such as parks and cabaret shows. One particular show charges 900 baht for foreigners and 250 baht for Thais. Presenting your Thai driver's license and a convincing explanation such as the length of time you have stayed in Thailand could get you admission for the Thai rate. . Being able to speak Thai also helps. Be sincere, pleasant and always smile.
Be Prepared	top
All the information given above is correct at time of writing. If you go to The Department of Land Transport office with all the above in hand and you arrive early around 8.30 am you should be able to get your license the same day. However please keep this in mind when dealing with any government body in Thailand there are times in Thailand when things don't always fall into place the way one would expect. Many foreigners who have lived in Thailand many years have reported having annoying encounters of the unfriendly kind at government offices. To prepare yourself for the license read Bob's interesting account of a rather vexatious experience at The Department of Land Transport when he applied for his Thai driver's license, view more information about the Thai driver's license, and get detailed directions about finding your way to The Department of Land Transport Office in our Pattaya Bar Girls eBook. Downloading and reading it could save you time and money. Renewing an existing Thai Driver License. You will need: Your old license not expired longer than one month. Take a color blindness test and a deafness test at the Lands Office. The proof of address letter from immigration no older than 30 days. If you are applying for a bike and a car license then a copy of the proof of address document is acceptable for the second application. Your passport and; Photocopies of (each copy signed by you): Non Immigrant Visa page in your passport. Include your "Entry to Thailand" stamp. The page of your passport that has your photo and details. Copy of your TM card. (the white card issued to you on entry into The Kingdom of Thailand.) You are advised to arrive at the Lands Office in the morning.

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