How to get a Thai driving licence

Driving and riding in Hua Hin and Thailand, all topics on cars, pickups, bikes, boats, licenses, roads, and motoring in general.
MLS
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How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by MLS »

Hello, a dull post I'm afraid, but I am moving to Hua Hin next week and will need to get a Thai driving licence, then buy a (new?) car, and should appreciate it if anyone could give me info on the new/current requirements.

I've been given to understand that a more 'robust' driving test will be put in place (on 1st January?) but I'm hearing all sorts of conflicting stories so I would like to know the procedure for applying, what documents are required and what the new test will actually entail.

I hold a UK, Hong Kong and an international licence. I'm thinking if the test centre is not already fully booked (which sadly would be likely), maybe I could try to preempt the new test if I could do it before the end of the year?

And may I ask what documents will I need to produce in order to buy a car?

[I know my timing couldn't be worse, what with the higher car tax coming into force next month too, but hey, unfortunately it's unavoidable and I just have to deal with it!]

Many thanks for any advice you can give me.
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by SydneyGuy »

Hi

i am also in the process of getting my first Thai driving and riding licence so i believe you need the following documentation, note this applies if you already have an International Drivers Licence.

1. Current Passport with Visa and a copy
2. International Drivers Licence and a copy
3. Medical certificate (100Baht per copy)
4. Letter from Immigration stating either resident status or work permit

Heading to Pranburi on Monday morning to hopefully obtain my licence:)
If you hold an International licence no tests are required other than an eyesight test and 1 hr video of Thai safety regulations.

Note if you are obtaining your driving and riding licence you will need 2 copies of everything and a second medical certificate.
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Big Boy
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by Big Boy »

I think you'll find that you need a proper driving licence as well as an International Driving Permit.
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by SydneyGuy »

BB

i will confirm on Monday but i don't believe this to be the case, my understanding is Thailand doesn't recognize my Australian licence but recognizes my International Drivers Licence.
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by MLS »

Thanks for the useful info. If you have time, please could you let know how next Monday goes? And another question: where do I apply for the letter from Immigration and what docs do I need to produce?
Many thanks, and apologies for my ignorance!
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by SydneyGuy »

MLS

you will need to visit the Hua Hin immigration office, they can copy the relevant documents for you on the spot at a cost of course, or you can take your own with you:

1. Passport and copy of Passport (they can copy for you at immigration)
2. Copy of Visa page (they can copy for you at immigration)
3. Copy of last arrival stamp in Thailand (they can copy for you at immigration)
4. Copy of Bluebook or work permit (they can copy for you at immigration)
5. 2 passport size photos (they can provide for you at immigration)

not sure if i missed anything:)
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by HHTel »

Big Boy wrote:I think you'll find that you need a proper driving licence as well as an International Driving Permit.
But surely you can't get an international driving permit without a 'proper' licence issued in your own country.
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by HHTel »

Many countries have signed two treaties agreeing to accept reciprocal licences from each member country.

1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Here is a link that lists the countries whose driving licences are accepted in Thailand and vice-versa.

https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication ... B-1.en.pdf

Most policeman are not aware of the treaty. I've only argued the case a couple of times and each time received an apology at the local police station.
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by JuiceLover »

Just want to add:
1) at the Hua Hin Immigration they take photos if you need. Fast and cheap.
2) your first (called temporary) license is nowadays valid for 2 years. Mentioned in other thread(s)
3) Tests in Pranburi: A) Color, B) Reaction C) Depth
4) In Pranburi I never experienced having to look at video, neither on first apply nor on renewal (btw also valid for 2 years on tourist visa with address of residence prooved)
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by migrant »

Do you need a blue book as mentioned? Would a yellow book work?
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by Dannie Boy »

migrant wrote:Do you need a blue book as mentioned? Would a yellow book work?
A yellow book works fine, certainly at Cha Am where they accepted my book without the need of a letter from immigration as proof of address
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by migrant »

Dannie Boy wrote:
migrant wrote:Do you need a blue book as mentioned? Would a yellow book work?
A yellow book works fine, certainly at Cha Am where they accepted my book without the need of a letter from immigration as proof of address
Thanks!!
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by Big Boy »

HHTel wrote:
Big Boy wrote:I think you'll find that you need a proper driving licence as well as an International Driving Permit.
But surely you can't get an international driving permit without a 'proper' licence issued in your own country.
Well, hopefully somebody will report back that you are correct, but with my licence and 4 other occasions when I've helped friends, they always wanted the actual licence plus insisted on International Driving Permit if the licence was not in English, If the IDP was not available, the actual licence had to be notarised at stupid cost (this happened to 2 friends, one with a French issued licence and one with a Spanish issued licence).
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by HHTel »

Big Boy wrote:
HHTel wrote:
Big Boy wrote:I think you'll find that you need a proper driving licence as well as an International Driving Permit.
But surely you can't get an international driving permit without a 'proper' licence issued in your own country.
Well, hopefully somebody will report back that you are correct, but with my licence and 4 other occasions when I've helped friends, they always wanted the actual licence plus insisted on International Driving Permit if the licence was not in English, If the IDP was not available, the actual licence had to be notarised at stupid cost (this happened to 2 friends, one with a French issued licence and one with a Spanish issued licence).
You're correct BB. An IDP has to be backed up by a licence issued in your own country. Plus, if only using your foreign licence, it has to bear a photograph and be written (or translated) into English.
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Re: How to get a Thai driving licence

Post by SydneyGuy »

Ok

I received my Thai drivers licence and riders licence in Pranburi this morning.
No drivers licence required, simply a copy of my international licence, along with other documentation i already mentioned in this post.

My understanding is if you dont have an international drivers licence then you need to also complete the Thai drivers knowledge test.

Cheers

Sydneyguy
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