Thai Driving License

Driving and riding in Hua Hin and Thailand, all topics on cars, pickups, bikes, boats, licenses, roads, and motoring in general.
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CDNinKS
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by CDNinKS »

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.
Well TIT, what is a hard and fast rule in one location, is optional in another :?
PET
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by PET »

It is all about having a friend behind the counter.

If you do not then you need to follow the majority and do things by the book, and the requirements are well spelt out here.
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charlesh
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by charlesh »

CDNinKS wrote: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.
Yeap - certainly the case at Pranburi! I managed to get 5 years and 6 months last year.
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chrisdaejeon
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by chrisdaejeon »

Recently got a five year renwal at Cha-Am. Staff where very friendly and helpful not busy in and out in 20 minutes. Also they renewed a week before expiry but i did tell them that I would be travelling when the renewal date fell.
Blyish
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by Blyish »

What if I don't have a foreign license? I'm here with a tourist visa only (you know, the typical visa run thing). Can I still get a Thai license or is that plain impossible?
Phyton
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by Phyton »

with the Touristvisa you get only one year DL. I tried to renew my one year, they said i need a NonImmigationvisa, so they give me a new DL again for only one year.
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Blyish
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by Blyish »

I don't have a problem with that. Can I take the exam in English? Where do I go?
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Spitfire
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by Spitfire »

It's funny that they make you wait until your 1 year license expires, then it's OK to drive down to the center to renew, making you break the law. Why don't they do it in the week before it finishes? :?

Suppose that would make too much sense, wouldn't it? :roll:

As an observation, guess the regional variation works for this one too, did mine 4 days before it expired but wasn't a problem, just said to use the old one until it expires. However, this was not in Hua Hin, sticklers for the rules down there on many things. :(
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by Phyton »

@Blyish:

I did not make a exam, i just show my German and International DL.

The first time, i have to make the reactiontest, and colourtest, very hard... :mrgreen:
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Blyish
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by Blyish »

So anybody knows if it's possible to get a license without having one from your home country?
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chrisdaejeon
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Re: Drive Thailand

Post by chrisdaejeon »

Yes you can take the test, there is a question part (in English)then you drive a round a set course reverse park and reverse between some flags. Not difficult.
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pitsch
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by pitsch »

But you have to come with your own car or the car of a friend. You cannot rent a car without driving license.
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chrisdaejeon
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by chrisdaejeon »

I took my test in Phuket and had my own car but because it is a D-Max with a canopy on the back I paid 200Baht and used a small saloon car rented at the license station.
Johan
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by Johan »

My thai license expired 1 yr ago, can i renew for 5 years ? I had a 1 yr license.

Thanks.
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barrys
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Re: Thai Driving License

Post by barrys »

Hi Johan

You normally have to do it within 1 year of expiry.
Still, if you go to the Pranburi office and ask nicely, you might have a good chance - they are very obliging there.
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