Taking the Thai motorcycle test

[Big Boy]

An update on this thread. My son went to Pranburi today to get a Thai car licence (based on his English licence), and to take his Thai motorcycle test. No problem with the car licence, but the motorcycle licence is now a 2 day process for everybody - he has to go again tomorrow to do a written test.

[Big Boy]

A further update - day 2 was only the theory test, and issue of licence. My son was in and out in about an hour.

[Pleng]

Documents required:
Letter from the police confirming your address - cost: 0 baht (may vary depending on police station/immigration office). Note: to get this you need the signature and copy of ID card of the owner of the house and a copy of the tabien bahn (blue book).

Do I need to be named on the rental agreement? Or just a copy of his ID card with his signature and blue book?

Also can this be gotten from any police station? Or do I have to go to immigration?
Finally, would it look a little suspect if I were to go to immigration with a change of address form and ask for the letter of confirmation at the same time?

Medical certificate - cost: 80 baht

Sorry if I'm being dense here, where do I get this? Hospital? Is it any specific type of certificate? Or just a general medical cert? (Are there different types, I'm a little naive in this area!)

Then attempted the practical bike test and fell off the balance test ramp thingy.
I went back the next day and practiced when no-one was using the course. Must have ridden over it about 40 times (each time under the 10 seconds allocated) without falling off

Hmm I'm trying to imagine what this balance ramp, and its purpose is. I'm presuming it's trying to simulate tricky road conditions? If that's the case only in Thailand could the test require you to negotiate it in a given period of time!!!

[Big Boy]

Sorry if I'm being dense here, where do I get this? Hospital? Is it any specific type of certificate? Or just a general medical cert? (Are there different types, I'm a little naive in this area!)

When my son went, he turned up at the Pranburi Test Centre, and they directed him to the local doctor - cost was 50 Baht.

Hmm I'm trying to imagine what this balance ramp, and its purpose is. I'm presuming it's trying to simulate tricky road conditions? If that's the case only in Thailand could the test require you to negotiate it in a given period of time!!!

My son didn't mention any balance ramp. He was so green at motorcycle riding, I'm sure he'd have fallen off as well if he had to do it. Maybe somebody else can confirm if it is still a requirement.

[buksida]

Do I need to be named on the rental agreement? Or just a copy of his ID card with his signature and blue book?

Also can this be gotten from any police station? Or do I have to go to immigration?
Finally, would it look a little suspect if I were to go to immigration with a change of address form and ask for the letter of confirmation at the same time?

The owner needs to "certify" that you live there so his signature, ID and blue book should suffice.

Technically you can get it at the cop shop and it costs nothing though in Hua Hin you'll be directed to Immigration who will deprive you of 500 baht.

Sorry if I'm being dense here, where do I get this? Hospital? Is it any specific type of certificate? Or just a general medical cert? (Are there different types, I'm a little naive in this area!)

Clinic, hospital, whatever, they have a standard form for driving license medicals, you don't even see a doctor.

Hmm I'm trying to imagine what this balance ramp, and its purpose is. I'm presuming it's trying to simulate tricky road conditions? If that's the case only in Thailand could the test require you to negotiate it in a given period of time!!!

About 3 inches high, 10 wide, its to test that you can ride in a straight line without falling off - piece of cake. Each test center is different, I did mine in Bangsaphan, not Pranburi.

[Pleng]

Technically you can get it at the cop shop and it costs nothing though in Hua Hin you'll be directed to Immigration who will deprive you of 500 baht.

OK, seeing how far away the immigration office is from where I live, I'd like to only have to make one trip. Is it safe for me to do a change of address and ask for confirmation of residence in the same visit? Will I also need to take the aforementioned paperwork for a change of address?

Sorry if I'm being dense here, where do I get this? Hospital? Is it any specific type of certificate? Or just a general medical cert? (Are there different types, I'm a little naive in this area!)

Clinic, hospital, whatever, they have a standard form for driving license medicals, you don't even see a doctor.

So it's pretty much a self-cert?

Hmm I'm trying to imagine what this balance ramp, and its purpose is. I'm presuming it's trying to simulate tricky road conditions? If that's the case only in Thailand could the test require you to negotiate it in a given period of time!!!

About 3 inches high, 10 wide, its to test that you can ride in a straight line without falling off - piece of cake. Each test center is different, I did mine in Bangsaphan, not Pranburi.

Ok sounds easy enough.

I really need to get around to getting this sorted!

[Big Boy]

So it's pretty much a self-cert?

In my son's case, it was definitely not a self-cert. The doctor actually examined him and checked things like eyesight thoroughly. Quite good for just 50 Baht.

[buksida]

OK, seeing how far away the immigration office is from where I live, I'd like to only have to make one trip. Is it safe for me to do a change of address and ask for confirmation of residence in the same visit? Will I also need to take the aforementioned paperwork for a change of address?

As far as I'm aware they're two separate issues, so two separate documents.

[dom77]

In order to get the licence you need:

medical certificate (within last 30 days)
Work Permit or Letter of Residence (its posted in the test centre)
Passport

If your licence from home country is not in English you will have to take a test and the procedure takes 2 days. All information available if you go into the test centre and ask.

[Big Boy]

My son didn't mention any balance ramp. He was so green at motorcycle riding, I'm sure he'd have fallen off as well if he had to do it.

I've just checked with my son, and he confirms that he did the balance beam as well. I asked how he managed to stay on it without falling, and he said that he honestly doesn't know.

[Pleng]

Ok one more, semi-important, question: Where do I take the test?!

Oh and do I need to book, or do I just turn up?

(alright, that's 2 questions...)

[Big Boy]

It's at Pranburi, and you just turn up - be there by about 9 both days.

[Dannie Boy]

It's at Pranburi, and you just turn up - be there by about 9 both days.

Or if you live on the other side of HH, there is a test centre in Cha Am (actually just outside of CA, on the right hand side of the main highway heading towards Petchburi), where by my experience, I believe they are less strict than in Pranburi!!

[Pleng]

Less strict in what way?

[Dannie Boy]

Less strict in what way?

Well I showed up with all of the correct paperwork including a copy of my UK driving licence, was asked to do an eye test (identifying numbers made out of dots on various coloured backgrounds), the woman could see that I had to problems with colours or eyesight, so took my photo, asked for the money and I was in and out within 15 minutes. I had my Thai wife with me that could have helped, but it was the easiest test ever.