how to get a thai driving licens

[JimmyGreaves]

What's the story on the colour blind side of things. 1 in 20 white males have an issue when doing the dots test and fail on Red/Green making them red green colour blind. I happen to be amonst them. Been driving in the UK over 30 years. Will this be a problem for me here if I decide to stay fulltime?

Just read Buksidas valuable link on obtaining a licence via pranburi:

http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/vi ... .php?t=603


Can anyone confirm that if I have all documents including UK and International driving licence that I can go to window 4 and get the 1 year licence without any tests?

Many thanks to Buksida for providing all information regarding documents required. Just got 1 year car and 1 year bike licence today. Total time spent at Pranburi 1 hour 10 minutes. Got there early as the doors open at about 8.15 for 8.30 service. Pick a service number out of a box, I was number 2. Checked all my documents at counter 4, verified they were ok and sent me upstairs for the tests. 3 tests.

1. Colour blind (Not the hidden numbers) there is a large chart containing the same sort of dots as the hidden numbers a circle about a foot in diameter, you can see it as you walk in so get a good look if you are red/green colour blind as you can tell the red green (Non colour blinders will not comprende). You are asked to stand back about 10 foot and a lady points to the colours within. Seemed to just concentrate on red, green yellow.

2. There is an Accelerator and brake contraption that tests your reflexes when the red light comes on. As soon as you see the red light hit the brake as quick as you can. 1 shot did it and I'd completed step 2.

3. Not sure if I can explain the last one. Here goes put your chin on a block :-), this block has vertical front and side panels about 9 inches high. Two inches infront of you there is a Yellow Strip about 2 inches wide 9 inches high. Infront of each ear there is a light on each side panel. You stare at the Yellow strip and she switches both side lights between Red/Green/Yellow. You call what you see.

Voila!

Back downstairs to window 4 with your test papers signed, pay you money about 180 baht for both and off you go.

Asked about next year when I get the upgrade to 5 years, the lady at window 4 said that I need to bring all the same documents again. Do not think that there will be a further test though. I believe the written test is for non licence holders.

Thanks again Buks, will get that drink organised one of these days. In the same boat as you weekends free but not always free if you know what I mean.

[PeteC]

1. Colour blind (Not the hidden numbers) there is a large chart containing the same sort of dots as the hidden numbers a circle about a foot in diameter, you can see it as you walk in so get a good look if you are red/green colour blind as you can tell the red green (Non colour blinders will not comprende). You are asked to stand back about 10 foot and a lady points to the colours within. Seemed to just concentrate on red, green yellow.

This part interests me Jimmy. I've been driving around with a Thai license that expired in 1972. Perhaps time to get get the 5 year renewal? The few times I'm stopped each year and show the men in brown this license, they chuckle and wave me on, after calling all their mates over to see a license issued before most of them were born...LOL.

I've hesitated as I (perhaps like you?) have a partial red/green problem. Was your success re the above because you studied the charts from all angles while waiting or....because you could actually see the colors during the actual test? Thanks. Pete

[JimmyGreaves]

1. Colour blind (Not the hidden numbers) there is a large chart containing the same sort of dots as the hidden numbers a circle about a foot in diameter, you can see it as you walk in so get a good look if you are red/green colour blind as you can tell the red green (Non colour blinders will not comprende). You are asked to stand back about 10 foot and a lady points to the colours within. Seemed to just concentrate on red, green yellow.

This part interests me Jimmy. I've been driving around with a Thai license that expired in 1972. Perhaps time to get get the 5 year renewal? The few times I'm stopped each year and show the men in brown this license, they chuckle and wave me on, after calling all their mates over to see a license issued before most of them were born...LOL.

I've hesitated as I (perhaps like you?) have a partial red/green problem. Was your success re the above because you studied the charts from all angles while waiting or....because you could actually see the colors during the actual test? Thanks. Pete

Hi Pete

First I hope that the 5 year renewal only requires handing in your 1 year licence with paperwork. That's what I'm lead to believe. I don't want more tests!

My story with Red/Green. Pillar box Red can tell and Manu Shirts can say is red. Green grass can see green. The problem arises with me when you start to get darker greens, browns and darker reds together hard to distinguish and put a colour name to them.

Anyway this picture of dots about a foot in diameter, format as the dots on this url http://www.toledo-bend.com/colorblind/Ishihara.html no number inside however. Dots about the size of a 5 baht coin and 1 baht coin, Mostly all Red/Green/Blue/Yellow. Sure No Brown. On going close I could see the Red, Green. Red the darker shade and Green the lighter. Then from a distance it was quite easy based on shade. Yellow Blue was no problem. The whole test was geared to Red/Green/Yellow as per traffic lights. Points 2 and 3 are no problem.

Hope this helps. Anymore questions let me know, more than happy to help.

[JD]

First I hope that the 5 year renewal only requires handing in your 1 year licence with paperwork. That's what I'm lead to believe. I don't want more tests!

I think you will only be given another 1 year on renewal (no more tests though), make sure your medical certificate is only dated a few days prior to the renawal date, they won't accept last years certificate.

I'm on my second renewal, I think the third one is the five year jobby, unless anyone knows different!

[PeteC]

Thanks Jimmy. I'm just the opposite, the lighter reds/greens give me problems. However, I am much better after a few pints. Don't ask, I have no idea.

You're right concerning the 5 year license from what friends have told me who have done it. No written tests on the 1 year also if you have an international or home country license.

I can see the reverse psychology of what they're doing. Test the people because the lights they've installed country wide are either 1) too small. 2) have dirty lens covers. 3) don't work. 4) the right turn arrow light is 3 meters to the left of the turn lane and right next to the through traffic light...that is my favorite....makes you lean forward in your driver seat and actually think about what they're trying to tell you. This is while glancing at a steel road sign, anchored in concrete that says "accident ahead". I guess so many, they decided to make the statement formal and permanent. . Thanks your advice. Pete

PS: I still haven't spotted a new add about those 9" bricks. I'll post if I do.

[JimmyGreaves]

First I hope that the 5 year renewal only requires handing in your 1 year licence with paperwork. That's what I'm lead to believe. I don't want more tests!

I think you will only be given another 1 year on renewal (no more tests though), make sure your medical certificate is only dated a few days prior to the renawal date, they won't accept last years certificate.

I'm on my second renewal, I think the third one is the five year jobby, unless anyone knows different!

Definetely told me today that I will get 5 years next September. Was yours from Pranburi JD?

[PeteC]

First I hope that the 5 year renewal only requires handing in your 1 year licence with paperwork. That's what I'm lead to believe. I don't want more tests!

I think you will only be given another 1 year on renewal (no more tests though), make sure your medical certificate is only dated a few days prior to the renawal date, they won't accept last years certificate.

I'm on my second renewal, I think the third one is the five year jobby, unless anyone knows different!

I should clarify JD given your concern. Two friends who went to the Pattaya branch out on Rt 36 got a 5 after 1, they were both car and motorcycle. One friend went to Rayong, as that's where his first license was issued, and got a 1 after 1 for car only, and was told exactly what you said. Again, one hand doesn't know what the other is doing I guess. Pete

[JD]

Definetely told me today that I will get 5 years next September. Was yours from Pranburi JD?

Certainly was. Only gave me one year renewal, maybe they've moved the goal posts again since April, best to be sure though, take everything new, letter of residency (where you are living) medical certificate et all. If they give you five years, treat like three numbers on the lottery, if not Mai pen rai, just go again next year.

Won't stop the coppers from finding an excuse to take a monkey of you if they decide to pull you over though, a farrang face is guaranteed to cost you money, any excuse will do. In Bangkok, just give it to them, it'll save you two hours driving around and waiting in police stations, even then you'll only save yourself 200 Bht. The expressway (Joke) tollbooths are the worst, if you have tinted, reflective glass on your window screen, only wind your window down enough to pass the money over, any show of a farrang driver with a copper about, will cost you two hours or 500 Bht. They will, find a reason. Best of luck!

[ricardo]

I re-newed my car and bike licence last October for the first time and was given new 5 year licences, from the Pranburi office.

[richard]

Move up country northeast wise. They don't know what a driving liscence is. There again, they don't know how to drive anyway!!

Think I'll plumb for an oxen and cart. Where the hell would you park that in Hua Hin knowing it would be safe??

You'd get back to find someone had eaten your engine

[JimmyGreaves]

I re-newed my car and bike licence last October for the first time and was given new 5 year licences, from the Pranburi office.

Hi Ricardo

What exactly did you need to show to get the 5 year renewal? I will have a passport change during the next few months as my current one will expire, a new Non-Immigrant visa also as that expires. I will hopefully be at the same address so I don't want to have to go to immigration again for a new document I hope. Don't mind getting a medical certificate as that's a 2 minute job!

[Onlyme]

Make sure you go for the renewal on or AFTER the day it expires and you should be issued with 5 years.
I had a friend who went the day before and you guessed it, he got 1 more year.
I have the 5 year licences, just showed them the paperwork.
Onlyme.

[buksida]

Won't stop the coppers from finding an excuse to take a monkey of you if they decide to pull you over though, a farrang face is guaranteed to cost you money, any excuse will do.

Funny you should mention this, I got pulled over a couple of days ago. I actually have a 5 year license but had left the wallet at home so I explained this. First guy starts writing the ticket and the second guy chimes in with "a hundred baht". Now not fancying the ticket and 2 hour wait at the cop shop option I tend towards the latter but repeat my explanation of not having my wallet.

Five minutes later after scraping around in the ashtray and under the seats I cobble together 100 bahts worth of coins and pass it through the window looking like Oliver with his hands out. We both saw the funny side and I was on my merry way, moral of the story is don't leave your bloody wallet behind.

[ricardo]

Jimmy

You will need all the documents that you provided when you first applied.

Passport and TM Card copy, Non immigrant visa, photos, expiring licence and the letter from the police confirming your address.

My licences had also already expired when I re-newed them.

It cost me about about B800 for a bike and car licence and it all took about an hour.

[ITKMAN]

Ok, Now if you are talking HH I don't know and probably many people don't know cause it can and probably does change.

Home county DL ( translated if not in english...
Med form
Visa with photo copy
Passport with photo copy
local address proff. I used a 1200 baht paper from my embassy???
application form which is in Thai!

I did only a color blind test. IN BKK there are written tests in english but I had a DL so no problem.....

I won't bore you all with posting links that show BKK and Phuket are different etc.

Now, there seems to be some law that after 90 days in the Kingdom you MUST get a Thai DL. I know a bloke in Pattaya who had a nasty smash with a motor bike and was deemed to be dring without a DL cause he was on a INt'l DL that was 5 months old and his passport gave him up as being in the Kingdom for a few years!

I remember that my renewal got me a 5 year lic cause I had no problems but the only thing I didn't do was a color blind test and and didn't need to show anything but my Thai DL.

As to discounts I get them all the time and use the DL as an ID card etc!

Just go do the hoops and get it done!