How to obtain a Thai Driving Licence

I have been looking into how to get a Thai Driving licence, as it would be a lot easier to have one in my pocket, than carrying around my International Driving Permit.

 

 

If you are going to stay or live in Thailand, you will need to have some sort of driving licence.
If you are a Tourist, then not a problem, your countries driving licence should do, bit it is always best, if you intend to drive in the land of smiles, to get a International Driving permit. They are easy to get and inexpensive. I got one in the UK for around £5, all I need to do was have passport size photograph and my driving licence.

 

 

Now, the chances of you needing to produce you licence in Thailand in minimal, and even if you want to hire a scooter fr a few days, thats easy enough, as they hardly look at your licence entitlements, and hire you the scooter , even if you have zero experience on a scooter or motorcycle. They just want your money.

 

 

I have pointed out several times in my blog, the dangers of not having, or not being covered by travel insurance. Just remember, all, medical expenses, from the ambulance to the smallest q tip, will be billed. If you do not have a scooter or motorcycle entitlement on your driving licence, ( If you have one) there is a good chance your medical insurance will not cover you. I have heard of instances, even if you do have a licence and not wearing a helmet ( As covered by your own countries laws) insurance companies have refused to cover the medical expense , as a result of an accident.

 

 

Please remember if you want to have a motorcycle and a car licence. In Thailand they are separate licences. So you will have to apply twice or both at the same time, so have two applications as well as two copies of all of the below. (E.G two medical certificates)

 

 

So if you want to get a Thai driving licence, what do you have to do.

 

1)          You will need to sit through an hours training video about driving and signs in                       Thailand

2) You will need ( For each licence )
a) affidavit of residence, form your Embassy, Consulate ( It will be valid for 1 year form the date of issue) or
b) immigration office (Valid for 30 days) or
c) Work Permit (Original and copy) or
d) Residence book ( Yellow book ) (Original and Copy)

 

3) Passport (Original) with includes your Non-immigrant visa with exits and entries or Tourist Visa.

 

4) Medical certificate(Original) (Valid for one month)

 

5) A valid driving licence from your home country.

 

A Drivers licence , written in english, must have an explanation of the class of licence ( Eg valid for car motorcycle etc)
If you are unsure, contact your Embassy or Consulate or present or printed explanation from the internet.

 

or

 

b) A driving licence from any other language must have the licence translated , into english or Thai, from your Embassy and stamped or letter headed

 

or

 

c) An international Driving Permit ( Of 1949) ( Original and photocopy of english page and photo page

 

If you do not have a driving licence , contact the Thai driving licence centre before 08:50am and you need to do a test.
The training test lasts 5 hours , from 10:00 hrs to 12:00 hrs and 13:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs. The next day is a written test. ( 10:00 hrs ) and driving test.

 

A fee of 350 Bht for a car and 205 But for a motorcycle is there if you do not have a vehicle,

The driving licence centre opens from Monday to Friday , 08:30 hrs to 16:00 hrs. It states you have to dress politely.How to obtain a Thai Driving Licence