drivers license

[asiaexpat 0]

Is there any service that does drivers thai driverslicenses in pattaya--i live and work in bangkok but will eventually retire in pattaya and i dont want to go throught the hassle of getting as license in bangkok

 

i heard of a servive that for about 3000 baht they would do all the paperwork etc--and i would only have to show up at the motor vehicle dept to sign and pick up the actual license.

 

anyone can help??

[spacebass 0]

I don't know what can be done from afar, but there is a lady who sits in the parade of shops opposite the licencing dept, and in my experience you roll up there give her everything you need which she checks and more or less does everything unless you are required to say take some test or other. I am sure she charges a lot less that 3000bht. Asv in all things I think you would actually have to be there.

[doolish 14]

Hi asia.

Don't know about Pat. but my Thai wife could not drive a car so I got her motor bike. I was lead to believe it was a matter of turning up at the veh. center and that was it. I drove her to the center in Udon Thani, only for her to be told she had to bring the bike there so that they can check that she can drive it, also there would be a oral test to check that she knew the highway code, signs etc. She's driven a bike for 20 years and has held a lic. before but let it lapse. Seeing how people in Thailand drive I was surprised at this. I obtained a International D.L ever year for the last 5 years, been stopped many times asked for my lic. shown my own countries D.L. and police said very good sir thank you and that was it. didn't want to see my passport at any time.

Cheers Doug.

[Sammy 30]

I did a little checking into this and I am sure for the right amount of vigorish it could all be avoided but this is what the process would be:

 

Go to Vehicle licensing office

Sit in classroom for 2 hours as an instructor goes through highway code. (All in Thai, no English translation)

Write 30 question test. Score 75% or above and pass

Take eye test

Take another simulated driving test

Take vehicle test on a small circuit that includes cones, parallel parking etc.

[biggles 509]

If you have an international licence you do not have to do the written or practical tests. I had a car and bike endorsement on my international licence and I was in the pattaya vehicle office on route 36 for less than 1 hour. walked out with both licences. did an eye test and depth perception test only. when they expired after one year I renewed them for a five year job, this time it took less than half an hour.

[asiaexpat 0]

thanks for the replies but I think its not quite so easy--the required paperwork could be the problem as i live in bangkok and I believe they will require a letter from immigration stating a valid pattaya adresss--which i dont have--that is why a service that does all this crap would be useful

[spacebass 0]

thanks for the replies but I think its not quite so easy--the required paperwork could be the problem as i live in bangkok and I believe they will require a letter from immigration stating a valid pattaya adresss--which i dont have--that is why a service that does all this crap would be useful

One of the requirements is evidence of residency, this should be a letter from Immigration in Pattaya, though I have heard that people have done it by showing their Chanute, so if you went to Pattaya immigration on Soi 6 Beach road Jomtien, who are know to be helpful, with evidence of your residence in Thailand maybe they would write you a letter, I can't see why driving licences should be restricted to certain geographical areas, but then I am not Thai!!

[Big Chief 0]

Fucking waste of time getting a Thai Drivers License! I got pulled over this morning for cutting in line at exit of main road. Guy wrote the ticket and not once asked for the license. I have had 3 accidents in 6 years and not once did I ever have a license and never had hassle. And no, I never had to pay anything.

 

Go ahead and waste your time, I will never do it!

[Eneukman 1]

Fucking waste of time getting a Thai Drivers License! I got pulled over this morning for cutting in line at exit of main road. Guy wrote the ticket and not once asked for the license. I have had 3 accidents in 6 years and not once did I ever have a license and never had hassle. And no, I never had to pay anything.

 

Go ahead and waste your time, I will never do it!

Just wait until your cutting in front of people causes a serious accident and see where your lack of a Thai licence gets you.

 

I've seen many bits of bad advice on the boards but that has to be one of the worst,

 

Stay legal.

 

It's not a major hassle to get a licence. The Pattaya City Ex-Pats Club (meets at Henry J. Beans on a Sunday morning from 9.30) arrange trips to the licensing centre from time to time. All you need to do in advance is to ensure that you have an International Licence from your own country, the required copies, letter from Immigration and doctor's certificate. Even if they need extra copies, there are a number of places 20 yards away that will copy what you need.

 

Alan

[Eneukman 1]

One of the requirements is evidence of residency, this should be a letter from Immigration in Pattaya, though I have heard that people have done it by showing their Chanute, so if you went to Pattaya immigration on Soi 6 Beach road Jomtien, who are know to be helpful, with evidence of your residence in Thailand maybe they would write you a letter, I can't see why driving licences should be restricted to certain geographical areas, but then I am not Thai!!

Minor correction, Immigration is on the preceding soi - Jomtien Beach Road Soi 5.

 

This being Thailand, though, you may just have to go through the hassle in Bangkok.

 

Alan

[Big Chief 0]

I have been involved in 3 accidents, with 1 being a multi-car pile up with serious injuries. No big deal not having a license. They asked me for one and I told them I left it at home. So they just used my wifes. And she can't even drive 5555

 

FUCKING PARANOID PRATS !

[carpediem 0]

1.

What is the proof of residency the immigration office require to issue the necessary letter?

 

I have a non-immigrant o visa, and was given to understand that that would be enough for the letter. Presently I live at a hotel but have the intention of moving up-country to a rented house next month.

 

2.

Is an international license necessary or will my uk license suffice?

 

3.

Does anyone have recent evidence that there is someone there to handle the administative for one? (eg the 'woman in the parade of shops that someone mentioned). Or is it foolish to go there without a thai girl in tow? I intend to go through the process this week.

 

Thanks.

 

cd

[lostinspace 0]

Take non immigrant O.go to jontiem soi 5 immag.have 2 photo copies of your passport,visa O,departure form,and your doctors report.[about 200 to 300b.plus 400 at immigration, and pass/p photos ,,if you have an international LIC. or current OS LIC,which i got mine on,you dont have to do the test,if not you'll have to do the lot [drive test and written, etc].

you can and must take you car or any car to do the test.same with the bike.

when you go upstairs grab a green form fill it in .but first grab a no.

the little shops opp who take your photos and photo copy will just about do anything for you.if you are not sure,,, check with them 1st.

after 12 months you can renew it for 5 to 10yrs in about an hr if you have everthing ready.repeat above,but i think no doc.cert

good luck.

paul

PS.when you go to immigration fill the book in to show where you live,you must do it by law....unless you are on the RUN.that is

just give the address of where you live at the time of app.for both lic and rego.

you can not get it on a tourist visa ,,and it dose help if you have a thai with you who can translate.

[Guest Fatboyfat]

I have been involved in 3 accidents, with 1 being a multi-car pile up with serious injuries. No big deal not having a license. They asked me for one and I told them I left it at home. So they just used my wifes. And she can't even drive 5555

 

FUCKING PARANOID PRATS !

Pants on Fire !!!

[Eneukman 1]

There are some tests which ALL new applicants must take. I got my licence a few months ago - (I had a UK International Licence, which is a bonus). The tests were -

 

1. Colour blindness. A guy points at a chart and you have to say what colour is being pointed out. The coloured bits are various shapes and sizes and I found it quite hard to see which object was being pointed out.

 

2. Reaction time test. You have a mock up car with brake and accelerator. You put the accelerator flat to the floor and keep it there until a red light shows. You then have to hit the brake hard within a certain timescale. One girl in front of me failed the first time but was allowed to try again. I was a bit slow in hitting the brake but fortunately was right on the time limit.

 

3. Peripheral vision test. Similar to the colour blindness test but checks your ability to recognise colours from the corner of your eye.

 

There may have been a 4th test but I can't remember what it was so it can't have been that demanding.

 

Do all this correctly and have all the correct paperwork and you will receive a 1 year licence. Your first renewal will be for 5 years. However, a weird quirk of Thai law says you must allow your one year licence to expire before applying to renew it. Apply to renew it within the 1 year period and you will simply get another 1 year.

 

I think you will then get a licence with unlimited validity once your 5 year licence expires, but I'm not absolutely certain on this.

 

As for being a "fucking paranoid prat", STAY WITHIN THE LAW expecially if you are not a fluent Thai speaker.

 

Alan

[carpediem 0]

my thanks to the helpful replies paul and alan have troubled to post. but i'm still not clear about a few questions:

 

proof of address

i can tell them the hotel i'm staying at; or

i can give them the address of the place in khao yai i have agreed to rent; or

i can give them the address of my girl friend's parents home (which i think is the address that will appear as my address for the car papers.)

 

uk license vs. international license

is my uk driver's license sufficient - or at least worth trying? if not i can postpone the thing until i return with an international license in oct/nov.

 

soi 5 immigration office & license issuing office

i assume the former is where all the paperwork (incorporating among other things the above queries) is approved; and after that i need only take that approval/certification to the licensing office; and the latter will conduct the tests and/or issue the license? can someone give me a pointer as to where the latter office is located - i gather it's somewhere on route 36 towards rayong.

 

taking the car

i was going to do that anyhow, but i see that i'd better take the girl friend (who has a license) too else they'll ask how i drove the car without authority. (it's just that she's extremely diffident before authorities, and her attempt to translate with her very limited english can often confuse the picture more than clarify it.)

 

thanks again

 

cd

[carpediem 0]

'proof of address'

 

i omitted to ask what precisely is the 'proof' they will accept - for the required address

 

cd

[Eneukman 1]

my thanks to the helpful replies paul and alan have troubled to post. but i'm still not clear about a few questions:

 

proof of address

i can tell them the hotel i'm staying at; or

i can give them the address of the place in khao yai i have agreed to rent; or

i can give them the address of my girl friend's parents home (which i think is the address that will appear as my address for the car papers.)

 

uk license vs. international license

is my uk driver's license sufficient - or at least worth trying? if not i can postpone the thing until i return with an international license in oct/nov.

 

soi 5 immigration office & license issuing office

i assume the former is where all the paperwork (incorporating among other things the above queries) is approved; and after that i need only take that approval/certification to the licensing office; and the latter will conduct the tests and/or issue the license? can someone give me a pointer as to where the latter office is located - i gather it's somewhere on route 36 towards rayong.

 

taking the car

i was going to do that anyhow, but i see that i'd better take the girl friend (who has a license) too else they'll ask how i drove the car without authority. (it's just that she's extremely diffident before authorities, and her attempt to translate with her very limited english can often confuse the picture more than clarify it.)

 

thanks again

 

cd

1. Proof of address - This is issued by Immigration at Jomtien Beach Road Soi 5. I rent a condo here so I took my lease with me (and a copy of the page showing my address) and a couple of photographs. I had to pay a small fee (can't remember how much) and went back in the afternoon to pick up the certificate. At Immigration, I was reminded that I would also need a medical certificate, which as it happened I had obtained the prevous day.

 

I doubt very much whether your hotel will suffice as an address but the other two options you mention should suffice. You just need to prove to Immigration that that is where you will be staying.

 

2. An international license makes things easier. If you use your UK licence, you may need to take some extra tests. I see from mine that it shows on the reverse what kind of vehicle you are allowed to drive so you may be OK.

 

Bear in mind though that if you want to ride a motor bike as well, you will need a seperate licence for this.

 

3. Immigration only issue the "proof of address". Everything else is done at the licensing centre. If you are uncertain about what photos you need and what you need copies of, there are a number of shops outside the centre who will keep you right.

 

I was driven out to the centre so I can't give you any more definitive instructions on how to get there apart from top confirm that it's on the road to Rayong. It's on the right hand side of the road.

 

Alan

[carpediem 0]

thanks a lot for the further info.

 

i'll try submitting the addresses i have in hand.

i'll try the uk license - the lack of a motorbike license doesn't trouble me.

i'll be trying to get it all done in the next couple of days.

 

cd

[lostinspace 0]

What Alan said is all the right way to do it ,

i did mine 2 yrs ago and have been back for a 5yr renewal ...when i idid mine 1st time my OZ photo lic was enough anlong with the add of the condo i was renting,any add is fine as long as you have the paper work after immag,

they dont care if you drive [no one dose]

it is a hard place to find thats why u take a thai who has been there before if poss.

but i'll try ...follow sukumvit all the way to the overpass turn right to rayong

and bkk follow the hwy

go about 5ks its on the otherside up a soi if you go pass the school[i think st andrews] you have gone to far... there is a u turn just before the school do a u E

go about 200mts turn left,for 1/2 a k. go early 8am,its up stairs.

paul

[carpediem 0]

just to pass on the benefit of my experience in getting the thai license having brought my uk license.

 

doctor's cert (5 minutes)

a joke. receptionist looked at my passport, inserted name on photocopied form at hand, took it in for doc's signature, returned and put a rubber stamp on it. ie the doc never saw me.

cost - 150 baht (i think - in any case, money for jam)

 

the visa office (1 hour all-in)

well organized, english speaking, and copying services etc outside. (keep lots of photos with you)

accepted my hotel address, supported by evidence i was there (not authorized to accept non-pattaya/chonburi address).

cost of certificate/letter - 400 baht

 

licensing office (2 hrs all-in)

located near regency school on the rayong road no.36 (u-turn opp at the school then 1st left).

spotty but adequate english spoken by staff.

forms in thai but staff is indulgent and they and others with gf s will help out if needed.

simple & easy tests - reaction, colours, astygmatism (i think), side vision.

gave me license - but it stipulates 'car' (ie no motorbike).

cost of license - 105 baht

 

all relatively painless.

 

cd

[Eneukman 1]

just to pass on the benefit of my experience in getting the thai license having brought my uk license.

 

doctor's cert (5 minutes)

a joke. receptionist looked at my passport, inserted name on photocopied form at hand, took it in for doc's signature, returned and put a rubber stamp on it. ie the doc never saw me.

cost - 150 baht (i think - in any case, money for jam)

 

the visa office (1 hour all-in)

well organized, english speaking, and copying services etc outside. (keep lots of photos with you)

accepted my hotel address, supported by evidence i was there (not authorized to accept non-pattaya/chonburi address).

cost of certificate/letter - 400 baht

 

licensing office (2 hrs all-in)

located near regency school on the rayong road no.36 (u-turn opp at the school then 1st left).

spotty but adequate english spoken by staff.

forms in thai but staff is indulgent and they and others with gf s will help out if needed.

simple & easy tests - reaction, colours, astygmatism (i think), side vision.

gave me license - but it stipulates 'car' (ie no motorbike).

cost of license - 105 baht

 

all relatively painless.

 

cd

150 baht for your "medical" certificate? I paid something like 80 baht and I did see the doctor, albeit for about 1 minute. Yes, a total joke. No problem so as you're not totally blind.

 

The astygmatism test you suggested is to test depth perception.

 

Alan

[mb3house 0]

RE; "paranoid prats"

 

I dont think it's being paranoid spending a couple of your hours obtaining a licence for the country you are living in, it makes you legal as a driver, something you are not if you dont have one, although a current International licence is good most of the time. you may have been lucky 3 times, but maybe not the next time. Also, we dont all have a Thai wife to sort it out, so it just makes plain sense.

 

By the way, a partner in a well known expat bar was involved in serious accident the other day, the police wouldn't accept bribe money, he will be convicted, serve jail time and be deported.