What's the process for getting a Thai drivers license? Easy or not? Just trying to 'tick things off' each time i visit prior to retirement. I'm located in Samut Sakon.
TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Getting a Thai driver's license as an expat can be straightforward if you hold a valid home country license and an International Driving Permit (IDP). The general process involves watching a video, passing a color blind test and a basic eye test. You also need to provide a residency letter from immigration, a medical certificate, a copy of your passport's data page, and your visa extension page. The additional requirements highlight the need to ensure you have the correct documents for a smoother application, especially if you plan to get a motorcycle license as well.
will try locally then but have also emailed an agent but presume I'd still need it anyway.
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Mark ******
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Maarten ****
I didn't exchange my UK driving license..just straight go to exam ( 5 mins test ) and by pass the theory exam (pretned sit in there and do nothing. Lol) on the exam day . There are people never driven before and got pass too lol
Even my wife who is Thai did that when she was younger, lol!
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Maxim ***********
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Kool *******
Understand that there are two separate licenses, one for car, and one for motorcycle. If your home country license does not have a motorcycle endorsement then you will have to take the written, and driving test for motorcycle. A motorbike is the easiest way to get around, so it is good to have that license, and a cheap motorbike. If your license is in English then you don't need an IDL. Just a residency letter from immigration, or a notarized letter from your embassy, or your work permit if it has your address on it. Many don't now. You also need a medical certificate, that any motorcy taxi drivers at the DLT office can take you to get cheap. Then of course a copy of your passport data page, and visa extension page. You take the normal color eye test, reaction test, and depth perception test. It is quite easy if you have a valid home country license, with motorcycle endorsement.
Jeffrey ************
I found mine was pretty straightforward. My Thai ID card also helped.
Simon **********
Pretty easy but time consuming. At least half a day sitting in a driver licensing centre watching a video, filling in forms and generally sitting round waiting. Get an agent and they do all the paperwork etc, some can even go on your behalf apparently but I have never used that service.
thereโs no test really, just watch a video, do a depth perception test and call out the traffic light colours and they switch the lamps on. Worst part is just sitting around waiting. Thereโs a backlog of Thais renewing their licences since Covid so I had to go down to Rayong to renew mine last month.
okay thanks Simon, I'm going through Rayong next week on way to Koh Chang so will have a Google and see if can locate some assistance in Pattya as there for 2 days ๐
it easy medical certificate from gp was only heart rate, and bp. Did mine the day before. Went to Lopburi with my IDP, my drivers licence and medical certificate and yellow book. Took 30 minutes to get 2 year licence. Did colour eye test and a brake test.
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Gregory ******
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Mark ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Have IDP & license so need resident letter but only here for 3 weeks at a time so unsure if they will give me letter??
Paulus *********
If IDP you watch an hour video, answer 3 easy questions, take a colour blind test and that's it. Take your passport, copies of data page, resident letter from immigration