Getting a Thai Driver's License..a LONG tale

[rookie]

 

It's been mentioned in conversation and I've often read on

the Web, that it's difficult for farang's to get a Thai

driver's license. That is for the farang to get a license

by going through the normal channels, by taking and passing

both the written and driving tests. The only execption

which I am aware of is if you have a valid International

Driving license, then getting a Thai license is easy.

Alas, I only have a driving license from my home country,

in the West.

 

The required steps are for the foreigner to initially get

a letter of permission to apply for either or both of the

separate moto and auto licenses from Immigration. They want

to see your passport and driving license from your home

country. Then you pay them 500-Bt for the letter. Next

you must get a health clearance from a doctor for the

licenses you seek. This often costs a mere 100-Bt and

you never see the doctor; he just signs the paperwork.

Your health is irrelevant, but the 100-Bt is relevant to

the doctor.

 

Being prepared, you get two photocopies of your passport,

visa, the Immigration letter and the health document.

You also need two passport sized photos for each type of

licence you are seeking. And you must take your passport

and valid driving license from your home country.

 

Next you journey to your areas Thai Driving License & Tax

Bureau. Here you submit all of your paperwork to the

correct window in the licensing department. There are no

fees charged upon submitting your paperwork; you pay

only after you have completed and successfully passed

the driving tests. Often it is here that your fate of

getting a license rests. It is also here that many

farangs have discretely resort to the undocumented

alternative to successfully getting a license: BRIBERY!!

 

I wanted to obtain both the motorcycle and auto licenses,

but having heard and read of others horror stories and

failures, I didn't hesitate to use plan 'B'...bribery.

Many have told me that they sliiped 500-Bt within their

submitted paperwork and never had to take any tests.

They only had to wait until their new license was created.

I have a friend who had just purchased a new truck and he

said that he used a 1000-Bt note, and an hour later drove

away with his new auto license. If spending an extra

500-Bt in encouragement money increased my chances, that

was fine with me!

 

On a rented moto, I braved the highway traffic and

cautiously drove the 25km to the License Bureau. Upon

locating the correct window for new licenses, I smiled

and greeted the gal at the window, handing her all my

paperwork which included a 1000-Bt note discretely

peeking out of an envelope I'd placed under the first

page of the documents. She reviewed my paperwork and told

me I was missing one photocopy and could get it across

the street and to return. She gave back all of my papers,

including the 1000-Bt, which she had seen. I was getting

concerned. With the needed copy in hand, I again gave

her the papers and the money. She review them, then to

my dismay again handed me back the envelope and 1000-Bt

note. She motioned me to go to an adjacent room, where I

was to be take the written tests for both auto and

motorcycle. I just knew I was screwed!! I phoned a

friend, who recently bribed his way to a license. He

suggested again going to the window and blatantly

saying "no test" and again hand her the money. I

said there are about 10 Thai applicants around

the window and this was not a good idea!

 

There were about 25 Thai's and one farang in the room,

awaiting to take the written test. Each was reading a

phamplet on the driving laws, in Thai, except the other

farang and I, which were given a poorly translated

version in English. I'd placed my envelope with the

1000-Bt note plainly visible on my desk, the

instructor saw it but chose to ignore it. I thought

for sure I'd be spending a wasted day. Soon the

instructor began an hour long talk about the driving laws.

He showed us replicas of the various road signs and

discussed the other laws of the road. Of course, his

talk was all in Thai. The other farang and I looked at

each other with blank stares. The instructor then passed

out the tests, and I received copies for both motorcycles

and autos. The multiple choice tests are really not that

difficult, but there are a few strange laws such as the

one that allows motos to drive on the sidewalk when road

traffic is too congested to be passable. I complete

both written tests and was told to return in a hour,

after lunchtime, for the driving tests. I'd evidently

passed both of the written tests!

 

Behind the building, where the driving tests occur, is an

large area that looks more like a narrow paved go-cart

track, but it is complete with street signs at the

intersections and a roundabout. The instructor who gave

the written test was also the examiner for the driving

tests. The motos were tested first, so I waited and closely

watched while other applicants drove the course. I found it

very strange that moto drivers were required to give hand

signals for stopping and turning. This is bizarre as the

driver must take their right hand off the throttle in order

to make the hand signals. Further, the Thai hand signal for

a left-hand turn requires you to raise your right arm and

move your hand back and forth over your head in the

direction you intend to turn. I doubt anyone has ever

seen a motorcycle driver use any hand signals when

driving on the street!! The instructor motioned for me to

take the test. Well, it started poorly. Being from the

States, I made the first turn to the left...and used my

left hand to give the arm signal. I hoped that the crowd

of other applicants had blocked the instructors view.

All else seemed have gone well, as I'd used the appropriate

right arm for the rest of the needed signals. When I

finished the test and I was informed that I needn't have

stopped at a white line before making a turn onto a

signed one-way section of the test track. I had made

both the hand signals to stop and then turn, but my error

was to have stopped. Alas, it seemed I was doomed, until

a few minutes later, when the instructor told me to try

again. A second chance, and I was ready and confodent.

All went well until near the very end I had brain failure.

I'd made a wrong turn. I immediated realized my error and

dismayed, stopped the moto on the track and looked to

the instructor and the crowd of other applicants.

I outsretched my arms and shrugged my shoulders, then

motioned with my hand as if cutting my throat, to show

that I knew that I'd screwed up. The onlooking applicants

and instructor burst out laughing. Oh well, at least I

left them laughing and as it turned out it was not a

bad thing to do.

 

Next I was to take the driving test for autos. I'd been

told that you could rent a car, for a modest fee, at the

test site. Such proved not the case, at least at the site

I was at. I'd been observing others taking the test for

autos and was not too suprised at poor abilty of most of

the Thai's. At least you weren't required to give

hand-signals in a vehicle, you only needed to use the

turn signals. The final section of the test required you

to back your vehicle up about 50 meters, between a straight

and narrow row of pylons. One gal took a full 10-minutes

of stopping and readjusting her course to complete that

section; some of the others took 5-minutes to complete it.

Incredibly, they all passed the test...which likely

accounts for the poor driving habits everyone see daily

on Thai roads!

 

There were now only a few applicants left, and I asked

a gal who spoke some English if I could rent and use

her friends vehicle for my test. I'd offered her 100-Bt.

Her friend was reluctantly waiting to take the test.

To my good fortune the gal agreed. To my dismay, when

they brought the vehicle from around back to the track

and it was a new King-Cab truck with an extended bed.

Not having driven a right-hand vehicle in 30-years,

I quickly located the turn signals and left the manual

shifter in first gear. I maneuvered the massive truck

through the narrow course, doing everything correctly

and it took about 10 seconds for me to complete the

backing-up section. I'd passed the test in flying colors!

After the truck owner took and marginally passed the

test, I offered the 100-Bt for using her truck and

she graciously declined.

 

The instructor must have been impressed with my

handling of the truck, as he gave me the test papers

and indicated that he passed me for both moto and

autos. I was elated and after payng a fee of 55-Bt

for the moto license and 105-Bt for autos, I soon

had my licenses. Upon leaving I saw the gal with

her friends, who had loaned me the truck. I gave

her 200-Bt, my thanks, and said to take everyone

to dinner. It was a long day, as I'd left my

apartment at 9am and didn't get home until 4:30pm.

 

Obviously, I was fortunate and no doubt YMMV!!

The instructor was very forgiving and could have

easily found something real or imagined as reason to

have failed this farang for both licenses. Upon

leaving the building, we met in the stairwell. He

smiled and I shook his hand and thanked him. There

was never any indication that he expected a 'tip'.

 

 

 

 

 

[StoneSoup]

I remain mystified about the requirements.

 

In May 2000, I went to get a Thai drivers license at the office vicinity Soi Sukhumvit 101. I had already obtained the embssy statement, and the medical exam certificate. To help run interference, I grabbed a bargirl acquantance out of a beer bar open afternoons, and off we went.

 

She had no experience with the process, but sussed out the required sequence. I presented a still-valid US (Minnesota) drivers license.

 

Within a short while, I was issued my Thai license - no test required of any kind. No bribe, we did not even ask for anything special. I came away thinking that as long as you have a valid overseas license, you do not need to take any tests.

 

I have renewed annually since then, uneventfully. My US license expired, so I now have only my Thai license.

 

Be alert. Bangkok needs more lerts.

StoneSoup

[Fidel]

Why did you even bother with a bribe?

 

 

[Guest]

Mine was a breeze. I know Americans just have to take the vision test if their U.S. license is still valid. 105 baht, renewable annaually. The first time I had to have my address notarized by the Embassy, and a quick health check; not in subsequent years.

 

Farangs I've known do the test from scratch upcountry actually had an official looking over their shoulders to tell them if they were marking an incorrect answer.

 

Never known anyone to have trouble getting a license.

 

[Guest]

Can you apply for an International License here with your Thai license?

[chilli13]

I always though our european driving licenses are valid pretty much worldwide - at least they work fine in US & in LOS for my friend.

 

On another note I'm a bit curious what is the process for thais to get a license from scratch?

 

A TG friend of mine just told she just signed up for it & wow the next day she was out driving rush hour traffic & express ways

Wonder how soon she will be cruising her daddy's cars

[Pescator]

Hi Ib13,

 

On another note I'm a bit curious what is the process for thais to get a license from scratch?

---

 

I call tell you about that. I have posted this before but here we go again.Wonderfull story.

Now, my wife didnt have the first clue about driving a car, or a motorbike for that matter or anything on wheels.

So she had to do a test. She had to fill out this form with multiple choices and needless to say she failed miserably.

The driving test examiner checked her test and clicked his tongue sympathetically and informed her that she had failed. She could come back next week and do another test unless..........

An agreement was quickly settled, she paid 600 baht, he filled out the form correctly and behold: my wife was now the proud owner of a valid driving license and competent of driving any vehicle in Thailand with wheels.

 

And I am not kidding.

 

Cheers

Hua Nguu

 

[chilli13]

hmm so the reason any thai would be taking any driving lessons is some sort of perverted self interest in actually learning to drive before hurting anyone?

why am I not surprised...

[Pescator]

why am I not surprised...

---

 

Hi Ib13,

 

Because you are "Farang Long Time" ::

 

cheers

Hua Nguu