Driving License in Thailand

[Princess]

I was just wondering if anyone knows the proper procedure to get a driving licence here in Thailand. I haven't got a license - International or otherwise and I'm on a non-immigrant student visa here. I'm wondering if I have to complete a required number of hours at driving school and if so...does anyone know of a good one? I haven't seen any in the three years I've been here. Or alternatively is it possible to just take the test and get a license? Will I even get one - considering the fact that I'm a student here? If anyone has any idea, please let me know Thanks!

[Greggo]

Proper procedure:

http://www.ethailand.com/index.php?id=1015

http://driving.information.in.th/driving-licence.html

Improper procedure: a few thousand baht in the right hands

[Princess]

Proper procedure:

http://www.ethailand.com/index.php?id=1015

http://driving.information.in.th/driving-licence.html

Improper procedure: a few thousand baht in the right hands

Ta

[khun_lung]

I suggest that you apply at the Careless Drivers Institute, Sukhumvit Soi 409 (it's a long road).

There they will teach you techniques such as accelerate as fast as you can, and brake hard only when you must avoid hitting another vehicle. Rear view mirrors are optional because passengers will loudly alert you to any unsafe moves. Remember that hand gestures are unacceptable in Thai society. And if you must expectorate, open the driver's side door and do so. Passengers prefer Issan music, so tune in and play it loud.

I hope this helps.

[Gigabyte]

Proper procedure:

http://www.ethailand.com/index.php?id=1015

http://driving.information.in.th/driving-licence.html

Improper procedure: a few thousand baht in the right hands

The information on the web sites quoted seems incomplete and out of date. The Government is now issuing 5-year driving licenses to both foreigners and Thai nationals. Not so long ago, Thai nationals had the priviledge of a permanent (never expiring) driver license while foreigners could only apply for a one-year license that had to be renewed every year. The new 5-year license is more expensive, of course, but now the expiration date coincide with your birthday so it's easier to remember when it's time to renew.

One thing that I found curious and annoying, is that you had to wait that your license was expired before you could renew it! That's weird indeed to let you drive without a valide driving license for a while, and it unfortunately opened opportunities to corrupted policemen asking for a bribe because you were driving with an expired driver license... I don't know about the 5-year license, maybe it has to be expired also before being renewed...

I have heard, and I'm really not sure if it's true or not, but apparently only foreigners with work permit can apply for a driver license now. Or maybe it applies only to get the 5-year license and the one-year license is still available to holders of non-immigrant visas... Anyone know?

Princess, please let us know how it goes and if you can get your license!

Then I will let you drive my car while I get a tan at the back... :-)

[Princess]

Thanks guys...will look into it. I think its high time I got one and then maybe a car here .

[zeusbheld]

* Not be insane.

****.