Thailand - Obtaining Thai Driver's License

I am in the early stages of getting a Thai Driver's license. It's turning out to be a pain in the bum with all of the paperwork needed from several different sites.

Does anyone have experience getting a Thai Driver's license? I had an international DL, but figured I might as well get a Thai license.

Here's what I have so far. If anyone sees something I'm missing, please let me know.
1. Med Check up (cheap, took about an hour)
2. Valid USA driver's license (copy of front and back)
3. Valid passport (copies of all important pages)
4. I do not have a valid international driver's license
5. Verification of residency form. (Will be done later this week. You have to make an appointment, walk-ins don't work. Also, the embassy is only open for 1 hour in the afternoon; 1-2pm)
6. Filled in thai driver's license form

That covers it. I think I have everything I need. Will I need to take a thai driver's test?
Thanks in advance.

I am in the early stages of getting a Thai Driver's license. It's turning out to be a pain in the bum with all of the paperwork needed from several different sites.

Does anyone have experience getting a Thai Driver's license? I had an international DL, but figured I might as well get a Thai license.

Here's what I have so far. If anyone sees something I'm missing, please let me know.
1. Med Check up (cheap, took about an hour)
2. Valid USA driver's license (copy of front and back)
3. Valid passport (copies of all important pages)
4. I do not have a valid international driver's license
5. Verification of residency form. (Will be done later this week. You have to make an appointment, walk-ins don't work. Also, the embassy is only open for 1 hour in the afternoon; 1-2pm)
6. Filled in thai driver's license form

That covers it. I think I have everything I need. Will I need to take a thai driver's test?
Thanks in advance.

500 Baht :p

As long as you have a valid state driver's license from the U.S. you will not be required to take a road test. You do not need an International DL, and there is no form to fill in.

I just renewed both my auto and motorcycle licenses last week at the Department of Land Transportation in Bang Chak, near the Bag Chank BTS station, (even side of Sukhunvit, set ~ 1 Km back, approx. opposite Soi 99).

Go to the nearest DLT office to your affidavit residence.

I used this local U.S. Embassy web-page to identify the necessary documents.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/driving_in_thailand.html

1.) The Affidavit of Residency, the is $50 or 1,600 THB. I made an appointment at 10:00 AM arrived at 9:00 AM and was out the door by 9:15 AM. (If you are otherwise listed on a house record (Tambien Baan) then you may not need the Affifavit.)

2.) Medical Certificate, 100 THB, available from any clinic.

3.) Original, and two (2) copies of your current driver's license.

4.) Original passport, and two (2) copies each of the picture page, your current visa, Departure Card, Arrival stamp.

( I brought photos but did not need them )

The process is:

1.) Check in, usually at a desk near the entrance, or straight ahead where they will give a queue number, the first of several, check your docs, have to sign any copies.

2.) Go to another desk where they do some data entry (I think).

2.) Response test, eye exam (depth of field, peripheral vision).

3.) Queue to get picture/license, pay fee.

If your U.S. license is for multiple vehicle types then you should get both licenses here, make extra copies of everything.

For my first licenses I was in and out in 45 minutes. Last week the DLT at Bang Chak was packed, it took ~ 4 hours most of which was the final wait for the picture/license. – I got number 256 while they were serving number 112! I left for two hours and returned.

I think I paid 505 baht for my auto license and 255 baht for my motorcycle license but these are five (5) year licenses, plus 100 baht each for the picture/lamination. I think the initial one year licenses are less expensive.

Thanks for the recommendations from everyone. I had all of the listed documents from the US embassy website, from the handout they gave me when they charged me $50 to notary stamp my address form and from the DLT flyer that I was given when I was there today. Nowhere on any list, flyer or website does it say that I need my driver's license translated into Thai. But apparently I absolutely need that to get my license. So, tomorrow it's back out to find a new place that will kindly charge me a fee for a service that is totally unnecessary to show that I can drive in Bangkok...which I have been doing for at least a year with no incidents. Oh, then there will be the fees tomorrow to get my license.
Hopefully I can report tomorrow that I am fully licensed to drive in Thailand. If it doesn't work tomorrow, I will just drive without one and pay the fee if i get stopped. It's already cost me $50 USD, 300 Baht, 90 Baht for BTS (which I don't mind), a few hours of biking (folding bikes are the way to go) and whatever the translation fee and driver's license fee will be tomorrow. The random stop and pay the bribe is much cheaper than all of this.
that's it for today. i'm done.

Nowhere on any list, flyer or website does it say that I need my driver's license translated into Thai.
The random stop and pay the bribe is much cheaper than all of this.
that's it for today. i'm done.

Sorry to read about your problems. I did never hear about an INTERNATIONAL driver permit having to be translated.

Regarding driving without a Thai driving licence when staying in Thailand more than 6 month the problem is not the random stop or the bribes, BUT the car insurance could be void in case of an accident. Not a small issue.

My problem with the Thai driving licence was always limited to the eye test. Their colours are just strange as is the peripheric view test. I was so worried afterwards that I took an in depth (real) eye exam at a hospital where all was normal :D.

The international license is a translation of the license into many languages. Can you perhaps get this at the local analogue of a AAA office or must it be issued in your home country, where the actual driver's license is? I'm almost surprised that you've been traveling and driving without the international license as it can avoid hassles even if it's not required. IIRC it's $10 plus a passport photo at my local AAA office, done almost instantly, and good (only) a year.

I did have an international driver's license. It has since expired and has also been lost in a trip here or there. I was hoping to find it and just change the expiration date on it and keep on driving. Yes, the AAA approved IDL is only $15 but to get it from the US back to Thailand would cost a bit in shipping. There are websites that offer IDL's but they just get them from AAA and tack on lots of fees for shipping/receiving/ease of doing business.

Yes, I do worry about the insurance part since driving in BKK isn't always that safe. I do think that I'm a better driver now since I am always on high alert for randomness on the roads. I drive almost exclusively on the tollways and the drivers there are mildly better behaved. (plus i have an EZ pass which makes toll a lot of fun. Passing all the people waiting...always makes me smile)

I passed the med check (a quick stethoscoping, 15 seconds?) and a color blindness test already. Guess I will see what other hoops they make me jump through tomorrow. HOpefully it will be a smooth process.

Nowhere on any list, flyer or website does it say that I need my driver's license translated into Thai. But apparently I absolutely need that to get my license.

Which DLT office did you go to?

I was not asked for a translation of my U.S. driver's license, either time (first licenses 1 year ago, five year renewals last week) at the DLT in Bang Chak. Obviously I would have mentioned that in my post. Additionally, of the nearly one hundred experiences documented on ThaiVisa I do not recall any encountering this issue.

It took me less than 3 minutes to get my medical certificate, the affidavit at the Embassy was a breeze as well. I found the entire process surprisingly easy.

So, today they added the stipulation that my newly translated valid TX driver's license must also be certified by the US embassy. Still no license. Also, in all of the paperwork being handled back and forth...and back and forth, I believe that the TDL has my US embassy certified address verification form. Since I am never going back to this location (Nonthaburi TDL) I will have to get a new one. Until then....drivin' dirty.

I can't say I envy your experiences, and they are nothing like mine thank goodness. I am still amazed at how easy it was get DL's here.

Not sure what to say but I always carried all my paperwork in hand until the last step in the process, getting photographed, paying and getting my licenses, at which time it was collected.

FWIW, I scanned all my documents before going to the DLT. I think I might use the Affidavit during my GoES interview (Trusted Traveler).

It sounds like someone doesn't want you to have a Thai DL? Or perhaps there are some issues at the Nonthaburi DLT? I think there have been many positive reports re: Nonthaburi on ThaiVisa so not sure what has changed.

I wouldn't sweat the insurance thing as it is the car which is insured, rather than the driver. And you should be able to get away with little or no fine ( ~ 300 baht) by showing your Texas DL, depending on the infractions and day of the month.

My multiple visits to the TDL in Nonthaburi were only fruitful in instilling misplaced anger to Thailand. Arbitrary rules and unfriendly staff gave me a very sour attitude towards the whole process of getting a license in Thailand. However, since I don't like bucking the rules completely (a little is ok), I decided to try a different branch.
The Chatujak TDL is near Mo Chit. Follow the signs to exit 2 at the BTS station. The TDL is on that side of the road, maybe about a 5 minute walk. Building 4 (floor 2) is the farthest from the main road entrance. The information person at floor 2 was curious about my translated TX driver's license. Turns out...didn't need it. (also, the US embassy says that they do NOT certify translations. Again Nonthaburi being difficult). After writing my name once and giving over my stack of paperwork (about 1/2 was unnecessary), off to counter 17/18 I went. Quick scan of my Passport and TX DL, verify my name, sign something, then done. 2 minute wait, then up to the 3rd floor for a color test (red/green/yellow...the yellow looks much like the green BTW), a reflex test (gas pedal to break pedal) then peripheral vision test. 3 minutes later I'm at the 2nd floor info desk again, then back to counter 17/18. As soon as I sat down, it was time for my picture. Paid 205 Baht (not 500 or 505; 205!!) and I had my shiny new license.
The process here was friendly, painless and I might even say fun.
Now I know where to go next year for the renewal.

My multiple visits to the TDL in Nonthaburi were only fruitful in instilling misplaced anger to Thailand. Arbitrary rules and unfriendly staff gave me a very sour attitude towards the whole process of getting a license in Thailand. However, since I don't like bucking the rules completely (a little is ok), I decided to try a different branch.
The Chatujak TDL is near Mo Chit. Follow the signs to exit 2 at the BTS station. The TDL is on that side of the road, maybe about a 5 minute walk. Building 4 (floor 2) is the farthest from the main road entrance. The information person at floor 2 was curious about my translated TX driver's license. Turns out...didn't need it. (also, the US embassy says that they do NOT certify translations. Again Nonthaburi being difficult). After writing my name once and giving over my stack of paperwork (about 1/2 was unnecessary), off to counter 17/18 I went. Quick scan of my Passport and TX DL, verify my name, sign something, then done. 2 minute wait, then up to the 3rd floor for a color test (red/green/yellow...the yellow looks much like the green BTW), a reflex test (gas pedal to break pedal) then peripheral vision test. 3 minutes later I'm at the 2nd floor info desk again, then back to counter 17/18. As soon as I sat down, it was time for my picture. Paid 205 Baht (not 500 or 505; 205!!) and I had my shiny new license.
The process here was friendly, painless and I might even say fun.
Now I know where to go next year for the renewal.

My experience was much like described above. But, in Thailand, inconsistency is the rule. Basically, if you are missing a document, there is nothing you can do to make the transaction complete (I had this problem with a condo sale once, unable to complete the transfer of title). Sometimes this is because they don't believe your story, sometimes because there are really documents missing, sometimes because of the attitude (or their fear of being audited) of the employee.

I remember I needed:
medical certificate
current drivers license
photo copy of the codes indicating which types of vehicles/restrictions were on my license (lucky she had the British Columbia book in her office)
certified address by immigration (usually issued following documents from your embassy)
Passport copies, including valid visa
Pictures
Likely some other items, that I cannot remember.

The good news is that renewal is very simple. If you are driving in Thailand, I recommend toughing out any obstacles and getting the drivers license.

Paid 205 Baht (not 500 or 505; 205!!) and I had my shiny new license. The process here was friendly, painless and I might even say fun. Now I know where to go next year for the renewal.


Glad to hear it finally worked out. FWIW, I do have my receipt and I did pay 505 baht for my five-year driver's license, plus another 100 baht for the picture/laminated card. I believe the lower fee you paid is for the initial, one-year license. Most say to wait until after your license expires to renew it. Mine expired on June 6, I renewed it successfully on June 7.