Obtaining your Thai Driving license
Eastern Verification Center is:- The office for
Vehicle Registration, Annual Taxation, Annual
Roadworthy Inspection, Driving license
applications & renewal.
The office is about 19kms from Big C Supermarket,
top of South Pattaya Road. No public transport
(busses) travel this route.
Travel north on highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road to
Bangkok) about 10kms. Observe an 'overpass' bridge
on your right, you need to pass under the bridge
(turn right) signed 'route 36 to Rayong'. After
about 9 kms you will see the 'Regents School' on
your right hand side, the road you need is just
before the school, but it's not possible to do a
'U-turn' here. A short way past the school is a
place where you can safely u-turn.
Now drive just past the school again, and turn sharp
left at a narrow road poorly signed. Follow this
road a short way - you will see a number of shops
offering photo-copying, food, insurance, etc - on
your right is a big building with two grand
entrances (use the second). This is the 'Eastern
Verification Center' office.
Vehicle documentation is Ground Floor, Driving
license is upstairs.
Open Monday - Friday 0830 to 1600.
Getting a Driving license at the Eastern
Verification Center. (all fees mentioned are March
2008)
You Need to take with you :--
1. Letter of address/visa confirmation from Soi 5
Jomtien Immigration - usually around 200 baht (must
be less than 30 days old).
2. Letter of 'Fit-to-drive' from Doctor - 200 baht
(must be less than 30 days old).
3. Passport + 1 signed photocopy of each - (a)
'face' page, (b) visa page, (c) current TM6 card &
latest entry stamp page.
4. Current (home country) driving license + 1 signed
copy of all pages. (see note2)
5. Photos are no longer required as they use digital
photo images engraved on a hard 'credit-card' style
permit.
6. Money 155 (100+55) baht for car - 105 (50+55)
baht for motor-cycle.
7. A 1st license issue is valid for 1 yr. (often
referred to as a temporary or provisional license)
(A 'current TM6 card' refers to the Immigration
Departure card attached to your passport during your
stay in Thailand. It has a reference number (TM6)
that tells where & when you entered Thailand)
(note1) A complete 'set' of above papers are needed
for EACH license application (motorcycle & car).
(the second immigration and doctor letters can be
copies if both applications are made at the same
time)
(note2) A current 'INTERNATIONAL' driving license
(obtained OUTSIDE Thailand) for the correct vehicle
is a great advantage, as it means you do not need to
take a 'written' or 'driving skills' test for that
particular vehicle. A foreign country license
(only) usually results in tests. Please note that
only English Language 'foreign' licenses can be read
by the staff. Non-English licenses will either
require an Authenticated Thai Translation or an
International License.
(note3) Photo-copying, Laminating and Insurance
services are available across the road from the
centre.
(note4) A 5yr license will only be issued if you
have a Non-Immigrant visa in your passport, or hold
a Residence Permit. A 1yr license is issued using
any kind of visa or entry permit, and may be renewed
if necessary.
A 1st license is for 1 year. After
1 year a 'FULL' or 'PERMANENT' license
is available for 5 years expiring on your date of
birth 5+ years later, and renewed for further 5 year
periods thereafter.
For those without an International Driving License,
a local Thai license can be obtained against the
Driving License of their respective country but may
require attending seminars & passing tests.
Take a numbered entry ticket, wait your turn. Fill
in the application form (issued in Thai language
only) and attach the required documentary evidence
as indicated above. (the counter staff will fill the
application for you)
Join a class for instruction on the laws related to
driving and how to drive safely in Thailand. The
class is for two hours. Foreigners unable to speak
Thai should arrange for a Thai friend to accompany
them to provide interpretation. (an International
license will often avoid this step)
Take a test for colour blindness.
Take a 'Reaction Time' test.
Take a written test (in Thai language, but with a
poor English translation) on the rules of driving.
(an International license will
often avoid this step)
Take the driving test. (an International
license will often avoid this step) (the
instructions say you must supply your own vehicle
for tests. I don't know how this is possible if you
don't have a driving license in
order to drive it there! I guess a friend would have
to take you.)
Pay the license fee and wait for
the license .
You must be 18 years old to apply for a
license in Thailand.
There are separate diving license s for
car and motorcycle.
Obtaining a Thai driving license may be an advantage
if you do not have an International Driving License
and plan to drive in the following countries with a
Tourist Visa.
Singapore
Malaysia
Laos
o-o-o-o-o
Documents needed for renewal of Thai driving
license:
1. Passport + 1 signed copy of each - (a) 'face'
page, (b) non-immigration visa page, (c) current TM6
card & latest entry stamp page.
2. Photos are no longer required as they use digital
photo images engraved on a hard 'credit-card' style
permit.
3. Letter of 'Fit-to-drive' from Doctor - 200 baht
(must be less than 30 days old).
4. 1 residence certificate from Pattaya Immigration
(dated within 30 days of renewal).
5. Money 555 (500+55) baht for car - 305 (250+55)
baht for motor-cycle.
6. Your old Thai driving license(s).
(A 'TM6 card' refers to the Immigration Departure
card attached to your passport during your stay in
Thailand. It has a reference number (TM6) that tells
where & when you entered Thailand)
(The letter of 'Fit-to-drive' from a Doctor is again
required)
Here is a personal experience from a member.
I arrived about 8:30am armed with the above
mentioned documents and money. I came with my Thai
girlfriend for moral support and translation needs.
A small line was present at the reception desk. For
driver licenses the desk is on the second floor not
the ground floor. The lady gave us two applications
as I was renewing both licenses. She also handed us
a numbered coloured ticket. We filled out the
applications and waited about 10 minutes when they
called a group of numbers by colour of ticket to a
window. You need to line up by number at that
window. And then wait your turn. Once at the window
hand over your paperwork and passport. The lady will
process it and if in order will ask for the cash.
She will then tell you to sit and wait for your name
to be called to the pickup window.
We waited about 15 to 20 minutes and then a group of
names was called to window 1 for pickup. At this
window you are asked to sign for the license and the
lady will give you the license and a receipt for
each.
Done. Total time at the office about 1 hour and 10
minutes.
My experience here was nothing but good. I had all
the necessary documents. Processing time was
minimal. Wait time extremely short. The office in
general was very busy.
I waited one day after the expiration date of my one
year licenses to go there for renewal. I received a
five year license, good now until my birth date in 5
years time.
o-o-o-o-o
Obtaining an Int'l Drivers License in Thailand...
(many thanks to Jay, September 2004)
I recently renewed my Thai Driver's licenses and am
due to head back to the States soon, where I'll need
to rent a car. Upon diligently checking the Net, I
learned that all car rental agencies will accept the
driver's license from one's home of residence (ie
Thailand, etc), BUT they do require that you also
have an International Driver's License (IDL), for
identification. I believe this info also applies to
Europe & Australasia. An IDL alone is NOT a valid
driver's license, it is merely a translation of your
foreign license for identification purposes. After
all, what police officer would be able to read Thai,
or whatever? I've read claims that an IDL alone is
valid for driving, but it is NOT! An IDL is
available in Bangkok, as follows....
Requirements for obtaining an IDL in Thailand:
You must have a valid 5yr Thai license, you cannot
use the initial 1-year license to obtain an IDL. You
must also have a non-immigrant type visa or
Residency Permit. You cannot obtain an IDL in
Thailand with a tourist visa. Applying for an IDL
can only be done in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, not in
Pattaya/Banglamung. You must apply at one of the
major Dept of Land Transportation Offices. I used
the main one, not far from the Morchit Bus Station
in Bangkok, which is on 1032 Phaholyothin Road, near
the Chatuchak (Jatujak) weekend market. It's a 50-Bt
motocy ride from the bus station to the
Transportation Office. The IDL and driver's license
offices are one floor up from entry level.
You need to bring the following documents:
1. Your passport and a photocopy of the picture
page, visa, TM6 card and most recent re-entry to
Thailand stamp. If you missed anything, they will
make copies for 2-Bt/page.
2. Your Thai driver license (if you have m/cycle and
car licenses, bring them both), and 2 photocopies of
the front and back of each driver's license.
3. The ORIGINAL certificate of residence, which can
be obtained from Immigration on Jomtien Soi 5, or at
your Embassy. Immigration currently issues this for
200 baht and it can be completed and in your hands
in an hour.
4. 2-photos about 45cm x 35cm (2"x1.5"). You can
also get them at the licensing office for 70-Bt.
5. Fee for the IDL is 505-Bt, valid for 1-year
unless your full license expires earlier.
(NOTE: An International Driver's License is NOT
valid in the country of issue!)
(A 'TM6 card' refers to the Immigration Departure
card attached to your passport during your stay in
Thailand. It has a reference number (TM6) that tells
where & when you entered Thailand)
For individual advice attend a PEC Meeting here in
Pattaya, or email - info@pattayaexpatsclub.com
