Driving License Renewal

[patriot]

Having gathered all documents, including the new letter from the transport department to Immigration requesting their services for Certificate of Residence, I proceeded to Nong Khai Immihartion for the second time only to be told that they could not autorise issuance of a licence renewal with a 90 day "Tourist" visa. To say I was pi--ed off is an understatement.

Is this a genuine change in the rules or are our friends at NKImmigration just having a laugh?

Anyone with similar experiences or knowledge??

Thanks

[Prenders88]

I thought you could only get a drivers license if you have a work permit, settlement, or retirement visa.

I may be wrong.

[papaguido]

Having gathered all documents, including the new letter from the transport department to Immigration requesting their services for Certificate of Residence, I proceeded to Nong Khai Immihartion for the second time only to be told that they could not autorise issuance of a licence renewal with a 90 day "Tourist" visa. To say I was pi--ed off is an understatement.

Is this a genuine change in the rules or are our friends at NKImmigration just having a laugh?

Anyone with similar experiences or knowledge??

Thanks

According to the Dept of Land Trans website can't do it with a tourist visa:

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

[Paul]

A non-immigrant visa is required
A 'tourist' cannot get a driving licence - he is after all - simply a tourist !

I don't think the rules have changed - its always been like this

What puzzles me is how you got the licence in the first place - as you said its a licence renewal. What visa did you have when you got it issued originally?

[Seaserpent]

I know that some people got a drivers licence on a tourist visa but it might have been "friends exchanging favours"
as far as I know a non-immigrant visa have always been required to obtain a licnence.

[patriot]

A non-immigrant visa is required
A 'tourist' cannot get a driving licence - he is after all - simply a tourist !

I don't think the rules have changed - its always been like this

What puzzles me is how you got the licence in the first place - as you said its a licence renewal. What visa did you have when you got it issued originally?

Hello Paul
It was acquired 2 years ago in Phuket quite legitimately through the PPTO. I first went into the Phuket Immigration dept with a 30 day "Transit" visa but was shown the door. Next time back from work I was armed with a 90 "Tourist" visa and did the test etc. Same visa used for the renewal last year - in Phuket.
I went to AEK Udon mid May this year to get the forms for my landlord to fill out forthe Residence Cert, and was advised that I needed a 90 day Tourist visa, but on presenting all my bumph yesterday the lady on the left said I couldnt have it, the agressive guy with the back-comb told me it was a rule change; BUT the pleasant "friendly" fellow on the right says he would issue if his boss (lady on the left) allowed.
Its no big deal but when you work at getting something like that just to see it fritter away from some nit-picking rule

[patriot]

Having gathered all documents, including the new letter from the transport department to Immigration requesting their services for Certificate of Residence, I proceeded to Nong Khai Immihartion for the second time only to be told that they could not autorise issuance of a licence renewal with a 90 day "Tourist" visa. To say I was pi--ed off is an understatement.

Is this a genuine change in the rules or are our friends at NKImmigration just having a laugh?

Anyone with similar experiences or knowledge??

Thanks

According to the Dept of Land Trans website can't do it with a tourist visa:

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

Thanks for that Papaguido, it is quite unequivocal there, dont know how I blagged it so far. I really cant wait until Im 50 ... only 18 months to go!!

[patriot]

I thought you could only get a drivers license if you have a work permit, settlement, or retirement visa.

I may be wrong.

Thanks Pretenders; yeah its any Non-Immigrant ... oh well, back to the old faithful UK licence