Thai driving license,with no need to show IDP at Nong Khai

Post by **philo** » June 23, 2006, 3:08 pm

My European driving licence has expired (because it included lorry/bus - need a medical check every 10 years), but the car licence in most European countries is valid for lifetime.

So with a new car and a DP and an IDP that both expired in 2004 (no problems yet)- I would like to get some specific info/address on whre to get a Thai DP in Udon or Nong Khai.

Thanks

Post by **Bump** » June 23, 2006, 4:17 pm

Ok this is to the best of my knowledge:

I believe you need a O type visa or at least not a tourist visa. This is what I believe not what I know.

You go to immigration eith4er in Nong Kia or on ther days here in udon at AEk Udon, with your house book. They will give you a letter for the house owner to sign, take that back to them and they will give you a letter saying you can have a Thai drivers license.

You go to the drivers location with:

Your old drivers license ( you may not even be tested if you have that)

Your Passport

The letter from Immigration

Medical Report ( easy to get at AEK Udon but any clinic can issue them)

Copy of the house book

Two photographs pass port size.

If your lucky from this point on it's just money and not much.

They will ask your if your old drivers license is for motorcycles as well, say yes and yuo will get both licenses.

The license place is about 12 Kmm outside Udon the Khan Kean Highway on the right side.

Did I miss anything guys ?

Once you have the license it is an automatic renewal in one year

If you go back on the exact day it expires they will issue you a new licenese for five years

If you go early they will only issue it for one year

Post by **Bubbagoes** » June 23, 2006, 5:37 pm

Last year as was sitting in the US Embassy in Bangkok someone came in and picked up a form for a thai drivers license. I was told that a US citizen with a valid drivers license could get a thai drivers license simply by filling out the form and bringing it to a thai office.
There may be more to it than that such as medical certificate, etc.
I wish I knew that BEFORE I went and took the damn test.
Bubba

Post by **philo** » June 24, 2006, 2:21 pm

Thanks. I don't have a house book and I am on a 'On Arrival Visa' from the bridge every month, so I just have to see what money can do ...

Post by **Bump** » June 24, 2006, 2:30 pm

If yorr staying in a hotel could be a problem, but if your renting a house get a copy of the landlords house book works just as well and he/ she will have to sign the immigration letter.

Don't know if your visa will get you a drivers license or not. Maybe another way to go would eb an international license. Old man who is on this forum has good information in reference to that.

Before I went beyond Tourist status I just used my drivers license from California and never had a problem.

I won't comment as to money solving the problem I'm sure there are ways to satisfy your needs without doing that.

Post by **philo** » June 24, 2006, 3:03 pm

Thanks again. I do stay in a cheap guesthouse because I cannot stay in her parents house all the time because I have to work. My wife (to lazy to go to register the marriage so I can get a visa) is the owner of the car (only 15% of 900k was paid up front - the rest is 12k a month for 6 years - and with her parents land deeds on stake), so I will leave the problem to her and her father.

Post by **rickfarang** » June 30, 2006, 9:49 pm

I received an automobile driving license and a motorcycle driving license in Bangkok by showing a U.S. driving license with a motorcycle endorsement. Also presented a notarized afadiavit stating my address (notarized at the U.S. embassy), medical certificate, photographs and some money, then took the color, depth perception and reaction tests and was issued the two licenses.

No driving tests were required since my U.S. license was still valid-good thing too, because I didn't have anything to drive!

Ray, one important detail is how to identify the Land Transportation Office. Steve posted this information in reponse to my earlier request:

"Go to Nong Sung(soon) village and you will see a large army camp on the left hand side. Go past this for 1 or 2 km and then on the right hand side you will see three rather large detached buildings in their own grounds.
The first is the driving/transport office, the second a cancer clinic and the third a nursing college. You have to go a bit past the driving centre then do a u-turn to go back.

On the front of the building there is (or was) a huge sign which says something like ISO9001 certified."

Post by **arjay** » June 30, 2006, 10:47 pm

This last week I went to the Transportation office referred to above (15kms out on the KK road) and obtained a Thai motorcycle driving licence, in addition to the Thai car driving licence I obtained last time.

I presented the following:-

My passport
The yellow tabien bahn - house registration book - I am included inside.
My Uk driving licence showing what I am allowed to drive
Medical Certificate
2 photographs - small - about 1 inch size

I obtained a photocopy of the first three items above on site, and all went very well. I didn't get any letters from immigration, on the presumption that the house registration book proved where I lived. I also showed him the Thai car driving licence he issued me a few months back.

The fee was 55 baht, which when I paid I handed over an envelope, which he put into his drawer without opening, but which contained 200 baht. I used the philosophy that it would smooth out any wrinkles and expedite matters, and .."When in Rome....". They did the licence while I waited.

If you haven't been there before, the main problem is finding/knowing where to go within the building. I go into the actual office on my own, as I feel they can't put obstacles in your way, if they can't explain or you can't understand them!!!

Post by **Mainer** » November 22, 2006, 12:06 pm

I want to get a Thai driver's license and a motorcycle license. I went to the Transport Office about 13 km past big C on the KK road and one of the requirements is papers filled out by my landlord (house book, ID card, etc) so that I can take them to Immigration at AEK and get another paper from them to take to the Transport Office.

laphanphon · Post by **laphanphon** » November 22, 2006, 1:12 pm

i guess you can get a lease for any blue book that someone is willing to let you use, but that means all your paperwork will have you living at that address, license, vehicle registration, and such, and will this match you immigration papers and bank information. might throw you a curve later.

Post by **Techland** » November 22, 2006, 3:24 pm

arjay wrote:The fee was 55 baht, which when I paid I handed over an envelope, which he put into his drawer without opening, but which contained 200 baht.

What an unbelievable nonsense! Oh yes, if they aren't corrupt already, you'll show them how it works...

Post by **Kudjap or Bust** » November 23, 2006, 12:41 pm

I have a 5 year car licence issued in Chonburi which expires next year. Can I just go to the licence office and renew or do I have to go through the test again. It took forever when I took the test in Chonburi.

laphanphon · Post by **laphanphon** » November 23, 2006, 1:13 pm

well, you should be able to just show new address, lease or what ever, maybe written in a letter from immigrations, so it looks legal. but depending on who and what mood they are in on that day, good luck. you can apply 30 days before it expires, and there should be no need for testing.....i think

good luck.

Post by **BKKSTAN** » November 23, 2006, 3:35 pm

Kudjap or Bust wrote:I have a 5 year car licence issued in Chonburi which expires next year. Can I just go to the licence office and renew or do I have to go through the test again. It took forever when I took the test in Chonburi.

If you have a DL from your home country or an international DL,you should not have to take an exam.

I received my DL in Bangkok and tried to renew in Nong Khai.They insisted that I go to Bangkok and a second try got me ,''it will take about a month''!

I went to Bangkok and renewed in 30 minutes,5 years ,505 baht!No tests

laphanphon · Post by **laphanphon** » November 23, 2006, 3:50 pm

so you renewed where and what address in on present license? had to renew in bkk? now that's ridiculous. if so, why is this country computerized if nobody uses them.

Post by **BKKSTAN** » November 23, 2006, 6:27 pm

laphanphon wrote:so you renewed where and what address in on present license? had to renew in bkk? now that's ridiculous. if so, why is this country computerized if nobody uses them.

LA,you have been here long enough to not ask why

TiT

laphanphon · Post by **laphanphon** » November 23, 2006, 7:44 pm

yea, silly me. i think the same thing, i should know better than to wonder why

Post by **Bump** » November 23, 2006, 7:48 pm

I got the impression you had a Thai license for five years issued in Chonburi?

If I'm right I would check and make sure you renew it on the right date, when I renewed my one year here I went early and they told me they would only give me a one year. However, if I went on the day of expiration, whci is what I did and got a five year. sorry if I have misread something.

By the way a Thai lady I know here went for her second renewal for the five year and they gave her a lifetime license. I have no idea if that applies to us or not.

Post by **arjay** » December 12, 2006, 10:01 pm

Does anyone know can you renew your Thai Driving Licence a day (or more) before the expiry date, or does it have to be on the expiry date?

Or did I interpret LA correctly that it can be renewed up to 30 days before expiry?

Post by **Bump** » December 12, 2006, 10:05 pm

Like everythign else here subject to change I went one day early and they would only give me a one year. Came back on the expiration day as directed was given a five year. That was in Udon and two years ago.