Job Discussion Forums

nchannah · Joined: 07 May 2010 Posts: 6

Can I get a Thai driver's license without having an international driver's license? I never had a DL in America, didn't need one in NYC.

MOD EDIT

roguegrafix · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 125

Yes you can get a Thai driver's licence without a DL -- you'll need to do the test. This can be a trying affair and depends on where you do it. If you're in Bkk, things might be easier but I've only heard horror stories from the provinces. My test took 7 hours to complete (which seems pretty typical out of Bkk) and had such classic questions on the paper as: "If you're driving and feeling tired, what do you do: A. Stop the car and go to sleep, B. Drink a coffee; C. Take an amphetamine tablet." One of the written tests (I got a car and bike licence) was in Thai which the "translator" completed for me! I got my licence renewed at the beginning of the year but this only took 4 hours!

My advice to you would be: contact the motor vehicle office to find out exactly what they require. You may need to get a doctor's certificate, you may need to get a letter from your embassy -- it can vary from office to office. Once you know what is needed, then you can plan a day to go get it.

It's my understanding that you can't get an IDL without having a DL. I'm told you can get IDL in Bkk.
Good luck!

kid ehglish · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 15

easy peezy

roguegrafix · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 125

A mate went for his test at a provincial office last week -- 8 hours of testing, video-watching etc and still no licence. Messed up one part of the test and so has to do it again. He said the English test was so flawed and contradictory that he asked to do the one in Thai because it was easier! Good luck.