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  1. #1
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    Driving License Colour Vision Test

    Hi all, first post on TD.

    Yesterday I went to renew my 5 Year driving license (this would be my third), never had any problems before so was expecting to be in and out in a few hours with my new license.

    I was asked to do some tests which were different from the ones I did in the past. Anyway I failed the peripheral colour test and was told I now have to go get a full eye test at a local hospital - they won't except a private doctor cert.

    I am one of millions of males who have a slight red / green colour problem (something like 5 - 10% of the general pop), I've known about it for many years but it has never stopped me holding licenses in several countries around the world over the past 25 years. For my European license its a non issue and they don't even test for it, they do a test for distance etc.

    The lady tester seemed kind of negative about it and believes if you fail the Ischara (sp?) colour test you cannot drive in Thailand.

    I have to see the doctor on Thursday so will know more then. I can see red / green / yellow no problem (its only when mixed that there is an issue) and have been driving in Thailand for over 12 years with zero accidents. Same in Europe and even hold a Commercial Marine License and it never came up as a problem.

    Can they really refuse me a Thai license? From a quick google search there is no other place I can find who will refuse you on this basis, you can even get a private pilots license with a severe case of it tho you cannot hold a commercial pilots license.

    Anyone ever have this problem, any advice?

    Thanks, LM

  2. #2
    Philippine Expat
    Davis Knowlton's Avatar
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    No advice really, but it sounds like you got a tester with an attitude. I flunk every time when they show you the circle of dots with a number inside. Each time, the tester has simply pulled out some color charts and had me identify shades of the same color. No problem. Best of luck.

  3. #3
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    I had the same experience as Davis as the first time the very pleasan but overworked Thai lady didnt't indestand my Thai,tones I had my wife repaeat my answers and pointed to colours on my clothing and all good.

    I'm pretty sure the head honchos can do almost anything so I have 2 suggestions shop around, here try Thoeng in C Rai , immigration can produce a letter for a Hotel address etc when I lived there in a hotel

    Or fallback get an International from your home country, I realize this can be a pain if your always here.pm me if I can help.I think my Floida licence has expired but I used a EU one initially here years ago, good news its only every 5 years.
    Quote Originally Posted by Latindancer View Post
    I just want the chance to use a bigger porridge bowl.

  4. #4
    Harbinger of Doom

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    any advice?
    Post your question on Thaivisa. This forum has virtually no members and for practical questions, Thaivias is much more useful. If, however, you want to see pictures of the indifferent food eaten by strangers or the indistinguishable Thai resorts they go to for their holidays, Teakdoor is infinitely preferable.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by david44
    I had my wife repaet my answers and pointed to clours on my clothing and all good.
    Good advice from mr traffic light pants, or had aunty Beryl just knitted you a christmas jumper.
    Thai officials can screw up the simplest of rules. If it keeps 5-10% of mad Thai drivers off the road that's a bonus. Of course Thais can buy a pass or just drive without a licence like all their mates.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheDukeofNewcastle
    knitted you a christmas jumper.
    No but I'd like a new one , It's easy for folks like you with a chauffeur and merit points Green as a vomitingFenian and Orange as a Paisley Tie,

    I see you're lacking reds , I'm ordering one online from North Career for you.

    Your observations are new and interesting , alas the new are uninteresting and the interesting not new, but I think your hint that 'oiling the wheels is indubitably attuned to local loucheness.

    Of course the final solution maybe to get a ride on a local....

  7. #7
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    Thanks guys for the replies and tips, will see how I get on with the Doc on Thursday but at least I now know I'm not the only one !

    I did post it up on TV but only got one reply so far, more replies here with actual advice.

    Thanks again

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by david44
    I see you're lacking reds
    Au contraire mon brav. My friends earl, stroller, jeff and butters always send plenty.

  9. #9
    Not a Mod. Begbie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheDukeofNewcastle View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by david44
    I see you're lacking reds
    Au contraire mon brav. My friends earl, stroller, jeff and butters always send plenty.
    555

    Forgetting which nic you'd logged in to. Senility or alcohol kicking in Chas.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Begbie
    Forgetting which nic you'd logged in to. Senility or alcohol kicking in Chas
    Ho ho yes a spilled pisonality can deal to shitsophrenia, don't hide behind the curtains, pull yerself together.

    Of course unlike the rest of yes Aristos get younger and less posts , twas the greening of Chewsamewing

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Begbie
    Forgetting which nic you'd logged in to. Senility or alcohol kicking in Chas.
    Who are you again?

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheDukeofNewcastle
    Who are you again?
    im off drainspitting?



    Forgetting esteemed Khvn Begbie may be early on set Alzheimers

  13. #13
    Newbie Homebrew's Avatar
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    I'm red green brown colourblind as well. OK in bright lights, or larger patches of colour, but shown as small circles within other colours, 15 ' away in the dim light of a transport office, and I'm screwed.

    Before I went in for mine, I was able to take a quick photo of the chart, and also noticed where the pointer left scratches on the dots, indicating the colours they point to mostly for the test.

    I used a photo editing software on my iPhone to enhance the colours to brighten them up. I sat there and memorized the colours and locations of the scratched dots, thinking those were the most important. I stood close to about 10 others doing the test at the same time and let them go ahead of me to drill it into my memory further as she pointed at the dots.

    By the time it was my turn, I had it memorized. They could have done the test in black and white, as I passed with flying colours!

  14. #14
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    1 in 8 men are colour blind , when I play snooker I put an X on the brown ball with the chalk ,

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Homebrew
    I passed with flying colours!
    Nice pun...

  16. #16
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    Apologies for dragging up an old thread but I was wondering if the Thais are still doing this test as part of the driving licence. The last time I bothered with a Thai licence was in 2012, I've used the German International licence since then as it was a lot less hassle.

    I am not colour blind, far from it as I used to need to distinguish colours for work. However, the human eye is only fully receptive to colour in the +/- 30° range. The density of cones drops off significantly in peripheral vision and it is motion, not colour, that should be tested in this area. I'm sure everyone was taught that at secondary school. Anyway, my attempt to explain this to the tester fell on deaf ears so I played the language card and had my wife translate the correct colour for me.

    I also had difficulty with distinguishing which light was closest in the two lamp test. I was so disgruntled about having difficulty (again the wife helped out) that I went to an optician in Germany afterwards to have a check-up. The result was that my eyes were working together perfectly and there was nothing wrong with my eyes distinguishing between lights or objects at different distances.

    The tests are simply flawed and should be scrapped.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
    I also had difficulty with distinguishing which light was closest in the two lamp test.
    Me, too. Depth perception. One of my contacts started bothering me on the way to the driver’s test, so I took it out and threw it out the window. Real smart of me. Had to stand up and look down into the box the lights were in to see which track was the shortest.

    That was 6 years ago.

  18. #18
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    I usually have to do the moving goal post a few times but the colour chart is piss easy!

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat Backspin's Avatar
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    someone got a case of the blurred vision and frequent urination ?

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