Driving License Rules Changed ?

**Thetyim** · 16-10-2006, 03:16 PM

I went into Land Transport today to renew my thai driving license.

I checked first with their list of requirements and I had all the paperwork needed.
I then get called over to the desk and I am told that I need a medical certificate and the Tapien Baan. I told her that my name is not on the Tapien Baan but she said never mind we still want to see it.
Next she tells me that I need to take a test as well.
Has anyone else had this for a RENEWAL.

I will be going back in tomorrow with the medical and Tapien Baan.

**RDN** · 16-10-2006, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

I went into Land Transport today to renew my thai driving license.

I checked first with their list of requirements and I had all the paperwork needed.
I then get called over to the desk and I am told that I need a medical certificate and the Tapien Baan. I told her that my name is not on the Tapien Baan but she said never mind we still want to see it.
Next she tells me that I need to take a test as well.
Has anyone else had this for a RENEWAL.

I will be going back in tomorrow with the medical and Tapien Baan.

Is this a one year or five year renewal?

**Thetyim** · 16-10-2006, 03:33 PM

I have a one year license that expired on 13/10/2006.

I an trying to renew it, hopefully with a 5 year

**buadhai** · 16-10-2006, 03:45 PM

It's certainly different from my experience of three months ago. Didn't need tabien baan. Did need medical certificate and did need residence certificate from Immigration. No exam. The entire process was computerized and took no more than a minute or two; complicated only by the fact that I had a new address which cost me an extra 50 baht.

**Gallowspole** · 16-10-2006, 03:46 PM

Just got both my car and motorbike renewed last week:

Needed: (x2)
Copy of passport
Letter from Immigration confirming address
Copy of tabian bahn (initialled by girlfriend)
Copy of girlfriend's ID card (initialled again)
2 Photos
present licence

Provided but handed back - "mai ao"
Copy of work permit
medical certificates

I didn't need to take a test.

This was my 2nd renewal - last year they said falang could not have a 5 year licence, however this year they gave me them!

My advice would be renew at another office. Each office appears to change their rules and regs with the wind.

**buadhai** · 16-10-2006, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Gallowspole

Each office appears to change their rules and regs with the wind.

In other words, no change at all; none.

**Gallowspole** · 16-10-2006, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

I have a one year license that expired on 13/10/2006.

I an trying to renew it, hopefully with a 5 year

I just saw that it has already expired. That can fug it all up for you. As I understand it you have to renew on the day of expiry or the day before if it falls on a weekend/holiday.

Once it has expired you have to do the whole process again, and they'll probably only give you 1 year.

Maybe 500 baht or 1000 baht note to the person at the photocopier/ kodak photobooth usually located at the gates to the building could facilitate your application.

**Thetyim** · 16-10-2006, 03:55 PM

I wouldn't mind if the big notice board 6 inches to the left of the woman's head agreed with what she was saying.

I try to comply with their regulations but they change at a whim.

**Thetyim** · 16-10-2006, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by Gallowspole

I just saw that it has already expired. That can fug it all up for you. As I understand it you have to renew on the day of expiry or the day before if it falls on a weekend/holiday.

Nope. You must apply after it has expired.
If you apply before then the computer cannot handle it.

**Gallowspole** · 16-10-2006, 04:02 PM

Mine expired on the 7th (Saturday) and was told to do it on the 6th, which I did.

Different office different rules.

Last year they told me falang couldn't have a 5 year licence because 'the computer no can do'!

This year 'can do'.

**Sir Burr** · 16-10-2006, 04:18 PM

I renewed my expired one year motorbike license and got a five year one last month.
Didn't redo the test, or, have to have a medical certificate.
I submitted the following.

Copy of info page in Passport.
Copy of non-immigrant visa.
Copy of entry stamp.
Letter from immigration confirming my address (took Tabien Bahn to immigration and photocopy of wife's ID).
Old license.
2 photographs (the smallest ones).

I was only there an hour. Very efficient in Phuket.

**Spin** · 16-10-2006, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

I have a one year license that expired on 13/10/2006.

I an trying to renew it, hopefully with a 5 year

Thats a bit spooky, I just got back from the driver office, I have a one year licence that expired on 14/10/06.

The lady wrote down what documents they need to see so i can be issued with a 5 year licence.

Its in Thai but i know one of them is passport.

The fee for 5 year licence is 505 Baht.

I will get this list translated when the girlie gets back from work and post here.

They make it up as they go along in these offices!

**Thetyim** · 16-10-2006, 05:16 PM

Ok so the paperwork needed varies a bit but no-one has been asked to do another test.

I reckon I'm being set up for a donation to the Land Transport Xmas Party.
If I "fail" the test I will be obliged to cough up.

**kingwilly** · 16-10-2006, 05:28 PM

last time i renewed it i had all the various documentation, but they wouldn't give me a 5 year - because i had to have orginal passport and work permit instead of copy. so i got a 1 year instead.

might be an idea to bring the orginals ... just in case.

**Spin** · 16-10-2006, 05:54 PM

^ there's no requirement for work permit! LOL these offices are a joke!

**Thetyim** · 16-10-2006, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Old Codger

LOL these offices are a joke!

Agreed. But the problem is you cannot argue with them because they all hang together. I shall try and get served by a different person tomorrow.

What gets me is that at the first window the girl inspected all the paperwork and then handed us the application form. She obviously thought the paperwork was in order. It was at the second window that the problems started to appear.

**dirtydog** · 17-10-2006, 02:11 AM

I have to admit I have never had a Thai driving license in all my years here, I really cant see the point, if they want money out of you on the toll ways the police will get it, so why even bother?
I just carry a couple of 10 year old or more international driving licences and hand them over, woh haa they say when they see they are out of date, but then I ask them why should I carry a current one, I have had loads of them confiscated, why should I give a fok, they are out of date and useless, police stations all round Thailand have my old licenses, I aint gonna pay them, the last cnut I spoke to said I was doing 120km per hour, it was like a foking traffic jam for 5 km and I didn't get over 60km per hour, dont even bother with a license I reckon.

**RDN** · 17-10-2006, 03:09 AM

Originally Posted by Gallowspole

Originally Posted by Thetyim

I have a one year license that expired on 13/10/2006.

I an trying to renew it, hopefully with a 5 year

I just saw that it has already expired. That can fug it all up for you. As I understand it you have to renew on the day of expiry or the day before if it falls on a weekend/holiday.

Once it has expired you have to do the whole process again, and they'll probably only give you 1 year....

You must be thinking of yearly extensions to visas. If you screw them up, you may have to start again with a new visa.

For driving licenses you can only get a five year license after your one year license has expired, and NOT before. Yes, this means you must travel to the licensing office with an expired license, but that's the way it is.

For renewal, you don't need to take a driving test.

The only test you have to do - provided you can show them an International Driving Permit - is the colour blindness test, which you do when you get your 1st 1 year license. If you don't have an IDP, you have to do the driving test.

Originally Posted by kingwillyhggtb

last time i renewed it i had all the various documentation, but they wouldn't give me a 5 year - because i had to have original passport and work permit instead of copy. so i got a 1 year instead.

might be an idea to bring the orginals ... just in case.

Yes, always bring original documents and signed photocopies. They keep the signed photocopies.

**Thetyim** · 17-10-2006, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by RDN

For renewal, you don't need to take a driving test.

I have a valid UK license and a valid international.
When I got my original thai license I did not have to take ANY tests, not even the colour test. So why the hell should I take a test for a renewal if I can apply for a new license and avoid it.

**buadhai** · 17-10-2006, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

So why the hell should I take a test for a renewal if I can apply for a new license and avoid it.

I can't help but think it's a mistake their saying you have to take the test. Why would they want to bother?

When we got our 5 year extensions the entire process took no more than a minute or two. They looked at the documents, pulled up the records on the computer, printed out the new license, pasted on the photo and that was it.

And, my first post was in error. We didn't need a medical cert for the renewal.

**Marmite the Dog** · 17-10-2006, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by RDN

The only test you have to do - provided you can show them an International Driving Permit - is the colour blindness test, which you do when you get your 1st 1 year license. If you don't have an IDP, you have to do the driving test.

Does a UK licence count as an IDP? You can get a Thai licence (without having to take a test) with one of them.

**buadhai** · 17-10-2006, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Does a UK licence count as an IDP? You can get a Thai licence (without having to take a test) with one of them.

I believe the actual "rule" is that if your current drivers license is recognized and in English, no IDP is required.

Since my old Saipan D/L looks like it was pasted up in Photoshop and sealed with a cheap laminator I went ahead and got an IDP anyway. I had to take a color blindness test, a peripheral vision test and a reaction time test. The last two were actually fun.

**Marmite the Dog** · 17-10-2006, 11:11 AM

I just use my UK licence. Less buggering about trying to get Thais to do their jobs properly.

**kingwilly** · 17-10-2006, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Does a UK licence count as an IDP?

no. in the full sense of the word.

Can You can get a Thai licence (without having to take a test) with one of them.

yes.

in theory you are not allowed to continue using an IDP or your home country DP after you have been living here more than three months....

mostly DD is right - usually they just want money..... but every now and then (well twice in 5 years) I had an encounter with a non-corrupt copper who DID want my licence? could be messy if you dont have one.....

**Sir Burr** · 17-10-2006, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

I have to admit I have never had a Thai driving license in all my years here, I really cant see the point..

Because your insurance is null and void if you don't have a legal driving license, which is why I got one.
Before, I was using an out of date United Nations license I got off the internet.

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