When you live in Thailand for a long time it is beneficial to have your own driver’s license.
Some of the nice perks are:
1. being able to fly on domestic flights without your passport
2. showing your license for ID checks within the country
3. people are nicer to you when they see you’re not another tourist
4. you’re now able to purchase your own mode of transportation
5. (the obvious) the ability to legally drive everywhere in the country
One other nice perk about the Thai license is that it is valid in all the ASEAN countries. So not only can you drive around in Thailand, you can drive in Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, etc.
What’s the Process to Get a Thailand Driver’s License?
Now, don’t get too excited because the process is long and tiring. You must have a work permit and Non-B visa to get started. There are three types of licenses that you can get:
- only motorcycle
- only car
- a combined of car and motorcycle
I have the motorcycle license because I don’t have a need for a car. However, my American license would be ok if I really needed to drive a car somewhere.
Since I mentioned the American license, if your license allows you to drive a motorcycle and a car, you can just walk into a Thai DMV with copies of all your paperwork and walk out with your brand new Thai license. It is that simple.
I was not one of those lucky people, and I have never driven a motorcycle in my life. So I spent a few weeks practicing in a parking lot before going to the DMV.
If you’ve visited Thailand and noticed how crazy the Thai people drive, it can be a little scary since no one appears to follow the rules. You will see an entire family squeezed onto a motorbike, someone else magically balancing bags of rice, and another person talking on their phone. This is normal. You must also be extremely careful when passing by Soi roads because most of the time whoever is coming out of the Soi road doesn’t look when merging onto the main road. You are expected to make room for this person on the road.
Thai DMV
Ok, now back to the license process. After you’re done practicing, you can head over to the DMV with your own motorbike because they will not supply one for you. Also make sure that you have a helmet.
Your day will start at about 8am and finish at about 6pm. Yes, it will take 10 hours. The first thing that you will do is hand over your paperwork to one of the office workers. Don’t expect anyone to speak any English. You will then do an eye test for colors, and your braking ability for reaction time. Then you will sit in a very dull 6 hour class about the rules of the road all in Thai with no English translation. So I brought a book a read.
After you have survived this class, it is time for your driving test. For motorcycles you only have to do four things:
1. Weave in and out of cones
2. Drive slowly in a straight line
3. Stop, use your blinker and turn
4. Drive around the building
That is it. It is the most simple test. Once this part is completed, you will go back inside and take the written test which is on a computer. This part does have an English version, but it is not translated correctly and has poor grammar so it can it a little confusing.
After you have passed both tests, you can get your picture taken and wait a few minutes for your new ID.
Congratulations!
Your first license will be a temporary license valid for only two years. After you renew your license it will be valid for five years.
