Dept. of Transport location

by Mr Mann Today at 20:24

Maybe I can chip in with a slightly different experience on this topic. It does appear to depend on who you see, and what documents you take.

Last year I got my "temporary" car license (a 1 year car license). I took photocopies of WP, Passport, UK license, and a medical certificate.
They made me do 2 reflex tests and a colour test. They then asked me to drive my car past their window so that they could see me drive.
Cost was about 100 baht for the license and 150 baht for the photo they took.

Went a few weeks ago to get the renewal (5 year license).
Again copies of WP and passport, along with a medical cert were required. This time they were not interested in my UK license (even though I printed off a booklet that explained all the driving codes etc). "You have a Thai license now, thats all we need", was what they told me.
I was directed to a room where they were watching a safety movie (all in Thai), and the lady handed me a Thai version of the highway code (multi-lingual version). She said their would be a test after the video (there wasn't).
I was then directed to drive round to the test circuit and observe others until I felt confident enough to do it myself.
Many were failing! Why? for not wearing their seatbelts (having just watched the video on it!).
Others failed for not stopping at the stop sign, and being unable to drive along a straight line - beggers belief really.
You have to wait for the official to signal you to go at the stop sign - so just sit there and wait.

After about 5 mins of watching, and the que had gone down, I jumped in the car, wound down the windows and fastened my seat belt.
A 1 minute drive around a tiny circuit (drive between some cones, then reverse out again etc), I was finished.

Back at the counter, the head officer came and applolgised to me for making me do the driving test.

Basically, if you already have a full license (UK seems to be very well received), then its just a case of jumping through a few hoops to please em. They are well aware of the testing standards that we have to go through back home (not sure about other countries but UK is now about 5 tests).

She did hint at their being more changes in the future - such as a license for automatics only (same as uk).

Just remember, seatbelt and follow the line..... and take your time!

They never asked for any letter from the school or rent etc.
Address is in your WP, I figure thats enough.