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Can I obtain a Thai driving license in Krabi town on a visa exempt status?
Thai driving licenseKrabiVisa exemptDriver's license requirementsCertificate of residenceMedical certificateInternational Driving Permit (IDP)Expat driving regulationsTraffic laws in Thailand
Jan 3, 2024
2 years ago
Julie ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you for accepting me. Can I get a thai driving licence in Krabi town on a visa exempt?If so, how? Thank you.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Obtaining a Thai driving license in Krabi town on a visa exempt status is challenging. While it's technically possible, you will need a certificate of residence from immigration and a medical certificate. If you’re only staying for a short period (e.g., 30 days), having an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. For longer stays, you will need to fulfill additional requirements, including passing tests and watching instructional videos. The process may vary by region, and it is often advised to seek assistance from a driving school or agent to navigate the requirements more smoothly.
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John **********
Every office is different. Mine requires you to be on a long stay visa in addition to having a residence certificate and medical certificate. If your license is in english you might be able to get away without an IDP but having one makes the process easier. If you don't have a license from your home country you need to take the full test
Steve **********
@John *********
most have license from home country....then simpleReply to
Steve **********
Reply
Adrien **********
I recommend you ask a driving school to help you get through it if you don't care about a couple of Ks. Residense certificate and medical is easy to get but registering, going to the presentation on road safety, passing the tests etc.. is all in thai and it is a bit painful without a guide. The writing test is in english, do online one found on google they are very similar until you get perfect score and you will pass.
Roy ********
Yes agree with Richard Reitman
Gordon ************
No, but I like your style 😂😂😂
Daniel ************
yes, just need a Residence Certificste
David ********
Go n see an agent they sort it all out no drama
Nick *******
You need a minimum of 15 days left on your entry stamp or extension etc etc
Phil ******
@Julie *******
Yes and agree with @Richard ********
Stuart ***********
If you are only in Thailand for 30 days the international drivers permit (IDP) should be enough.
Do you have the IDP?
If you are staying longer than 30 days you need a certificate of residence from immigration and medical certificate from any medical doctor, if you have the IDP you only need to do a few eyesight/reaction tests at the transport office. You also need to watch a short video and answer some questions.
Do you have the IDP?
If you are staying longer than 30 days you need a certificate of residence from immigration and medical certificate from any medical doctor, if you have the IDP you only need to do a few eyesight/reaction tests at the transport office. You also need to watch a short video and answer some questions.
Richard *********
@Stuart **********
U dont need an IDP< if ur home country License is valid and in English you only watch the 1 hour video, color, brake test>
NOTE if u want a motorcycle license ur home country must show ur valid to ride one
Stuart ***********
@Richard ********
as always in Thailand this varies between cities. At some you don't even need to do the 1 hour video.Julie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Richard ********
Thank you for your help. We are in Thailand for 3 months. Our driving licences are French. We do not have an IDP. What are the costs involved? Very grateful for any help.Reply to
Julie ********
Reply
Andy **********
@Stuart **********
IDP only valid as long as home licence is valid. If licence is expired, suspended or revoked, it is no longer valid.Stuart ***********
@Andy *********
yes that's a valid point, I assumed Julie was legally allowed to drive in her home country, but she might not be.My point was really saying it is much easier to obtain the Thai driving licence if she has the IDP. Without it she will have to do the full Thai driver training.
Reply to
Stuart ***********
Reply
Del ******
International drivers lisence best option if you not a resident in Thailand !
Jeff ********
@Del *****
no such thing. You mean "permit?"Del ******
@Jeff *******
yes obviously ! 😁Jeff ********
@Del *****
not obviously. People say and mean license all the time but are actually unfamiliar with the permit and its conception (treaty), hence my question.Del ******
@Jeff *******
and JFYI many countries that do have a treaty . . It’s still called an international drivers liscence . Mainly gulf Asia and south east Asia !Del ******
@Jeff *******
yes because it solves the same purpose ! A liscence is a liscence and a permit is a permit … letting you fulfill one purpose ie. Drive . And the person wants to just drive !!!!!Reply to
Del ******
Reply
Andy **********
@Del *****
Unless the OP can't drive. Thai driving licence entitles you, for a period, to drive in other countries. Its a scam for people who keep failing their own domestic test.Del ******
@Andy *********
interesting yes a high probability!Reply to
Del ******
Reply
Olivier *********
Legally not.
Steve *******
@Olivier ********
Legally any province in Thailand.Stuart *********
@Olivier ********
Legally yes. Why would you think not?Olivier *********
@Stuart ********
on a visa exempt? May be depending on the province. Not in Surat Thani...Toni *****
@Olivier ********
can get one in Surat Thani/Samui at least. I did mine there.Olivier *********
@Toni ****
@Phil *****
When?Phil ******
@Olivier ********
last yearOlivier *********
@Phil *****
What was possible in the past may be not possible anymore.BTW, now you need 1 week time to get your RC from IO after the application.
Graham ******
@Olivier ********
One week? I had to wait 20 minutes for mine yesterday (Sa Kaeo province) so stop spreading false generalisations.Toni *****
@Olivier ********
July23. And needed 1week aswell for RC. You can expedate the process by paying a bit for the officers (100b?) i belive.Phil ******
@Olivier ********
try a different dlt. Have residence certificate photos cash. Pre do test online and show your current licenses incl. Your IDP. Show your current medical tooStuart *********
@Olivier ********
Each office has their own rules and they may not align with others. There is no legal reason someone on a visa exempt entry cannot get a Thai driving licence. As
@Ric****
said you’d need to have a residence certificate and a medical certificate to apply. Depending on where you are in the country (eg Bangkok) you can’t get the former. In Krabi I suspect you can.Olivier *********
@Stu***
as I clarified you can't here.Phil ******
@Olivier ********
why post your reasons as I did get a DLStuart *********
@Olivier ********
Yes but that doesn’t mean it’s not legal. Just that you can’t do it in Surat Thani.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Richard *********
yes, BUT first u need a certificate of residence from immigration & medical
Steve **********
Can get in Chiangmai in an hour or so, as have separate bldg now.
But things change quickly here.
But things change quickly here.
Steve **********
@Richard ********
I believe Cert of Residency free, medical, ( any hospital or clinic ) about 100 bahtGraham ******
@Steve *********
Just got my Certificate of Residence from Sa Kaeo Immigration for free (20 minute wait) and my Fit to Drive Certificate from a nearby Clinic for 100B, just what medication are you on and a blood pressure test.Steve **********
@Graham *****
Congrats. Haven't paid before. And Med used to be 80, now 100. baht
You can't listen to 75% of comments on here.
Again good luck
Reply to
Steve **********
Reply
Kim *********
@Steve *********
proof of residence from immi 500 bahtSteve **********
@Kim ********
200 bahtKim *********
@Steve *********
I paid 500 baht recently in Udon ThaniJake *****
@Kim ********
It is different by regional immigration office. Samut Prakan (500 baht), Siracha (300 baht) in the case of my experiencedReply to
Jake *****
Reply
Richard *********
@Steve *********
its free if u want wait 4-5 days<want it same day?
300 baht in Phuket town
500 in Patong>
David *********
@Steve *********
resident cert is free but you will pay to get itPhil *****
Brian *********
@David ********
happened to me. 🤣Steve **********
David *********
@Steve *********
they will want a handling fee or in other words tea moneySteve **********
David *********
@Steve *********
that’s what I intended to type, it’s what’s known as a typographical errorReply to
David *********
Reply
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