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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
10 months ago
Julie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for accepting me. Can I get a thai driving licence in Krabi town on a visa exempt?If so, how? Thank you.
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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.
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
10 months ago
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Steve **********
@John *********
 most have license from home country....then simple
10 months ago
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Steve **********
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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.
10 months ago
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Roy ********
Yes agree with Richard Reitman
10 months ago
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Gordon ************
No, but I like your style 😂😂😂
10 months ago
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Daniel ************
yes, just need a Residence Certificste
10 months ago
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David ********
Go n see an agent they sort it all out no drama
10 months ago
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Nick *******
You need a minimum of 15 days left on your entry stamp or extension etc etc
10 months ago
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Phil ******
@Julie *******
 Yes and agree with
@Richard ********
10 months ago
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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.
10 months ago
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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
10 months ago
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Stuart ***********
@Richard ********
 as always in Thailand this varies between cities. At some you don't even need to do the 1 hour video.
10 months ago
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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.
10 months ago
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Julie ********
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Andy **********
@Stuart **********
 IDP only valid as long as home licence is valid. If licence is expired, suspended or revoked, it is no longer valid.
10 months ago
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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.
10 months ago
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Stuart ***********
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Del ******
International drivers lisence best option if you not a resident in Thailand !
10 months ago
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Jeff ********
@Del *****
 no such thing. You mean "permit?"
10 months ago
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Del ******
@Jeff *******
 yes obviously ! 😁
10 months ago
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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.
10 months ago
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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 !
10 months ago
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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 !!!!!
10 months ago
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Del ******
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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.
10 months ago
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Del ******
@Andy *********
 interesting yes a high probability!
10 months ago
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Del ******
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Olivier *********
Legally not.
10 months ago
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Steve *******
@Olivier ********
 Legally any province in Thailand.
10 months ago
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Stuart *********
@Olivier ********
 Legally yes. Why would you think not?
10 months ago
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Olivier *********
@Stuart ********
 on a visa exempt? May be depending on the province. Not in Surat Thani...
10 months ago
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Toni *****
@Olivier ********
 can get one in Surat Thani/Samui at least. I did mine there.
10 months ago
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Olivier *********
@Toni ****
@Phil *****
 When?
10 months ago
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Phil ******
@Olivier ********
 last year
10 months ago
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Olivier *********
@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.
10 months ago
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Graham ******
@Olivier ********
 One week? I had to wait 20 minutes for mine yesterday (Sa Kaeo province) so stop spreading false generalisations.
10 months ago
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Toni *****
@Olivier ********
 July23. And needed 1week aswell for RC. You can expedate the process by paying a bit for the officers (100b?) i belive.
10 months ago
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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 too
10 months ago
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Stuart *********
@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.
10 months ago
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Olivier *********
@Stu***
 as I clarified you can't here.
10 months ago
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Phil ******
@Olivier ********
 why post your reasons as I did get a DL
10 months ago
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Stuart *********
@Olivier ********
 Yes but that doesn’t mean it’s not legal. Just that you can’t do it in Surat Thani.
10 months ago
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Stuart *********
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Richard *********
yes, BUT first u need a certificate of residence from immigration & medical
10 months ago
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Steve **********
Can get in Chiangmai in an hour or so, as have separate bldg now.

But things change quickly here.
10 months ago
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Steve **********
@Richard ********
 I believe Cert of Residency free, medical, ( any hospital or clinic ) about 100 baht
10 months ago
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Graham ******
@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.
10 months ago
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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
10 months ago
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Steve **********
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Kim *********
@Steve *********
 proof of residence from immi 500 baht
10 months ago
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Steve **********
@Kim ********
 200 baht
10 months ago
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Kim *********
@Steve *********
 I paid 500 baht recently in Udon Thani
10 months ago
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Jake *****
@Kim ********
 It is different by regional immigration office. Samut Prakan (500 baht), Siracha (300 baht) in the case of my experienced
10 months ago
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Jake *****
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Richard *********
@Steve *********
 its free if u want wait 4-5 days<

want it same day?

300 baht in Phuket town

500 in Patong>
10 months ago
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David *********
@Steve *********
 resident cert is free but you will pay to get it
10 months ago
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Phil *****
@David ********
 300

Baht I paid today
10 months ago
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Brian *********
@David ********
 happened to me. 🤣
10 months ago
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Steve **********
@David ********
 ?
10 months ago
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David *********
@Steve *********
 they will want a handling fee or in other words tea money
10 months ago
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Steve **********
@David ********
 you mean Tea money.

Been here 21 years.
10 months ago
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David *********
@Steve *********
 that’s what I intended to type, it’s what’s known as a typographical error
10 months ago
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David *********
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