Is it difficult to get a driver’s license in Thailand, especially in Phuket?

@Graeme *********

Not your country. They think you drive to safe.

@Steve *********

correct, but I’m slowly learning not to. I like to be included in the majority

@Graeme *********

good luck, after 17 years have yet to be included. You're indulged at best.

@Garrett **********

I agree, you shouldn't. The Phuket Land Transport Office disagreed, though. ;-)

@Geo***

I got mine in BKK a couple years ago, had a no problem using just one. Hate when things vary by office like that.

@Garrett **********

Yes, if they insist on two (because maybe the COR needs to be filed with each license application) it would seem that one could be a copy. It's not like you live somewhere for your motorcycle license and somewhere else for your car license. But this is a Land Transport Office that doesn't accept a yellow house registration book as proof of where you live, which is sort of the reason why the yellow book exists. ;-)

@Mike ********

As said the two you need are a Residence Certificate from Phuket Immigration Office (300 baht) and a medical certificate from a health clinic (100-200 baht). Copies of passport, photo page, visa or extension. You will most likely be given an appointment time to return the first time you visit the Land Transport Office, but possible you could be served that day and therefore you should have these two required items with you when you go the first time.

@Mike ********

The health certificate can be obtained at a health clinic for as little as 100-200 baht. There's not much to the examination.

@Mike ********

ID and proof of residence and a health certificate. Others might be able to tell you if you need other stuff as well as it’s been a few years since I got mine

@Frédéric ****************

Indeed. There are pluses and minuses to living in Phuket and I'm going to put this one down as a minus. ;-)

@Steven *******************

Yes, I've had both, along with yellow house registration book, CAT bill with my name and address, PEA electricity bill with name and address, and they still wanted to see a Certificate of Residence from immigration. Happy if it worked for you. ;-)

@George ************

cert always been required even for renewal

@David *********

mine had expired so I applied online got new one sent by mail. was here in 2 weeks this was before Covid though

@Ken *******

that's interesting I didn't know that was possible.

I think we shall just have to agree to disagree on this. ;-)

I'll make three points and then drop it: 1) the only other alternative available to me is an expensive and time-consuming trip to Bangkok to visit the US Embassy which is never an enjoyable experience for me and pay $50 for an affidavit that can be used in lieu of the Certificate of Residence. 2) Unlike the 90 Day Report which is required, the Certificate of Residence is an extra service that I don't believe should be free, although I recognize that there's no officially established charge. 3) There are immigration offices that do not provide the Certificate of Residence, ones that provide a free one that you must wait weeks to get, and ones that charge 500 baht for expedited service if you want one while you wait.

I'm OK with you not paying for the Certificate of Residence, and from your own experience immigration is OK with you not paying for it. What I'm not OK with is making a big fuss about it, as some media organizations are wont to do, such that Phuket Immigration stops the status quo and adopts one of the Certificate of Residence policies mentioned in 3), and I end up having to do 1). Paying 300 baht as requested satisfies my concern in 2) and makes it less likely that 3) happens and I end up having to do 1).

@George ************

If something supposed to be free is charged 300 baths to you, I won't call that a bargain.

I'd be even happier if Phuket Land Transport Office would accept as confirmation of my address any one or combination of the following that I do have in lieu of the Certificate of Residence:

1. Yellow house registration book

2. Thai driver's license

3. Pink ID card

4. Utility bill from CAT for internet service

5. Utility bill from PEA for electricity

6. Green motorcycle registration book

All of which show my name and address. But they don't. ;-)

@George ************

Indeed, I never needed a Certificate of Residence because my yellow house registration book served the same purpose for address confirmation (in Buri Ram).

@Frédéric ****************

When the only alternative is paying 50 USD (1,561 baht) plus the cost to travel to Bangkok from Phuket (airfare), hotel, appointment at US Embassy, a complete waste of at least one day. Yes, 300 baht is a bargain. I'm well aware of immigration offices in Thailand that do not provide the Certificate of Residence at all, or provide a free one if you don't mind waiting 1-3 weeks for it, or charge you 500 baht for expedited (while you wait) service. So given that, yes I don't mind paying 300 baht for a CofR while I wait. I don't expect it to be free. I wish there was an official charge for the CofR but TIT, there isn't. You don't have to pay the 300 baht if you don't want to (you will most likely still get your CofR). Me, I'm happy to pay for one every 5-6 years when I renew my driver's license.

@George ************

well you don't know all immigrations apparently, i never paid immigration residency certificate here at hat yai. To pay for a category B driving license, I spent 235 baht with 10 baht of plastic case and medical examination 30 baht. Spending 300 baht for just the residence sheet when it is free to get it is not a bargain, but a piss.

@George ************

We can renew our driving licenses in any province. Try Pang Nga or Krabi next time.

@Frédéric ****************

I am extremely cheap (or as I like to say, frugal) but even I would blanch at driving all the way to Phang Nga or Krabi to save 300 baht. ;-)

I would find it strange that Phang Nga or Krabi would allow me to get a driver's license with my Phuket address on it.

@George ************

Everybody can renew their driving license all around Thailand, Thai and foreigners alike, wherever their address is. Many Thai don't live at their registered address and transport department decided to take that into account some years ago, thank to their internet linked system.

@George ************

is free certificate of residence, here hat yai. I know that place more easy for Thai immigration takes money from farang