getting a drivers license

You may drive in Thailand for 90 days on your home country’s driver’s license or 12 months on an international driver’s license, after that you need a Thai driver’s license.

Licenses from most countries can be exchanged for a Thai license and this is not a difficult process if you speak Thai. Retire In Thailand can have a native speaker accompany you to ensure the process goes smoothly. This should take no more than a 1/2 day.

Before you can apply for a license you will need to have a medical examination and collect a form from a doctor. This process is basically very simple and in my mind, a waste of time but hey, it must be done. The doctor will charge you about 200 – 300 baht.  Retire In Thailand will help you with this.

Armed with this medical certificate you can go and apply for your license at which time they will have you watch a 1 hour video, check your vision, color recognition, peripheral vision, reflexes, have your photo taken then issue your license. Initially you will be issued a 12 month license and on renewal you will get a 5 year license.  The total cost last time I checked was about 500 baht.

I must emphasize again that if you do not have a Thai speaker to go with you, it will not be very easy.

e.  The total cost last time I checked was about 500 baht.