Getting a Car and Motorcycle License in Pattaya

The procedure for a foreigner to obtain a car or motorcycle license is quite complex and you cannot expect do make it happen in one day. The first thing you need to do is get a doctor's certificate from a medical clinic or hospital specifically stating that you are medically fit to operate a vehicle and remember to ask for two certificates (a copy is not sufficient)if applying for both a car and a motorcycle license. You also need a copy of proof of where you are living in Thailand such as a copy of your lease as well as two copies of your passport and two passport-sized photographs. Now once you have all this in order you are required to go to the Immigration Office at Soi 5 in Jomtien and fill out their forms, lodge them and wait to receive them back. If you do not lodge the application at the Immigration Office early enough you will have to return the following day to pick them up. Next step is to take all your documents to the License Office, which is located near the Regent International School about 20 minutes drive from central Pattaya.

It is strongly recommended that you arrive at the License Office before 9.30am as it always busy and if you plan to get everything done in one day, you will need to arrive early. The first step is to wait in the line at the front of the building and fill out a form that is available at the desk located at the front of the building. Get this form before you join the line and fill it out while you are waiting in line. The staff member there will check to see that you have all the required documents in order, and if so, ill instruct you to go to the office and waiting area upstairs where you take a number and wait for it to be called out.

If you have a car driver’s license from a country they accept (make sure you have it with you) then all you have to do is wait to be given a simple eye test to ensure you can tell the difference between red, orange and green and then given a reflex test that involves sitting on a chair with a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal. When a green light appears, you are required to press down on the accelerator pedal until a red light appears then press down on brake pedal within the allowed time. Then if you pass these tests, you go back to the waiting area and wait for your name to be called out, then have your photograph taken, wait once more for it to be ready, pay 100 baht and then receive your license.

Next step is to get your motorcycle license. Once again, you take a number and wait for that number to be called out. Then go to the allocated desk where they will check all your paperwork is in order and tell you to wait again until your name is called out. You will then be given a book of road rules to study for half an hour to an hour and then be required to sit a test at a computer. To pass the test you have to get 20 of the 30 questions correct. The English translation of the test is far from perfect and a lot of the questions asked are not covered in the road rules book provided before the test. Then if you pass the computer test, you are required to perform the riding test that involves riding around a track located behind the office with various signs that you have to obey. It is simple but they explain it in Thai so it is best to go last and watch all the Thai people do it first so as you do not make any mistakes. For the riding test, you are required to provide your own motorcycle. How you get your motorcycle to the license office legally before you obtain your license is a bit of a mystery. There are motorcycles for rent across the road from the License Office but these are quite expensive. Then if you pass the riding test, you go back to the office upstairs and wait again for your name to be called out to be photographed, pay 100 baht then wait again for the final time for your license to be issued to you.

The licenses you will be issued with are for 1 year only. Make sure you renew these just before they expire otherwise you will have to repeat the whole drawn out procedure. Once re-issued you will receive 5 year licenses unless you have a tourist visa, then you will only receive further 1 year licenses.

If you have purchased a car or motorcycle and want to register it into your name, the procedure is similar. You need a passport copy, proof of where you are living in Thailand and a passport-sized photograph. You need to go to the Immigration Office first and fill out their forms and wait for them to be returned. Then, you go to the License Office where they will check your paperwork followed by taking your car or motorcycle over the pits to make sure it is roadworthy and that the engine numbers etc. all match. Make sure you have the small green registration book with you that you should receive when you purchased your vehicle.

Please drive safely as the road toll in Thailand is horrific. You can ruin or end your own life as well as others. Always wear a helmet if riding a motorcycle and never ride or drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.