Driver’s License for Thailand
You may drive with an international driver’s license for up to 6 months, after which you have to apply for a Thai license. This process is not daunting as many foreigners do not even need to take a driving test as a foreign or international license is usually enough. You must apply for a license at the local Department of Land Transport. If you are unable to read and write Thai, bring an interpreter to the appointment as you have to fill out forms which are in Thai only. You must bring the following with you:
passport with valid non-immigrant visa
residence address in Thailand (certified by your embassy or by your local Thai Immigration Office)
two recent passport size photos
your driving license from your home country
proof of good health (a medical certificate from a GP in Thailand)
the application fee (as the fee changes, it is best to call ahead and ask)
In addition to applying in person with the above documents, you have to take a short class about driving laws (about two hours), a color blindness test, and a written test (which is in Thai).
If you hold a valid non-immigrant visa, which you should if you live or work in Thailand, you will be issued a one-year temporary license which you can renew each year. It may not be relevant concerning driving, but if you hold a Thai license you will often be exempt from paying the high tourist prices you would pay if you were to show your foreign ID.
Some Traffic Rules for Driving in Thailand
Once you have successfully received your license, which usually happens on the day of your application, you should be aware of the following traffic rules:
You must be at least 18 to drive.
Legal limit BAC is 0.5 mg per 1 liter of alcohol
Drive on the left-hand side as in the UK
Seatbelts are mandatory in front seats only, child car seats are optional
(Motorcyclists must wear helmets)
The speed limits range as follows:
50 – 60 km/h in suburban streets
90 – 120 km/h on highways
Keep in mind that due to the high volume of traffic on Thai streets, the average speed will be determined by the general flow of the traffic, not a sign (that is if you see one).
Carry your vehicle registration and driver’s license on you at all times.
Importing Your Car to Thailand
You may only import your car into Thailand if you intend to stay in the country for more than six months. It is probably not worth importing your car if you are planning on staying for less, because the import tax is incredibly high, sometimes over 200%. This is due to the fact that cars are not considered part of an expat’s personal goods during immigration. You will need to acquire an import permit from the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), which again is all in Thai so it is recommended that you hire a translator.
To import a new car you need:
non-immigrant visa
work permit valid for at least 1 year
import declaration form (from MoC)
bill of lading
sale documents
insurance premium
In addition to all of the above, if you plan to import a used car you need the following additional documents:
registration certificate of residence
passport
certificate proving vehicle was used abroad for at least 18 months
import permit from MoC
You may only import ONE used vehicle per person. Contact the customs office for any questions.
After you are able to provide all of the above, a customs agent will revise all your documents and then, if satisfied with the information given, will approve your car for import. You then need to pay the import tax and administration fee.
Registering and Insuring Your Car in Thailand
Once your car has cleared customs, you have to register it at the Department of Land Transport. This is fairly hassle-free: First you need to apply for a blue book (Lem Tabian), which is similar to car registration papers. Then you have to pay the annual tax sticker, which will go on your windshield. For non-immigrant foreigners you also need your passport, non-immigrant visa, work permit or certificate of residence and their respective copies. Once all has been approved and you have received your blue book and tax sticker you are now legally entitled to drive your car in Thailand.
Third party liability insurance (Por Ror Bor) is mandatory in Thailand. It is highly recommended however that you insure yourself in addition to the required vehicle insurance. There are dozens of insurance companies in almost every city. Be sure to shop around as some may try to take advantage of foreigners. Some companies offer upgrades for a year of no claims. If your foreign and previous car insurance offers affordable international rates for Thailand, you should consider it an option. The premiums are often more dependable, albeit also more expensive.
Driver’s License for Thailand
You may drive with an international driver’s license for up to 6 months, after which you have to apply for a Thai license. This process is not daunting as many foreigners do not even need to take a driving test as a foreign or international license is usually enough. You must apply for a license at the local Department of Land Transport. If you are unable to read and write Thai, bring an interpreter to the appointment as you have to fill out forms which are in Thai only. You must bring the following with you:
passport with valid non-immigrant visa
residence address in Thailand (certified by your embassy or by your local Thai Immigration Office)
two recent passport size photos
your driving license from your home country
proof of good health (a medical certificate from a GP in Thailand)
the application fee (as the fee changes, it is best to call ahead and ask)
In addition to applying in person with the above documents, you have to take a short class about driving laws (about two hours), a color blindness test, and a written test (which is in Thai).
If you hold a valid non-immigrant visa, which you should if you live or work in Thailand, you will be issued a one-year temporary license which you can renew each year. It may not be relevant concerning driving, but if you hold a Thai license you will often be exempt from paying the high tourist prices you would pay if you were to show your foreign ID.
Some Traffic Rules for Driving in Thailand
Once you have successfully received your license, which usually happens on the day of your application, you should be aware of the following traffic rules:
You must be at least 18 to drive.
Legal limit BAC is 0.5 mg per 1 liter of alcohol
Drive on the left-hand side as in the UK
Seatbelts are mandatory in front seats only, child car seats are optional
(Motorcyclists must wear helmets)
The speed limits range as follows:
50 – 60 km/h in suburban streets
90 – 120 km/h on highways
Keep in mind that due to the high volume of traffic on Thai streets, the average speed will be determined by the general flow of the traffic, not a sign (that is if you see one).
Carry your vehicle registration and driver’s license on you at all times.
Importing Your Car to Thailand
You may only import your car into Thailand if you intend to stay in the country for more than six months. It is probably not worth importing your car if you are planning on staying for less, because the import tax is incredibly high, sometimes over 200%. This is due to the fact that cars are not considered part of an expat’s personal goods during immigration. You will need to acquire an import permit from the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), which again is all in Thai so it is recommended that you hire a translator.
To import a new car you need:
non-immigrant visa
work permit valid for at least 1 year
import declaration form (from MoC)
bill of lading
sale documents
insurance premium
In addition to all of the above, if you plan to import a used car you need the following additional documents:
registration certificate of residence
passport
certificate proving vehicle was used abroad for at least 18 months
import permit from MoC
You may only import ONE used vehicle per person. Contact the customs office for any questions.
After you are able to provide all of the above, a customs agent will revise all your documents and then, if satisfied with the information given, will approve your car for import. You then need to pay the import tax and administration fee.
Registering and Insuring Your Car in Thailand
Once your car has cleared customs, you have to register it at the Department of Land Transport. This is fairly hassle-free: First you need to apply for a blue book (Lem Tabian), which is similar to car registration papers. Then you have to pay the annual tax sticker, which will go on your windshield. For non-immigrant foreigners you also need your passport, non-immigrant visa, work permit or certificate of residence and their respective copies. Once all has been approved and you have received your blue book and tax sticker you are now legally entitled to drive your car in Thailand.
Third party liability insurance (Por Ror Bor) is mandatory in Thailand. It is highly recommended however that you insure yourself in addition to the required vehicle insurance. There are dozens of insurance companies in almost every city. Be sure to shop around as some may try to take advantage of foreigners. Some companies offer upgrades for a year of no claims. If your foreign and previous car insurance offers affordable international rates for Thailand, you should consider it an option. The premiums are often more dependable, albeit also more expensive.
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