As a segue to this story I would like to remind you of Ravi (written about in the “Expiration” story in our 2010 archived web page), a Malaysian chap that we met in Langkawi a few years back, who was instrumental in getting me a Malaysian driver’s license. Without his help I know that I would not have gotten the license because there have been a number of fellow cruisers who have since tried without success. Thanks again Ravi, and yes I have kept my license current by simply making a quick visit to the license office and giving them 50 Ringgits.
Because Loretta and I have decided to live in Thailand
When I began researching what was involved in getting a Thai license I found that it may not be that easy. One fellow told me that it took him three full days to get his license. Not only were there a number of bureaucratic steps that had to be followed including: completing numerous forms (some only in Thai); a number of visits to Immigration; obtaining a medical certificate; as well as some way to certify that I do in fact live in Thailand; and then a visit or two to the local licensing office where I would have to do a written test, eye test and lastly a driving test. Holy crap is it really worth it!?
To get the process started I visited Immigration and picked up a form to complete, then I went to a local clinic to see Dr. Titti (yah I thought her name had a nice ring to it). After waiting less than 5 minutes I was escorted into see Dr. Titti and “he” asked me what my problem was. Luckily Loretta was not there with me so I could keep the answer short and to the point. I told him that I was trying to get a Thai License and I needed a medical certificate. He quickly signed a form, two actually – one for my Thai car driver’s license, and one for my Thai motorcycle license. Then I was escorted back to the waiting room where one of the desk staff gave me an eye test. I had anticipated this so I had my reading glasses at the ready but hoping not to have to use them. Unfortunately the eye test was for colour blindness not vision. What’s the point in knowing the colour of the traffic lights if you can’t see them? The lady pointed to a chart with 6 boxes located about 10 feet in front of me and asked me to call out the numbers. I quickly identified the first 4 and then when I looked at the fifth box all I could make out was haze. After a fairly lengthy pause, the lady took her wand and drew a 6 in the box. I said 6 with some hesitation thinking this was a test of a test, but she quickly said great you passed.
The next day Loretta and I peddled our bicycles to Phuket Town about 45 minutes away to return to the Immigration office with my completed forms, medical certificate(s), passport photos, copies of our condominium Land Title (which is all in Thai and I can only assume that it contains my name) to certify my Thai residency, passport, entry stamp, tourist visa, and of course some Thai bhats ($$). We arrived at Immigration around 9:45 and by 10:15 were on our way to the licensing office. Wow!
We arrived at the licensing office at 10:30 expecting to spend the entire day there based on the testimony from others as well as the staff at the Immigration office. At this point we were still being optimistic that we could complete this process today, but if worse came to worse, we were prepared to return the following day.
When I approached the front desk and informed the lovely Thai lady that I was there to apply for a Thai licence she quickly handed me a form and told me to return to the office tomorrow before 9:00 am. Having prepared myself for this I was able to handle the news and smiled and said okay, pop gan mai krap (see you later).
Before leaving, I said to Loretta that since we now have some free time, let’s find the board on the wall which lists all the answers to the written test (as informed by others). While we were looking at the questions and answers we were approached by a Thai lady who asked us where we were from and the usual questions. We kindly responded and then told her I was going to try to get a Thai driver’s license. She introduced herself as June and told us she has a driving license school and said she could help me get my license today since she had a friend working here. I quickly accepted her help and gave her all of my paperwork, licenses, passport, etc. She took all the info to the lady at the front counter who had only minutes ago politely told me to go away and after a brief discussion she handed me a queue ticket and another form. Then June escorted us to the waiting area and we sat there together until my number was called.
At this point I was not sure what I would be required to do, i.e., written test, driving test, or eye test. When my number was called June went and talked to the office staff whom then proceeded to type my information into the computer. She then handed me a number of cards and asked me to read out the numbers. Damn, one little disability and it keeps coming back to haunt me. I went through the cards and did surprising well until one card where I said the number and the lady just stared at me and then said there are two numbers. “Oh”, and looked back at the card. By holding the card at different angles and squinting and putting my reading glasses on I was able to make out at least parts of the second number. Then a few cards later I came across a card that was similar to that at the medical clinic – nothing but haze. Hoping that the card was the same as the one at the clinic I said “six”, but the lady just kept looking at me. I then guessed 9, nothing, 5, nothing, 2 and then she smiled and said I passed. Whew, not sure how many guesses I was permitted and I didn’t get the impression that this lady was going to sketch the number for me.
After this June and I entered an office where my photo was taken and a machine pooped out two shiny new driver’s licenses. It was now only 11:30 am I am sure that this is the quickest record so far.
Loretta and I thanked June and gave her a small token for our appreciation. It is so nice to know that there are people like Ravi and June out there. I wonder if they would help me buy a lottery ticket?
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| Darrel's collection of current driving licenses. |
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| Loretta is going to stick to riding bicycles. |
