We've all been driving around Krabi without Thai licenses and on Wednesday we finally went and took the tests. Fortunately, we all pasted but it wasn't easy. In Thailand you need a doctor's medical certificate saying you are basically healthy just to take the tests, and we had gotten them about a month ago. Well, they are only good for 30 days so we had to get on with it. There are some ways to just exchange a foreign license for a Thai license but we weren't able to swing that so it was take the test or continue to drive illegally. We were all nervous about the test because it's not easy and it had been a long, long time since any of us and taken a driving test. The written part was in the morning and consisted of 30 questions of which you had to get 23 or more correct. We did get an English version, but the translations were not the best and the questions were tricky. Dusty and I flunked the first time through, but unknown to us going in, they give you a second chance and we both passed. Athan was luckier and pasted on the first try but just barely with 23. Next came the driving part which was in the afternoon. The test had three parts. First, you pulled up to a curb. Sounds simple but the front tires had to be on this 6" wide line that was perpendicular to the curb and the left side tires (they drive on the left here like in Great Britain) had to be on a yellow line that's 25 cm (about 10 inches) from the curb. Next, you drive up this lane marked with poles on each side for about 5 car lengths, stop and back back out. Dusty messed this one up and hit the last pole, but they gave her a re-do and she did fine. Then finally, you have to parallel park. Again, not so hard since we've been doing it all our life except everything is reversed. Your car steering wheel is on the right and you are parting on the left. But we had all practiced and did fine. It was an entire day at the DMV and a bit stressful, even for Sakorn who had to watch all of us hoping we didn't screw up too bad, but in the end we were all kind of proud of ourselves.
Friday, July 9, 2010
We're Legal!
We've all been driving around Krabi without Thai licenses and on Wednesday we finally went and took the tests. Fortunately, we all pasted but it wasn't easy. In Thailand you need a doctor's medical certificate saying you are basically healthy just to take the tests, and we had gotten them about a month ago. Well, they are only good for 30 days so we had to get on with it. There are some ways to just exchange a foreign license for a Thai license but we weren't able to swing that so it was take the test or continue to drive illegally. We were all nervous about the test because it's not easy and it had been a long, long time since any of us and taken a driving test. The written part was in the morning and consisted of 30 questions of which you had to get 23 or more correct. We did get an English version, but the translations were not the best and the questions were tricky. Dusty and I flunked the first time through, but unknown to us going in, they give you a second chance and we both passed. Athan was luckier and pasted on the first try but just barely with 23. Next came the driving part which was in the afternoon. The test had three parts. First, you pulled up to a curb. Sounds simple but the front tires had to be on this 6" wide line that was perpendicular to the curb and the left side tires (they drive on the left here like in Great Britain) had to be on a yellow line that's 25 cm (about 10 inches) from the curb. Next, you drive up this lane marked with poles on each side for about 5 car lengths, stop and back back out. Dusty messed this one up and hit the last pole, but they gave her a re-do and she did fine. Then finally, you have to parallel park. Again, not so hard since we've been doing it all our life except everything is reversed. Your car steering wheel is on the right and you are parting on the left. But we had all practiced and did fine. It was an entire day at the DMV and a bit stressful, even for Sakorn who had to watch all of us hoping we didn't screw up too bad, but in the end we were all kind of proud of ourselves.
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