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[Dave the Dude]

Sorry if its already been covered but is there an maximum age limit for applying for a Thai DL. This topic came up in a local forum and a guy is insisting he cannot get a Thai DL at the age of 71?
He says DL's are issued until the age of 70 and this has only fairly recently gone up for 60 y.o.I found that hard to believe and I would be grateful if anyone can point me in the right direction to confirm this WITH FACTS!

Thanks in advance (of me one-day reaching that age)

Dave

[JohanBKK]

Can i get a 5 years licence with my old 1 year licence expired ? Any changes ?

Thanks.

[Dave the Dude]

JohanBKK, on 2009-10-09 13:16:00, said:

Can i get a 5 years licence with my old 1 year licence expired ? Any changes ?

Thanks.

I very much doubt it

[helvetian]

helvetian, on 2009-09-19 05:22:27, said:

I'm a driving virgin, never had a drivers license, but planning on starting the process. I have a Marriage Visa, 1 year (since 4 years), but no work permit. That should be valid to:

1. Apply for a driving school.
2. Learn, learn, learn.
3. Get the documents (residency confirmation, medical, etc).
4. Pass the driving test.
5. Get my license.

Is that correct? I'm worried I'd need a work permit or something as I never had a drivers license before.

Nobody knows?

[prodriver]

Dave the Dude, on 2009-10-09 11:59:28, said:

Sorry if its already been covered but is there an maximum age limit for applying for a Thai DL. This topic came up in a local forum and a guy is insisting he cannot get a Thai DL at the age of 71?
He says DL's are issued until the age of 70 and this has only fairly recently gone up for 60 y.o.I found that hard to believe and I would be grateful if anyone can point me in the right direction to confirm this WITH FACTS!

Thanks in advance (of me one-day reaching that age)

Dave

Dave, I have a friend who is 72 years of age and he just renewed his 5 year driving licence earlier this year. I have actually seen it and it is valid until the year 2014.

[prodriver]

helvetian, on 2009-10-10 03:51:14, said:

helvetian, on 2009-09-19 05:22:27, said:

I'm a driving virgin, never had a drivers license, but planning on starting the process. I have a Marriage Visa, 1 year (since 4 years), but no work permit. That should be valid to:

1. Apply for a driving school.
2. Learn, learn, learn.
3. Get the documents (residency confirmation, medical, etc).
4. Pass the driving test.
5. Get my license.

Is that correct? I'm worried I'd need a work permit or something as I never had a drivers license before.

Nobody knows?

I've never had a work permit in Thailand and when I applied for my first Thai driving licence (a 1 year one) over 10 year's ago, I didn't realise that I could have avoided doing the practical test by showing my UK driving licence. So I took the test just like any ordinary Thai person would. I therefore think that you wouldn't have any problems.....once you've learnt to drive, that is

[Dave the Dude]

prodriver, on 2009-10-10 13:23:38, said:

Dave the Dude, on 2009-10-09 11:59:28, said:

Sorry if its already been covered but is there an maximum age limit for applying for a Thai DL. This topic came up in a local forum and a guy is insisting he cannot get a Thai DL at the age of 71?
He says DL's are issued until the age of 70 and this has only fairly recently gone up for 60 y.o.I found that hard to believe and I would be grateful if anyone can point me in the right direction to confirm this WITH FACTS!

Thanks in advance (of me one-day reaching that age)

Dave

Dave, I have a friend who is 72 years of age and he just renewed his 5 year driving licence earlier this year. I have actually seen it and it is valid until the year 2014.

Cheers mate, I thought it was cods    

[BangRon]

If anyone cares here is my report on attaining second 5 year driver license renewal in Korat. After 6 years of  myriad driving in Thailand, encounter at Transportation Department this time (3^rd time) went fairly well.  Did everything one month early before expiration date (birthday).  Interesting though that new license received this month 2009 has an issue date of past 2004 valid to expire date 2014 on birth date.

Prepared :

Copies of Passport and relevant pages ~ 20thb + 15min walk.

Medical Report ~ 80thb ~ 15min at clinic + 1.5hrs driving = 1.75hrs.

Address conformation from immigration ~ no charge ~ round trip to Korat Immigration only to find out office has moved to ChokChai (oopps)_ driving = 2hrs + next day round trip drive to new ChokChai Immigration = 1hr.

At Department of Land Transportation in ChokChai :

Needed :

Expired drivers licenses.

Passport and copies of passport.

Medical report.

Address conformation from immigration.

Had to do a Reflex Test (pushing foot pedals alternating gas and brake via choice red and green lights) ;  Color Blindness Test (reading colored numbers) ;  Depth Perception Test (aligning a moving pin with a fixed pin via a remote joy stick). Lots of fun.

Digital pictures taken on spot. Smile.

In and Out in of this Department in about 1.5 hr.

Private Car License cost = 555thb.

Private Motorcycle license cost = 305thb.

Total costs = 960thb.

Total time = 6.5 hrs (over 2 days).

[Cobrabiker]

Holder of Singapore driving license, being one of the Asean countries too, do I still still need to get an international license in order to get a 1 year thai license?

[mark5335]

Cobrabiker, on 2009-10-14 12:06:49, said:

Holder of Singapore driving license, being one of the Asean countries too, do I still still need to get an international license in order to get a 1 year thai license?

As the Singapore DL is in English, you won't need to present an international DL as well when applying for your 1 yr Thai DL.

[MJo]

JohanBKK, on 2009-10-09 14:16:00, said:

Can i get a 5 years licence with my old 1 year licence expired ? Any changes ?

Thanks.

Depends, the law says that you must hold valid licence over 1 year to be able to apply 5 year one.

Then again if your one year licence expired "years" ago it wont work. Can't remember now but the information is here in the forum somewhere burried under all these posts.

However, here's my personal experience from Bangkok LTD (the one between Sukhumvit soi 99 - 101).

My one year licence was expired several years back so they required me even to do the written and drive test or to provide international licence or to provide translation of my home country licence certified by my embassy.

Long story short i do not have bike licence in my home country so i decided to do it the long way. And i failed the drive test with car but passed the bike tests... I was told i can try again after 3 days so next day i went to my embassy and got translation from my car licence and they issued me one without re-testing. The bike licence was issued day earlier as i did pass the tests.

The catch is that i was issued 5 year licences for both car and bike !!!!

Even if my one year licence was not valid for automatic reneval anymore it proved that i had hold licence more than one year as the law says thus they issued me 5 year ones direct. So whatever means you get your licence activated, take the old one with you together with couple of signed copies.

[MJo]

prodriver, on 2009-10-10 14:32:55, said:

helvetian, on 2009-10-10 03:51:14, said:

helvetian, on 2009-09-19 05:22:27, said:

I'm a driving virgin, never had a drivers license, but planning on starting the process. I have a Marriage Visa, 1 year (since 4 years), but no work permit. That should be valid to:

1. Apply for a driving school.
2. Learn, learn, learn.
3. Get the documents (residency confirmation, medical, etc).
4. Pass the driving test.
5. Get my license.

Is that correct? I'm worried I'd need a work permit or something as I never had a drivers license before.

Nobody knows?

I've never had a work permit in Thailand and when I applied for my first Thai driving licence (a 1 year one) over 10 year's ago, I didn't realise that I could have avoided doing the practical test by showing my UK driving licence. So I took the test just like any ordinary Thai person would. I therefore think that you wouldn't have any problems.....once you've learnt to drive, that is

Correct, the key is the Non-immigrant visa. No work permit required. It's easier to prove your address with work permit but also letter from embassy or from your nearest immigration will do.

The written and drive test does not measure your ability to drive a car or bike so you can get it with very basic driving skills. However for your own and others safety it is highly recommended to learn how to drive before you take it to the streets !

[Cobrabiker]

Thanks Mark, will give it a try. What about cheap health cert, which clinic to go in pattaya?

[jackbox1982]

Cobrabiker, on 2009-10-16 17:20:04, said:

Thanks Mark, will give it a try. What about cheap health cert, which clinic to go in pattaya?

The health cert should not cost u more than 100 Baht. I got mine for 30 baht in a small clinic at Din Daeng, Bangkok. The key point here is just to go to a clinic and get it. No need to go to hospital. If you have local frens, even better. Ask them and they should know where to bring you.

[walailak]

Department of Land transportation, Chachutjak

19^th October 2009 (my experience)

  Went there today to renew my first 1 year license (expired 4 days ago) and got a new 5 year one.   Arrived there at 10.51am, had with me:


1. Old (expired by 4 days) 1 year license.
2. Original Aussie passport, plus copy of all pages with NON-B immigrant visa, extension of stay etc.
3. Original work permit, plus copy of all the pages.
4. Medical certificate from local clinic (60 Baht).  Wife got it yesterday without me being there!!! AMAZING THAILAND


Went to the information desk (lady checked all of my paperwork, clipped them all together and gave them back to me with a queue number for counter 17 (foreigner counter service).

  Within 10 minutes later my number was called, went to the counter.  Lady checked all of my documents, no problems whatsoever.  I then paid my 605 baht, she took my photo, and done!! Waited for 4 minutes and then she handed my brand new 5 years smart license. Time 11.11am.  Total time 20 minutes from entering the building.

  No new eyesight, reaction or driving test, no movie.

P.S

    According to the lady:

A 5 yr license can be renewed before expiry (3 months) or anytime after that.

[kerr17]

jumparound, on 2009-10-09 04:59:29, said:

1st time applying for driver licence car.
i have Non Imm O 12 mnths.
I have International licence.
I can photocopy passport,relevant pages.
I will go see Medic for Cert.
I need to go Immigration for registration my home address in Thailand.
Is that all required?
Is Samutprakarn licence department ok?
Thanks fellas its really easy when u know how.

I'm exactly in the same situation here.

I need to go to the British consulate tomorrow morning to get my home address certificate, will I be in time to go to Bangkunthien Transport Office (by the way i Live in Sathorn can I either go here or Mo Chit or just to Bangkunthien?) and do everything in the morninig?

I suppose I may be there by 10-10.30, is it gonna be to late for apply?

Any quick reply will be highly appreciated.

[tod-daniels]

I just took a small group of foreigners out to Sukhumvit near Soi 99 to get their one year thai driver's license today.  Two of the 4 were on the 90-day-at-a-time ED visa extensions, and they got theirs just fine.

Some people have reported success with renewing their initial one year Thai D/L on a tourist visa, but this has NOT been my experience and one person I took was denied a 5 year license (but they did re-issue him another one year license again).

FWIW lifetime licenses are totally and completely a thing of the past.  Only people who already hold a lifetime license will get a new one if it is lost or they want to change it to the new style smart card.  The most anyone gets now is 5 years AFTER holding a single year license.

Documents you will need;
*Copies of the picture page on your passport, the visa you arrived on and any current extension stamps.
*A copy (front & back) of your current Driver's License (what ever country it is issued from).
*A health certificate from a clinic or hospital
*A letter either from your embassy or Thai Immigrations which states you are a resident of thailand.  

Current pricing is as follows:
*US embassy charges 1020 baht for a letter stating you reside in Thailand and want a D/L.  
*Thai Immigrations issues a resident certificate for free but they charge 100baht 'EMS fee' and the paper is mailed to you about 10 days later.

Some local police stations will issue you a paper stating you are a resident, if you have a rental agreement, rental receipt, or a bill of any kind with your name and address on it, but this varies from station to station, so is not a 100% sure thing.  Best thing is to call them and check.

NO PHOTO is needed as they now issue you what is called a "Smart Card" and take your picture on the spot.  The license is a BIG step above the old style "Khao-San Road" bogus looking one.  It has holograms, great lamination, and is written in both thai and english.  What is NOT on the new license anymore is your home address; although the officer said if the police run the bar code thru a MICR reader (located in almost all thai police cars) the information comes up on a screen.

Please be advised; the Driver's License place out near Sukhumvit Soi 99 is one of the most non-engrish language government offices I have ever frequented.  However with that being said; seeing as it is the THAI Motor Vehicle Office and they cater almost exclusively to thais, (as opposed to Thai Immigrations which caters exclusively to foreigners) this is to be expected, and they do their best out there dealing with the few foreigners they get.  (In the 3+ hours I was there with my group we were the ONLY foreigners in the place)  If you can't speak anything more than two-word-tourist-thai, you're gonna be out of your league and the "controlled chaos" of the place could make you get discouraged to the point you just give up.  
If you can take a thai with you, do it..

I am sure somwhere in this post this has been covered but;
The way it works is they run a series of 4 tests; reaction time, color blindness, depth perception, and peripheral vision in groups of people.  Get there and turn your paperwork in BEFORE 9 AM and you're most likely in the 9AM testing group.  Get there even a single minute later than 9AM and be prepared to wait it out until the 11AM group tests.  IF you hold a license from any country, you are simply using it to verify you have the ability to drive and only take the 4 tests I just mentioned.

I have never taken someone whose license was already expired or who didn't have a current one from their country.  I did speak today to an officer there who said; you must take the 4 tests I mentioned plus, watch a nearly 2 hour video (in thai only) on safe driving practices, take a written multiple choice test, and take the driving exam on the little track behind the building.  This could be true or not, and again I am relating what I was told by the officer working there.

The people I took turned in their paperwork at 9:02AM due to not having the correct copies and such, so they were in the 11AM test group.  During the wait, I watched the driving part of the exam for about an hour as various thais did the test.   If you have ANY proficiency in driving, (no matter marginal), the test is a cake walk for both a moto-cy and a car.

The price for the first year's "temporary license" (as that's what it says on it) is 205 baht PER license.  So if you get both a car and a moto-cy license it will be 410 baht.  This is the current price as of today, and was the same as last month when I took another group out there.

This an FYI post based on the experiences I have had ONLY from the Soi 99 office NO WHERE ELSE.  With this being thailand, things are probably done differently in different locations;
Your mileage may and probably will vary.  
NO warranties are expressed or implied.  

Hope it helps, PM me if anyone has questions.  AND yes, I put this post on several threads about thai driver's licenses (deal with it)

[pattaya_girl]

Can someone please advise me, i read very early on in this thread that someone managed to get both a Car Licence and a Motorcycle Licence by showing there UK full Drivers Licence, but this was 3 years ago.  

I plan on going for my Thai Drivers Licence in a couple of days, I have all of my paperwork ready, so if anyone know if I can qualify for both while I am there without taking the test, Just the color and eye test,, I would appreciate it.  

Thanks in advance guys.  Pattaya_girl.   10th November, 2009.

[mickba]

For those living in the Pattaya/Banglamung area - Verification Traffic Centre near Regents School, this has been my experience.
I obtained my One Year Temporary licences a year ago - Car & M/cycle same day. I had to do the colour, depth perception and reflex tests, but no driving whatsoever was involved. I don't recall if I also showed my UK licence, which is for car and m/bike as it happens, but I wasn't aware that anyone was taking a practical test.

My licences being up for renewal, I read a list of Docs Required on here, but it dates from 2006 and is incorrect.
I went 2 days before expiry - cannot - have to go back on the day of expiry - don't know what happens if you go after expiry.

Documents Required:-
Their form completed - one for each licence.
A Residence Certificate from Immigration - same as for buying car/motorbike but tick licence. They said only one required plus copy but Immigration say I must have two = more money.
Copies of Passport picture page, visa page, extension page and re-entry permit plus re-entry - same as I just did to get the Residence Certificate.
Medical Certificate - This involves the doctor asking whether I have any diseases, me saying no and her signing two forms. Transport said one plus copy OK but doctor said must have two = more money.
Passport obviously.
Money.

[pattaya_girl]

Thanks for your reply.  It is strange you never took any actual driving tests if you did not show your UK drivers Licence, and you was issued with both Licences for Car and Motorcycle.............  

I have now got all of my papers together what I need, just have to go to Immigration at Jomtien for the Residency letter...... I know I will get the Licence for the Car no problem, but was just wondeirng if my Full UK Licence will allow me to get one for a Motorcycle as well, without actualy having to be tested on a motorcycle, I was under the impression that the UK Licence was OK for Motorcycles under a certain CC.

Nevertheless, I will report back on Thursday with my outcome - cheers.

[mickba]

pattaya_girl, on 2009-11-10 19:35:17, said:

Thanks for your reply. It is strange you never took any actual driving tests if you did not show your UK drivers Licence, and you was issued with both Licences for Car and Motorcycle.............

I have now got all of my papers together what I need, just have to go to Immigration at Jomtien for the Residency letter...... I know I will get the Licence for the Car no problem, but was just wondeirng if my Full UK Licence will allow me to get one for a Motorcycle as well, without actualy having to be tested on a motorcycle, I was under the impression that the UK Licence was OK for Motorcycles under a certain CC.

Nevertheless, I will report back on Thursday with my outcome - cheers.

I'm not saying I didn't show it - can't remember I'm afraid. If I did, then as it happens it includes the motorcycle category.
You may be right about UK licence covering motorcycles anyway, but I don't think there are any CC limitations.
As I said, I wasn't aware of anyone taking practical tests, but it's possible some were. Anyway, I got my two temporary licences at the same time without.

Update - I am now the proud possessor of two (Motorcycle & Car) 5 year licences. I say 5 year, but actually they were issued 11 Nov 2009 and expire Sept 2015 (on my b'day) i.e. nearly 6 years - bargain eh?
They cost 530 baht each and a new photo' was taken at the desk.
They still include my current address on the back (someone said not). I don't what the process is if/when you move. I would guess a new Residence Cert. for the new address and a replacement/s licence/s - and pay of course.
If your paperwork is all correct it doesn't take long to get them - about half an hour on a busy afternoon in my case. There is no retake of the colour etc. tests and this is where the long waits are.

NB - for those pondering whether to bother and currently driving on UK or International Licences.
I am told that some (maybe all) Insurance Policies have a Thai small print clause stating that you must have a Thai licence for the insured vehicle.
I cannot quote this rule, but when I had some accident damage repaired it seemed to be confirmed. My insurance company was Virura/Virula (spelling?) and the repairer was (in house) Pattaya Garage. When the car was (eventually) ready for collection (oh no it wasn't) I received a call to tell me to be sure to bring my Thai Driving Licence. At collection I was asked to produce it, which I did, but I asked why they needed it. I was told that without a copy of it they could not claim/receive payment from the Insurer and, therefore, they would not release the car (unless I paid).
As it happened, I had driven for about 18 months on an International and only got my Thai licences 2 weeks before the accident - scary huh?. I was also assured that if I had not been able to produce a Thai licence at the scene then I would have faced a fine.
I am only quoting my experience as I understood it, with the intention of encouraging drivers to take the trouble to get one. Even for roadside checks I have seen the BiB refusing to accept anything other than a Thai Licence = 200 baht 'fine'.

[hesperus]

JohanBKK, on 2009-10-09 14:16:00, said:

Can i get a 5 years licence with my old 1 year licence expired ? Any changes ?

Thanks.

I renewed my 1 year Thai Driving Licence which has expired for 6 months at the Chatuchak Land Transport Office back in 2006... No Problems.. Was given the 5 year DL.

[bifftastic]

yabaaaa, on 2009-06-25 06:53:25, said:

jackbox, on 2009-06-24 17:46:57, said:

It is just an affadavit that shows where you live in Thailand. If you are a USA citizen you complete the form yourself and an Consular Officer asks you if you swear under penalty of perjury that the information on the form is true. If you answer yes they sign it and stamp the official Embassy stamp on it. It in reality means nothing but Thailand loves stuff stamped for your home country Embassy. For USA citizens it is currently 1,030 baht. For UK citizens I think it is around 2,300 baht from the UK Embassy.

yabaaaa, on 2009-06-23 21:55:21, said:

I see in the first post it says "adress confirmation letter" from Embassy is required.
Is  this confirmation of "address" or of "residency" as I am not resident but visit every year for 6  months.?

Might have guessed the good  ole Uk embassy would be raving expensive!! So having your name in the Yellow book is no good for proof  of  address then when applying for  a  1  year licence?

Wow this is a long long thread!
Thanks to everyone for posting very useful information.

I think I know what I will need but I have a question. I've seen posts from US citizens saying they basically swear that their address is correct and their embassy take their money and stamp the letter.
Does anyone know what the UK embassy/consulates require for their (doubly) expensive stamp? I'm going to be living with g/f in her sisters house, how do I get proof of living there?
Won't have any bills or official letters in my name there which is the normal UK way of proof of address, anyone got any experience with this? I've emailed UK consul in Chiang Mai (I'll be in Chiang Rai) and hopefully it can all be done by post as I don't fancy schlepping around for paperwork. Going off what has been said in this thread the Amphur documents are no longer acceptable by the DLT, although most of the posts refer to Bangkok, anyone done this in Chiang Rai?

Appreciate your help as always.
Biff

[bifftastic]

Further to my earlier post I have received this reply from UK embassy in Chiang Mai;

Dear Mr xxxx,

Thank you for your email to the British Consulate. Please see the attached file of how to obtain a Thai driving license.
Please see the document that we require as follows;

- your current passport
- fee for a standard letter is Baht 2,088 pay in cash at the Consulate.The process takes 1 working day.
- completed registration (LOCATE) which available on the website www.ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk

As you will be residing in Chiang Rai, you can send us a copy of your passport and proof of your address by post. Standard fee a letter is 2,088 Baht plus 100 Baht for returning by post. Please arrange payment by "Money Order" (OR Thananat in Thai) from local Post Office. Please make payment payable to "British Consulate" to be cashed at "Mae Ping" Post Office.

Please contact us nearer the time before you submit the application to confirm the fee.

Our office is open from Monday - Friday from 9.00-11.30 am. We are located at: British Council Compound, 198 Bumrungraj Road, Muang District, Chiang Mai 50000.

Please let me know if you require further asisstance.


They also attached a document;

                                                                                                                                                     58
DRIVING LICENCE


To obtain a Thai driving licence from the Thai authorities you will need the following documents:-

PASSPORT (original plus a copy)
VALID NON-IMMIGRANT VISA
LETTER FROM THE EMBASSY (confirming residency)
DOCTOR’S CERTIFICATE
VALID DRIVING LICENCE
TWO PHOTOS (1”  x  1”)
You may have to sit a driving test and pass a written test on traffic signs.  If you take your current overseas licence with you, you may only be required to sit the written test.

Please check with the Land Transportation office where you need to apply as this does depend on where you reside.

TO OBTAIN THE RESIDENCY LETTER FROM THE BRITISH EMBASSY

Register with the Embassy (details on how to follow below) then please also bring your original passport with you.

Complete the request form and state the address to be used on the letter

The fee for this service is Baht 2,088

The letter can be collected the following working day after 09.00 am or sent to you by
EMS (Express Mail Service – Baht 100)


LOCATE - CONSULAR ONLINE REGISTRATION

We encourage you to register with the British Embassy  - new Consular online registration system (LOCATE) at http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/ or www.fco.gov.uk/locate.  With facility in LOCATE, you will be able to 'manage' i.e. update and change, your own information at a later date, such as contact details, dates in the country, inform us of your plans etc.

For long-term residents who have registered with us, we also strongly advise you re-register your details with LOCATE.


British Embassy
Consular Section    Tel:   0-2305 8333 from 9.00-11.00 a.m. only                    
14 Wireless Road                 Fax:    0-2255 6051
Bangkok 10330     E-mail: Consular.bangkok@fco.gov.uk
   http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/
Opening hours:
Monday - Thursday 8-11.00 am and 1 – 3.15 pm
Friday – 8-12 noon (ONLY)

There are a couple of discrepancies in the email and the letter, the email states that proof of address is required (I've asked them what proof)
and the attached letter mentions a request form but doesn't mention proof of address. When/if they supply me with said request form and acceptable proof of address, I'll post a copy here.

Hope this is useful.

B