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[Stan42]

I got myself one of those international driving licenses. I drove around fr about 3 months. Never thought of renewing that, ever. Bangkok traffic is hell, while it may be more expensive, I use taxis: no need to look for parking spaces, no need to remember where you parked your car, get home even if you're drunk, and most of all, you are not responsible for any accidents.

[SantiSuk]

I drove around Thailand for 4 years on a British driving license (and lived here for the last 18 months of that period). I only got one last month as a useful form of ID. Only once when stopped (out of maybe 40 times) did a policeman tell me I should get a Thai license - and even he did not ask for money. I was rarely asked what my residential status was.

As far as I can see you are wasting your money buying an International  License - unless you are using it to carry around as back-up without  fear of losing your primary falang license.

I'm still not sure what it is that determines you are required by law to to have a Thai driving license; I'm sure there is a requirement, just not sure about timing.

[malleebkk]

My licence has expired in Australia. I want to apply for a Thai licence. Can someone tell me where I can go to do the test and and what I need to take. I live in Bangkok Thanks

[gopbi]

Here's one for the experts out there..

I have both my original one year car Thai license and separate motorbike Thai license.. But they expired back in 2008, Dec 2008 to be exact as that's my birth month.. I left Thailand before they initially expired as I took another foreign base assignment so I never renewed them.. just never thought about it,..
So now I am coming back..

What are my options and expectations?  I do have a valid Non-Imm B and will get my work permit about 30 days after I arrive..

In the end, if I can only apply for a completely new 1 year, that's not the end of the world, but it would be nice if I can 'piggy back' on my old licenses to get the 5 year editions..

Anyone???  Advice? counsel? Actual experiences?

My LTO office is the Suk 66 location as my residence was and will again be in the Prakanong area.

Edited by gopbi, 2011-04-02 19:08:18.

[palomnik]

My apologies if this has been covered before. This is a pretty long thread.

My  1 year Thai license expired last year, and my International Driving Permit is also expired. My USA license is still valid. Will I be able to get a 5 year license at this point, or failing that, can I get a new 1 year license? What will I need to bring, and will I have to take a driver's test?

I'm in Chiang Mai, if that makes any difference.

[mussen]

Anyone know if it's possible to renew the 2nd, 5 year licence (my first 5 year licence is expiring) on a tourist visa at the Chatuchak office?

Edited by mussen, 2011-04-07 17:32:51.

[eagleflyinghigh]

Personal experience applying and getting a one year (temporary) Thai driving licence on 11 April 2011.

A big thank you to the previous posters without them I would not have managed it so easily today.

I recommend going only until Saphan Kwai with the Skytrain. I left the station at 0915 and walked on the right hand side of the road towards Chatuckak. Stopped on the corner of Soi 18 and paid 100 B to the old Chinese lady at the clinic (for Thais it is 60 . After a short pleasant chat the female doctor signedn the medical certfificate.

Walked another 200 metres the same direction. The Land Transport Department entrance is obvious and you can see already from there building # 4 (written in Thai script) quite far behind. Proceedes immediately to the information counter on level 2 (one stairway) and was handed a queue number and called within 10 seconds to the famous counter # 18 which deals with foreigners.

Documents provided:
Passport with two copies of the main page, one year retirement visa page, entry stamp and arrival form
National driving licence with two copies.
International Driving permit with two copies.
Proof of residence from my Embassy
Medical certificate

After checking I was handed a form for the eye exam and reaction test and sent to the information counter on level 3 (one stairway above).

There I was handed a queue number and called after about 10 minutes wait. All three tests were with explanatons posted on the wall in English.

After the tests back to the information counter on level 3 which sent me back to counter 18 below.

Photo taken and licence issued.

All employees were extremely pleasant and the Thais around were busy with their own matters, so no giggling or stupid staring at farang.

Was back on the Skytrain in Mochit at 1045 and have a good opionon regarding efficiency of Thai administraton.

I managed it alone, but would recommend going there with a Thai if you can not speak and read basic Thai.


P.S.: To all those who want to renew or make licences with a tourist visa. This is clearly not possible, you need to have a one year permit to stay. The office is aware of many foreigners trying to get a Thai licence for only too obvious reasons and insist also on seeing the national driving licence, the international being barely a permit. This is due to the fact that many foregners lost their licence thanks to law enforcement at home.

Edited by eagleflyinghigh, 2011-04-11 15:25:06.

[GamLing]

I'm sure that this question has been answered on this thread already but maybe this is a new slant.

A friend of mine has a 5-year Thai driving licence and this will expire on 11 May, 2011. When he obtained this licence, he was staying in Thailand on a Non-Immigrant Visa. Subsequently, he returned to the UK  and his Non-immigrant Visa expired. He is back in Thailand now and has a 30-day entry stamp. He owns property here (in Pattaya) and is married to a Thai national.

My question (on his behalf) is can he renew his 5 year Thai driving licence before he returns to the UK on 27 April (next week) whilst in Thailand on a 30-day entry stamp. If he can, what documents would he need to support his renewal application and what tests would be needed?

Thank you fellow subscribers.

[Khun Ngo]

eagleflyinghigh, on 2011-04-11 15:23:35, said:

P.S.: To all those who want to renew or make licences with a tourist visa. This is clearly not possible, you need to have a one year permit to stay. The office is aware of many foreigners trying to get a Thai licence for only too obvious reasons and insist also on seeing the national driving licence, the international being barely a permit. This is due to the fact that many foregners lost their licence thanks to law enforcement at home.

So that means, if I am on a NON-O visa without a one year extension, I can't apply for a DL?

[energaia1]

Dear eagleflyhigh,

Thanks for this great info.  One question.  Did you have to take a copy of the medical certificate form with you to the clinic on soi 18, or did they have it already?  If you had to take it, where did you get it from?

eagleflyinghigh, on 2011-04-11 15:23:35, said:

Personal experience applying and getting a one year (temporary) Thai driving licence on 11 April 2011.

A big thank you to the previous posters without them I would not have managed it so easily today.

I recommend going only until Saphan Kwai with the Skytrain. I left the station at 0915 and walked on the right hand side of the road towards Chatuckak. Stopped on the corner of Soi 18 and paid 100 B to the old Chinese lady at the clinic (for Thais it is 60 . After a short pleasant chat the female doctor signedn the medical certfificate.

Walked another 200 metres the same direction. The Land Transport Department entrance is obvious and you can see already from there building # 4 (written in Thai script) quite far behind. Proceedes immediately to the information counter on level 2 (one stairway) and was handed a queue number and called within 10 seconds to the famous counter # 18 which deals with foreigners.

Documents provided:
Passport with two copies of the main page, one year retirement visa page, entry stamp and arrival form
National driving licence with two copies.
International Driving permit with two copies.
Proof of residence from my Embassy
Medical certificate

After checking I was handed a form for the eye exam and reaction test and sent to the information counter on level 3 (one stairway above).

There I was handed a queue number and called after about 10 minutes wait. All three tests were with explanatons posted on the wall in English.

After the tests back to the information counter on level 3 which sent me back to counter 18 below.

Photo taken and licence issued.

All employees were extremely pleasant and the Thais around were busy with their own matters, so no giggling or stupid staring at farang.

Was back on the Skytrain in Mochit at 1045 and have a good opionon regarding efficiency of Thai administraton.

I managed it alone, but would recommend going there with a Thai if you can not speak and read basic Thai.


P.S.: To all those who want to renew or make licences with a tourist visa. This is clearly not possible, you need to have a one year permit to stay. The office is aware of many foreigners trying to get a Thai licence for only too obvious reasons and insist also on seeing the national driving licence, the international being barely a permit. This is due to the fact that many foregners lost their licence thanks to law enforcement at home.

[eagleflyinghigh]

Khun Ngo, on 2011-04-23 17:18:55, said:

So that means, if I am on a NON-O visa without a one year extension, I can't apply for a DL?

You need at least a leave to stay for one year.

energaia1, on 2011-04-24 10:07:17, said:

Dear eagleflyhigh,

Thanks for this great info.  One question.  Did you have to take a copy of the medical certificate form with you to the clinic on soi 18, or did they have it already?  If you had to take it, where did you get it from?

You need nothing to go there  just 5 minutes and 100 B (60 B for Thais). They have all the forms and are funny.

[lomatopo]

beechguy, on 2010-09-23 19:28:16, said:

But, for the residency certificate the Department of Land Transport wants, the U.S. version was just a notarized form saying where I live in Thailand, and that I wanted to apply for a driver's license. I went to the citizen services office at the U.S. Embassy, completed a form, paid the fee, showed a copy of my condo lease, swore the information was correct, signed the document, they stamped it, and that was completed.

Thanks. I was trying to figure out which Affidavit to use and I found this document.  http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/driverslicense.pdf

[dsfbrit]

I have a 5 year Thai Car Driving License and Thai Bike License that both run out on 31st July 2011 - which is a Sunday. Do I still have to go there on the day AFTER they expire which would be the Monday or can I go there on the Friday 29th???

Thanks for your help.

[JeffreyMcCollum]

I did mine in Chiang Mai.  very easy.  I hear Pattaya is even easier.

I did have a check up cost me 100Bt. (my wife was only 50bt.)

Had paper first time from immigration
just had regular Driving Licences from America

Eye test and had it within 1 hour and kept my America Licences

1 year later went back,  Again doctor note but could use my Work permit did not need paper from immigration.

from walking into the building to leaving with new card in had, both Car and motorbike, was under 5 minutes,  Everyone coulld talk English ok enough to get it done


No worries !

[lomatopo]

For those of us who wear glasses do we get the photos taken with glasses, or without? It seems like in many official photographs here I have been asked to remove my glasses. Thanks.

[DMC1]

Anyone out there renewed their 5 year license EARLY in Pattaya recently ? Mine is due for renewal in August but I would like to do it now for various reasons. I thought you could do it up to 90 days early but i am hearing tales of them turning people away until it has expired.

[spinshock]

My experience of getting One year Motorcycle license from Chatuchak Land Transportation Office on tourist Visa - May 27 2011

I just want to start off by saying that the Chatuchak land Transportation office is a very competent government office. And for the amount of people they process through everyday, they do a great job with a smile. Efficient and professional.

The documents that were needed:
Passport photo page photocopy x2
Visa Page with Entry Stamp and immigration card photocopy x2 (there are scattered reports that say you cannot get the license on a tourist visa. Obviously every office and region is different, but here you can)
Driving Licence from your home country photocopy front and back x1 (I do not have an international Driving license)
Residence certificate x1 (must be from your embassy because immigration in Bangkok will not issue it to you on a tourist visa, I've tried)
Medical Certificate

I arrived at Chatuchak MRT at 8:20 am. Leave at Exit 4 for the Land and Transportation (LT) office. I walked past the LT office to reach soi 18. And once you cross soi 18, the second shop to the left is the clinic. Walk into the door and hand over 60baht (or 100baht as reported by others). Wait in line and the doctor does a couple checks listening to your heart beat and breathing. Done in 10 minutes.

Walk back to the LT office. You can take a moto taxi for 10baht to building 4 or walk which is about an  8 minute walk from the main road. Go up to the second floor.

If you are missing any photocopies at this point, you can get it done here for 2baht a page.

Let information desk check your documents. You will be given a number for cubicle 17 and 18. Walk over and wait.

Once your turn, the agent checks your documents. Staples them together, and then hands them to you with a number. Take them and head to the third floor.

On the third floor, hand everything to the desk and wait for your physical tests while you watch a video in Thai about what to do in the tests. They will call people into the test room in 20 people lots. Once inside:

#1 line up by the color test. Lady points at circles with different sizes and colors, just name the color.
#2 Reaction test. You step on the gas pedal and when the red light comes on, step on the brakes
#3 Is supposed to be the test where they judge your depth perception with two sticks, for some reason, this test was skipped
#4 place your head on the machine and name the colors that appear to the left and right for perception test

Once passed, head up to fourth floor. You will enter room 2 for foreigners, watch a 1 hour video in english and study a book with road signs.

Then head back down to third floor for the computer multiple choice test. 30 questions, maximum 7 wrong to pass. I failed my first one, got 9 wrong. I don't really agree on some of what the 'correct' answers are. But it could also be a translation problem. Either way, I failed and had to return at 1pm after the lunch break. It was 11:45am at this point. A man rushed me out quickly at this point without having much time to review what I got wrong, but it was because a huge group was waiting to be tested outside.

I returned at 1pm, got 6 wrong, passed. You are handed back your passport with a piece of paper. Head out to the driving test building.

Inside, hand over your documents and tell the lady if you want to rent the motorcycle for 50baht. Then head into room 2 and watch the instructions of the driving test. Its a 10 minute video that goes in a loop. I had to watch many times because there was a long wait, alot of people. Just take a nap . Fairly simple test:
#1 drive straight along a ramp
#2 drive along a curvy road
#3 Drive around the test area obeying the road signs

For some reason, the part of driving over the bridge was done separately. So I had to drive twice in total. I didn't understand why, and my Thai is not good enough to ask too many questions LOL.

Once completed, 3:15pm for me. Take your passport back with the piece of paper and head back to building 4 second floor. You have passed everything. You will be told to go to one of the cubicles where they will take your picture and your one year temporary license (155baht) will be ready within minutes.

Out of the building before 4pm

Edited by spinshock, 2011-05-27 18:49:10.

[ThaiPauly]

Can anone tell me exactly what info I will have to provide for a renewal of a 5 year license?

Many thanks

TP

[melvinmelvin]

I have recently got my Thai licence for 4 wheel car and for motorbike.
They were issued on the basis of my international licence.
(This was in Udon Thani)

However, they flatly refused to issue me a licence for a 6 wheel or 10 wheel vehicle,
although my national and international licences cover such vehicles.

I was offered the following process in order to get a licence for a 6 or 10 wheeler:

1) get written into a blue tabien baan
2) go to Municipality Office for an interview together with owner of blue tabien baan
3) if interviewer happy then I would be issued a yellow tabien baan
4) then go and get the licence

seems rather akward

I also hear that some say the a WP is required for a 6 or 10 wheel vehicle.

Sounds a bit weird to me that a WP should be required for driving a relatively small RV with 4 wheels in the rear.

Could anybody shed some light on this 6/10 wheel licence?

[bino]

ThaiPauly, on 2011-07-18 07:03:11, said:

Can anone tell me exactly what info I will have to provide for a renewal of a 5 year license?

Many thanks

TP

Bump Pauly's comment - I'd like to know this too.

My 5 year license is expiring in October. What documents will I need to show them? The license expires on my birthday, do I still need to go on the day after, or can I do it earlier now?

[banK]

Hi,
Is it necessary for a Frenchman with a french driving licence and an indate IDP to take the Thai driving test.
or
will he be able to obtain a one year Thai driving licence by just doing the colour blindness, perception and reaction tests.

He has a marriage extention and yellow tambien book.

Tks for any reply

[welovesundaysatspace]

I have an IDP from my home-country, but my national drivers license isn't here (and most certainly I do not want to afford two flight tickets just to get that document). So is it still possible to get a Thai drivers license with an IDP? Or do I really need to show my national drivers license? If so, can I just get a Thai drivers license the normal way, ie. taking drivers education etc., just like a Thai would do, or would it be too expensive and time-consuming (I heard it's not that difficult here)?

As for the other documents, I will have a WP and according visa soon.

[robertsonmartin]

Just back from Phuket Driving Licence Centre in Phuket Town. I currently had no Thai licence before. Arrived at 8am, doors opened 8.30am, went to counter to check paperwork.

I provided them:

2 x Copy passport
2 x Copy Visa page & TM6
2 x Copy yellow book (proof of address)
2 x UK Driving Licence
2 x Medical Cert

Did only reaction test and colourblind test (no driving test or theory exam), paid 160 baht at 1 counter, moved to next counter got photo taken and paid 220baht, got both car & motorbike licence and finished.

Very easy and quick, out the door at 9.45am.

M.

[GazR]

spinshock, on 2011-05-27 18:21:01, said:

My experience of getting One year Motorcycle license from Chatuchak Land Transportation Office on tourist Visa - May 27 2011

I just want to start off by saying that the Chatuchak land Transportation office is a very competent government office. And for the amount of people they process through everyday, they do a great job with a smile. Efficient and professional.

The documents that were needed:
Passport photo page photocopy x2
Visa Page with Entry Stamp and immigration card photocopy x2 (there are scattered reports that say you cannot get the license on a tourist visa. Obviously every office and region is different, but here you can)
Driving Licence from your home country photocopy front and back x1 (I do not have an international Driving license)
Residence certificate x1 (must be from your embassy because immigration in Bangkok will not issue it to you on a tourist visa, I've tried)
Medical Certificate

I arrived at Chatuchak MRT at 8:20 am. Leave at Exit 4 for the Land and Transportation (LT) office. I walked past the LT office to reach soi 18. And once you cross soi 18, the second shop to the left is the clinic. Walk into the door and hand over 60baht (or 100baht as reported by others). Wait in line and the doctor does a couple checks listening to your heart beat and breathing. Done in 10 minutes.

Walk back to the LT office. You can take a moto taxi for 10baht to building 4 or walk which is about an  8 minute walk from the main road. Go up to the second floor.

If you are missing any photocopies at this point, you can get it done here for 2baht a page.

Let information desk check your documents. You will be given a number for cubicle 17 and 18. Walk over and wait.

Once your turn, the agent checks your documents. Staples them together, and then hands them to you with a number. Take them and head to the third floor.

On the third floor, hand everything to the desk and wait for your physical tests while you watch a video in Thai about what to do in the tests. They will call people into the test room in 20 people lots. Once inside:

#1 line up by the color test. Lady points at circles with different sizes and colors, just name the color.
#2 Reaction test. You step on the gas pedal and when the red light comes on, step on the brakes
#3 Is supposed to be the test where they judge your depth perception with two sticks, for some reason, this test was skipped
#4 place your head on the machine and name the colors that appear to the left and right for perception test

Once passed, head up to fourth floor. You will enter room 2 for foreigners, watch a 1 hour video in english and study a book with road signs.

Then head back down to third floor for the computer multiple choice test. 30 questions, maximum 7 wrong to pass. I failed my first one, got 9 wrong. I don't really agree on some of what the 'correct' answers are. But it could also be a translation problem. Either way, I failed and had to return at 1pm after the lunch break. It was 11:45am at this point. A man rushed me out quickly at this point without having much time to review what I got wrong, but it was because a huge group was waiting to be tested outside.

I returned at 1pm, got 6 wrong, passed. You are handed back your passport with a piece of paper. Head out to the driving test building.

Inside, hand over your documents and tell the lady if you want to rent the motorcycle for 50baht. Then head into room 2 and watch the instructions of the driving test. Its a 10 minute video that goes in a loop. I had to watch many times because there was a long wait, alot of people. Just take a nap . Fairly simple test:
#1 drive straight along a ramp
#2 drive along a curvy road
#3 Drive around the test area obeying the road signs

For some reason, the part of driving over the bridge was done separately. So I had to drive twice in total. I didn't understand why, and my Thai is not good enough to ask too many questions LOL.

Once completed, 3:15pm for me. Take your passport back with the piece of paper and head back to building 4 second floor. You have passed everything. You will be told to go to one of the cubicles where they will take your picture and your one year temporary license (155baht) will be ready within minutes.

Out of the building before 4pm

Thanks - good post. BTW my foreign and thai licences have expired, so I like my chances better out of Bangkok: What say you?

BTW back about 20 years ago I actually did the circuit test twice: failed the first time when I stopped on the starting line (as per Sign A -  in English) because I couldn't read Sign B (in Thai) which said to also pull over to the right. TIT

However, when I misplaced my licence several years later and had to go back and look for myself in the old dusty record books to find the entry, I went through several years of records without finding mine - or any other European-looking name of any kind. I gather that farangs never actually did the circuit test in those days, except for me, which explains why the cops used to look at my old licence (Don't ask why) and pass it around as a sort of novelty item.
Saved me a few tickets though. TIT

[rhino533]

DMC1, on 2011-05-24 15:14:40, said:

Anyone out there renewed their 5 year license EARLY in Pattaya recently ? Mine is due for renewal in August but I would like to do it now for various reasons. I thought you could do it up to 90 days early but i am hearing tales of them turning people away until it has expired.

You can renew it 2 months in advance.