Renewing a Thai driving licence

**benbaaa** · 04-12-2006, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by RDN

Anyone got a 5 year license since the coup?

Originally Posted by benbaaa

Quick update: My 1 year motocy license ran out last week, so this week I went down to the office here in Chiang Mai. I presented the following documents and was given a nice shiney new 5 year license.

* Passport
* One photocopy of the information page
* One copy of the non-imm visa page
* One copy of the extension to 1 year page
* A letter from the British Consulate certifying my address
* Two 1"x1" passport photos
* 255 Baht

* She asked me for my work permit, but I don't need one where I work, so she said fine. The whole process took less than an hour.

In what way, RDN, did my earlier post not answer your question?

**RDN** · 05-12-2006, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by benbaaa

Originally Posted by RDN

Anyone got a 5 year license since the coup?

Originally Posted by benbaaa

Quick update: My 1 year motocy license ran out last week, so this week I went down to the office here in Chiang Mai. I presented the following documents and was given a nice shiney new 5 year license.

* Passport
* One photocopy of the information page
* One copy of the non-imm visa page
* One copy of the extension to 1 year page
* A letter from the British Consulate certifying my address
* Two 1"x1" passport photos
* 255 Baht

* She asked me for my work permit, but I don't need one where I work, so she said fine. The whole process took less than an hour.

In what way, RDN, did my earlier post not answer your question?

Oops.

In absolutely no way whatsoever. Thanks for confirming the 5 year is still given.

. I don't know how I missed your post

I've got the "Residence Certificate" application form from Immigration. More info later when I get around to going to the Transport office.

**Spin** · 05-12-2006, 03:22 PM

^ i had a nightmare with that form at Nong Khai immigration....

they wanted....

that form filled out.
the 90 day reporting form completed and the receipt part signed by my local police.
The original id card and tabien baan of the housemaster of where i live. The housemaster in person must attend also. (which fucked me right up becuase i live in a rented condo and when i asked the building owner if he would come to Nong Khaiwith me he just laughed at me)

They just want to make you jump through hoops.

**RDN** · 05-12-2006, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Helicopter

^ i had a nightmare with that form at Nong Khai immigration....

they wanted....

that form filled out.
the 90 day reporting form completed and the receipt part signed by my local police.
The original id card and tabien baan of the housemaster of where i live. The housemaster in person must attend also. (which fucked me right up becuase i live in a rented condo and when i asked the building owner if he would come to Nong Khaiwith me he just laughed at me)

They just want to make you jump through hoops.

I'm pretty sure I won't have that problem in Phuket...

...but let's wait and see! I think Thetyim had similar problems to you.

I'm certain they won't want the owner of the house to accompany me - copies of the tabien baan and his ID card are usually enough.

**Mr Earl** · 19-12-2006, 12:32 PM

I just renewed my thai drivers license today. I was issued a 5 year license for 505 baht+ 10 baht to laminate(last year they didn't laminate it I had to do it myself)
I arrive at 8:30 this morning and was out of there license in hand at 9:30!
I was insanity in there when I arrived but somehow through the chaos everyone is pleasant and things work!

**Little Chuchok** · 19-12-2006, 01:26 PM

my one year licence is comming up.the wife just called the CM office to enquire about the 5 year jobbie.They said no problem,but I must come in on THE day that my yearly licence expires

...or I only get a 1 year again.

**RDN** · 19-12-2006, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

my one year licence is comming up.the wife just called the CM office to enquire about the 5 year jobbie.They said no problem,but I must come in on THE day that my yearly licence expires

...or I only get a 1 year again.

That's NOT the case in most places. You must go the day AFTER it expires! (Or up to 6 months after - or is it one year?)

Or maybe you're living in a parallel universe version of Thailand... there do seem to be a lot of them around!

**RDN** · 19-12-2006, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

I...It was insanity in there when I arrived but somehow through the chaos everyone is pleasant and things work!

I read this and thought: "Hmm, sounds the same as Phuket". Then I saw it was you!

Well, that's good news that they are still doing the 5-year. I'd better get off my backside, get the "Address Certificate" sorted and re-new my old 5-year.

**Thetyim** · 19-12-2006, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by RDN

I'd better get off my backside, get the "Address Certificate" sorted and re-new my old 5-year.

Can you get me one whilst you are there ?

**benbaaa** · 19-12-2006, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

my one year licence is comming up.the wife just called the CM office to enquire about the 5 year jobbie.They said no problem,but I must come in on THE day that my yearly licence expires...or I only get a 1 year again.

I went to the CM office a week after my old one expired and they gave me a 5 year license. Last month.

**Mr Earl** · 19-12-2006, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by RDN

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

I...It was insanity in there when I arrived but somehow through the chaos everyone is pleasant and things work!

I read this and thought: "Hmm, sounds the same as Phuket". Then I saw it was you!

Well, that's good news that they are still doing the 5-year. I'd better get off my backside, get the "Address Certificate" sorted and re-new my old 5-year.

The location for the address cert has changed.
Now you can only get it at a new office in Phuket town. It's right next to where the old immigration office use to be.

**RDN** · 28-12-2006, 02:56 AM

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

Originally Posted by RDN

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

I...It was insanity in there when I arrived but somehow through the chaos everyone is pleasant and things work!

I read this and thought: "Hmm, sounds the same as Phuket". Then I saw it was you!

Well, that's good news that they are still doing the 5-year. I'd better get off my backside, get the "Address Certificate" sorted and re-new my old 5-year.

The location for the address cert has changed.
Now you can only get it at a new office in Phuket town. It's right next to where the old immigration office use to be.

Yes, I went to the temporary Immigration Office across the road from the old office and they told me to go back to the old office (which has been knocked down now) and then go to the building on the right. It looks like all they do there is issue address certificates.

I got a couple of forms and resisted the very friendly girl who wanted to help me complete it there and then.

Maybe next week I'll do it. Can't promise

**Dougal** · 31-12-2006, 08:02 AM

I finally got around to getting a Thai driving licence. The whole procdure took pretty much all day with various forms to complete at immigration first, which involved queueing and I recommend that you have all the various photogrpahs and documents copied before you start the process.
The driving licence office is, of course, in a different town and we had to make two trips, first to lodge our forms and we then came back later to do the three tests.
I watched a group of Thais taking the reaction test which consists (at least at Pranburi) of two pedals, simulating a throttle and a brake. You put your foot on the throttle while a green light is lit and then stamp on the brake when a red light comes on. At least two of the candidates I watched failed due to their flip flops getting tangled up in the pedals. Rather sportingly the woman organising the tests let them take of their shoes and have another go. A few others needed several attempts because they were just bloody slow and another stamped on the accelerator instead of the brake when the red light came on. Pity that you don't get several goes in real life isn't it.
The colour blindness test was a bit of a joke. I was tested by the nurse when I went in for my medical certificate using the standard Ishihara coloured bubbles book, then when I saw the doctor a few minutes later (for some unrelated problem) he tested me again by pointing to various objects in his office and asking me what the colours were. At the driving centre I was tested again, this time they had what looked like an advertising poster for the Ishihara test i.e. a big circle about 18" across with lots of coloured bubbles in it. The girl pointed with her pen to various bubbles and asked me to name the colours. I was tempted to reply 'carmine' 'puce' 'aqua marine' and so forth but decided that she was unlikely to see the funny side of it and so stuck to red, blue, green etc.
Wait for another half and hour pay my fee and off I go with my nice smart licence.
The office was very very busy, either a lot of Thais are deciding that getting a licence after all those years of managing with out one, is a good idea or there a lot of new drivers coming on the roads.

Be careful out there.

**Skulldigger** · 31-12-2006, 10:37 AM

there a lot of new drivers coming on the roads.

There a lot ching ching. Thanks for the info, excellent thread.

**Goddess of Whatever** · 09-01-2007, 09:04 PM

I went to renew mine yesterday, 505 Baht is what I paid. It will be expire on my birthday in the next 5 years.

**danbo** · 03-08-2008, 02:58 PM

Hello everyone - I haven't been around here for a while, what with one thing and another, and I feel a bit guilty jumping straight in with a request for help.....But because I know that you are all such nice people (apart from you-know-who), here goes:

Anyone have any recent info or experience with car driving license renewals. I have a one year Thai license which I obtained in Chiangmai. The license is due to expire and I would like to renew for 5 years. The most convenient would be for me to renew in Bangkok, but I am more than happy to revisit Chiangmai if the process would be 'smoother' there. I have my 'spare' copy of the original Consulate letter re. address; will this suffice, or do I need a new one? Also, is another 'medical certificate' required (the one I got the first time was filled out by the receptionist)

**spliff** · 03-08-2008, 03:12 PM

My Thai drivers license expired about Three or four years ago...what's the procedure for getting a new one? I've already had one and i still have it, just it's expired long ago....I've never bothered renewing it. Easy or hassle?

**danbo** · 03-08-2008, 03:37 PM

^I've read that if the expiry if over 6 months then you must apply anew. I would think that you would have to if yours has expired for a few years.

I first applied in Chinagmai (not my 'home' province) around a year ago and it was all pretty straightforward.

i) "Proof" of residence from consulate (British in my case). I filled in a a form, paid 2000 Baht or so and picked up two headed letters the next day. I took a utility bill with me.

ii) Obtained 'medical certificate' from a clinic for a couple of hundred Baht.

iii) Two passport size photos, my UK driving license, and photocopies of the picture and visa (non immigrant) pages of passport.

iv) Went to the driving license centre on the airport road. Filled in some more forms (which were in Thai, but no problem as the staff were very helpful).

v) Took a colour test and some tests on reaction and depth perception.

Given licence valid for one year and had it laminated. The whole process at the driving license centre took a couple of hours.

**daveboy** · 03-08-2008, 03:38 PM

^
Great to see your posting again danbo.

**EmperorTud** · 03-08-2008, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by danbo

Anyone have any recent info or experience with car driving license renewals. I have a one year Thai license which I obtained in Chiangmai. The license is due to expire and I would like to renew for 5 years. The most convenient would be for me to renew in Bangkok, but I am more than happy to revisit Chiangmai if the process would be 'smoother' there. I have my 'spare' copy of the original Consulate letter re. address; will this suffice, or do I need a new one? Also, is another 'medical certificate' required (the one I got the first time was filled out by the receptionist)

I would suspect you'll need a new letter regardless where you apply.

You need to go to the local Land Transport Office that the address on your proof of residence (letter from Immigration, letter from Embassy or Work Permit) is nearest to.

If you go to Bangkok with a letter saying you live in Chiang Mai they will simply send you away.

**Thetyim** · 03-08-2008, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by danbo

The license is due to expire and I would like to renew for 5 years.

The rules have changed and farangs are only allowed a one year license now.
However the new rules are apparently not popular and some offices are still handing out 5 year licenses.
Go ahead and ask for 5 years but don't bother arguing if they only give you a year

**ThaiAm** · 24-12-2008, 03:45 PM

Just got 5 year renewsal so wanted to share the process that worked great for me at the Phong Khon office.
Yesterday I stopped at the office and asked what I needed to get renewal of my license and showed a copy of license to the gal. My Old license expires on Jan 11, 2009. She told me that I could apply for renewal at any time I wanted up to 90 days ahead of expiration. She told me that I did not need certificate from Doctor and that the only thing I needed to bring with me was passport and visa, and a copy of each for their records and a copy of my wifes house papers and her ID. I also needed either a letter from Immigration or from local Amphur verifying that I lived at the address specified. No photos or other forms were asked for.
So we went to the Amphur and got the address verification letter (they required that I bring the Mayor of our village to sign and verify that we lived where we said)and that I be prepared to pay 10 baht fee for the letter.
We also could have gotten verification from Immigration but that is a 65 km drive compared to 9 km to the Amphur, and I am bright enough to take the 9 km option.
So armed with my not yet expired 5 year license, a copy of my passport and visa, copy of house papers and wife's ID and the certification letter from the Amphur we went back today to the License facility in Phong Khon.
The papers were all checked by the clerk and compared to the original passport, visa and wifes ID, and we were asked to sign each copy as is the custom for everything you do. We were then shuttled down to another area for eye check and reaction time test. Even though it was a bit tough to understand the description of the tests I managed to get through all of them and we were then sent back to the clerk that we originally met with. She then entered all the information into the system and after about 15 minutes asked me to go around the corner for a photo. The photo was taken quickly and the new drivers license was printed combining what she entered and my photo onto a sturdy plastic encased card with a magnetic stirpe on the back side, which I assume contains all the details that they have on file for me.
I paid the fee of 605 baht and was given the license and a reciept for the transaction along with some prideful comments from the gal informing me that the license was valid as drivers license in all Asean countries.
I present this information outlining my experience today because there are so many iterations of what you need on the forum that I was totally confused before asking the gal at the license bureau what to do.
I cannot confirm that the same rules apply wherever you might want to apply but can suggest that you do take the time next time you are near the License bureau to ask them what you need to do.
Hope this is of some help to someone.

**Jesus Jones** · 24-12-2008, 03:56 PM

Without starting a new thread. I'm in the process of obtaining my first licence here which i will do just after xmas. Is there a test involved and do I have to take lessons. Or do I just present my UK licence and the necessary paper work?

**lom** · 24-12-2008, 04:08 PM

^ Colour test, reaction test, and distance-visability (don't remember the correct name for it) test.

No theory lessons or test needed when you bring your foreign driving license.

**keda** · 24-12-2008, 07:06 PM

Just had to take the colour test for my 1-yr Thai license, then 5-yrs on expiry.

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