It’s been 2 years since I first got my Thai driver licenses. Yes: licenses plural, because there are separate licenses for cars and motorbikes. The first time you get a license here, it’s valid for 2 years, but when you renew them you’ll get 5 year validity and expiration on your birthday.
Good to know
- Don’t let your license expire. You’ll have to start from scratch again. It will be like you have never had a license before. That means studying the rules, do the driving tests, sit through a 2 hour video about the traffic rules, etc.
- I you have an extension of stay based on marriage to a Thai and have just requested your next extension, don’t renew your license during the 1 month waiting period, otherwise they will only give you a 2 year license instead of the 5 year one you should normally get. Instead, renew your license well before the end of your current extension of stay. How do I know, you ask? Because I fell into that trap myself, of course. I’m in my waiting period right now, and they could only give me a 2 year license instead of a 5 year one 😊
- As always in Thailand, you can never bring too many copies of documents, only too few. I’ll list what I needed below here in Khon Kaen, but things may be different in your local transport office. So come prepared, or be prepared to come back…
- If you have 2 licenses (car and motorbike) to renew, you will need 2 copies of each document and also 2 separate medical certificates.
When to renew?
You can renew up to 3 months before your current license expires.
What is the process to renew your driver license(s)?
Here are the steps involved in the process:
- Training: the easiest way is to take the required Department of Land Transport (DLT) online video training up front here: DLT eLearning. You’ll need to register on the site with your passport number and birth date. The training consists of a 1 hour video course in 4 sections, and you’ll need to answer a few simple questions.
At the end of the training video, you will be shown a certificate with a QR code. Download or screenshot that certificate, and print it out and bring it when you go to your local DLT office. It serves as proof that you’ve done the required training.
Alternatively, you can also do the video training at the DLT itself, but if it’s busy you might have to wait until there’s a viewing time slot available, as they can only get so many people into the viewing rooms in one go. - Prepare the documents in the list below
- Go to your local DLT office and present your documents. Depending on how busy it is, you might be in for a wait, so make sure you have enough time, certainly if you didn’t take the online training upfront.
- They’ll give you a form to fill in. Do that and hand it back.
- If you didn’t take the online training, you’ll have to wait for the next slot and sit through it.
- You will get a queue number for taking the physical tests. These consist of a lateral vision test, a color vision test, a depth perception test, and a reaction test. The tests are easy to complete.
- After the tests are done, you’ll need to go back to the reception area and pay your license renewal fees.
- Next, you’ll be called to a booth where your picture will be taken and your new license(s) will be handed to you. They will expire in 5 years on your birthday, unless you’re stupid stupid like me and renew during your extension waiting period, then it’s 2 years.
- Go home secured in the knowledge that you won’t have to do this again for some years…
Which documents do you need?
As always in Thailand, there’s a whole set of papers you need to bring. The list below is the set of documents I needed. Your local office may need more / different documents. Call them upfront if you’re not sure.
Be aware that if you have 2 licenses (car and motorbike), you will need to have a separate set of documents for each license. That means also 2 separate medical certificates, so make sure you ask your clinic to provide 2 of them.
- Your passport
- I’ve heard that some DLT offices require passport pictures (mine here in Khon Kaen doesn’t) but to avoid wasting time I suggest you bring some anyway, at least 1 for each license you need renewed.
- A copy of the picture page of your passport. Sign it with a blue pen.
- A copy of your valid visa or latest extension of stay stamp. Sign it with a blue pen.
- A valid work permit OR a Certificate of Residency (which you can get for free at your local Immigration Office) OR a copy of your “yellow book” (yellow Tabien Baan) if you have one. Sign the copy with a blue pen.
- Your current driver license card(s). No need to take copies of them, your old cards will be taken from you.
- A medical certificate. You can get this at any local clinic in about 10 minutes. Tell them it’s for a driver license, they’ll know what to do. They measure your height and weight, your heart rate, temperature and blood pressure, and you’ll get the required document issued. I paid less 60 Baht per certificate (I needed 2 of them, one for each license).
How much does it all cost?
It’s cheap. I paid:
- 60 Baht per medical certificate
- 105 Baht for the 2 year motorbike license
- 205 Baht for the 2 year car
So the total was 370 Baht.
Good luck!
#driverlicense #renewal #thailand-2
https://blog.patrickv.be/2023/03/09/getting-your-driver-license-renewed-in-thailand/
