Thai Driver's License Renewal

[SunandFun]

Closed for lunch from 12 to 1. Suggest never to go after 2:30PM as they will always find something "missing" and require a return visit the next day. Mornings are always best and most friendly time to get work done.

[dotx]

Thanks, everybody. I was able to renew with no problems. Took less than 30 minutes for the whole thing (didn't even have to watch the video).

[fabman]

We just called the Driving test centre in Cha am , apparently if your on a tourist visa you can only get a 1 year driving licence , i wanted to renew to a 5 year but was told this isnt possible as it depends on what visa you have.

So i will have to do all the paper work , medical , proof of residence etc again .

I can see why some people dont bother at all ..

Has anyone else had this problem ?

[Dannie Boy]

We just called the Driving test centre in Cha am , apparently if your on a tourist visa you can only get a 1 year driving licence , i wanted to renew to a 5 year but was told this isnt possible as it depends on what visa you have.

So i will have to do all the paper work , medical , proof of residence etc again .

I can see why some people dont bother at all ..

Has anyone else had this problem ?

I can understand that if you're a regular visitor to Thailand then it's a bit frustrating, but I can see where they are coming from in only issuing a one year license on a tourist visa (exemption) and will only do a 5 year licence for those holding a full visa.

[fabman]

I guess its just easier to get an International Driving Licence

[SunandFun]

I guess its just easier to get an International Driving Licence

Not really a valid solution as an International License is valid for only one year as well. And it is not as easy to get. IMHO

[Dannie Boy]

I guess its just easier to get an International Driving Licence

Not really a valid solution as an International License is valid for only one year as well. And it is not as easy to get. IMHO

But according to the OP, this is for people visiting on a 30 day visa exemption, so they should be able to get an IDP from their home country before visiting.

[Nereus]

I guess its just easier to get an International Driving Licence

Not really a valid solution as an International License is valid for only one year as well. And it is not as easy to get. IMHO

But according to the OP, this is for people visiting on a 30 day visa exemption, so they should be able to get an IDP from their home country before visiting.

By default, an IDP HAS to be from your home country, or more correctly, from the country where your current licence is issued. If you do not have a Thai licence, then you are not going to be able to even apply for an IDP in Thailand.

[Phyton]

We just called the Driving test centre in Cha am , apparently if your on a tourist visa you can only get a 1 year driving licence , i wanted to renew to a 5 year but was told this isnt possible as it depends on what visa you have.

So i will have to do all the paper work , medical , proof of residence etc again .

I can see why some people dont bother at all ..

Has anyone else had this problem ?

I had the same problem. We come 2 times a year to Thailand, and i do not want every second time renew the driver licence.
So i use the international one valid for 3 years its about 18€.

[Don East Stand]

My wife and I (both farang) have 5 year Thai driving licences, both of which are due to expire shortly.

We went along to Pranburi today to renew our licences, armed with ALL the appropriate documentation i.e.

Passport
Copies of all relevant pages in passport
Letter of residency
Medical certificates

The very helpful lady checked our paperwork and confirmed everything was in order, HOWEVER ....... we need to do one hours training. The training is only carried out three times a day 09:30am 10:30am and 01:00pm and you should be there 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time.

It was about 2:30pm when we got there .... so we missed out and will have to go back tomorrow!

I don't think she was trying to get rid of us, and indeed pointed out a big notice on her window. I cannot read Thai however I could clearly see the three times she had told me i.e. 09:30am 10:30am and 01:00pm

So just a heads up for all those currently holding a 5 year licence ...... you will need to do the 1 hour training and currently it only takes place three times a day at the times I've mentioned.

Hopefully this might save a wasted journey for somebody!

[JuiceLover]

Thanks Don!
Just what I've been looking for. I'll renew my one year permit in April and heard about the training (questionnaire?) but wasn't aware about the schedule.

[HHTel]

If you're only visiting 2 times a year, why even bother with an IDP. Many foreign driving licences are recognized in Thailand under the treaties 'Geneva convention on Road Traffic' and the 'Vienna convention on Road Traffic'. Thailand is a signatory to both treaties and recognises all foreign driving licences of member countries.

[migrant]

I've always got the IDP. Here in the states it takes a quick visit to the auto assoc and a photo, about 30 minutes and 25$ Pretty easy and I feel better with it.

I drive a lot when we are in Thailand, but have never been asked for it even though I seem to get caught in many stops, always just waved on.

[Don East Stand]

Just a follow up to my previous post.

We went down to Pranburi in time for the 10:30 1 hour training. We had to do the three little tests, i.e. identify the colours of the traffic lights when the examiner flashed them up at random, the reaction time test when you have a accelerator and brake pedal and you have to hit the brake pedal when the examiner puts the red light on, and finally lining up the two "pegs" to demonstrate your spatial awareness.

The 1 hour training consisted of watching a video, there were no questions or tick sheets or anything, all you had to do was watch the video. A Thai guy watching clearly took the advice regarding not driving when drowsy to heart, ...... he caught up on his beauty sleep after about 20 minutes of watching the video!!

A word of warning if you are in a hurry ....... by the time we finished watching the video it was almost 11:40 and there was already a queue to pay money, get photograph taken, and receive new license, so we were advised to come back at 1:00pm

Finally please check your current license, as it turns out at the very end my wife could not renew her license despite going through everything, tests, videos etc. etc. ...... her license does NOT expire until next year!!

[snagsbootneck]

Recently been through this (although in Phuket) , medical, passport, proof of address, licence and patience