How to Get Thai Driving License
September 21st, 2008TravellingRequirements
You must be 18 years of age to lawfully drive a car in Thailand and hold a license. While, for tourists, an international drivers’ license will suffice, for those remaining in the Kingdom for an extended period you would be advised to apply for a Thai license.
Application
You will require the following to make the necessary application at the licensing office (in Pattaya it is located on Highway 36, close to the School of the Regents), which must be made in person:
- Passport, complete with current Non-immigrant visa
- A letter from the Immigration Bureau certifying your home address in Thailand
- A medical certificate confirming good health
- Two passport sized photos
- Driving license from your home country
A fee will be charged, of 105 Baht for a license valid for one year and of 505 Baht for one with five years validity.
You will need to complete an application form (available only in Thai), although the staff at the licensing office will usually do it for you, meaning you only have to sign. You will also have to take a quick test for colour blindness and a short written test of thirty questions. You must answer at least twenty three correctly. The office opens at 8:30 am and you are advised to go early to avoid the crowds.
Tips
In order t obtain the necessary letter from Immigration, certifying your address, you will require photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport (i.e. particulars page, visa page, most recent entry stamp and departure card), two photos, your home drivers’ license and 200 Baht. They are also likely want to see a photocopy of the house registration booklet for your home.
When obtaining a Doctor’s certificate, explain that it is for a drivers’ license. Dependent upon where you go, the usual fee will be in the region of 100 Baht.
Separate licenses are required for cars and motorcycles. The fee for motorcycles is 55 baht.
Renewal
Upon the expiry of your drivers’ license, you will again need to attend the licensing office, together with the following documents:
- Passport
- Signed photocopies of the following from your passport: particulars page, visa page, most recent entry stamp and
- Departure card
- Two passport sized photos
- Old Thai drivers’ license
The fees are the same as for the initial application. If you wish to get a five year license you must specify that is what you require.
Sphere: Related Content3 Responses to “How to Get Thai Driving License”
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October 9th, 2008 at 2:41 am
hi,
nice site and i got more information about driving. here is very important tips written by you, keep up it.
May 16th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Hi all,
I am aware that the following are needed for renewal of a thai driving license:
1. Passport(and 1 signed copy of photo page)
2. The departure card (“TM card” stapled in your passport)
3. The last arrival stamp (“Admitted Until” stamp)
3. Valid visa page
4. Two photos
5. Your old Thai driving license
6. Affidavit from embassy
7. Medical certificate
My question is:
Can a person holding a tourist visa (a 30 day visa) renew his Thai driving license?
I am holding a Thai driving license which was obtained in Sep 08 and will expire in Sept 09. I took all the tests; the theory and practical at the Head Office – Chatuchak, Bangkok.
My Non-immigrant visa has expired as I no longer work/study in the kingdom anymore.
I saw posts from some forums that renewal of the Thai driving license can be done without a Non-immigrant visa and can be done with a tourist visa. The only drawback though, would be that they would only renew it for 1 year only.
Would be very grateful if I could get more views and useful info on this from this forum.
Thanks!
July 17th, 2009 at 2:08 am
nice sight but what are the answers to the thai ilogical written test ie can a tank drive on the road ect my wife is pullng her hair out keeps failing this part of the test . all help gratefully accepted. o by the way my wife is thai lol.