My car and bike driving licenses have expired.  From memory, the docs needed for the first license were:

1) Medical cert

2) Residence cert

3) Passport

4) My UK license

Question is this: For renewal, does anyone one know what is needed?  My guess would be 1, 2, 3 + expired Thai license, but it would be handy if I could avoid having to get 1 & 2.

Cheers.
 

Edited March 20, 20188 yr by wingcom1

Good topic. I will be interested in what you find out. I was about to get my Thai licenses, but since I have to return to the US for the Summer, I decided to wait until I return here in September. This times my licenses (initial and future) to my O-A visa extensions going forward and also enables me to upgrade the US license to include motorbikes. My understanding is that makes the Thai motorbike license easier.

Anyway, the point is I have recently looked into what is required for the initial licenses. According to a PA thread I found the answer is:

I went to Land of Transport office.

All they asked was :

- a copy of the passport and immigration card (I think he meant Departure Card)

- a certificate of residence

- 2 photos

- a medical certificate from a Dr with me for DL.

- home country license is a good idea, as that makes the initial process go better.

It would be good to know what the renewal requires. I realize you let yours lapse and that may change things.

Oh, I assume you own/lease a car as well as a motorbike, given that you have taken the time to get a car drivers license. Does anyone know about what is the ballpark for auto insurance? I am thinking about buying a car late this year. Someone told me that they pay about 27,000 per year for this.

All of this does not answer your question, but does let me partially hijack your thread.

 

Edited March 20, 20188 yr by ChiFlyer

The Residence certificate is needed for sure unless you have a work permit to show instead. And you only need one original. A copy is fine for the other licence. Jomtien may insist you need two if you tell them you are getting a car and bike license because it's a good money maker for them.

I'm not 100% sure about the med cert. I got one for my last renewal a couple of years ago but I don't remember if it was actually needed. 

For ChiFlyer,

Get an International Driver's Permit for AAA Auto Club ($20). That with your US license lets you skip the written and practical (driving) tests.

This is just for your first Thai license. Your foreign is not needed for renewals once you have a Thai license

Edited March 20, 20188 yr by Goolabert
Add info

For a renewal you will need all those. I renewed my expired licence a few month ago. As I was a tourist now I only got 2 years. Only renewed my bike licence as I won't be driving a car now, but the lady at administration noticed in the computer I also had an expired car licence and came asking if I wanted to renew that also. 

Hi. There was an announce of a new medical Certificate starting March 1st,

but I have no idea if it's really asked or not... 

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/new-form-medical-certificates-introduced-march-1-driving-license-applications/

4 hours ago, wingcom1 said:

My car and bike driving licenses have expired.  From memory, the docs needed for the first license were:

1) Medical cert

2) Residence cert

3) Passport

4) My UK license

Question is this: For renewal, does anyone one know what is needed?  My guess would be 1, 2, 3 + expired Thai license, but it would be handy if I could avoid having to get 1 & 2.

Cheers.
 

I renewed  both of mine  at xmas, and from number 1 to number 3 plus expired Thai licenses were required, and take photo copies of everything, also when i went to acquire a residence certificate, before i could obtain one i was made to go and report where i was staying in Thailand, i got a telling off as i had already been in the country for over 3 weeks without reporting to immigration, i did not incur a fine but i was told that if i did it again i would be fined if i did not report within 3 days of arrival in Thailand... there was a lot of f#*kin around and waiting,  it took all up 6 hours over a 2 day period just to renew something i already had, next time i wont be doing it in Pattaya i will go up north and do it...hope you renew yours faster than i managed to renew mine.

@Goolabert you seem to have some expertise in these matters, so perhaps you'd know what docs are required for a name change in the Green Book for my bike?  It's just a typo in the first letter of my surname, but I'm not sure if they will just make the simple change if I show them my passport or whether there's whole bunch of stuff I might need to produce? Many thanks.

I too am interested in this topic as both my Thai licenses expire this coming May. I actually got them in February 2016 and my birthday is in May, so maybe that's why it expires in May, not really sure to be honest.

They made an error on both my Thai driving licenses as well, my date of birth was one day out. Muppets. A lesson in checking before leaving.

I get very lazy living in Thailand and just don't fancy the trip over to land transport. I don't mind paying an agent to do it for me.

Anyone know of an agent besides N&B Service on New Plaza? 

I too am interested in this topic as both my Thai licenses expire this coming May. I actually got them in February 2016 and my birthday is in May, so maybe that's why it expires in May, not really sure to be honest.
They made an error on both my Thai driving licenses as well, my date of birth was one day out. Muppets. A lesson in checking before leaving.
I get very lazy living in Thailand and just don't fancy the trip over to land transport. I don't mind paying an agent to do it for me.
Anyone know of an agent besides N&B Service on New Plaza? 

I was down Jomtien immigration last year and a lady there quoted 29,000 baht to get the licence. I just laughed and did it myself for a few hundred.

Its a shame with a Tourist visa you can't get a 5 year licence

5 hours ago, wingcom1 said:

@Goolabert you seem to have some expertise in these matters, so perhaps you'd know what docs are required for a name change in the Green Book for my bike?  It's just a typo in the first letter of my surname, but I'm not sure if they will just make the simple change if I show them my passport or whether there's whole bunch of stuff I might need to produce? Many thanks.

Can't help you with that one except with opinions. All you should need is your passport but logic is not often used when dealing with officials here.

I also think that that they would tell you that it is not a problem and no need to make a new green book.

One option is to have the folks at a motorcycle dealership deal with it for you. The deal wit DLT on a regular basis.

Unless they break all their own rules you have to go to the DLT personally because of the the safety video that was required to be watched and the physical tests (color blindness, reaction time, and depth perception).

An agent might be able to get your residency and medical certs and make sure you have everything along with all required copies and escort you down and back from the DLT but you still have to go in person.

12 hours ago, wingcom1 said:

My car and bike driving licenses have expired. 

In case your existing Drivers License has expired more than 1 year ago. You will need to take a Theory test to alow to renew Thai Drivers License

In case your existing Drivers License has expired more than 3 year ago. You will need to take a Theory test  AND a Practical test as part of the renewal process.

So depending how long Thai license are expired, maybe you want to bring your UK license / IDP, to avoid doing all test again

 

2 minutes ago, Fr_loper said:

In case your existing Drivers License has expired more than 1 year ago. You will need to take a Theory test to alow to renew Thai Drivers License

In case your existing Drivers License has expired more than 3 year ago. You will need to take a Theory test  AND a Practical test as part of the renewal process.

So depending how long Thai license are expired, maybe you want to bring your UK license / IDP, to avoid doing all test again

 

I helped a friend of mine try that a few months ago. His Thai license was expired by more that three years.

The lady at the DLT was adamant that once you have had a Thai license and are in the system you cannot use your foreign license to get out of the written and driving tests. If it's more than three years expired you have to take the written and driving tests again same the Thais.

2 minutes ago, Goolabert said:

I helped a friend of mine try that a few months ago. His Thai license was expired by more that three years.

The lady at the DLT was adamant that once you have had a Thai license and are in the system you cannot use your foreign license to get out of the written and driving tests. If it's more than three years expired you have to take the written and driving tests again same the Thais.

Hmmm I didn't realise that. Guess it was a mistake then not to renew my car licence at the same time as my bike licence. 

51 minutes ago, Fr_loper said:

In case your existing Drivers License has expired more than 1 year ago. You will need to take a Theory test to alow to renew Thai Drivers License

In case your existing Drivers License has expired more than 3 year ago. You will need to take a Theory test  AND a Practical test as part of the renewal process.

So depending how long Thai license are expired, maybe you want to bring your UK license / IDP, to avoid doing all test again

 

Thanks, but it only expired this week.  I only know this because a traffic cop noticed it at a checkpoint yesterday and slapped me with a fine lol.

5 minutes ago, wingcom1 said:

Thanks, but it only expired this week.  I only know this because a traffic cop noticed it at a checkpoint yesterday and slapped me with a fine lol.

Then a happy birthday 

My Thai driving licence expired in July 2017 and i renewed both car and motorbike on 26th December 2017. 

What i would add to this thread is get there early 7.30am as big queues  (Door opened 8.30am) as they can only process so many in a day (120 if i remember rightly) and it took me 3 visits to get my licenses renewed and yes i had all the right paperwork on day one.

Good Luck.

Just done my renewal of car and motorbike licence today. 

I sorted the residency permit at Jomtiem immigration a coupe of days ago and the medical certificate at a clinic ion soi buakhoa yesterday. (one per licence at 100 baht each) 

The medical has now a new format of form to fill out but still very easy.  I did actually see the doctor this time!!  Which was a surprise.  Height and weight taken and a blood pressure check was done.  

I arrived at the licensing centre at 9.30am. 

Docs required:

Original passport 

Both expired licences 

Residency permit

Visa Departure card (for tourist visa) 

All photocopying can be done on site (a number of small copy shops ) I needed 3 of everything.

Take a ticket from the dispenser downstairs and wait for your number to go to the desk upstairs to have your papers checked. (now 10.15am)

I was then handed a numbered card and told to come back at 1pm after lunch555.

1pm.  Directed to the road traffic video room for 40min video. 

Next,  eyesight test,  colour test,  distance test. 

Lots more waiting around...... 

Sign processed paperwork..... 

Wait.... 

Take docs back and go and pay..... 

Wait. .  

Take photos..... 

Wait 30mins.... 

Two new licences in my hand and free to go. It was nearly 4pm by then

Taxi there and back 500 baht.  He didn't wait for me,  just came back when all done. 

Talking to other people there is no hard and fast rules to this... Some people ha e to come back tommorow,  some don't.  Ive never had to watch the video before as licences we re converted from home country licence. 

Turning up at 7.30am might be beneficial at times,  just depends how busy they are on any given day.  Today wasn't so busy from what I've seen before. 

Total cost for both licences 310baht. 

I met others who had arrived at 10.30am and still got processed at the same time as myself. 

 

 

 

19 hours ago, Goolabert said:

I helped a friend of mine try that a few months ago. His Thai license was expired by more that three years.

The lady at the DLT was adamant that once you have had a Thai license and are in the system you cannot use your foreign license to get out of the written and driving tests. If it's more than three years expired you have to take the written and driving tests again same the Thais.

Didn´t know that, I´m wondering if you keep your expired thai drivers license in your pocket, and use a new passport (with new number), if you are able to get a new Thai driver license based on your "farang" driver license (e.q How do they know, that you had a Thai driver license before)

 

 

Edited March 21, 20188 yr by Fr_loper

1 minute ago, oppositelock said:

 

Turning up at 7.30am might be beneficial at times,  just depends how busy they are on any given day.  Today wasn't so busy from what I've seen before. 

Thanks for the detailed report!  Much appreciated.  Sounds like it's gonna have to be an early start for sure.

38 minutes ago, oppositelock said:

Just done my renewal of car and motorbike licence today. 

I sorted the residency permit at Jomtiem immigration a coupe of days ago and the medical certificate at a clinic ion soi buakhoa yesterday. (one per licence at 100 baht each) 

.......

Also thanks for the detailed report. I assume that my initial licenses will go much like this. I will have a home country license for both car and bike.

You took a cab out there. Looking at the route that would be my preference as well. What happens if one needs to demonstrate actual hands on driving skills for either car or bike?

Apologies,  I wrote that wrong.  I had to do the bike test two years ago as I only had a restricted bike licence which they wouldn't accept.  

You can rent the scooter from them for the test for 200baht (price 2 yrs ago) 

Test involved a balance test riding along a raise concrete strip, navigating a mock road at the test centre and not much else that I remember. Also had to sit a theory test on the computer at the test station. Failed the 1st time and had to go back another day to try again. 

The car licence conversion was a paperwork exercise  from Aussie to Thai as this was a full licence I held 

For the 500 baht taxi fare I would do that over take your bike there.  The centre is on a busy dual land freeway which isn't my idea of fun to navigate. 

 

Just done my renewal of car and motorbike licence today. 
I sorted the residency permit at Jomtiem immigration a coupe of days ago and the medical certificate at a clinic ion soi buakhoa yesterday. (one per licence at 100 baht each) 
The medical has now a new format of form to fill out but still very easy.  I did actually see the doctor this time!!  Which was a surprise.  Height and weight taken and a blood pressure check was done.  
I arrived at the licensing centre at 9.30am. 
Docs required:
Original passport 
Both expired licences 
Residency permit
Visa Departure card (for tourist visa) 
All photocopying can be done on site (a number of small copy shops ) I needed 3 of everything.
Take a ticket from the dispenser downstairs and wait for your number to go to the desk upstairs to have your papers checked. (now 10.15am)
I was then handed a numbered card and told to come back at 1pm after lunch555.
1pm.  Directed to the road traffic video room for 40min video. 
Next,  eyesight test,  colour test,  distance test. 
Lots more waiting around...... 
Sign processed paperwork..... 
Wait.... 
Take docs back and go and pay..... 
Wait. .  
Take photos..... 
Wait 30mins.... 
Two new licences in my hand and free to go. It was nearly 4pm by then
Taxi there and back 500 baht.  He didn't wait for me,  just came back when all done. 
Talking to other people there is no hard and fast rules to this... Some people ha e to come back tommorow,  some don't.  Ive never had to watch the video before as licences we re converted from home country licence. 
Turning up at 7.30am might be beneficial at times,  just depends how busy they are on any given day.  Today wasn't so busy from what I've seen before. 
Total cost for both licences 310baht. 
I met others who had arrived at 10.30am and still got processed at the same time as myself. 
 
 
 

Good info, a few questions, last year i went there i can't remember shops being there for copying, where abouts are they? In the building or outside somewhere?

I assume you only got the 2 years? 5 years wasn't an option as expected as you have a tourist visa?

You needed 2 original medical certificates? I've heard of maybe 2 resident certs being required. I only needed one of all and copied for the second licence.
Why did you need 3 of everything? I needed 2, for bike and car.

Did the clinic have the new medical form? Or did you provide it?