Thai "five year" driving licence.

[fvw53]

I have Non Imm O visa and 2 years ago applied for the first time for a Thai DL and I got one after passing the tests at the HQ of the Transport Ministry in my province. Recently this 2 year DL was renewed with a 6 year DL but again after passing tests. (What I read in this Forum creates the impression one can get a DL without passing tests???)

[Andrew Dwyer]

I have Non Imm O visa and 2 years ago applied for the first time for a Thai DL and I got one after passing the tests at the HQ of the Transport Ministry in my province. Recently this 2 year DL was renewed with a 6 year DL but again after passing tests. (What I read in this Forum creates the impression one can get a DL without passing tests???)

You have to do the depth perception, colour blind and reaction tests ( some DLT may vary these tests ) to renew a DL.
I think the confusion arises when posters are talking about the practical and theory tests ( driving around some bollards in the car park and answering questions on a video ). These “ tests “ are necessary for a first time license or if your license has expired for a long time .

[Andycoops]

Just renewed my 5yr last week in Roi Et province with a Non O marriage extn, had to show yellow book as well.

[gamini]

Mine is for life and apparantly it is still legally valid

[Bangkok Barry]

18 hours ago, blackcab said:

Each office interprets the rules differently.

 

When do they not? About anything. Translation: No-one actually knows what they are doing or what the rules are, so they make up their own rules.

[Andrew Dwyer]

Just renewed my 5yr last week in Roi Et province with a Non O marriage extn, had to show yellow book as well.

Your yellow book would be instead of a certificate of residence I think ?

[HarryAbel]

1 hour ago, Rdrokit said:

Why would you want a Thai drivers license on a tourist visa? You should have a International Drivers License issued from your home country to drive with.

Awaiting early retirement visa

[Rdrokit]

9 minutes ago, HarryAbel said:

Awaiting early retirement visa

Then wait till you get a retirement visa and use a IDl until then.

[Sydebolle]

This applies to holders of TOURIST visas only; the other visas (work visa, retirement visa, spouse visa etc.) are NOT a part of this extension regulation/information. 

[spidermike007]

I recently renewed, and they gave me five years. On my original car license, I got ten years. But, that was before the army took over, and their hatred, xenophobia, and racism took hold. 

[Kaopad999]

2 hours ago, HarryAbel said:

Vaguely relevant: I could not get a driver licence on a tourist visa (tried both offices in Bangkok, June and July 2019).

I got a car drivers license in Chiang Mai  2 years ago. At the time i was on a tourist visa. 

Edited August 3, 2019 by Kaopad999

[Kaopad999]

1 hour ago, Rdrokit said:

Why would you want a Thai drivers license on a tourist visa? You should have a International Drivers License issued from your home country to drive with.

Because maybe some people do not have a driving license from their home country, and wish to drive here legally? 
Not rocket science really, is it? 

[drbeach]

13 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I recently renewed, and they gave me five years. On my original car license, I got ten years. But, that was before the army took over, and their hatred, xenophobia, and racism took hold. 

Oh come on now, don't exaggerate. What happened was everyone, Thais included can only get 5-year licenses now, which has been the case for some time now, even before 2014 if I recall correctly.

 

If you want to know what xenophobia feels like, head over to Cambodia. The government there is doing everything it can to get rid of all American/western influences and turn itself into the latest Chinese province. Hun Sen is the latest incarnation of America hating Hugo Chavez or Morales, the Bolivian president.

Sihanoukville - westerners are unwelcome in many Chinese owned businesses, especially casinos. If you are allowed in expect strange stares (which are uncomfortable enough you wouldn't feel like staying, unless you are such an overconfident person you don't flinch at the sight of 50 Chinese people staring at you).

Visas - 6 months now without a job or being retired, then a visa run. Foreigners can't marry locals if they're over 50 (weird age discrimination going on there). 2nd hand bikes can no longer be registered to foreigners. 2nd hand cars, not sure.

Driver's licenses - apparently only 1 year ones allowed now, no more 5 or 10 year ones (these are only available to locals). Having said that, some expats claim it's still possible so not sure what to believe, but it's no longer possible to show up with a tourist visa and get a 1-year license like it used to be about 8 years ago.

Immigration - officers are universally surly and try to rip you off. If you don't give in to their demands, they refuse to issue your visa and throw your passport back at you. This is especially true if you want a business (ordinary) visa. They hold up a placard stating you must show documents to support your application otherwise you pay US$10 over the official price. Don't want to pay? No visa for you, or only a tourist visa.

 

Thailand, for all it's faults is still way better than Cambodia.

[spidermike007]

7 minutes ago, drbeach said:

Oh come on now, don't exaggerate. What happened was everyone, Thais included can only get 5-year licenses now, which has been the case for some time now, even before 2014 if I recall correctly.

 

If you want to know what xenophobia feels like, head over to Cambodia. The government there is doing everything it can to get rid of all American/western influences and turn itself into the latest Chinese province. Hun Sen is the latest incarnation of America hating Hugo Chavez or Morales, the Bolivian president.

Sihanoukville - westerners are unwelcome in many Chinese owned businesses, especially casinos. If you are allowed in expect strange stares (which are uncomfortable enough you wouldn't feel like staying, unless you are such an overconfident person you don't flinch at the sight of 50 Chinese people staring at you).

Visas - 6 months now without a job or being retired, then a visa run. Foreigners can't marry locals if they're over 50 (weird age discrimination going on there). 2nd hand bikes can no longer be registered to foreigners. 2nd hand cars, not sure.

Driver's licenses - apparently only 1 year ones allowed now, no more 5 or 10 year ones (these are only available to locals). Having said that, some expats claim it's still possible so not sure what to believe, but it's no longer possible to show up with a tourist visa and get a 1-year license like it used to be about 8 years ago.

Immigration - officers are universally surly and try to rip you off. If you don't give in to their demands, they refuse to issue your visa and throw your passport back at you. This is especially true if you want a business (ordinary) visa. They hold up a placard stating you must show documents to support your application otherwise you pay US$10 over the official price. Don't want to pay? No visa for you, or only a tourist visa.

 

Thailand, for all it's faults is still way better than Cambodia.

Wow. Good info on Cambodia. I have a one year visa, and had to get a letter from immigration, so the five year license is still possible, for those with a retirement or marriage visa. 

[Don Mega]

2 hours ago, recom273 said:

In my experience they don’t have a clue at a (provincial) DLT. It’s not their job to decipher the difference between a ME and extension of stay. 

 

The last time I renewed, the guy issuing licenses didn’t have a clue, he tried to issue a 2 year ticket - I then pulled out a print out of the DLT website, he then made a phone call, and I heard the reply in Thai, if the guy has a Non-O - 5 years. 

 

I told him I had a Non-O (I had a ME) he squinted at the sticker, I pointed it out, then he called over 2 people from the queue, laughed and said “passa angkrit, Mai pben” they all stood their scratching their heads then granted me a 5-year license. 

I got my 1st DL in 2006 and I had a Non B visa, I got a 1yr "temp" licence and was explained to me when I renew I will then get 5 yr licence.

[Russell17au]

Read what the notice that the OP has posted and you will see that it is for the 30, 60 and 90 day TOURIST visa and nothing else.

[flexomike]

2 hours ago, allen303 said:

Talking about in each DL office doing thing different. This is not in reference to renewal but new DL.

Went to Nonthaburi DL office last week for my DL. I have a CDL class A (Commercial  Driver License) with HAZMAT endorsement, from Florida USA. Show the first girl and she said no good. The wife was with me so argued the point that a CDL is best you can get. Showed the wife’s Class E (regular license). She took to the head lady at the desk who gave to someone and went into the back. He comes out and gives to her and tells her something. She calls use over and states, he can only drive trucks no car so cannot issue him a license. Wife started to argue bit I just smiled and said never mind, no use. Some times in Thailand you just have to smile and say yes.

 

 

Will try Bangkok or just wait, have to go back to the states and need to renew any way. Don’t need a CDL any more, Class E cost less and less trouble to renew.

You need to get an International Driving Permit, can get at most AAA offices for about ten dollars if you would have had one of them it would have eliminated this problem, without it they can make you take all of the tests written and behind the wheel

[fvw53]

About last line written by drbeach #43  QUOTE Thailand, for all it's faults is still way better than Cambodia UNQUOTE / I live in Thailand since 1987 and I have written in this Forum several times that Thailand is not perfect but that for long staying foreigners - able to adapt - it is still the best place to live compared to neighbouring countries. 

[jackdd]

10 hours ago, HarryAbel said:

Vaguely relevant: I could not get a driver licence on a tourist visa (tried both offices in Bangkok, June and July 2019).

Did you have a certificate of residence?

[gamesgplayemail]

Any recent experience at Pattaya driving license office ? With non-O multiple ? 5 years ?

[KhaoYai]

On 8/2/2019 at 9:15 AM, blackcab said:

If you have a 30 day, 60 day or 90 day permission to stay in Thailand then you can only get a 2 year driving license.

Is this a recent change?  I received my 5 year licence in May 2017 at which time I was on a 12 month Multi O.

 

I know the OP states tourist visas but it also says 90 days - as far as I know there are no tourist visas that allow a 90 day stay.

Edited August 3, 2019 by KhaoYai

[JohanB]

I renewed my DL’s for 5 years in Bangkok febr. 2019 on a NON-IMM O-single entry. Residence certificate from my embassy (in  english)

 

I was told before, you’re only allowed to use an internationel DP for up to 30 days, so you need a thai DL on a 60days tourist visa.

 

Maybe someone mix up tourist visa and visa exempt, which is 30 days for most westernes. No DL on visa exempt.

 

 

[transam]

55 minutes ago, JohanB said:

I renewed my DL’s for 5 years in Bangkok febr. 2019 on a NON-IMM O-single entry. Residence certificate from my embassy (in  english)

 

I was told before, you’re only allowed to use an internationel DP for up to 30 days, so you need a thai DL on a 60days tourist visa.

 

Maybe someone mix up tourist visa and visa exempt, which is 30 days for most westernes. No DL on visa exempt.

 

 

They gave you the wrong info, you get 90 days....

[blackcab]

3 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

Is this a recent change?  I received my 5 year licence in May 2017 at which time I was on a 12 month Multi O.

 

I know the OP states tourist visas but it also says 90 days - as far as I know there are no tourist visas that allow a 90 day stay.

 

There is no nationwide change. There may not even be any change in the OP's office.

 

The photo in the OP specifically mentioned tourist visas, rather than 1 year multi Non O visas.

 

A very limited number of countries such as Argentina get 90 day visa exempt entries, which explains why the photo in the OP mentioned 90 day tourist entries.

[HarryAbel]

12 hours ago, jackdd said:

Did you have a certificate of residence?

No, I only had the address registration document.

[jackdd]

7 minutes ago, HarryAbel said:

No, I only had the address registration document.

So you didn't get the driving license because you didn't have a certificate of residence, not because you have a tourist visa.

[Rdrokit]

4 minutes ago, jackdd said:

So you didn't get the driving license because you didn't have a certificate of residence, not because you have a tourist visa.

Pretty hard to get a certificate of residency with a tourist visa. ????????????

[Don Mega]

1 minute ago, Rdrokit said:

Pretty hard to get a certificate of residency with a tourist visa. ????????????

Why ?

[jackdd]

7 minutes ago, Rdrokit said:

Pretty hard to get a certificate of residency with a tourist visa. ????????????

I think only Bangkok is having the "certificate of residence only after you have done a 90 day report here" rule, in most other provinces people on a tourist visa can get a certificate of residence, and then they can also get a driving license.

But people with some nationalities can get the equivalent to the "certificate of residence" from their embassy while being on a tourist visa, and then they are able to obtain a driving license in Bangkok.

Edited August 4, 2019 by jackdd

[Patong2]

Last week I got a 2 year driving licence.

We are on a 60 day tourist visa and get a 30 day extension.

Suits us as we have to go back to our country every 3 months for business

 

Got a Certificate of Residence from Immigration.

Immigration would not issue a Certificate of Residence on our last trip here because our longtime landlord had never filed a TM30 but got that sorted out when we came back a few weeks ago and no problem.

Edited August 4, 2019 by blackcab
All bold font removed