Driver's License Guide - Koh Samui

[khunPer]

September 2019 updated post for obtaining Driver's License on Samui

 

Apply for license at DLT (Department of Land Transport) in Lipa Noi (link to Google Map)...

 

 

Official document requirement list...

 

 

The office opens at 8:30 am Monday till Friday, come not later than 9 am to pick a queue-number from DL service-window #1 at left, the numbers are hanging on the wall. The tests start at 9:30 am.

 

 

Documentation and photo-copies needed before you apply, if applying for both car and motorbike two sets of photo-copies are needed:

 

Medical certificate when applying first time for a Thai DL. You shall ask for a medical check and the formular for DL at a hospital, or in a clinic.

I used Thai International Hospital opposite Tesco-Lotus in Bo Phut, they charged 250 baht for check and form; it takes about 30 minutes or less.

 

 

Certificate of Residency, or Work Permit, i.e. something legal to prove your address. The sign says a certificate of Residency can be obtained from one's embassy (in Bangkok), but normally a letter from Samui Immigration is accepted (I used that first time); Samui Immigration normally charge 500 baht for issuing an address confirmation letter. If you are registered in a House Book, i.e. Yellow House Book, you can use that; I did it when renewing my DL five years ago, and again today, where I also used my pink Thai ID-card.

 

Using the pink ID-card for aliens gives you, your Thai ID-number on the DL, instead of your passport number; then you don't need to renew your DL when renewing your passport, and getting a new passport-number.

 

Foreign DL and International Driver's Permit are needed first time you apply for a Thai DL, but it seems like Samui DLT accept foreign DL without a IDP, but the DL must then be translated to English and certified by your embassy – I had both DL and IDP when I applied for my first Thai DL, no translation needed as IDP is in English – if you don't have a DL, you need to take a full test.

It has been posted before that full initial test is only performed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Your first Thai DL will normally be valid for 2 years.

 

Renewal of Thai DL the old license must be expired.

It's been posted before that you can renew up to one year after the license has expired, after that time you'll need a full test.

The first two times I renewed a Thai DL I came a few days before, which was accepted. This year I came two days efter expiry, which gave me almost one year longer validity of my new license, as it runs over 5 birthdays; i.e. I got 5-years and 363 days.

 

 

Applying for DL and tests 

The office opens at 8:30 am, come before 9:00 am. Pick your queue number and wait for being called to the DL counter.

 

All photo-copies must be signed, best to do it in advance due to queue line and waiting time. Bring originals in case your are asked for them, or you need an additional photo-copy, which can be made in a both outside the DLT building. You'll be asked to write your name and telephone number, and sign a form when applying for DL.

 

Passport, you need to copy the bio-page, and the page called "visa", which is your current non-expired visa, or your current extension-of-stay; i.e. photo-copies of two pages from your passport.

 

Address documentation must be original letter from embassy or Immigration office, or photo-copy of Work Permit, or photo-copy of Yellow House Book – both "page 1" with house-address, and the page with your name (often page 2) – plus eventual pink ID-card.

 

Medical form has to be original letter from hospital or clinic. Even it has been mentioned in the news that a medical form is also required for renewal, but Samui DLT don't want it.

I once again wasted time and money, but had on the other hand the experience of enjoying a fine service, and a kind doctor, at the hospital.

 

Current foreign DL; and translation to English, or IDP; both original and photo-copies when applying first time for a Thai DL.

 

Current Thai DL when applying for a renewal, no copy is needed.

 

Tests begin from 9:30 am at 2nd floor.

There is also a 10:00 am team, might be for renewals only.

 

Your name will be called by the DLT instructor, he will normally say "mister" or "miss/mrs." when calling foreigners, and using first name only (as per Thai culture), but your name might not be pronounced correctly, so pay attention. You will be handed your paperwork, stampled with the old DL when for renewal.

 

Normally you need to pass physical tests for

Combined color blindness and peripheral vision test

Depth-perception (Three dimensional vision test)

Reaction time (Brake test)

(All three tests are fine explained here, OP #2, #3, and #4)

 

Then follows an about one hour mandatory video.

 

When renewing DL today (September 2019), we foreigners, and some few Thais, on the 10 am team were not tested on the peripheral-machine, and we should not watch a video.

 

 

Getting your new DL

After passing the tests, your papers will be signed by the instructor. You go downstairs to DL-counter #2 and hand in the papers, and pay the fee (about 600 baht per license).

Wait in front of DL-counter #1, they'll call your name – first name, and might not be pronounced correctly – walk inside and have your photo taken, then again wait outside till called, and receive your new DL.

 

I'm ????, I just passed 70-years, and got another almost 6-years license to drive...????

 

[Tropicalevo]

Well done khunPer. All good stuff. Very comprehensive information.

 

I did my 5 year renewal yesterday and at 68, I too passed all tests. Two hours from start to finish. I am off to Suratthani tomorrow for my International Driving Permit.

[Democracy74]

Men also have to wear long trousers, i turned up in smart chino shorts and was sent away to buy trousers before they would accept my renewal and allow me to take the eye and reaction tests.

 

I protested at the time before noticing ample signage stating the same, I guess I was lucky they did not fail me for my lack of observation skills.

 

 

[johng]

2 minutes ago, Democracy74 said:

i turned up in smart chino shorts and was sent away to buy trousers

[khunPer]

4 hours ago, Democracy74 said:

Men also have to wear long trousers, i turned up in smart chino shorts and was sent away to buy trousers before they would accept my renewal and allow me to take the eye and reaction tests.

 

I protested at the time before noticing ample signage stating the same, I guess I was lucky they did not fail me for my lack of observation skills.

Yes that's rights – thanks for adding this – I perhaps should haven mentioned the dress code, and they do check it at DLT.

[PoorSucker]

7 hours ago, Democracy74 said:

Men also have to wear long trousers

Not only men, female friend was also turned down. 

[Tropicalevo]

For the International Driving Permit:-

Off the ferry and follow the 4142 until it meets the 401 at a T junction. Turn right and head into Suratthani. 

 

Under the new flyover still on the 401. Over the bridge and there are signs on the left telling you that you are approaching the Suratthani Land transport office.

 

Parking is a pain for cars, easy for motorbikes.

 

Up to the 4th floor and ask the old guy on the desk for a number. He tells you to sit and wait until the number is called. The ticket machine voice will call your number and tell you to go to window 1, 2 or 3. Hand over your driving licence and sign the form that they give you. (Name and telephone number.)

Sit down again and wait for your name to be called. Window 1 for bikes and cars.

The girl has a checklist for foreigners wanting an IDP.

Original and copies of driving licence (she already has the original).

Original and copies of the passport. Must be the same number as on your DL.

Copies of your latest visa.

Original and copies of Work Permit or letter from immigration with your address.

Two photos - passport size. Usual head shot.

Official translation of documents. We hit a bit of a wall here. She was just going by the checklist. I patiently explained that all of my documents were Thai with the exception of my details page in my UK passport.

DL was Thai.

Visa was Thai.

WP was Thai and so on. Eventually the setang dropped and we carried on.

 

Pay 505 baht and sit down to wait for the IDP

 

When you pick up the IDP you just have to sign their copy and off you go.

 

As always with government offices/officials - long trousers and shirt with a collar.

 

Copies of passport are  - detail page, visa page, last entry stamp page.

Copies of work permit are - every page with something entered on it. For my DL I only gave them a copy of the detail page and the page with my address on it. In Suratthani they wanted the following page as well - (when it expires)

Elapsed time from entry to exit was 30 minutes. Delay was the translated documents conversation. It was quite busy (about 20 people before me - all Thais renewing their DL's) but they are very organised.

[Tropicalevo]

I forgot to mention.

 

If my new Thai IDP has an expiry date on it, I cannot see it. The UK ones used to state 'valid for one year from DD/MM/YY'

[khunPer]

On 9/11/2019 at 10:13 AM, Tropicalevo said:

I forgot to mention.

 

If my new Thai IDP has an expiry date on it, I cannot see it. The UK ones used to state 'valid for one year from DD/MM/YY'

Normally an IDP is valid for one year only, so as long as the IDP got an issue date, it expire one year later.

[dirtybirty]

Silly question my 2nd 5 year licence expires next year. No longer have work permit ECT but visit samui 4 times a year on visa exempt stamp to visit family. Would I still be able to renew it based on the above information

Sent from my SM-A510F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[PoorSucker]

31 minutes ago, dirtybirty said:

Silly question my 2nd 5 year licence expires next year. No longer have work permit ECT but visit samui 4 times a year on visa exempt stamp to visit family. Would I still be able to renew it based on the above information

Sent from my SM-A510F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

You would need to get a non-O visa before visiting. 

500 baht for resident certificate at immigration. 

[johng]

If you only have a short term visa when you go to renew then they (should normally) issue a 2 year "temporary" licence again.

[mipa123]

On 9/9/2019 at 5:58 PM, khunPer said:

It has been posted before that full initial test is only performed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

If I only need to "convert" my international drivers license to a Thai one (first time), would it be smart to go on Tuesday or Thursday then to probably have a smaller queue?

 

And I still have to be there between 8:30 and 9:30, right? 

 

[GalaxyMan]

Just got back from renewing my driver's licenses and thought I'd provide an update as what the procedures are.

 

Wear long pants! They will NOT allow you to renew wearing shorts. You will need a letter of address confirmation from Immigration. To get the letter from Immigration, you will need a photo. This is for each license. I have both motorcycle and car licenses, so I needed 2 letters, therefore, 2 photos. You will need a medical certificate for each license. I use the clinic opposite K-bank in Nathon; 150 baht per certificate. The doctor speaks excellent English and is very friendly. You will need photocopies of all of the relevant pages of your passport for each license. Application is made at window #1 at the Transport office in Lipa Noi. Assuming that your paperwork is in order, they will send you upstairs for a depth perception and reaction time test. Upon passing the tests, you go downstairs to window #2, then wait to be called for a photo. No big deal and everyone was very friendly.

[limbos]

On 11/22/2019 at 11:52 AM, GalaxyMan said:

Just got back from renewing my driver's licenses and thought I'd provide an update as what the procedures are.

 

Wear long pants! They will NOT allow you to renew wearing shorts. You will need a letter of address confirmation from Immigration. To get the letter from Immigration, you will need a photo. This is for each license. I have both motorcycle and car licenses, so I needed 2 letters, therefore, 2 photos. You will need a medical certificate for each license. I use the clinic opposite K-bank in Nathon; 150 baht per certificate. The doctor speaks excellent English and is very friendly. You will need photocopies of all of the relevant pages of your passport for each license. Application is made at window #1 at the Transport office in Lipa Noi. Assuming that your paperwork is in order, they will send you upstairs for a depth perception and reaction time test. Upon passing the tests, you go downstairs to window #2, then wait to be called for a photo. No big deal and everyone was very friendly.

Do you have a work permit? If you have a work permit, do you still need a letter of address?
What are the 'relevant' pages of your passport. Picture page only or visa page as well?

 

[GalaxyMan]

13 minutes ago, limbos said:

Do you have a work permit? If you have a work permit, do you still need a letter of address?
What are the 'relevant' pages of your passport. Picture page only or visa page as well?

 

I do not have a work permit, though I can't imagine why that would make any difference. Hopefully someone who knows more about it than I do will respond to that question. I am on a Non-O Retirement visa. The relevant pages of the passport are the picture page and the visa page(s). You can't have too many pages copied. Better safe than sorry.

[limbos]

Renewed today, only needed copy work permit with pages of picture and address. Passport, picture page, visa page and TM6 slip. 
If you want a car and motorbike license, two sets of the above.

 

Did not need the medical.

 

Received 5 years and 360 odd days!

[evadgib]

3 hours ago, limbos said:

Renewed today, only needed copy work permit with pages of picture and address. Passport, picture page, visa page and TM6 slip. 
If you want a car and motorbike license, two sets of the above.

 

Did not need the medical.

 

Received 5 years and 360 odd days!

Rhetorical question, but why would they need the TM6?

[gearbox]

I got a 2 years temporary DL for car last month, as I was driving quite a bit and don't have IDP. Contrary to what many people say in forums and blogs here and there, my Aussie DL was not accepted for the short procedure, so I had to go through everything, including the computer and driving test. Apparently it is not enough your home country DL to be in English, IDP is required.

[GalaxyMan]

2 hours ago, gearbox said:

I got a 2 years temporary DL for car last month, as I was driving quite a bit and don't have IDP. Contrary to what many people say in forums and blogs here and there, my Aussie DL was not accepted for the short procedure, so I had to go through everything, including the computer and driving test. Apparently it is not enough your home country DL to be in English, IDP is required.

That was not the case with my US license from Florida. I took only the vision, braking reaction, and parallel parking tests. This was the case for the car license. For the motorcycle license I had to navigate their little obstacle course in addition.

[dirtybirty]

Hi i thought the rules fir renew had changed so can renew 3months before expiry and 3 months after no longer got a year to do it. If this is the case my licence expired in march was supposed to fly back April but obviously was cancelled and have been stuck in uk ever since. Does this mean i will have ti do all the test again or is there some kind of amnesty for this

[MyThaiYou]

Good Day!  
 
Wondering if anyone has renewed their driving license on Samui in the past few months?  Any updates in the Covid world?  My 5 year Thai license expires in August.  Can I renew now?  The usual paperwork and procedures still apply?  

[Tropicalevo]

3 hours ago, MyThaiYou said:

Good Day!  
 
Wondering if anyone has renewed their driving license on Samui in the past few months?  Any updates in the Covid world?  My 5 year Thai license expires in August.  Can I renew now?  The usual paperwork and procedures still apply?  

My business partner renewed her licence recently.

Very easy.

Online appointment and answer some questions. Then at the transport office - no queues. In and out in 20 minutes.

Although she is Thai, it is usually the same for foreigners.

[MyThaiYou]

A Thai friend was there today and made enquiries:  for Farang no online appointments.  My 5 year license expires in August so they said call back and ask again next month....

[starfish]

On 6/15/2021 at 11:22 AM, MyThaiYou said:

A Thai friend was there today and made enquiries:  for Farang no online appointments.  My 5 year license expires in August so they said call back and ask again next month....

 

I always applied for my 5 year renewals only AFTER it expired (up to 1 year over expiry-date no pompem).

That way i got nearly 6 years out of it every time, because it´s issued from your birthday to birthday.

Don´t know, if that´s still the case, but worth a try . . .

 

 

[MyThaiYou]

On 6/18/2021 at 12:32 PM, starfish said:

 

I always applied for my 5 year renewals only AFTER it expired (up to 1 year over expiry-date no pompem). That way i got nearly 6 years out of it every time, because it´s issued from your birthday to birthday. Don´t know, if that´s still the case, but worth a try . . .

 

 

Did you every have an accident and needed to claim on your insurance while driving with an expired driving license ?  Maybe they don't ask to see a driving license? Just wondering... 

 

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, MyThaiYou said:

Did you every have an accident and needed to claim on your insurance while driving with an expired driving license ?  Maybe they don't ask to see a driving license? Just wondering... 

 

I had an 'accident' a while back when the truck did some weird things.
 

The truck started by itself, drove up a dozen concrete steps, went between two 5 foot pottery urns at the top of the steps, across a lawn and stopped when it hit a tree. There was no one driving the truck.

The truck hit me in the legs as I tried to jump out of its way.

I would not have believed it was possible except my friend was with me and there were also about three or four hotel staff who witnessed the 'event'. They all bought lottery tickets using the trucks numbers. They claimed that the hotel was haunted and said that the hotel ghost drove it.

 

Insurance company reps did not ask to see my driving licence.

The reps also ignored my statement, tore it up and told me to sign a blank accident claim form.

I never heard anything about it again and they fixed the truck - no cost to me.

[MyThaiYou]

On 6/14/2021 at 1:58 PM, MyThaiYou said:

Good Day!  
 
Wondering if anyone has renewed their driving license on Samui in the past few months?  Any updates in the Covid world?  My 5 year Thai license expires in August.  Can I renew now?  The usual paperwork and procedures still apply?  

 

30 JULY Normal Service Resumed

was able to renew my 5 year car license which expires 29 August.  Usual procedures but report to the big tent outside the main entrance 8:30 am present copies of paperwork (and don't forget to have the originals as well - derrrr!! Some people!)  9:30 am exciting video presentation on the 2nd floor - 10 am quick physical tests - 10:30 back downstairs paying 515 THB that includes 10 THB compulsory purchase of the plastic cover for your new license ????

 

Safe Driving Everybody 

 

 

[khunPer]

From PR Thai Government...

 

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has coordinated with the Royal Thai Police to give a respite to the rules, regulations, and ordinances for drivers whose driving licenses have expired. The expired driving license can be shown to authorities until 30 September 2021.

For driving licenses that have expired for more than a year from 10 April to 30 September 2021, drivers will be exempted from taking the exam, while those who have expired driving license for more than three years will be exempted from the driving tests.

For more information, please contact hotline 1584 or visit the DLT website at www.dlt.go.th.

 

[41632584]

Renewed my driver's license on Friday afternoon. 

 

My usual residence is Bangkok, but I have been staying on Samui since May, interrupted by a two week visit to Bangkok.

 

Staying at a hotel, I did not have a rental contract to prove my Samui residency, however, the hotel supported my request at Immigration for a Certificate of Residence.

 

I went to a clinic for the medical certificate and watched the DLT eLearning training video online. The video is strategically interrupted by multiple choice questions and pauses when you open another tab. Once passed, it issues a digital confirmation which is valid for 6 months.

 

The DLT Samui had originally told the hotel it would only do renewals at 0900 and 1000, but when asked again on Friday morning, they said they would accept the renewal until 1400.

 

I arrived at 1330 at DLT Samui (Lipa Noi), armed with two sets of signed copies of all the relevant passport pages, one original Certificate of Residence + one color copy, one original medical certificate from a clinic + one color copy, a print out of DLT eLearning confirmation and handed it to the clerk at the counter. There were only a handful people in the building and had a desolate feel to it.

 

I had to sign two documents for internal use and was sent two the second floor. It was dark and empty. A faint voice called me into one of the unlit rooms, where a man sitting behind a desk asked me to sit down.

 

He asked me what color I saw on the traffic light that didn't work. When he realized that, he got up and showed me a laminated card pointing to various colored circles and after correctly having answered four times, he signed the paperwork and told me I was done.

 

I returned downstairs, handed the paperwork and paid 780 baht, waited five minutes, had my picture taken and received the two licenses. In total, it took less than 30 minutes.