5 Year Driving Licence Renewal with 5 Year Thai Elite PE Visa

[vibration]

I will be renewing my 5 year Thai Driving Licence this month in Udonthani and was wondering if any members with Thai Elite Visas have managed to renew and get a 5 year Thai Driving Licence.

 

Many thanks in advance for any help.

[scubascuba3]

Being a form of tourist visa you theoretically can't get 5 year licence, maybe they'll make a mistake or accept bungs or ok via an agent

[BMW Overlander]

I did, In Phuket, twice already. Not a problem at all.

[NanLaew]

The OP may have to check locally or just wait it out. I would recommend the latter.

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has announced it is suspending driver training and drivers license testing across the country from April 16th onward in an effort to stifle the spread of COVID-19, but will continue extending licenses that don’t require testing and will allow expired licenses to be used until June 30.

 

https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG210415170214245

 

YMMV

TiT

Edited April 17, 2021 by NanLaew

[ThaiSpaceNeedle]

3 hours ago, NanLaew said:

The OP may have to check locally or just wait it out. I would recommend the latter.

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has announced it is suspending driver training and drivers license testing across the country from April 16th onward in an effort to stifle the spread of COVID-19, but will continue extending licenses that don’t require testing and will allow expired licenses to be used until June 30.

 

https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG210415170214245

 

YMMV

TiT

I had a different experience yesterday, April 16th.

 

I received my resident certificate on April 10th after filing it on March 29th at MTT. I did my medical certificate on April 13th, prepared all of my papers, and was hoping to renew my 5-year license on April 16th, if they were open.

 

I received and have renewed my license at the DLT headquarters at Chatuchak two times, but was going to try a smaller DLT in the vicinity of where I live, I believe it is DLT #4.

 

I called to see if they were open yesterday and they said they were open but not accepting driver's license renewals for foreigners and that I could use my license until the end of June and they weren't sure when they would be accepting foreigners again. I explained that I've always watched the training video in Thai language and it seemed like she went to go ask her manager or something, but still got the same response, they're not accepting foreigners now.

 

I also asked her about my resident certificate and medical certificate, if I would be able to use them in the future, or if they would expire. Of course, she said she didn't know and I would have to wait until the end of June. I plan to call Chatuchak DLT on Monday to see if I get a different answer, which is very possible.

 

My guess is on July 1st, thousands of people will be going to the DLT, just like that Covid extension at immigration. If anyone has any other information or ideas, please let me know as well.

 

I hope you are all staying healthy and had a good Songkran break. Take care.

[PeteM3]

With a PE visa you cannot get a 5 year licence anymore. I know it makes no sense but that’s how it is. I used to have a 5 year license prior to getting my Elite visa and on renewal would only issue a 2 year. I did this again in January and again a 2 year only ???? I tried complaining to Thai Elite Visa but fell on deaf ears ????

[kekalot]

12 hours ago, PeteM3 said:

With a PE visa you cannot get a 5 year licence anymore. I know it makes no sense but that’s how it is. I used to have a 5 year license prior to getting my Elite visa and on renewal would only issue a 2 year. I did this again in January and again a 2 year only ???? I tried complaining to Thai Elite Visa but fell on deaf ears ????

 

quite annoying but Elite Visa is just a tourist visa so you get 2 years

apparently I read on here some other people got different results but it's what we're supposed to be getting (same for me)

Edited April 17, 2021 by kekalot

[Lancashirelad]

Beware if you only have a 2 year licence you can't use it to rent a car abroad as it is not seen as a full licence.

[vibration]

Many thanks for all help when we go abroad hopefully next year I can still use my Norwegian Driving License if problems with the Thai License.

[merijn]

On 4/22/2021 at 8:28 PM, Lancashirelad said:

Beware if you only have a 2 year licence you can't use it to rent a car abroad as it is not seen as a full licence.

Correct as it is a temporary license as mentioned on the license.

[vibration]

Great news for those with Thai Elite Visas; today I went to Nong Han, DLT Office in Udonthani to renew my 5 year car driving licence that expires today and I can honestly say that I was concerned that I would only get a 2 year licence.

 

I have never visited this Office before.

 

To my suprise and great joy I was issued with a 5 year driving licence that expires in 2026.

 

Unsure why maybe the rules have changed however did not dare to ask.

 

Best wishes to all other Thai Elite Visa holders in getting 5 year driving licences.

[tydoorman]

On 4/18/2021 at 12:58 AM, kekalot said:

 

quite annoying but Elite Visa is just a tourist visa so you get 2 years

apparently I read on here some other people got different results but it's what we're supposed to be getting (same for me)

kind of sucks because i have over 2 years to go on mine TE visa before i can switch to a retirement visa which is onlt good for one year ata time but can get a 5 year DL on it but not on a TE visa thats good for 5 years

[richard_smith237]

On 4/16/2021 at 3:38 PM, scubascuba3 said:

Being a form of tourist visa you theoretically can't get 5 year licence, maybe they'll make a mistake or accept bungs or ok via an agent

 

I'm on a Thai Elite S.E. Visa (i.e. Visa Stamp for 5 years)...  and have a 5 year Driving Licence.

 

BUT... personal experience  has been varied...  (At DLT Area 3 Bangkok).

 

 

My Thai Driving Licence is tied to my Yellow House Book (and Pink ID)... this maybe why my Thai DL was renewed to a 5 Year license this time around.

Previously I did not have the Yellow House Book (and Pink ID) and my 5 Year Thai Driving Licence was renewed to a Temp 2 year Licence.

 

 

Thus: My renewals went something like this.

 

2 Yr Temp

5 Yr Full (w/ Non-Imm visa)

5 Yr Full (w/ Non-Imm visa)

2 Yr Temp (w/ S.E. Thai Elite Visa)

5 Yr Full (w/ S.E. Thai Elite Visa & Yellow house book Pink ID)

 

 

I'm not sure if the Yellow House Book and Pink ID made the difference in the staff at the DLT issuing a 5 year licence OR, if they simply made a mistake...  Its not as if staff are diligent and focused to detail so they may have been going through the motions and simply renewed 2 to 5 years anyway without thinking. 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 12 by richard_smith237

[PJ71]

On 4/12/2024 at 12:14 PM, richard_smith237 said:

My Thai Driving Licence is tied to my Yellow House Book (and Pink ID)

hahahahahahahaha

[Klonko]

Two years ago 5 years DL at Banglamung and 3 years IDP at Chonburi. 2 year extension may be a problem because AFAIK IDP requires for 5 years DL.