Motorists in Thailand can now use digital driving licenses

[webfact]

File photo

 

By Online Reporter

 

Motorists in Thailand can now leave their physical driving license at home after transport officials announced the introduction of digital driving licenses.

 

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has confirmed that rather than using a physical driving license, motorists can instead use a digital license via the DLT’s mobile application.

 

In order to use the digital driving license, motorists must swap their existing license to a new ‘smart’ license, which includes a QR code on the reverse and will then be linked to the mobile app. The change can be made at any DLT branch.

 

Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/motorists-in-thailand-can-now-use-digital-driving-licenses/

 

-- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2022-01-25

 

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[RandiRona]

Yes you can only if Server is up when you need it or when Server is able to take up the load. That would be after 11 pm to 6 am.

[it is what it is]

20 minutes ago, RandiRona said:

Yes you can only if Server is up when you need it or when Server is able to take up the load. That would be after 11 pm to 6 am.

 

assume it's designed to be downloadable and saved on a smartphone, thus readily accessible

[paul545]

There is already an app but it’s in Thai ???? 

[cnx101]

Just now, paul545 said:

There is already an app but it’s in Thai ???? 

Yes I’ve had it about two years it’s all in Thai but can still use it, just put in password number and click on the license picture and it shows my license, but like all government Thai apps can’t rely on it.

[scubascuba3]

You have to go to transport office and change to smart driving licences first, who would bother to do that?

[SAFETY FIRST]

10 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

You have to go to transport office and change to smart driving licences first, who would bother to do that?

Have a look at your license, you may have the QR code, mine does 

[Paulaew]

26 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

You have to go to transport office and change to smart driving licences first, who would bother to do that?

If you've renewed your license recently, you'll already have the QR code. But according to that article, you still need a physical license in order to drive legally in Thailand. The digital version can be used as a form of ID. But when was the last time you used your driving license as a form of ID? I've always had to show my passport.

 

If I'm stopped by the Thai police, I'm certainly not handing over my smartphone to show my driving license. I might not get it back.

 

Paul Laew

[Sydebolle]

Keep up the good work. 

After all, dirty farang have to sit through two hours of infantile video replays - all in Thai - despite having had a driving license for the last 45 years while all the youngsters (in the age of grandchildren) are playing around on smart phones, chitchat or have a nap. Unlike the sleeping kiddies, the dirty farang and alien have to go through the procedure every five years. 

Now, since all is digital, it will make police's efforts more difficult to extract money from (not always) wrong-doers yet, the basics of it all is, that they still have no clue how to drive a car. Result is, that Thailand ranks in the top as far as accidents are concerned, mix that with poor (if at all any) law enforcements and corrupt police checks = welcome to Thailand's deadly roads! 

You're welcome! 

[scubascuba3]

26 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Have a look at your license, you may have the QR code, mine does 

that worked thanks, installed the app

[daveAustin]

Well up with tech, but Would prefer to have physical license. Don’t fancy handing over phone and don’t always have it on me while riding there. mmm

[SAFETY FIRST]

27 minutes ago, Paulaew said:

If you've renewed your license recently, you'll already have the QR code. But according to that article, you still need a physical license in order to drive legally in Thailand. The digital version can be used as a form of ID. But when was the last time you used your driving license as a form of ID? I've always had to show my passport.

 

If I'm stopped by the Thai police, I'm certainly not handing over my smartphone to show my driving license. I might not get it back.

 

Paul Laew

Agree, I reckon it's a good idea to keep your license on you at all times when out and about. 

I'm always getting asked for ID 

 

BTW, my 5 year license is due next year so I've had the QR for a few years now 

[rwill]

So the police will take your cellphone to the local office if you can't pay on the spot now?

I'll keep my card.

[scubascuba3]

6 minutes ago, rwill said:

So the police will take your cellphone to the local office if you can't pay on the spot now?

I'll keep my card.

new rule last year, they can't take your licence

[rickray]

38 minutes ago, Paulaew said:

If you've renewed your license recently, you'll already have the QR code. But according to that article, you still need a physical license in order to drive legally in Thailand. The digital version can be used as a form of ID. But when was the last time you used your driving license as a form of ID? I've always had to show my passport.

 

If I'm stopped by the Thai police, I'm certainly not handing over my smartphone to show my driving license. I might not get it back.

 

Paul Laew

I always use my Thai driving license as a form of ID. 

[ezzra]

Maybe now it will help to stem out the many fake ones that many people carry and use for other purposes and not the good kind...

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In order to use the digital driving license, motorists must swap their existing license to a new ‘smart’ license, which includes a QR code on the reverse and will then be linked to the mobile app. The change can be made at any DLT branch.

Presuming they have one...

I seem to remember a couple of years ago that statistics found up to 20%+ of motorcyclists didn't have one.

And a large majority of those m no insurance or road tax.

[arick]

I have been using mine for almost two years.  I have had no problems in the last year with it not working. They have had the QR code for at least 18 months old news a again.  

[arick]

15 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

new rule last year, they can't take your licence

They have not  been able to take your licence for three years now. They were still trying to take your licence in phuket and until I went to bus and go angry then he apologied gave it back to me and I recieved my ticket in the post this was already in 2019.

[arick]

18 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

new rule last year, they can't take your licence

It's been since 2019 not last year. 555

[arick]

1 hour ago, paul545 said:

There is already an app but it’s in Thai ???? 

Can you understand pictures?  Many Thais can't read but they can see pictures surely you can. The numbers are in  English. 

[arick]

Just now, arick said:

Can you understand pictures?  Many Thais can't read but they can see pictures surely you can. The numbers are in  English. 

 

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, it is what it is said:

 

assume it's designed to be downloadable and saved on a smartphone, thus readily accessible

My licences are not particularly new, maybe 3 years, and have QR Codes on the back. I also recall downloading this APP about that time which allowed me to view these licences on the phone. Never thought to use them for a policeman... messing about getting the phone out, turning on the Network, waiting a bit and getting the App to work takes too much time. Haven't got my phone stuck to my nose like Thai drivers. 

[Moonlover]

31 minutes ago, rwill said:

So the police will take your cellphone to the local office if you can't pay on the spot now?

I'll keep my card.

Simple answer to that. Don't break the law.

[NumbNut]

Just tried to install the android app and I get a 'This item is not available in your country' error message.

 

Fair enough... I'm in Cha-am.

[tigerfeet]

3 hours ago, RandiRona said:

Yes you can only if Server is up when you need it or when Server is able to take up the load. That would be after 11 pm to 6 am.

Plus only 60% of Thais have a licence  carnt seethe servers under much pressure.

[NE1]

Didn't they roll this out a couple of years ago , and the head policeman says until the laws were changed in the Royal Gazette , the Police will not acknowledge the digital licenses . 

"I think they still prefer the paper ones with the Kings head on"......????

Edited January 25, 2022 by NE1

[Gandtee]

All fine. If you have a license that is. What percentage of drivers don't have a licence I wonder?

[Moonlover]

39 minutes ago, arick said:

I have been using mine for almost two years.  I have had no problems in the last year with it not working. They have had the QR code for at least 18 months old news a again.  

No it is not 'old news'. It's new news letting us know that the digital version can now be legally used as an alternative to the plastic version.

[hkt83100]

32 minutes ago, NumbNut said:

Just tried to install the android app and I get a 'This item is not available in your country' error message.

 

Fair enough... I'm in Cha-am.

Go to Playstore and change your country. Done.