Renewing 2 year license- was quoted 3000 thb - can I do it myself?

[Yodarapper]

Si my 2 year license expired in August. Can I renew it myself? I live close to mega bangna which I think is samut prakan.

I was quoted 3000 by an agent. 
can I do this myself? I have a residence letter from my embassy and a work permit.

 

with zero Thai is it worth trying to do myself or not?

if so does anyone have any recent experience and can share the steps? Also where I need to go? What I need?

Thanks!

[1FinickyOne]

Easily. No agent needed.

[KhunBENQ]

44 minutes ago, Yodarapper said:

I live close to mega bangna which I think is samut prakan.

Indeed. The "Provincial Land Transport Office" for Samut Prakan is here:
https://goo.gl/maps/k2LGt6HNTjFDVzcG9

 

You can do it on your own.

To ease the process, start with the "online tutoring":
https://www.dlt-elearning.com/
which will result in some certificate with QR code (print, take screenshoot). Takes away the need to sit in for watching video/tutoring. Takes about an hour.

Additionally you need a "health certificate" from any licensed clinic/doctor (a formality for 100 to 200 Baht).

 

Whether or not you can walk in or need an appointment at this office? I don't know.

 

I have just recently done an extension here in upcountry where English is rare

Edited January 31, 2023 by KhunBENQ

[phetphet]

Take photocopies of everything. Don't forget to take two of everything if you are renewing both car and motorbike licences.

[richard_smith237]

Renewing your driving licence is one of the easiest of the bureaucratic tasks in Thailand. 

 

I think you will also need a medical certificate (which you can get at most local clinics - tell them its for a driving licence and they’ll know what you need... it usually costs about 100 to 200 baht). 

 

Just turn up to the local DLT office (I’m not sure which your one is) and they’ll just shunt you around to wherever you need to go in that typical non-communicative Thai manner which leaves you guessing but always works out in the end !!!... 

 

 

 

 

[Yodarapper]

13 minutes ago, phetphet said:

Take photocopies of everything. Don't forget to take two of everything if you are renewing both car and motorbike licences.

Thanks this is very helpful! 
 

if someone can please confirm if I need to first go and get a que number?

then return on another day?

 

also, what is needed? Documents wise?

 

finally - do I need to do the online qr thing to renew??

 

thanks

[phetphet]

For each licence. Car & Motorbike.

Passport &  copy of passport ID page

Residence Certificate

Old Licence

Medical Certificate.

 

i think that's it, but there may be more. You can Google it.

 

Oh and dress smart. I have seen people turned away at my local DMV centre for dressing scruffy.

i usually just wear long trousers and a polo shirt.

Edited January 31, 2023 by phetphet

[Yodarapper]

4 minutes ago, phetphet said:

For each licence. Car & Motorbike.

Passport &  copy of passport ID page

Residence Certificate

Old Licence

Medical Certificate.

 

i think that's it, but there may be more. You can Google it.

 

Oh and dress smart. I have seen people turned away at my local DMV centre for dressing scruffy.

i usually just wear long trousers and a polo shirt.

Thanks!!

 

do I need to go twice? First time for a cue number?? Then go back another day?

[phetphet]

3 minutes ago, Yodarapper said:

Thanks!!

 

do I need to go twice? First time for a cue number?? Then go back another day?

I don't know. In some places it was necessary, but perhaps it depends on the particular office and how busy they are.

[richard_smith237]

6 minutes ago, Yodarapper said:

Thanks!!

 

do I need to go twice? First time for a cue number?? Then go back another day?

One visit should do it...   The DLT is now taking ‘walk in’ applications. 

 

It does depend how busy they are though.... and you still have to do the ‘in class tests’ - proximity test, colour blindness etc... (and watch the video I think) - so if the intake for that is full, then you may need to return another day.

 

BUT, if you are there early, or if its quiet, you should be ok.

 

 

 

Edited January 31, 2023 by richard_smith237

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

You can do it on your own.

To ease the process, start with the "online tutoring":
https://www.dlt-elearning.com/
which will result in some certificate with QR code (print, take screenshoot)

@Yodarapper

This is good info posted by @KhunBENQ....

 

Apart from that regarding agent..

I don't generally use agents for anything, however in March I will use BSR bikes (plenty of other agents) to assist with booking time slot etc for my 2 to 5 year licence.

Still need to obtain own residence certificate, medical etc.

 

Walk INS are available now however I used them during covid and found it good value.

 

It's basically hand holding but imo worth it. 1800baht which included cost of licences. 

 

[rabas]

49 minutes ago, Yodarapper said:

Thanks!!

 

do I need to go twice? First time for a cue number?? Then go back another day?

Yes, I did. I renewed my five year licenses in September in Bangkok (Jatujak). I was told the system has changed and  now you must first get a queue number. Thai can get a Q number on line,  foreigners must go in person to get it, at which time you must take all your paperwork except the medical certificate.  They check the paperwork, and if correct  give you the Q number.

 

The queue wait at Jatujak was 2 weeks. Can be longer elsewhere.

 

Good luck.

 

Edit: Now see the article above about new nationwide LDT walkin. You might still want to ask if it applies to foreigners though.

 

Edited January 31, 2023 by rabas

[farang51]

1 hour ago, rabas said:

The queue wait at Jatujak was 2 weeks. Can be longer elsewhere.

 

Edit: Now see the article above about new nationwide LDT walkin. You might still want to ask if it applies to foreigners though.

 

Queue still required in Phuket. +2 months waiting time.

 

1 hour ago, rabas said:

at which time you must take all your paperwork except the medical certificate

In Phuket they want the medical certificate when you apply for the queue.

[captpkapoor]

I just did my 5 year renewal. Walk ins available in my area (Bangkok Land Transport office 1 on Rama 2).

Long as you've done the online 1 hour training, and take a residence cert either from immigration or your embassy, you won't face any problems. Med cert, passport, old licence. No need for any agent. 

[rwill]

After your first 5 year permanent license you don't need the medical certificate to renew it.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, rwill said:

After your first 5 year permanent license you don't need the medical certificate to renew it.

Nah, they want the medical each time these days.

[TimeMachine]

I'm curious, With work permit you should get 5 year when renewing, right everyone?

 

Also, do u need to be in the same area as your usual address when getting a license or could I go to Bangkok from Pattaya to get licence first time?

[bluemoon58]

20 hours ago, Yodarapper said:

is it worth trying to do myself or not?

It's an absolute piece of p1ss to do it yourself mate! 

[John9]

Does any one know how long it take to get Q number in Pattaya when you go with all paperwork ?

[KhunBENQ]

2 hours ago, rwill said:

After your first 5 year permanent license you don't need the medical certificate to renew it.

Wrong. Rules change some three years ago. Always needed. Just did it three weeks ago.

[KhunBENQ]

57 minutes ago, bluemoon58 said:

It's an absolute piece of p1ss to do it yourself mate! 

Easy as f.ck up here. Three hours from doctors certificate to having finished the tests waiting for the print.

 

And as another poster wrote walkins available in Bangkok too.

Follow meaningful advice in the thread (online training, documents).

Those 3k to 5k agents just hold your hand, may drive you. Still need to go to the office and take physical tests and picture taken.

Illegal stuff should better be avoided.

Edited February 1, 2023 by KhunBENQ

[soi3eddie]

2 hours ago, rwill said:

After your first 5 year permanent license you don't need the medical certificate to renew it.

That changed in the last couple of years. Med cert needed on renewals now. 

 

[rwill]

I renewed mine last year with no medical certificate.  I only needed the residence certificate from immigration.  Perhaps different offices have different policies.

[Lamphen]

You can also download the "DLT SMART QUEUE" on your phone and register and follow the instructions.

[Road Warrior]

On 1/31/2023 at 8:29 PM, 1FinickyOne said:

Easily. No agent needed.

easy but takes 4/6 hours waiting time in line at license office  

[1FinickyOne]

1 hour ago, Road Warrior said:

easy but takes 4/6 hours waiting time in line at license office  

wow. I never had a wait more than 5 minutes except when I showed up at lunch hour... 

[brianthainess]

On 2/1/2023 at 4:31 PM, TimeMachine said:

I'm curious, With work permit you should get 5 year when renewing, right everyone?

 

Also, do u need to be in the same area as your usual address when getting a license or could I go to Bangkok from Pattaya to get licence first time?

Everybody renewing 2yr license gets a five year one, but the OP's ran out in August so he must start again. Yes you can renew your license at any transport office.

[Salerno]

1 minute ago, brianthainess said:

Everybody renewing 2yr license gets a five year one

Almost, depends on your visa, e.g. if only tourist visa you get another 2 year as I understand it.

[KhunBENQ]

36 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Everybody renewing 2yr license gets a five year one, but the OP's ran out in August so he must start again. Yes you can renew your license at any transport office.

Is this a specific rule for 2yr to 5yr?

General rule is that you have up to one year without "starting again".

[The Old Bull]

On 1/31/2023 at 9:52 PM, richard_smith237 said:

One visit should do it...   The DLT is now taking ‘walk in’ applications. 

 

It does depend how busy they are though.... and you still have to do the ‘in class tests’ - proximity test, colour blindness etc... (and watch the video I think) - so if the intake for that is full, then you may need to return another day.

 

BUT, if you are there early, or if its quiet, you should be ok.

 

 

 

When the pink card first came out nobody knew what it was. Now I find it to be accepted in more places. I have never been asked for a residence certificate usually a copy of my yellow book or pink card is OK.