New Driving License

[dddave]

I need to get a Thai automobile driving license.  I searched through this forum but while there are a number of topics on renewing, there were not any I could find describing the process of getting a new license.   If you know a link, please post it.

My US license expired more than 2 years ago during Covid.   I live in Jomtien.  I know I need a Certificate of Residency from Immigration and a health certificate.  What is the process?  Is the training video now accessible online?  What is the nearest DLT to Jomtien?    I prefer to try doing it myself rather than using an agent as it appears from what I have read, I'm pretty much going to have to do the same routine anyway.  I have access to a car so I don't need an agency to provide one.

If anybody has recently done this, I'd appreciate knowing your experience.

[mumin999]

I'm very interested in this topic also, my wife had a driving license which expired over 10 years ago and wants to get a new one. Way too late to renew unfortunately!

[johng]

On 1/13/2025 at 10:36 PM, dddave said:

My US license expired more than 2 years ago during Covid.   I live in Jomtien.  I know I need a Certificate of Residency from Immigration and a health certificate.  What is the process?  Is the training video now accessible online?  What is the nearest DLT to Jomtien? 

 

If you don't have a US or other  licence to "convert" you will actually have to do the Thai driving licence practical and theory tests..nearest location is next to the Regents school   you need a certificate of residence from immigration and a health certificate  which I would recommend not getting from a hospital  try a local clinic...you will need to go to the DLT to make an appointment first 

then go back an try your luck  on the tests...not sure if you will have to do the theory test online  or at the DLT  when doing the "full monty"  best to ask them at the DLT when you go make the appointment.

 

[dddave]

I was the OP in this older topic.   I ended up doing it on my own.  As JOHNG points out, you have to take the full 2 day test process if your license is expired for more than 2 years.  If your wife is Thai, she can make an appointment online through the DLT website.  Foreigners have to make the appointment in person.  She will need a health certificate which can be gotten at any clinic.

The first day, you are given color vision and reaction tests.  You must then sit through 5 hours of videos.  2nd day, 50 question, multiple choice test on a computer terminal.  No more than 5 errors to pass.   There are a lot of very technical questions that one only knows the correct answers to if one carefully watches the videos.  There are many test prep videos on You Tube with sample tests.  I studied these really carefully and passed first try.  If you pass the exam, you then go outside for a road-test on a closed track.

[mumin999]

Thanks both, found this post also (from 2016) so will read through it carefully and see how much of this is still relevant

 

 

[johng]

1 hour ago, mumin999 said:

my wife had a driving license which expired over 10 years ago

Are you sure it is actually expired  ? because they used to issue life time licenses my wife has one... not sure when they stopped issuing them.

[mumin999]

19 minutes ago, dddave said:

I was the OP in this older topic.   I ended up doing it on my own.  As JOHNG points out, you have to take the full 2 day test process if your license is expired for more than 2 years.  If your wife is Thai, she can make an appointment online through the DLT website.  Foreigners have to make the appointment in person.  She will need a health certificate which can be gotten at any clinic.

The first day, you are given color vision and reaction tests.  You must then sit through 5 hours of videos.  2nd day, 50 question, multiple choice test on a computer terminal.  No more than 5 errors to pass.   There are a lot of very technical questions that one only knows the correct answers to if one carefully watches the videos.  There are many test prep videos on You Tube with sample tests.  I studied these really carefully and passed first try.  If you pass the exam, you then go outside for a road-test on a closed track.

 

 

@dddave 

 

Would you mind listing the steps involved please? My wife's friend advises that there is a private company in Rayong that you can do the video training and test with, they are an approved Government test centre (will try and find the name of this company and do my own research). They charge between 3500 - 4000 for this. It looks like it bypasses the lengthy waiting times at the Govt office for the tests and fast tracks you to the collect driving license stage.

 

Waiting for more details from her friend, don't fully trust what they say as there's always something that has been missed!

 

 

[mumin999]

11 minutes ago, johng said:

Are you sure it is actually expired  ? because they used to issue life time licenses my wife has one... not sure when they stopped issuing them.

 

not sure, she has lost her license so can't even check the expiry dates (doh!)

probably best to just go through the new license route.

[johng]

2 minutes ago, mumin999 said:

probably best to just go through the new license route.

No go ask at the DLT first  it will be tied to her ID number they can check their records  having a lifetime licence is much better.

[mumin999]

25 minutes ago, johng said:

No go ask at the DLT first  it will be tied to her ID number they can check their records  having a lifetime licence is much better.

 

found this, sadly she has to go through the new license process

 

1. Cessation of Lifetime Licenses:
   The Motor Vehicle Act of 2003 formally ended the issuance of lifetime driving licenses. Existing lifetime licenses issued before October 2003 remain valid unless revoked, but no new ones have been issued since then 1110. This change aimed to improve road safety by ensuring periodic checks on drivers' fitness and adherence to updated regulations.

2. Transition to Time-Limited Licenses:
   Since 2003, Thailand has adopted a tiered validity system:

   • Temporary licenses: Valid for 2 years (for new drivers).

   • Private licenses: Valid for 5 years after renewal 7.

   • Public/commercial licenses: Valid for 3 years 7.

[mumin999]

also I read that you can simply convert an international license e.g. UK to a Thai one without taking the online and practical tests - is that still correct?

Anyone have any experience of this?

[josephbloggs]

16 minutes ago, mumin999 said:

also I read that you can simply convert an international license e.g. UK to a Thai one without taking the online and practical tests - is that still correct?

Anyone have any experience of this?

Yes, it is correct. You won't have to do written or practical tests, but you have to do the usual physical tests (reaction time, colour blindness etc) and if I remember correctly watch the one hour safety video (which you can do online before you go).

Same documents required: passport and copy of photo page visa, entry stamp, non-immigrant visa, medical certificate and certificate of residence. You will be given a one or two year license only, then upon renewal you'll get the full five year one. 

[mumin999]

that's brilliant thanks, will look at this route when we're back in Thailand next month

[Equatorial]

6 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

medical certificate

 

What kind of medical certificate do you need to get a DL?

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, Equatorial said:

 

What kind of medical certificate do you need to get a DL?

 

One that says you are fit to drive.

 

In reality they are a <deleted>... Doc will ask a few health related questions, maybe weigh you and take blood pressure.

[josephbloggs]

3 hours ago, Equatorial said:

 

What kind of medical certificate do you need to get a DL?

Just walk in to any clinic and say it's for a driving license. I went to one near my house and they had a stack of driving license forms behind the counter - they probaby do several a day, so they all know what you need.

[NE1]

38 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Just walk in to any clinic and say it's for a driving license.

5 Year renewal mine last November , wouldn't accept the cert. from the clinic anymore. ( Amphur inside Ratchaburi )

Has to be the hospital......Lovely , sat for 2 and a half hours for the doctor to ask if I am okay.

Answer yes , he stamped the form and I paid 100 baht at the counter.

Took me longer to get the health cert. than it did to do my license renewal.

Suppose like Immi. different offices , different rules.

[dddave]

1 hour ago, NE1 said:

5 Year renewal mine last November , wouldn't accept the cert. from the clinic anymore. ( Amphur inside Ratchaburi )

Has to be the hospital......Lovely , sat for 2 and a half hours for the doctor to ask if I am okay.

Answer yes , he stamped the form and I paid 100 baht at the counter.

Took me longer to get the health cert. than it did to do my license renewal.

Suppose like Immi. different offices , different rules.

When I did my new license exam at Chonbury in March of this year, my medical certificate from a clinic was accepted.

[dddave]

14 hours ago, mumin999 said:

 

 

@dddave 

 

Would you mind listing the steps involved please? My wife's friend advises that there is a private company in Rayong that you can do the video training and test with, they are an approved Government test centre (will try and find the name of this company and do my own research). They charge between 3500 - 4000 for this. It looks like it bypasses the lengthy waiting times at the Govt office for the tests and fast tracks you to the collect driving license stage.

 

Waiting for more details from her friend, don't fully trust what they say as there's always something that has been missed!

 

 

There are sooooo many Facebook, LINE & Tic-Tok advertisements for easy and cheap driving licenses, promising to get it all done with no waiting or test and AFAIK, they are either outright scams or they are misstating what they actually do. There are constant warnings issued by DLT to be aware that there is no way to get a genuine license without going through the appropriate process.

 

As your wife is Thai, she can make her appointment online on the DLT website.  Chonbury is really busy with long waits.  Rayong is reportedly much faster.  

 

The testing for foreigners at Chonbury was conducted apart from testing for Thais so I can not be sure all was the same. 

Day one, waited outside until they started processing applicants with appointments and sent upstairs with a queue number. After a wait, we were given color blindness tests and reaction time tests.  Then ushered into a large room where the videos were played on a somewhat small display with subtitles which were very difficult to read.  There is no policing in the room so people are talking loudly and it's very difficult to concentrate on the videos.  There was a lunch break 12-1pm, then more videos until 3pm.  It appeared nobody cared if you stayed and some people skipped out early but attendance was later taken, forms presented to be signed and those who skipped-out were not allowed to return the next day for testing.  We were told to return the next day at 1pm.

The next day, we were administered the 50 question multiple choice exam on a computer terminal.  Then you waited.  If you passed the exam, next sent to the rear of the building for the driving test on a closed road course.  There are a few agents there who will rent you a car (B300) or motorbike (B100) for the test if you need one. The test consists of driving to a STOP sign. (VERY IMPORTANT TO OBSERVE STOP LINES ON PAVEMENT), then parallel parking in a designated space, then backing-up in a straight line.  That's it.  If you pass, sent back into the building, pay some fees, get a picture taken and issued a license.

 

To pass the exam, it is essential to study in advance.  There are sample exams on the internet and YouTube.  Even if one is an experienced driver, there are questions you would never know the answer to such as "How many days in advance do you have to inform DLT if you plan to change your vehicle color?" and more than a few where the "correct" answer actually makes no sense.  You can only get 5 wrong out of 50 questions so be prepared.

[Smokin Joe]

Pattaya does have driving schools that are certified by the DLT. I believe that they are intended mainly for people that don't know how to drive and actually need to learn how. Not just take the practical test.

 

Google Pattaya Driving Schools

 

If you use one of the DLT certified schools you take their certificate to the DLT and get to skip the written and practical tests.

 

One example is Pattaya Central Driving School. 

 

pattayaklangdrivingschool  (add www. & .com)

 

 

[Smokin Joe]

Not sure if this was already answered or not but it looks like the eLearning website is still active so you can watch the safety video online and not have to do it at the DLT.

 

I did this when for my last renewal which was just after Covid lock downs. A foreigner uses their passport number to register and upon completion you download a pdf of the completion certificate to take to the DLT.

 

 

[josephbloggs]

2 hours ago, NE1 said:

5 Year renewal mine last November , wouldn't accept the cert. from the clinic anymore. ( Amphur inside Ratchaburi )

Has to be the hospital......Lovely , sat for 2 and a half hours for the doctor to ask if I am okay.

Answer yes , he stamped the form and I paid 100 baht at the counter.

Took me longer to get the health cert. than it did to do my license renewal.

Suppose like Immi. different offices , different rules.

Strange, it is actually a standard form for all clinics and hospitals that is issued by the DLT themselves. Maybe your clinic gave you the wrong one?

https://tmc.or.th/download/Medical_Certificate_EN (13-5-64).pdf

[mumin999]

5 hours ago, Smokin Joe said:

Not sure if this was already answered or not but it looks like the eLearning website is still active so you can watch the safety video online and not have to do it at the DLT.

 

I did this when for my last renewal which was just after Covid lock downs. A foreigner uses their passport number to register and upon completion you download a pdf of the completion certificate to take to the DLT.

 

 

Missus did the e-learning Thai safety videos online last night - there were two separate videos. One is for standard renewal and one is for renewal after 1 year of expiry - got her to do both just in case (she wasn't happy but got the QR codes!)

 

Then I did mine also, registered as a foreigner, completed the 1hr video, answered 4 very simple questions and got the QR code.

 

I'm planning for us both to try and do the conversion from UK to Thai license route in order to avoid the 50 question and practical tests, just don't want to waste half a day or more at the DLT if possible.

 

Next step is to get the 1949 IDPs - apparently 1968s are acceptable by car hire firms which is what we use and has a 3 year validity, but read that the 1949 ones are more "official". It may be overkill, but it's only approx £8 per IDP and we can get them in half an hour from the nearest provider so no harm in getting them.

 

Will update on how this goes next month in Thailand.

[Smokin Joe]

8 minutes ago, mumin999 said:

I'm planning for us both to try and do the conversion from UK to Thai license route in order to avoid the 50 question and practical tests, just don't want to waste half a day or more at the DLT if possible.

 

Next step is to get the 1949 IDPs - apparently 1968s are acceptable by car hire firms which is what we use and has a 3 year validity, but read that the 1949 ones are more "official". It may be overkill, but it's only approx £8 per IDP and we can get them in half an hour from the nearest provider so no harm in getting them.

 

Will update on how this goes next month in Thailand.

 

With a valid UK license and IDP no written or practical test required (unless there has been a major change). Both the 1949 and 1968 are valid in Thailand but no telling what the DLT wants. Thailand signed the 1948 Treaty in Aug 1962, but didn't sign the 1968 Treaty until May 0f 2020 so DLT may be more used to dealing with the 1949 IDP.  

 

Of course some countries can only issue the 1968 IDP because they didn't ratify the 1949 Treaty. I assume they are able to get the Thai license using that one.

 

You'll also have to get the Certificate of Residence (COR) and Medical Cert.

 

But even with the streamlined conversion from UK to Thai license you'll still spend half a day there.

 

My friends girlfriend works for a small visa agency and they offer a hand-holding service to help people get their Thai license and she said they take the clients  to Rayong because it is easier to deal with that office.

 

 

[NE1]

7 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Strange, it is actually a standard form for all clinics and hospitals that is issued by the DLT themselves. Maybe your clinic gave you the wrong one?

 

I didn't go to the clinic , we were told by the lady in the DLT office that they were not accepting a clinics signature , they wanted a doctors signature from the local amphur hospital .

[johng]

8 hours ago, dddave said:

then parallel parking in a designated space,

That's good entertainment I watched for a couple of hours whilst

my stepdaughter was doing the other tests for a motorcycle.

[johng]

11 minutes ago, NE1 said:

, they wanted a doctors signature from the local amphur hospital .

What DLT was that ?

[NE1]

 

2 minutes ago, johng said:

What DLT was that ?

 

In Ratchaburi , I have always gone to the clinic near the DLT , blood pressure , asked if I'm okay etc. job done . In and out in 10mins.

 

[mumin999]

1 hour ago, johng said:

That's good entertainment I watched for a couple of hours whilst

my stepdaughter was doing the other tests for a motorcycle.

 

guess that's what I'll be doing then to pass the time if the process takes too long!

will try and film the antics...

[mumin999]

I got my license in the end, here's the full details.

 

First, if you're a Thai / British citizen and had a previous Thai driving licence (even over 17 years ago) as in the case with my wife - you HAVE to go via the Thai driving test route which involves going to a driving school, getting at least 5 hours worth of lessons, then doing the practical, online theory test and the 4 mini tests - that's what we were told by the admin staff at Klaeng DLT - my wife will call them to confirm this. So unfortunately she was unable to convert her UK / IDP to a Thai license.

 

In my case, I went to Rayong DLT first at 7:30am when the office opens, I was 4th in the walk in queue but Rayong doesn't allow new license issues for walk-ins (unless you pre-arrange with an agent and pay a higher "fast-track" fee). The next new license booking was in October and the lady advised I go to Klaeng DLT as they allow walk-ins.

 

So we went to Klaeng a week later, only a 45 minute drive from Rayong where we're based. Office opens at 8:30am but when we got there we found 6 people already waiting in the queue. At our turn the guy mentioned my wife may have a problem with the conversion route but we wanted to try anyway so he gave us both a ticket to come back at 10:30 for walk-ins. There are a limited number of places available for walk-ins so either get there early or try to pre-book if you are able to plan this in advance.

 

They required 2 copies of the following as well as the originals:

* IDP book (we used the 1949 ones), front page and the page with your name and picture - they don't like double-sided copies! So had to get them re-printed at the print counter inside the building

* Certificate of residence (see post below for details on this)

* Passport - picture page as well as the VISA stamp page (for me it was the DTV entry stamp)

* Your long-term VISA (DTV for me)

* Medical certificate (any local clinic will do, paid 80 baht each)

** I had copies of my UK license, front and back, they didn't seem interested in those but I had them anyway

** I also had the QR code for the DLT smart app training completion for foreigners - they didn't ask for it but it may be a good idea to do it anyway

 

Ay 10:30 they started processing the walk-ins - I was asked to sit in the queue for the 4 mini-tests. I saw a couple of foreigners, one was from US and I got chatting to him. He came down all the way from Pattaya as he said his agent advised him to avoid both local and Rayong branches. He did the tests "outside" - I didn't ask what he meant by that but he paid 8,000 baht to an agent for these tests and didn't have to do the mini-tests at the DLT.

 

Mini-tests:

I'm sure most of you know what these are but I'll give a brief run-down.

1) Traffic lights - just call out the colour you see. They dont know the word amber, so say yellow when you see that.

2) Peripheral test - press the right or left button when you see a white light in your peripheral vision area.

3) Reflex test - press the "gas" pedal, and as soon as you see the red light then slam on the brakes.

4) Depth perception - this is probably the hardest test due to the controls. I had to trial it a couple of times to get the gist of it. Basically you have a game-pad type controller in your hands. In front of you (3m away) there are 2 pegs. Right side is fixed and the left moves up or down. When it stops moving, you have to press the up or down buttons on the pad, to align the 2 pegs horizontally then press the confirm button.

One young lady failed this test 10 times until she passed and was awarded a license - so dont worry if you get it wrong!

 

Next I paid the admin fee of 300 baht then joined the queue for the license photo and within 5 minutes, the licenses were ready! I say licenses because unknown to me, my UK licence allows both cars and motorcyles and the IDP reflected that - so that was a nice surprise!

 

Hope this helps anyone in the same position.

 

Next step is to get the missus licensed up...