Transport Driving Licence Renewals Go Digital: No More Tests Needed

[SHA 2 BKK]

On 4/23/2025 at 10:12 AM, RayOday said:

I renewed my 5 year license for another 5 years in Chiang Mai 2 months ago. Less waste hence more efficient. I completed a self-paced online refresher course of the road laws with just a few simple quiz questions. Once completed the program generated a QR dense code to capture on my phone. Went to the land transport office, presented the code of completion, requested documents, and  was asked to identify red, amber, green right at the counter then went to a 1 person queue had a license photo taken, received my new license in 5 minutes. While not completely digital it was a significant process improvement.

Now what are they actually doing to improve road safety (road deaths per Capita)? Nothing. It appears that the Dept off Land Transport & the police are disconnected. No on road enforcement.

I have a China drivers license & lived in China when people drove cars like bicycles (1995). Weaving in and out with no regard for lanes. Then it all changed with the upgrade in national road infrastructure and enforcement, which is key, Quantitative improvements are tracked by the WHO. I am aware of the veracity of China's data yet this concurs with my experience. What did they do? 

1. Strictly Enforced Traffic Laws

2. Infrastructure Development

3. Vehicle Safety Standards

4. Public Awareness Campaigns 

5. Emergency Response Improvements

It can be done IF there is the will and leadership to achieve less carnage.

 

P.S. I have driven from Shanghai to Yunnan and back several times stopping along the way. I also drove 4500 kms in Xinjiang prior to the current nastiness. I feel confident in my assessment of China's  road safety improvements.

Oh I concur.  I have been visiting China since the early 90’s and lived in Shanghai for three years.   They drove much like Thais do today and using a Zebra Crossings was a big no no (sound familiar?).   I went back to China last month for the first time in about 8 years.  

 

My Chinese friend stepped onto a Zebra crossing without fear. With trepidation I followed.  Bugger me dead drivers stopped to let us cross.  This happened several times and I was moved to ask my friend what had changed.

 

Cameras.  They are everywhere and road rules are strictly enforced.  Infrastructure is also so much better and China has made huge leaps and bounds on its road safety.  

[flexomike]

On 4/24/2025 at 3:29 PM, Joseph98765 said:

no I mean...every time I check in at a hotel...I pass them my DL plastic piece instead my passport that I never bring with me. I use more my DL for that than for it real use..

most of the hotels I have stayed it they required a passport, to avoid that I just have the wife check in. Lower end hotels are not as fusy. The reason for the passport requirement is so that they can report your stay to immigration by doing the TM30

[Unamerican]

On 4/23/2025 at 9:12 AM, josephbloggs said:

Literally in and out in an hour with a six year license in hand. So easy. 

But an hour is a long time for such a small thing!

Also, in the Pattaya area one has to first also go and make a booking and even that can take an hour! 
As a result, many here pay 5,000 to an agent to help them either thevehole process, including chauffeur service for the necessary two trips. 

[josephbloggs]

1 hour ago, Unamerican said:

But an hour is a long time for such a small thing!

That's your opinion, definitely not mine.

An hour to turn up, have all your documents checked, do three physical tests (colour blindness, depth perception, reaction time), have a photo taken, pay, have the card physically made and handed to you all within an hour is pretty damn good. How long do you think that should all take?

And not so long ago I used to allow an entire day, and I have even had it take two days, so it's a massive massive improvement.

One hour in the office every 5-6 years is hardly a ball ache (and yes, I know you also need to get CoR and health certificate).

 

Quote

Also, in the Pattaya area one has to first also go and make a booking and even that can take an hour! 
As a result, many here pay 5,000 to an agent to help them either thevehole process, including chauffeur service for the necessary two trips. 

That I don't know about. The online booking system has dozens of offices available - if Pattaya is not there I am not sure why. Just looked and that particular office says "temporarily suspended", but Chonburi Sri Racha branch is available as are many others in the vicinity so feel free to book one of those, you can renew in any DLT office. 5k for something that is super easy and only costs 500 baht to do yourself, up to you.

[crazykopite]

I’m on my 4 Thai drivers licence 74 years young with zero known illnesses it will be interesting to see what age limit they say that you have to go and get a health and eye test I’m expecting that I will be one of them !

[crazykopite]

3 hours ago, flexomike said:

most of the hotels I have stayed it they required a passport, to avoid that I just have the wife check in. Lower end hotels are not as fusy. The reason for the passport requirement is so that they can report your stay to immigration by doing the TM30

I just use the pink ID card I was given when I was given my yellow house book having said that I always have my passport just in case but they’ve always been happy with my ID card 

[Robert Smith 2]

I read the article and found no evidence of intelligent life, whatsoever 

[Ralf001]

On 4/23/2025 at 10:05 PM, scoutman360 said:

 

Failed the perception depth test the last time. This is my 4th license renewal in Thailand. Eye sight isn't what it used to be but good enough to drive without glasses. My glasses are set for optimum vision at a distance different than the test machine. So, people who wear glasses, beware. Buy a pair that is perfect at that machine distance. 

 

Compare to my U.S. license: Expired 6 years ago. I just need to come in for a new photo (since the last one was 20 years ago). I kinda agree with Thailand to do occasional checks, rather than keep sending the license in the mail.  But I think it is excessive at the moment. 

 

I renewed in 2020... chap in front of me looked older than dirt and wore coke bottle glasses ... failed the colour and depth tests miserably after many attempts.

He was given a fresh 5yr licence !

DLT - Banglamung.

[crazykopite]

On 4/23/2025 at 10:12 AM, RayOday said:

I renewed my 5 year license for another 5 years in Chiang Mai 2 months ago. Less waste hence more efficient. I completed a self-paced online refresher course of the road laws with just a few simple quiz questions. Once completed the program generated a QR dense code to capture on my phone. Went to the land transport office, presented the code of completion, requested documents, and  was asked to identify red, amber, green right at the counter then went to a 1 person queue had a license photo taken, received my new license in 5 minutes. While not completely digital it was a significant process improvement.

Now what are they actually doing to improve road safety (road deaths per Capita)? Nothing. It appears that the Dept off Land Transport & the police are disconnected. No on road enforcement.

I have a China drivers license & lived in China when people drove cars like bicycles (1995). Weaving in and out with no regard for lanes. Then it all changed with the upgrade in national road infrastructure and enforcement, which is key, Quantitative improvements are tracked by the WHO. I am aware of the veracity of China's data yet this concurs with my experience. What did they do? 

1. Strictly Enforced Traffic Laws

2. Infrastructure Development

3. Vehicle Safety Standards

4. Public Awareness Campaigns 

5. Emergency Response Improvements

It can be done IF there is the will and leadership to achieve less carnage.

 

P.S. I have driven from Shanghai to Yunnan and back several times stopping along the way. I also drove 4500 kms in Xinjiang prior to the current nastiness. I feel confident in my assessment of China's  road safety improvements.

 I remember once at the Samui transport office when I was renewing my car licence doing the tragic light sequence I said amber twice in the test they told me I had failed when I asked why the guy said you not say yellow so you fail I explained that in Europe we say amber not yellow so he let me have a second chance this time I said yellow and he gave me a pass

[StevieAus]

On 4/23/2025 at 9:20 AM, NE1 said:

Sneaky feelings don't have evidence . I am just going on previous experience when an online something or other is rolled out you get the odd one or two that states , Not available to foreigners .

Which examples are you referring to that are not available to foreigners ?

[MangoKorat]

They could cut through all this if they simply introduced a licence up to 70 years old followed by 3 yearly renewals subject to a health declaration - as per the UK system.

[Chris Daley]

Amazing new digital system:  Man shouts at a line of foreigners in Thai.  Push a pedal.  Pay the fine.

[MikeN]

8 hours ago, StevieAus said:

Which examples are you referring to that are not available to foreigners ?

probably any of the ones that don't directly say "no foreigners", but do require a thai Id number

[gargamon]

On 4/22/2025 at 7:23 PM, JoePai said:

Strange, have never found the present 'system' difficult to renew ?

And the real losers can get an agent to do it for them.