2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

You can´t! Arriving illegally? Then they stay without permission, and you are a citizen. That was the first advantage. You are legal and they are illegal.

After that, can they as an illegal alien open a bank account in UK? But you can, right? Can they get a registered work, pay tax and get a pension? Answer no! You can, YES!

Can they even get a driver license as an illegal alien? No I don´t think so. And the obvious list goes on.

I'm not sure if I could open a bank account in the UK under current rules.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Grandprix

 

Rejoice, drivers! The Thai Cabinet just greenlit a forward-thinking move to bring convenience to the masses. With a new draft ministerial directive approved, eligible drivers will soon renew their driving licences online. No more queues, no physical tests.

 

This digital leap, spearheaded by the Transport Ministry, aims to cut time and costs, signalling a transformative digitalisation in Thai transport. Announced today, April 22, Deputy Spokesman Karom Polpornklang underscored the ease and economic relief this innovation offers.

 

Crucially, this virtual renewal is reserved for drivers in good health, though specifics like age and health metrics remain in the pipeline.

 

These will be decreed by the Director General of the Department of Land Transport (DLT), which will communicate soon. Meanwhile, those not meeting these standards must still face tests and training for renewals.

 

 

 

So, what's in the pipeline? Once formalised, the directive’s three-fold plan seeks to ease the entire process. Firstly, it opens up electronic renewals to those deemed fit sans physical tests.

 

Secondly, it retains mandatory testing for others. Finally, the directive jumps into action 90 days after making its Royal Gazette debut.

 

All eyes are on the specifics from the DLT, eagerly anticipated by drivers looking to sidestep the old-timey test queue.

 

This system promises a boon for time-strapped citizens and aligns with Thailand’s relentless drive toward digital efficiency, trumpeted by yet another tech triumph reported by The Nation. Await the criteria announcement to discover if you’re a shoo-in for hassle-free, digital licence renewals.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger

 

-- 2025-04-23

 

 

Missing the chance for recap of road (safety) rules.

I think I would like to stick to the old plastic DL....I need it for check in a hotel, flights,...

Renewed mine a few months ago,.In and out in 40 minutes, that's done for another 6 years

I guess if many people are applying on line it should make the process at the DVLA easier and quicker for those that have to apply physically. 

7 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'm not sure if I could open a bank account in the UK under current rules.

I don´t know your situation, but usually one needs to have a permanent address as well as been in the country for a certain amount of time, or have a job. That basically standard norm in Europe. 

Looking at Thailand, you actually have it easier here. You only need a 1 year visa or more of any kind and an address.

You foreigner, can not. 

1 hour ago, NE1 said:

or learn to relax and not get excited about something so trivial.

Yeah, I will think about that, when you stop lying and stating that you post something you don´t.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

With a new draft ministerial directive approved, eligible drivers will soon renew their driving licences online. No more queues, no physical tests.

 

Let's hope that we, as foreigners, are considered "eligible" for this.

  

4 hours ago, Cuchulainn said:

Relentless🤣🤣🤣

More like tiresome...

"This system promises a boon for time-strapped citizens"

 

3 hours ago, actonion said:

In 1 hour? , at what licencing office was that at?

Bang Chak (Sukhumvit 99).

I had watched the training video online and prepared all my documents, then just turned up at 1pm without an appointment as the online appointments were full for months ahead. They checked my documents and told me they were full and to come back for an appointment in a about a month. I asked very nicely if there was anyway it could be sooner as my license had expired. He went away, came back and said he could get me in in ten days' time. I said I was not going to be in Bangkok that week, so he went away and came back and said "ok, today". 

That whole exchange took about 10 minutes, he gave me my queue number, I went almost straight in to do the tests (reaction speed, red, amber, green, and depth perception - no peripheral colour test anymore). Then off for a photo, payment, and collect. I was out at 2pm. Very very fast and efficient, I was very pleasantly surprised. And because my license was a couple of weeks expired I got almost six years on my new one - 5 years plus they round it up to your birthday.

 

My friend went there last week as a walk in and was given an appointment 3-4 weeks away but he just took it and he'll go back. It pays to be smiley and polite, they really do try to help.

Even if foreigners can avail themselves of the new system, one story doing the rounds is that it will be restricted to people under the age of 65. So for the vast majority of retired farangs, you may as well forget about this and simply continue with the trip to the DLT office once every 5 or 6 years. One positive for us, though, is that the DLT offices should become much less busy if so many younger people are doing it online, so it might become even quicker and easier than it already is.

2 hours ago, smedly said:

yes it's easy, all done in an hour ?

 

online test video - 1hr

go to DLT and get a date -2hrs

go to immigration for residence cert - 3hrs

medical cert - 2hrs

DLT - 2-3 hrs

 

are you kidding?

 

2 hours ago, smedly said:

yes it's easy, all done in an hour ?

 

online test video - 1hr

go to DLT and get a date -2hrs

go to immigration for residence cert - 3hrs

medical cert - 2hrs

DLT - 2-3 hrs

 

are you kidding?

Ok Mr Pedantic. I said I was in and out of the office in an hour. Pretty obvious I had prepared everything in advance, only a moron would think I could watch an hour long video, go to immigration, a clinic, and do my license all in under an hour, but thanks for being that moron.

- Online test video = one hour.

- No going to DLT to get a date. Turn up, ask nicely, and get done immediately.
- Immigration for residence certificate took literally five minutes at CW. I had booked an online queue, turned up five minutes before, at exactly my queue time my number came up and I was seen immediately. Very slick. But of course you still need to go to CW and back so altogether a couple of hours out of my day.
- Medical certificate 15 minutes at a clinic by my house.

 

You're welcome.

 

4 hours ago, actonion said:

In 1 hour? , at what licencing office was that at?

Yeah, I did my renewal at Ratchaburi late February 2025 and walked out with a renewed licence for almost 6 years.

So easy and quick. Took just over 1 and a half hours

3 hours ago, 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.

With your “ Less waste hence more efficient “ mantra why didn’t you get 6 years like everyone else ?

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Can't think of any advantage I would have in the UK over someone arriving illegally on a boat.

Yep, more like disadvantages! 

11 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

 

Ok Mr Pedantic. I said I was in and out of the office in an hour. Pretty obvious I had prepared everything in advance, only a moron would think I could watch an hour long video, go to immigration, a clinic, and do my license all in under an hour, but thanks for being that moron.

- Online test video = one hour.

- No going to DLT to get a date. Turn up, ask nicely, and get done immediately.
- Immigration for residence certificate took literally five minutes at CW. I had booked an online queue, turned up five minutes before, at exactly my queue time my number came up and I was seen immediately. Very slick. But of course you still need to go to CW and back so altogether a couple of hours out of my day.
- Medical certificate 15 minutes at a clinic by my house.

 

You're welcome.

 

No good in CM, immigration want 2 weeks for your CoR, but will rush it in 24hrs for 500bht. Don't think you need a CoR for a renewal.

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

No good in CM, immigration want 2 weeks for your CoR, but will rush it in 24hrs for 500bht. Don't think you need a CoR for a renewal.

Ouch. At CW it was 200 baht and the CoR turned up by registered mail two days later. And it is required for a renewal.

Yeah probably be only for Thai I was hoping one day they would get to do away with the dual pricing to go to the parks here that’s crazy TIT

Well this will certainly make things more convenient

35 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Ok Mr Pedantic. I said I was in and out of the office in an hour

yes that is what you said - who's the moron ?

 

welcome to my ignore list - very few make it there - feel special

5 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

 

Yep. Did mine two weeks ago. Literally in and out in an hour with a six year license in hand. So easy. 

 

3 hour round trip and more like two hours at a minimum at the office.  Sure you can get lucky but this has been the norm.  Extremely efficient and would rate the experience  high.  If I had the choice to doing it  from home on my PC while relaxing in luxury, well the decision would be easy.  No biggy either way...

1 minute ago, atpeace said:

3 hour round trip and more like two hours at a minimum at the office.  Sure you can get lucky but this has been the norm.  Extremely efficient and would rate the experience  high.  If I had the choice to doing it  from home on my PC while relaxing in luxury, well the decision would be easy.  No biggy either way...

No, one hour at the office as already explained. Maybe I got lucky, no way of knowing, but other posters have said similar. I think since they moved to an online appointment system and they also moved the video online it has made things a lot faster at the offices at it is more controlled and organised. So don't think mine was a fluke.

And yes, obviously I would rather do the whole thing from the comfort of my own home if that ever becomes possible.

6 hours ago, NE1 said:

Got a sneaky feeling this will be " Not available for foreigners "

 

6 hours ago, NE1 said:

Got a sneaky feeling this will be " Not available for foreigners "

I think the same. In Chonburi foreigners can not even book an appointment on line

6 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Yeah, because you belong to the army: They are all against Us! And if you would be right, it´s not a big deal. I am pretty sure that you as a citizen in your own country have privileges over non-citizens as well.

Not if you are British in the UK you don't have privileges over non-citizens

No indication of their ability to drive of course!

1 minute ago, Hardcastle P said:

But they will take our money,  try calculating how much we retirees add to the Thai economy.

This is a thread about driving license renewal, can you take your self pity elsewhere please - there are plenty of threads for that.

On a slightly different matter, can you renew your licence in a different province that the one you stay ? My thai partner can, but not sure for foreigner.

I'll miss the TV room stinking of Lao Khao.