Thai Driving Licence Renewal - 5 year, Visa Waiver, Chiang Mai

[QPRFC]

Hi all,

 

Sorry for yet another Driving Licence post but after reading through many many posts, I still can't find my exact situation.

 

Context:

Australian Passport (new, since last driving licence issue)

Currently hold valid 5 year driving licences (expire end July 2025) obtained whilst on ED Visa in 2020

Plan to arrive on 60 day Visa Waiver

Do have a 1 month apartment booked with receipt in Chiang Mai

 

Aim:

Renew driving licences (car & m/c) for 5 years (plus bonus 360 odd days)

 

Requirements (and questions):

1. Certificate of Residence (CofR): Can I arrive on a 60 day Visa Waiver and obtain a CofR at Chiang Mai Immigration office a few days after I land (to give the hotel time to register me) ?

OR do I need to apply for a METV even though I plan on only staying 1 month (1st-31st August 2025) ?

Also, what do I need to submit to process a CofR? Passport photocopy? Apartment Lease / Receipt ? Anything else?

 

2. Medical Certificate: Previously I just paid for one original certificate and took a photocopy (for the 2nd licence). Still viable?

 

3. Existing Driving Licence: Do I only require my Thai licences ? Do I need to photocopy them before going to DLT ?

OR do I need my 'home' Oz licence to be valid and shown / photocopied ?

 

4. Appointment: Does Chiang Mai require a booked appointment via https://www.dlt.go.th ?

 

5. Photocopies: Passport Bio Page, Visa Waiver Stamp. Anything else?

Medical Certificate photocopy for the 2nd licence application.

CofR do I need to photocopy this for the 2nd licence application ?

 

And of course is there anything else that I may have missed?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Smokin Joe]

I am not in Chiang Mai, but for a 5 year license my local DLT for Pattaya requires a long stay visa (90 day) such as Non-O Or B, Or ED etc. or being on a long term extension of stay. This is supposedly nationwide not just Chonburi. Of course YMMV.

 

You may not be able to get a 5 year license, just a 2 year.

 

You might consider contacting an agent that might be able to circumvent the rules.

[Liquorice]

As above.

For a 5-year licence, you must have Non Immigrant status, otherwise only a 2-year licence will be issued.

https://www.dlt.go.th/en/two-year-license