Can no longer renew driving licence to 5 years, now 2 years only

[bg53]

So it was all a misunderstanding?

[CallumWK]

17 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Funny enough: my car and motorcycle license have different due dates.

 

Do you have 2 birthdates?

 

https://pcec.club/Thai-Driving-License

Licenses are obtained from the Department of Land Transport which has Land Transport Offices (LTOs) through out Thailand.  The initial license will initially be for a two year period and subsequently for five year periods. The license will expire on the holder's birth date.

[brewsterbudgen]

12 minutes ago, bg53 said:

So it was all a misunderstanding?

Yes.

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Do you have 2 birthdates?

 

https://pcec.club/Thai-Driving-License

Licenses are obtained from the Department of Land Transport which has Land Transport Offices (LTOs) through out Thailand.  The initial license will initially be for a two year period and subsequently for five year periods. The license will expire on the holder's birth date.

 

There maybe some differences in expiry timing of the 2 and 5 year licenses...

 

i.e. 2 Year Temp License expires after two years....   whereas the 5 Year license expires 5 years after the holders 'next birthday'... 

 

Thus: its possible KhunBENQ has 2 year licenses....   (he didn't specify).

 

 

But... Its also entirely possible that DLT just made a mistake on the dates - they are human.

[treetops]

23 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Go to the source of Andy at the expats club and read the comments!

 

Including one now that they did 9 renewals yesterday morning and any change was "overturned almost immediately".

[ujayujay]

I just renewed my 5-year DL in Cha am...I have a non-O visa! There was no word of any changes to the current practice!

[Ralf001]

5 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

I just renewed my 5-year DL in Cha am...I have a non-O visa! There was no word of any changes to the current practice!

 

Thats likely because it is only two offices that are considering this... Rayong and Banglamung (Pattaya).

[richard_smith237]

7 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

I just renewed my 5-year DL in Cha am...I have a non-O visa! There was no word of any changes to the current practice!

 

Which were only ever 'suspected' to be in Rayong and Banglamung DLT (and still not verified by an official source)... 

 

[sandyf]

2 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Oh yes. So clear that it is worth a 7 page thread here and nationwide uproar at the expat community.

"Left on the visa" is wrong from the beginning. If you enter the country with a single entry visa, there is nothing left on the visa. It's used.

Some will never use correct terms.

Indeed. You need to learn that every foreigner in the country has visa status and that "visa " is a perfectly acceptable shortened version.

I was quite obvious that 365 days of visa status remaining is what was meant in the post you quoted.

The fact that others want to put their own interpretation is irrelevant, what will be will be.

[Snowbird 7]

On 7/23/2025 at 1:12 PM, ronnie50 said:

Don't they know it's called the "Land Transport DEPARTMENT" not 'Agency' 

Woooo horsey!  I just got my visa renewed, 12 month marriage visa ,went to DLT, renewed my license for another 5 year term, no questions asked.  Nakhon Ratchasima Korat #2 location.  Start to finish, 2 hours.

 

[scubascuba3]

9 minutes ago, Snowbird 7 said:

Woooo horsey!  I just got my visa renewed, 12 month marriage visa ,went to DLT, renewed my license for another 5 year term, no questions asked.  Nakhon Ratchasima Korat #2 location.  Start to finish, 2 hours.

 

That location is not in question

[ronnie50]

8 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Can renew up to 6 months prior to expiration.

That's what I was told too, at the main DLT license renewal desk at Chatuchak. I went 9 months early and was turned away with that explanation.

[DavisH]

3 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

That's what I was told too, at the main DLT license renewal desk at Chatuchak. I went 9 months early and was turned away with that explanation.

I renewed the 5 year car licence at Taling Chan office today - my licence had expired on Wednesday. Renewal is is almost 6 years from now (23 July 2574). Renew after it expires, not before. From testing to getting the licence was 25 mins. Overall, about an hour in total. 

[ronnie50]

13 hours ago, DavisH said:

I renewed the 5 year car licence at Taling Chan office today - my licence had expired on Wednesday. Renewal is is almost 6 years from now (23 July 2574). Renew after it expires, not before. From testing to getting the licence was 25 mins. Overall, about an hour in total. 

Good to know. What 'testing' was required?

[DavisH]

10 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Good to know. What 'testing' was required?

selecting the correct colour of lights showm red, amber, green (using a remote control)

brake reaction test

peripheral vision

depth perception.

all tests are very easy and took no more than 10 mins in totaL

 

make sure to book online, and do the "online traning" - videos to watch and answer a few questions.

 

I was going to book the Nonthaburi office, but the earliest I could go was mid september. 

 

So i chose to use the Taling Chan office. It's very organised and quick. 

 

Make sure to have the correctr paperwork - copy of visa page and last stamp, medical certificate, Lette rof residence from immigration. I also have a work permit and they took a copy of that, though I dont think it was necessary as Im on a marriage extension. 

 

[roo860]

https://youtu.be/upKx9r1BqGg?si=pFdq7CIHGkevmgFm

[Ralf001]

9 minutes ago, roo860 said:

https://youtu.be/upKx9r1BqGg?si=pFdq7CIHGkevmgFm

 

So nothing has changed then.

[scubascuba3]

20 minutes ago, roo860 said:

https://youtu.be/upKx9r1BqGg?si=pFdq7CIHGkevmgFm

Feel free to summarise