Glad I live in Ratchaburi.  Renewed my 5 year license yesterday.  Walked into immigration without an appointment and got the certificate in about 15 minutes.  Went to DLT without an appointment  and waited about 10 minutes to do the vision/reaction tests.  (I had done the course at DLT-elearning before hand.  About an hour watching videos and 4 questions to answer at the end.)

5 hours ago, zzzzz said:

dtv is considered a long tourist visa and does not qualify for a 5 year license

I know; I renewed my license earlier this year and only got two years. But, as sikishrory speculated, some offices may not know. When the DTV was new we did have some reports in the forum of  people getting five years.

What happens if you show an outdated Thai DL if stopped . It worked last time. 
 

8 hours ago, balo said:

What happens if you show an outdated Thai DL if stopped . It worked last time. 
 

i have heard, that if u show them u have an appt in the near future, they might let you go with no fine

i booked an appointment in surat thani, they have them within a week i think at the moment, i was in and about of there in about 2 hours.

On 10/16/2025 at 5:11 PM, Brick Top said:

The certificate of residence is supposed to be free of charge , if you would have asked for a receipt they would not have charged you.

 

I got 2 from phuket yesterday. Free. Didn't have to say anything. They have a few university girls handling this now in the original room. She took all the docs. I said "how much" she smiled and said "free ka".

Had to go back the next day at 3pm to pickup. Not saying this to prove you wrong, I just read various threads all saying different stuff from last few months about COR in Phuket so sharing my experience.

 

Will be running this miserable gauntlet of trying to renew Thai license over the next couple of weeks. Hopefully walk in and done at Phuket otherwise will fly to Krabi or Kohn Kaen. Phang Nga lower office is booked out and the further North Phang Nga Takua Pu office I ironically don't want to risk driving to with no license.

 

Imagine if they just mailed out new licenses like other countries. We might have happier staff and thousands of less people jumping over eachother to try and get this stupid peice of plastic. 

 

Oh and no license fine in Phuket for me the other day was 2200 not 1000 as mentioned. Quote from copper was "fine not exceeding 2000 baht". Receipt says "2000 baht". My guess is the extra 10% goes in the coppers pocket.

15 hours ago, sikishrory said:

I got 2 from phuket yesterday. Free. Didn't have to say anything. They have a few university girls handling this now in the original room. She took all the docs. I said "how much" she smiled and said "free ka".

Had to go back the next day at 3pm to pickup. Not saying this to prove you wrong, I just read various threads all saying different stuff from last few months about COR in Phuket so sharing my experience.

 

Will be running this miserable gauntlet of trying to renew Thai license over the next couple of weeks. Hopefully walk in and done at Phuket otherwise will fly to Krabi or Kohn Kaen. Phang Nga lower office is booked out and the further North Phang Nga Takua Pu office I ironically don't want to risk driving to with no license.

 

Imagine if they just mailed out new licenses like other countries. We might have happier staff and thousands of less people jumping over eachother to try and get this stupid peice of plastic. 

 

Oh and no license fine in Phuket for me the other day was 2200 not 1000 as mentioned. Quote from copper was "fine not exceeding 2000 baht". Receipt says "2000 baht". My guess is the extra 10% goes in the coppers pocket.

the 500 baht in phuket is for the cor while u wait, its always been free if u want come back>

so ujr going to fly to krabi? what a waste of money, if u had just booked a few months ago......
ur better off paying agent for next day/week service

I can't even recall when was the last time i was stopped in my car and asked for a license, must be a decade or more 

I have heard, cant confirm , that if ur license is expired, BUT u show them u have an appt, police wont issue uj a ticket in Phuket

Go to the office at 7:30 , line up on the left hand side before the door, ( make sure u have all ur paperwork)
U "might" get in at 8 am or at the least u will get an appt for less than a week out.

 

17 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

I have heard, cant confirm , that if ur license is expired, BUT u show them u have an appt, police wont issue uj a ticket in Phuket

Go to the office at 7:30 , line up on the left hand side before the door, ( make sure u have all ur paperwork)
U "might" get in at 8 am or at the least u will get an appt for less than a week out.

 

The police isn't the biggest problem with an expired licence. The fine is payable; however, if you have an accident the insurance will not pay anything and that can be a lot more expensive.

I will be very surprised if you will get an appointment within a week by lining up. Last year, you were lucky if you got an appointment within a month.

21 hours ago, sikishrory said:

I got 2 from phuket yesterday. Free. Didn't have to say anything. They have a few university girls handling this now in the original room. She took all the docs. I said "how much" she smiled and said "free ka".

Had to go back the next day at 3pm to pickup. Not saying this to prove you wrong, I just read various threads all saying different stuff from last few months about COR in Phuket so sharing my experience.

 

Will be running this miserable gauntlet of trying to renew Thai license over the next couple of weeks. Hopefully walk in and done at Phuket otherwise will fly to Krabi or Kohn Kaen. Phang Nga lower office is booked out and the further North Phang Nga Takua Pu office I ironically don't want to risk driving to with no license.

 

Imagine if they just mailed out new licenses like other countries. We might have happier staff and thousands of less people jumping over eachother to try and get this stupid peice of plastic. 

 

Oh and no license fine in Phuket for me the other day was 2200 not 1000 as mentioned. Quote from copper was "fine not exceeding 2000 baht". Receipt says "2000 baht". My guess is the extra 10% goes in the coppers pocket.

Great news , when I first came to live here in 2001 , the certificate of residence was always free with no questions asked , back then you went upstairs to a rear room off to left , were two very pleasant Muslim girls would issue the COR on the spot , back then though the immigration office was always more or less empty with no queuing. 

18 hours ago, Brick Top said:

Great news , when I first came to live here in 2001 , the certificate of residence was always free with no questions asked , back then you went upstairs to a rear room off to left , were two very pleasant Muslim girls would issue the COR on the spot , back then though the immigration office was always more or less empty with no queuing. 

HUH?   NEVER in 35 years had to go upstairs or a seperate room to get a cor

i think ur memory is playing tricks on you

its only in the past few years that they started charging for cor as Patong was
3 years ago it was free, 2 years ago 300 baht,

now 500
for same day service

40 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

HUH?   NEVER in 35 years had to go upstairs or a seperate room to get a cor

i think ur memory is playing tricks on you

its only in the past few years that they started charging for cor as Patong was
3 years ago it was free, 2 years ago 300 baht,

now 500
for same day service

I got my first one upstairs some 15 years ago. The price was 300 baht, I paid with a 1000 baht note and the guy found the change in his own wallet. I believe the next one, two years later, was issued downstairs.

On 12/5/2025 at 7:55 AM, zzzzz said:

HUH?   NEVER in 35 years had to go upstairs or a seperate room to get a cor

i think ur memory is playing tricks on you

its only in the past few years that they started charging for cor as Patong was
3 years ago it was free, 2 years ago 300 baht,

now 500
for same day service

Well , I definitely went upstairs to the same area they use to do the  extensions for Non O based on retirement,  in that area there was a small room on rear left hand side , last time I used that room for a COR was in 2004 , 2005 and 2007 , then after that i had to the big room on the ground floor directly underneath. 

I myself have never once paid for a COR , the guy in charge in the big room who sits at the back use to do the 90 day reports upstairs and I got to know him very well , so I always ask for him and he then informs the girls in front not to charge me.

On 12/3/2025 at 3:53 PM, sikishrory said:

I got 2 from phuket yesterday. Free. Didn't have to say anything. They have a few university girls handling this now in the original room. She took all the docs. I said "how much" she smiled and said "free ka".

Had to go back the next day at 3pm to pickup. Not saying this to prove you wrong, I just read various threads all saying different stuff from last few months about COR in Phuket so sharing my experience.

 

Will be running this miserable gauntlet of trying to renew Thai license over the next couple of weeks. Hopefully walk in and done at Phuket otherwise will fly to Krabi or Kohn Kaen. Phang Nga lower office is booked out and the further North Phang Nga Takua Pu office I ironically don't want to risk driving to with no license.

 

Imagine if they just mailed out new licenses like other countries. We might have happier staff and thousands of less people jumping over eachother to try and get this stupid peice of plastic. 

 

Oh and no license fine in Phuket for me the other day was 2200 not 1000 as mentioned. Quote from copper was "fine not exceeding 2000 baht". Receipt says "2000 baht". My guess is the extra 10% goes in the coppers pocket.

May I ask how long you were waiting outside before IO opens to get ticket number for CoR?

I was at phuket immigration at start of november for CoR, but was told that they issue only 20 ticket numbers in the morning, and 20 after lunch. So went back home and came to IO next morning before they open doors, and surprise, surprise when I get to counter all tickets are gone already, foreigner volunteer told me if I want to be sure to get it done, have to come arround 7am and stand outside and wait for 1h30min when they open doors. Went back home again, called to Blue tree office and asked if they issue CoR, polite officer answered, yes sir, no problem, come and apply, its for free.

When I went to blue tree office, it was almost empty as always, officer didnt need anything from my documents what actually are needed to apply for CoR. Only thing what he did, was took a photo of my TM30, gave back my passport, asked for 1000THB and see you tomorrow, at 10am your CoR will be here.

1 hour ago, aluc said:

May I ask how long you were waiting outside before IO opens to get ticket number for CoR?

I was at phuket immigration at start of november for CoR, but was told that they issue only 20 ticket numbers in the morning, and 20 after lunch. So went back home and came to IO next morning before they open doors, and surprise, surprise when I get to counter all tickets are gone already, foreigner volunteer told me if I want to be sure to get it done, have to come arround 7am and stand outside and wait for 1h30min when they open doors. Went back home again, called to Blue tree office and asked if they issue CoR, polite officer answered, yes sir, no problem, come and apply, its for free.

When I went to blue tree office, it was almost empty as always, officer didnt need anything from my documents what actually are needed to apply for CoR. Only thing what he did, was took a photo of my TM30, gave back my passport, asked for 1000THB and see you tomorrow, at 10am your CoR will be here.

I turned up at opening time and went to the new building. It actually says "certificate of residence" on the side in big letters. Inside there were only about 3 in the queue and some polite Thai lady working the queue said to go to the other building. 

So I went back to the old original room where everything used to be done and there were just a few people again. Went to the university girl. She gave me form to fill. Done then went back and she gave queue and said come back tomorrow. Free with a smile. Had to wait and see the imm officer to submit then went home.

Next day return 3pm perhaps a touch earlier. 2 people in front of me. Pickup certificate from uni girl, sign a couple of things and go home.

1000 baht sounds extreme.

I was honestly surprised how quiet it was at the start of high season.

13 hours ago, aluc said:

May I ask how long you were waiting outside before IO opens to get ticket number for CoR?

I was at phuket immigration at start of november for CoR, but was told that they issue only 20 ticket numbers in the morning, and 20 after lunch. So went back home and came to IO next morning before they open doors, and surprise, surprise when I get to counter all tickets are gone already, foreigner volunteer told me if I want to be sure to get it done, have to come arround 7am and stand outside and wait for 1h30min when they open doors. Went back home again, called to Blue tree office and asked if they issue CoR, polite officer answered, yes sir, no problem, come and apply, its for free.

When I went to blue tree office, it was almost empty as always, officer didnt need anything from my documents what actually are needed to apply for CoR. Only thing what he did, was took a photo of my TM30, gave back my passport, asked for 1000THB and see you tomorrow, at 10am your CoR will be here.

It's for free and you paid 1000 baht?

15 hours ago, sikishrory said:

I turned up at opening time and went to the new building. It actually says "certificate of residence" on the side in big letters. Inside there were only about 3 in the queue and some polite Thai lady working the queue said to go to the other building. 

So I went back to the old original room where everything used to be done and there were just a few people again. Went to the university girl. She gave me form to fill. Done then went back and she gave queue and said come back tomorrow. Free with a smile. Had to wait and see the imm officer to submit then went home.

Next day return 3pm perhaps a touch earlier. 2 people in front of me. Pickup certificate from uni girl, sign a couple of things and go home.

1000 baht sounds extreme.

I was honestly surprised how quiet it was at the start of high season.

its 1,000 baht NOW
when did it go up form 500?
DAM IO's are making a decent income now off something that is free

I ended up flying to issan and getting 5 (almost 6) years on dtv. Super friendly. Done in an hour. Thought about doing a thread but cbf. Ppl can dm me if they have questions 

On 12/9/2025 at 7:27 AM, stevenl said:

It's for free and you paid 1000 baht?

Bangkok Immigration charge a fee too. However, if you are willing to collect it yourself a week later, then there is no fee.

 

Phuket Immigration charge 500. 

 

Amazing Thai interpretation of the rules.

Hi guys - you can only get the driving licence in the same province you live in (per the residence certificate) ?  Is that right ?

1 hour ago, Tuvoc said:

Hi guys - you can only get the driving licence in the same province you live in (per the residence certificate) ?  Is that right ?

No, can get anywhere.

On 12/11/2025 at 6:18 PM, DaRoadrunner said:

Bangkok Immigration charge a fee too. However, if you are willing to collect it yourself a week later, then there is no fee.

 

Phuket Immigration charge 500. 

 

Amazing Thai interpretation of the rules.

At Chaengwattana Immigration, they charge 200 THB and send it to your home by EMS.

 

Collect yourself a week later is free.

On 12/14/2025 at 2:42 AM, stevenl said:

No, can get anywhere.

 

Hmm... maybe it depends on the office and the person you get on the day. I subsequently asked both my visa agent and TLP. and both said that you can only do it in the province that aligns with the residence certificate.

 

Anyway, three DLT offices in Chiang Rai province. Two did not have availability until next year, but the other one I got the last appointment in 2 days' time.  Apparently even if you do have the booking, it tends to be fist come first served, so I intend to get there early. I collect the Residence Certificate from immigration tomorrow and will have to find somewhere for a medical as well.

 

(Apologies for gatecrashing the Phuket forum, but the search brought me here 🙂)

2 hours ago, Tuvoc said:

 

Hmm... maybe it depends on the office and the person you get on the day. I subsequently asked both my visa agent and TLP. and both said that you can only do it in the province that aligns with the residence certificate.

 

Anyway, three DLT offices in Chiang Rai province. Two did not have availability until next year, but the other one I got the last appointment in 2 days' time.  Apparently even if you do have the booking, it tends to be fist come first served, so I intend to get there early. I collect the Residence Certificate from immigration tomorrow and will have to find somewhere for a medical as well.

 

(Apologies for gatecrashing the Phuket forum, but the search brought me here 🙂)

See all recommendations here to apply in Phang Nga or Krabi.

9 hours ago, stevenl said:

See all recommendations here to apply in Phang Nga or Krabi.

At the moment Phang Nga doesn't have anything until mid February. Don't know about Krabi

Booked an appt yesterday at Thoeng for tomorrow. About 1.5 hrs drive and it is in the "correct" province. Plenty of availability there, as I guess there is at many of the less common ones.

i really dont get it< those that live in phuket, know bookings are months out, u know when ur license expires, so
whats the big deal?  you go online 4-5 months before u want renew ur license and book

On 12/16/2025 at 1:57 PM, zzzzz said:

i really dont get it< those that live in phuket, know bookings are months out, u know when ur license expires, so
whats the big deal?  you go online 4-5 months before u want renew ur license and book

 

Yes very logical. I try to plan ahead, but not everyone is good at forward planning and not always possible

 

Anyway - I got my licence. The staff at Thoeng were very friendly and helpful, really good service and they genuinely wanted to help (whilst following the rules). Full of praise for them. Even a smaller office like that was very busy, and they don't have a moments rest. 

 

I have an expired Thai DL and will rent a car during my stay in Phuket, what are the odds of being pulled over? I do have my Norwegian DL but it's not in English.

seldom see local cars ( so check the plate where it isissued) pulled over at the checkpoints, Dont think i ever have been

I am licenced in the UK for seven types of vehicle, from motorcycle to articulated road train. Yet I still can't get a Thai licence. Bangkok DLT wanted me to sit through 5 hours of boring Thai videos, like a Thai soap opera. I refused and walked out before it gave me brain damage.