I am an expat, living here on a retirement visa

My Thai driving license (one year) is about to expire.

I live in Bangkok and will go to the Transport Office #3 on Sukhumvit.

I have searched the forum and the internet for rules regarding the extension and found that for renewal, and to get a 5 year license, I need:

1. Passport (and 1 signed copy of photo page)

2. Visa page and non immigrant visa page (and 1 signed copy of each)

3. Two 1 inch photos (available from vendors outside the parking area around the main building)

4. Your old Thai driving license.

However, some websites also state that I will need

5. Medical certificate

6. proof of address

Can someone let me know whether I need to get 5. and 6. ?

Medical certificate is from any doctor. And seems to be given if you're capable of walking around on two legs without bumping into things.

Proof of address - I've always gone with the expensive letter from the British Embassy, (probably cheaper if you're not British). - Alternatively, if you're on an extension of stay, I believe there's also the option of a somewhat cheaper letter from immigration.

Medical certificate is from any doctor. And seems to be given if you're capable of walking around on two legs without bumping into things.

Proof of address - I've always gone with the expensive letter from the British Embassy, (probably cheaper if you're not British). - Alternatively, if you're on an extension of stay, I believe there's also the option of a somewhat cheaper letter from immigration.

I went today to Sukhumvit.

No photos as they take them there ( digitally put on licence ).

I needed copies of passport etc. and my work permit. Both can be done there.

No medical certificate. At least, I didn't need one.

You now (since November apparently) have to sit through a 1 hour safety video and have your eyes re tested.

And now the laugh... my licence actually had another 4 years on it as I didn't check and just thought oh my birthday has passed so i need a new one. I was rescued after 5 mins of video and given my licence back.

i just renew few hours ago my License in chatuchack Transportation dept.

they asked for passport,WP, Medical Certificate and the old license

i did try hard to bypass the Medical test but they just send me away.

walk out ... ask a motorbike taxi driver for Clinic ...

he bring me there .. (about 2 km) .. wait for me and back.

the Certificate 40 Baht + the 60 baht for the Mototbikedriver

and about 10 minutes later i was in the same queue where the same person asked me again for the certificate.

i gave her the document with still wet Ink on it .. and she happy.

5 minutes later i got the new License. (there sems to be only 1 person can speak alittle of englich .. and she get all the farangs .. but there was just me besides about 300 thais) so i was number one

555 Baht charge + 100 for the plastic.

there just turned up another funny issue ...

on my old license there was my name in thai an my home adress according the WP ...

but now they put my work adress and my english name only on it ..

i asked (really friendly) to change this .. as i not live in the office and 8 out of 10 cops cant read my name anyway. so the thai name is Really helpful.

they flooded me with excuses like "according the WP" .. i reply i want it no different as in the WP ...

just put on the Licence according to the law my residentcy adress and my thai name just like state in the WP.

refused again . .even after deliver a really Strong explaination...

i asked really friendly to just be unbuerocratic .. and print it again .. i alo offered to pay for it ...

again NO !

then they came up with ... "the district issue the license before (BKK 4) did it wrong (wrong mean .. put the thai name in the tahi name field and write residency where residency adress is expected) .. and this is how its correct ...

end of conversation

and of course .. there is no way to get the old one back ..

.oO( i really remember this from back in Germany )

Medical certificate is from any doctor. And seems to be given if you're capable of walking around on two legs without bumping into things.

Proof of address - I've always gone with the expensive letter from the British Embassy, (probably cheaper if you're not British). - Alternatively, if you're on an extension of stay, I believe there's also the option of a somewhat cheaper letter from immigration.

You should show up with a medical certificate, they don’t really check you. Some doctors (clinic) will ask you if you couldn’t teach his/her kids. There must be an address in your one year drivers' license, just use this one even if you moved somewhere else. If there’s any problem 500 local baht will fix it.

Hi,

My 12 month Thai driving license will run out tomorrow. I would like to renew it for 5 years as per procedure outlined in this thread. Got a problem though... My work permit expired 1 month ago and I am now on a 30 day entrance stamp.

Does any one know a way I can get this done?

Cheers, Popeye22

Hi,

My 12 month Thai driving license will run out tomorrow. I would like to renew it for 5 years as per procedure outlined in this thread. Got a problem though... My work permit expired 1 month ago and I am now on a 30 day entrance stamp.

Does any one know a way I can get this done?

Cheers, Popeye22

HI. for 5yrs license you need an valid Non Immigrant Visa . . . . no need for WP.