Obtaining A 5-year Thai Driving Licence

[nam-thip]

Renewing my temporary 1-year Thai driving licence:

Tuesday 22nd December 2009

This is my experience at the Pattaya licencing centre but it is possible (definite) that rules may differ in other provinces.

According to a number of web boards the only way to get a 5 year driving permit is to let the old licence expire first which I found to be correct as my 1-year temporary licence to drive a car expired on the 16th December 2009.

How to obtain a driver's license that’s valid for five years:

• Go early (08.30hrs) to avoid the early morning scramble and expect to be there a minimum of two hours assuming you don’t have to undergo any tests which I didn’t.

• There is a desk at the entrance to the building that deals with licences, pick up a form from there, complete the form which is in Thai/English except for one question which is 100% Thai and my misses got wrong then join the queue.

• Before I was given an application form I was asked what sort of visa did I hold which is an O-visa (Retirement)

• Hand over the completed form and documents to the person behind the application desk and if everything is in order will hand back the documents with a queue number and tell you to go upstairs and wait for your number to be called.

• When your number is called or shown on the screen hand over your stack of documents at the desk, together with your passport. After this final check you will be asked to pay the 505 baht fee (5 years validity @ 100 baht plus 5 baht for the "paper"), for which you will get a receipt.

• Take a seat and wait for your name to be called.

• You will then be issued with your new licence.

• Check the details on your new licence before you leave the building.

Documents required.

• Your expired 1-year temporary car driving licence.

• Residence certificate which verifies your address in Thailand which was obtained from Pattaya or Chonburi immigration as its now called (cost 200 baht) and ready the following day (Do not sign)

• Medical certificate to verify your still breathing (cost150 baht, do not sign)

• Photo-copy of the main page in your passport (signed)

• Photo-copy of your visa page (signed)

• Photo-copy of your last entry into Thailand stamp (signed)

Note:

• Immigration Bureau and medical certificate must not be older than 30 days

• If applying for both car and motorbike licences then two of everything will be requested.

• No photographs are required as they are taken at the application/payment desk upstairs.

• The licence expiry date is not just 5 years from your application date but longer: it will be dated to expire 5-years from your next birthday which in my case is (July 2010) which gave me an additional 7 months making the licence valid for five years and seven months.

• From entering the building it took all of 2½ hours to obtain my new 5-year licence.

Hope this info help.

[Tod Daniels]

MODZ: maybe move this to the Motor Forum where there is a current thread about Thai D/L here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Applying-1-a...g-L-t27462.html

[phutoie2]

Yup, things do differ in the provinces, we do not pay 150 Baht for a medical certificate!, 20 Baht at the local poly clinic. I know you need some dosh to live the "lifestyle" in Pattaya, so I guess 150's no big deal.

Agree about the residence certificate, I had one for the 1st year licence but went and asked the local police station to knock me out a letter instead for the 5 year.

[Spoonman]

Yup, things do differ in the provinces, we do not pay 150 Baht for a medical certificate!, 20 Baht at the local poly clinic. I know you need some dosh to live the "lifestyle" in Pattaya, so I guess 150's no big deal.

Nothing to do with provinces, more likely the establishment where the medical cert was gained from, i got my medical cert for D/L in Pattaya for 30baht.

OP, the 505baht, this is for the non smart license isnt it.

[nam-thip]

Yup, things do differ in the provinces, we do not pay 150 Baht for a medical certificate!, 20 Baht at the local poly clinic. I know you need some dosh to live the "lifestyle" in Pattaya, so I guess 150's no big deal.

Nothing to do with provinces, more likely the establishment where the medical cert was gained from, i got my medical cert for D/L in Pattaya for 30baht.

OP, the 505baht, this is for the non smart license isnt it.

The total cost for the licence was 606 baht.

500 baht for the licence, 5 baht for paper, 100 baht tax = 606 baht

I am not aware of any other licence (smart?) other than the one i was issued with, Thai or foreigner we all received the same type of licence.

[nam-thip]

Yup, things do differ in the provinces, we do not pay 150 Baht for a medical certificate!, 20 Baht at the local poly clinic. I know you need some dosh to live the "lifestyle" in Pattaya, so I guess 150's no big deal.

Agree about the residence certificate, I had one for the 1st year licence but went and asked the local police station to knock me out a letter instead for the 5 year.

The clinic i used was recommended by the misses, “Use my clinic tilac, it’s used by Thai’s and much cheaper than the ones you use”

Fool me for listening as I’ve never been charged 150 baht, never ever.

I paid 50 baht last time!!

[nam-thip]

This is the application form to obtain your drivers licence.

[nitnoymoy]

I was told a farang yellow book could be used as proof of residence could anyone confirm this is accepted? my licence expires early jan and it may save me a trip to Jomtien.many thanks(