Thai Driver Licence On Tourist Visa

[Mann33bkk]

I got my thai driver license last year, at bkk aera 3 office. All that i neded was copy of passport, medical certificate and leasing contract. It was no problem to get a thai driver licnese. They aske why i did not have 1 year visa. But i explained to them, i am to young to have retirement visa. And i do not work here. So therefor i just have tourist visa.

I have to renew it in March. And i am sure it will work out fine.

But if any other on turist visa have extended their license from 1 year to 5 year, i would be glad to hear about it.

I will come back with more info when i have renewed it in march

[nam-thip]

Before i was issued with a form i was asked what type of visa did i have and had to show the stamp in my passport before they would give me an application form to renew my one year temporary drivers licence.

Two of the qualifying requirements at the Pattaya licencing centre:

* Being of sound mind and good health (not having physical or mental handicap(s) that will prevent them from operating a vehicle safely) - being at least 18 years of age

* If the applicant is not a Thai national, the applicant must hold a valid Non-Immigrant Visa (tourists cannot apply).

[nam-thip]

I recently posted this information as a guide, some of it you might find useful.

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 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 non O or B 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.

[FCS2009]

anyone has experiences how it is in bangkok??? same or are there any differences??

thx

[surfinglife]

Before i was issued with a form i was asked what type of visa did i have and had to show the stamp in my passport before they would give me an application form to renew my one year temporary drivers licence.

Two of the qualifying requirements at the Pattaya licencing centre:

* Being of sound mind and good health (not having physical or mental handicap(s) that will prevent them from operating a vehicle safely) - being at least 18 years of age

* If the applicant is not a Thai national, the applicant must hold a valid Non-Immigrant Visa (tourists cannot apply).

Correct....well, almost:) Renewed my temporary license on 16th January 2010 on a tourist visa (I have never held any other type of visa as I live here month on / month off, so no need). On tourist visa you must renew annually and cannot get a 5-year license. The renewal process involved the usual eyesight / reaction tests. Also if on you international license you don't have the vehicle category for which you want to renew, you must pass the theory and driving test again even though you may have an expired Thai license for that class of vehicle (e.g. I had a 1-year Thai motorbike license but my international license is for car only so they wanted me to resit the theory and bike riding test.....couldn't be bothered, will ride on the expired one for now, hopefully the cops won't notice:)

[shintan17]

Before i was issued with a form i was asked what type of visa did i have and had to show the stamp in my passport before they would give me an application form to renew my one year temporary drivers licence.

Two of the qualifying requirements at the Pattaya licencing centre:

* Being of sound mind and good health (not having physical or mental handicap(s) that will prevent them from operating a vehicle safely) - being at least 18 years of age

* If the applicant is not a Thai national, the applicant must hold a valid Non-Immigrant Visa (tourists cannot apply).

Correct....well, almost:) Renewed my temporary license on 16th January 2010 on a tourist visa (I have never held any other type of visa as I live here month on / month off, so no need). On tourist visa you must renew annually and cannot get a 5-year license. The renewal process involved the usual eyesight / reaction tests. Also if on you international license you don't have the vehicle category for which you want to renew, you must pass the theory and driving test again even though you may have an expired Thai license for that class of vehicle (e.g. I had a 1-year Thai motorbike license but my international license is for car only so they wanted me to resit the theory and bike riding test.....couldn't be bothered, will ride on the expired one for now, hopefully the cops won't notice:)

Which office did you go to? I need to renew mine next month (Feb) with the tourist visa.

[alexandre19]

to MANN33BKK, hi im new here in bangkok and actually im on a tourist, i would like to know how to apply for driving license here in thailand, and where should i go in bkk, where did the office found, i have ask a lot of thai but i got wronged information, Can i do it on a tourist Visa, I really need you help right now, thanks for replying

[LivinLOS]

The law is that you need a non imm (this is actually the law to own a vehicle also !!)..

But the fact is on the ground they almost always give them, of course some place way out in the boonies may so no, or you may just catch someone on a bad day, as ever rules are fluid and open to interpretation, but in broad strokes people get them on tourist visas.

[newtraveler]

Does anyone know who long *after* the one-year license has expired that one can still apply for the 5-year issuance period.. Like others, I've also heard that you have to wait until your (first) one-year period license has expired before applying for the 5-year one, but I can't seem to find anything that says how long after it's expired can it still be used as the catalyst for the 5-year license...

Anyone?

[leemo]

Don't hold me to it but a friend who renewed his 5-yr license said the period is 6 months. 6 months is also what was mentioned at the local bureau when my 1-yr license expired.

[ljerams]

Is there any maximum age limit to the issue of Thai Driving Licences?

I have had two or three five year licences. My current one expires this month. Normally I just take a photo with me, a young lady fills the Form in for me, I sign it and the licence is ready in about 30 minutes.

Now over 75 so not sure if a 5 year licence can be issued or if they will need extra paperwork?

[newtraveler]

leemo, I heard the six months figure as well, but I heard that it applied to wanted to renew *before* the expiration.. In other-words, you couldn't renew more than 6 months *before* your current one expired, but I've not heard it used for the period *after* your current DL expires..

I've tried calling, more accurately, had a thai national friend call the LTO which was a less-than beneficial exercise.. and didn't get any conculsive guidance on the matter..

Has one actually done this *after* your current DL expired and if so, how long after was that?

[shintan17]

Does anyone know that kind of documents you need for the renewal of the 1 year driver's license? I am on the tourist visa (for now).

[shintan17]

Does anyone know that kind of documents you need for the renewal of the 1 year driver's license? I am on the tourist visa (for now).

Ok, since no one answered my question , I went to the office 3 myself today and asked them what I need for the renewal on the tourist visa.

Only 3 things.

1. A copy of passport

2. A letter from the embassy (says where you live)

3. A health certificate from the local clinic.

No.2 could be replaced with the contract papers from the place you live, but I didn't bother to ask.

Above is all you need to get your renewal done. Like everyone else said here, you have to to the renewal every year if you don't the non-immigrant visa.

Cheers,

Shin