Drivers License Renewel

[Chunky1]

what are my options for extending my license? do i need to retake a written test? what is the max length of time to extend the license? international license?

[Crossy]

I'll move this to Motoring.

In a nutshell, you need the same paperwork as when you got your 1 year (except your home country licence).

Wait until your 1 year actually expires, then when you renew they'll give you a 5 year licence.

No re-take of the test, but they asked me to to the reaction and colour blindness tests again.

Once you have your 5 year licence you can get an International Driving Permit from the same office.

[Spoonman]

Crossy has it sussed, assuming of course you are still on a non immi visa that is.

From the expiry of your temporary 1 year license you have up to 12 months to renew it, after that its no longer straight forward, if you dont have an IDP with the matching licence from "home" you will need to do the theory test.

[ClareQuilty]

Just an addendum to this thread - I had a one-year license which just expired a month or two ago, but just the other day I lost it. I think a hotel may have kept it by accident when copying it. If I can't track it down, but go back to the same office (in my town) to get a renewal, can I get a 5 year without it? I'm guessing not..

[JohnLeech]

I'll move this to Motoring.

In a nutshell, you need the same paperwork as when you got your 1 year (except your home country licence).

Wait until your 1 year actually expires, then when you renew they'll give you a 5 year licence.

No re-take of the test, but they asked me to to the reaction and colour blindness tests again.

Once you have your 5 year licence you can get an International Driving Permit from the same office.

Sorry, but while this may still be correct in some areas it is certainly not in all. It used to be the case that you had to let your licence expire before you could get a new one, but that is certainly no longer the case officially nor is it the case in Chonburi or Rayong. If you let your licence expire you will have a few days leeway, if you are lucky, then your licence will be cancelled and you will have to start the complete process again from scratch. You can now apply up to three months in advance to renew your licence, and the colour blindness and reaction tests are mandatory (as long as the equipment is working), as is watching an hour's video in English on road safety (Thais get an hour's lecture).

This may vary from office to office, so it would be best to check first.

[Crossy]

Thanks John.

I knew about the video thingy but being able to apply early (and only having a short period to renew after expiry) is definitely new.

Do you have a link to the rules perchance (Thai will be fine).

[Chunky1]

what documents are required? that notarized paper from the us embassy w/ your address?

[Chunky1]

bump for papers required...

[JohnLeech]

Thanks John.

I knew about the video thingy but being able to apply early (and only having a short period to renew after expiry) is definitely new.

Do you have a link to the rules perchance (Thai will be fine).

Only what I was told when I did mine earlier this year; even if I did, it would still need checking locally (preferably before it expires!) as Transam's post shows.

The only extra documentation needed for a farang (in addition to Passport & in-date visa) was a proof of address from the local immigration office (not the embassy); 500 baht, but probably still cheaper than any embassy. Again, though, requirements may vary as well as any immigration office charges.

[thehop]

We live in Pakchong, Nakhon Ratchasima and our local Amphur will do the proof of address letter for free.

It is accepted by the local licence issuing office.

[Sisaketmike]

I'll move this to Motoring.

In a nutshell, you need the same paperwork as when you got your 1 year (except your home country licence).

Wait until your 1 year actually expires, then when you renew they'll give you a 5 year licence.

No re-take of the test, but they asked me to to the reaction and colour blindness tests again.

Once you have your 5 year licence you can get an International Driving Permit from the same office.

Sorry, but while this may still be correct in some areas it is certainly not in all. It used to be the case that you had to let your licence expire before you could get a new one, but that is certainly no longer the case officially nor is it the case in Chonburi or Rayong. If you let your licence expire you will have a few days leeway, if you are lucky, then your licence will be cancelled and you will have to start the complete process again from scratch. You can now apply up to three months in advance to renew your licence, and the colour blindness and reaction tests are mandatory (as long as the equipment is working), as is watching an hour's video in English on road safety (Thais get an hour's lecture).

This may vary from office to office, so it would be best to check first.

I totally agree. Should you live in a rural area, there's only a movie in Thai, just take a Thai friend and all will be fine. Should they ask you if you understood all, just say dai khrap....and you'll be the hero. After receiving your five years license you can also apply for an IDP at the same office, even in the deepest Isan. Just picked my IDP up today, about an hour ,copies of WP, passport and 505 baht for IDP.

[Chunky1]

I have a Non-Immgration O Visa, but I leave every 90 hands. I am not on the 1 year reporting system.

I know that to renew my DL at the Sukhumwit Soi 97 office I need some documentation about my address (I there today) but I am not sure if this is supposed to come from my Embassy or an Immigration Office.

Last time, it was from my US Embassy.

Can anyone please confirm? The poster above confuses me now. Thanks.

[Chunky1]

Thanks John.

I knew about the video thingy but being able to apply early (and only having a short period to renew after expiry) is definitely new.

Do you have a link to the rules perchance (Thai will be fine).

Only what I was told when I did mine earlier this year; even if I did, it would still need checking locally (preferably before it expires!) as Transam's post shows.

The only extra documentation needed for a farang (in addition to Passport & in-date visa) was a proof of address from the local immigration office (not the embassy); 500 baht, but probably still cheaper than any embassy. Again, though, requirements may vary as well as any immigration office charges.

Which office did you renew in?

[Chunky1]

some websites say that you need to bring photos. i dont remember doing that the first time at suk 99 branch. anyone?

[Frenske]

For the new type of dl you don't need to bring any photos, they make now digital photos of you in the office and copy them into the dl