New 5 Year License

[alantheembalmer]

I got my first 1 year license on 4 Feb 2010, and whilst at the centre in Bangkok, I asked how soon I could get a 5 year license. I was told I could apply 60 days before the 1 year license expired.

Now I have always understood that the 1 year license must have expired before a 5 year license will be issued.

In view of this I got a Thai friend to telephone the license centre at the beginning of December 2010 to confirm what I had been told. Sure enough, they said that I could renew upto 60 days before the expiry of the 1 year license.

So today I went to the license centre with all the relevant paperwork, and without any questions or fuss I got my new 5 year license, which commences on 5 Feb 2011, as my 1 year license expires on 4 Feb 2011.

Is this a change of policy for the issuing of driving licenses?

[chiang mai]

Common sense had to prevail at some point, it made no sense whatsoever to allow the one year license to expire, before it could be renewed.

[GarryP]

Just out of interest, what are the required documents. The same as when you got your one year license? PP, WP and doctor's certificate?

[alantheembalmer]

Just out of interest, what are the required documents. The same as when you got your one year license? PP, WP and doctor's certificate?

I took:

My passport, with photocopies of the information page, my retirement extension, and my arrival/departure card.

Residency letter from immigration.

Medical certificate.

1 year license.

Alan

[GarryP]

Thanks. Slightly different for me, not being retired, it would appear. I suppose the work permit will be used instead of residency letter, in my case.

[transam]

BUT, it was the case that the 1 year must expire. Last year l went the day before it expired and was told to come back the next day because of that. But got near six years on the 5 year one as it expires on my birthday.

[richard_smith237]

I can confirm.... This year I renewed my license from a 1 year to a 5 year 20 days before expiry of the 1 year license (I've actually ended up with license valid for the next 5 years and 11 months which expires on my Birthday in 2016).

Documents required were the same as always.

Existing 1 year license.

Medical Certification

Work Permit OR Letter of Residence.

Passport (Visa / Entry Stamp).

[alantheembalmer]

BUT, it was the case that the 1 year must expire. Last year l went the day before it expired and was told to come back the next day because of that. But got near six years on the 5 year one as it expires on my birthday.

Transam

This is where things get interesting, because I was told you could get the 5 year license when there were 60 days left on my 1 year license in Feb 2010, which was nearly a year ago. I can only assume that the policy was changed prior to Feb 2010, but I don't know exactly when.

By the way, they gave me my 1 year license back, at it expires on 4 Feb 2011, along with my 5 year, which commences on 5 Feb 2011.

[GarryP]

Thread saved to favorites for reference mid 2011 when 1 year license comes up for renewal.

[katabeachbum]

also seems most DLT now accept applicants with only 60 days touristvisa, while +90 days previuosly required

and yes, 5 years is 5 years pluss the remaining time to you birthday

[Shipwreck]

This is the kind of excellent info that makes the Moto Forum great.

Now that we know you can get your 5 year license before your 1 year expires, does that mean that you have new unforeseen problems if you let your 1 year expire first? ( Just wondering if this change in service flows both ways )

Anyone have recent experience with this?

Interesting post!

[Eff1n2ret]

Now that we know you can get your 5 year license before your 1 year expires, does that mean that you have new unforeseen problems if you let your 1 year expire first?

It didn't in Rayong about 6 or 7 weeks ago, I went for mine the day after expiry of the 1-year. And like some posters above, I got 5 years and 11 months.

[Felt 35]

Great to hear that. I was just to post a question regarding the same issue.

I have to renew my 5 year driving licence which expire in May and are always in Europe in the spring so this was a relief. Hope its Nationwide!

Thanks.

[chiang mai]

Great to hear that. I was just to post a question regarding the same issue.

I have to renew my 5 year driving licence which expire in May and are always in Europe in the spring so this was a relief. Hope its Nationwide!

Thanks.

For the avoidance of doubt: The 5 year license must be renewed up to 90 days BEFORE it is due to expire.