Renewal Of Drivers License In Chiang Mai

[eljuwa]

This morning I renewed my Drivers License in Chiang Mai for 5 years. Originally I got my License in BKK for one year.

Sometimes we get the wrong feedback from the Thai Visa Forum.

So let me set the record straight.

I was told by the CNX Forum that your rental contract is good as the Residency Confirmation - not true. I went at 8.30 AM to CNX Drivers License place. They told me - go to the USA Consulate to get the Residency Letter or go to Thai Immigration. I went to the CNX Immigration. Cost me 500 baht to get the certificate within one hour. Had to wait in line. You need all Passport notifications, 2 pictures, Rental Contract It was 10.30 AM when I got back to CNX Drivers License place.

You need all the Passport notifications including visa copies, Health certificate, Residency certificate as noted above. It took me another one hour to get everything done.

Forewarned is forearmed.

Cheers

[mcgriffith]

Well certainly you have to get a Certificate of Residence, either from your home country consulate, or CM Immigration, to apply for a Thai drivers license.

Or to buy a vehicle here legally, and register it in your name.

I don't know where you read that a rental contract is all you need, on this forum.

The rental contract/lease agreement is just part of the documentation to getting the Certificate of Residence.

You also need a letter (preferably on letterhead stationary) from the landlord stating you live at that address.

Also a copy of the Thai national ID card of the person who signed the above letter.

I've obtained about 6 Certificates of Residency in the past 6 years, for both drivers licenses and vehicle purchases....

PS If you own a home or condo, and have a tabien baan (yellow book), no need for a Certificate of Residence to obtain a drivers license or purchase a vehicle.

Edited October 25, 2012 by mcgriffith
added clarification

[Tywais]

PS If you own a home or condo, and have a tabien baan (yellow book), no need for a Certificate of Residence to obtain a drivers license or purchase a vehicle.

And you can add work permit to the list of acceptable proof.

[FredLee]

Well certainly you have to get a Certificate of Residence, either from your home country consulate, or CM Immigration, to apply for a Thai drivers license.

Or to buy a vehicle here legally, and register it in your name.

I don't know where you read that a rental contract is all you need, on this forum.

The rental contract/lease agreement is just part of the documentation to getting the Certificate of Residence.

You also need a letter (preferably on letterhead stationary) from the landlord stating you live at that address.

Also a copy of the Thai national ID card of the person who signed the above letter.

I've obtained about 6 Certificates of Residency in the past 6 years, for both drivers licenses and vehicle purchases....

PS If you own a home or condo, and have a tabien baan (yellow book), no need for a Certificate of Residence to obtain a drivers license or purchase a vehicle.

I just got my license a little over two months ago. I got my Certificate of Residence at Chiang Mai Immigration, and they did not mention needing a letter from the landlord.

[DowntownAl]

I got my license last year (need to renew next week) and I got my letter of residence from CM Imm with my rental agreement, no letter from the landlord. This time, I have no rental agreement but I do have a letter from my landlord. This is getting silly.

[true blue]

PS If you own a home or condo, and have a tabien baan (yellow book), no need for a Certificate of Residence to obtain a drivers license or purchase a vehicle.

And you can add work permit to the list of acceptable proof.

does having a blue book,suffice(.have my own condo).

[chris5346]

immigration gave me a residence certificate and used my old licence that had my address written on the back as proof.

[Mrjustice]

Well certainly you have to get a Certificate of Residence, either from your home country consulate, or CM Immigration, to apply for a Thai drivers license.

Or to buy a vehicle here legally, and register it in your name.

I don't know where you read that a rental contract is all you need, on this forum.

The rental contract/lease agreement is just part of the documentation to getting the Certificate of Residence.

You also need a letter (preferably on letterhead stationary) from the landlord stating you live at that address.

Also a copy of the Thai national ID card of the person who signed the above letter.

I've obtained about 6 Certificates of Residency in the past 6 years, for both drivers licenses and vehicle purchases....

PS If you own a home or condo, and have a tabien baan (yellow book), no need for a Certificate of Residence to obtain a drivers license or purchase a vehicle.

I just got my license a little over two months ago. I got my Certificate of Residence at Chiang Mai Immigration, and they did not mention needing a letter from the landlord.

Same for me; went last week; got Residency Certificate from CM Immig. with just Lease. No letter from Landlord required.

[mcgriffith]

I'm going by what is on the sheet issued by CM Imm to obtain a certificate of residence.

If some recently were not asked for the letter, that is pretty much the state of things in Thai bureaucracy.

One year it is required, then the next year not. Or a specific officer is just too hassled to demand a missing document on a crazy busy day.

The following year it will be required, but with different specifics.

I think this is termed "moving the goalposts" by our British brothers.

I last obtained one on 9/6/2012 last month, when I purchased a vehicle.

I supplied the letter from my apt bldg (which they are very used to doing, it is a form letter, and they do them all the time for bldg tenants) and a copy of the Thai ID card of the manager signing the letter.

If the above posters didn't have to submit a letter, etc.- all power to you...

[triffid]

If I may revive this thread, I need to renew my current 5-year license which is coming to its expiry - as opposed to moving from a 1-year to a 5-year one. Is the procedure/documentation required the same? Secondly, how much in advance of the expiry date can I apply for the renewal? Thirdly, other than the cost of the residency letter from Immigration what is the fee payable at the licensing office? Would much appreciate this info.