Drivers License -renewal

[WNOVAK]

I will be renewing my( first ) one year drivers license next week, hoping to get it renewed for five years. I have an o-a retirement visa.

When I first got the license last year the girl at the transport office actually filled out the paper work.

Can I hope for the same assistance when renewing or should I be looking to take a translator with me this time out.

Anyone with any recent experience to pass on?

[Noel]

I will be renewing my( first ) one year drivers license next week, hoping to get it renewed for five years. I have an o-a retirement visa.

When I first got the license last year the girl at the transport office actually filled out the paper work.

Can I hope for the same assistance when renewing or should I be looking to take a translator with me this time out.

Anyone with any recent experience to pass on?

My advice would be to go along alone again; there is no need for a translator from my experience.

I did so last year to renew my one year car and motorcycle licences, and once again the clerk just asked me to sign the bottom of the forms: she took care of the rest.

Just make sure you go after the licence has expired to ensure getting a five year licence.

[WNOVAK]

I will be renewing my( first ) one year drivers license next week, hoping to get it renewed for five years. I have an o-a retirement visa.

When I first got the license last year the girl at the transport office actually filled out the paper work.

Can I hope for the same assistance when renewing or should I be looking to take a translator with me this time out.

Anyone with any recent experience to pass on?

My advice would be to go along alone again; there is no need for a translator from my experience.

I did so last year to renew my one year car and motorcycle licences, and once again the clerk just asked me to sign the bottom of the forms: she took care of the rest.

Just make sure you go after the licence has expired to ensure getting a five year licence.

\Good news! Thanks for the insight

[BlackJack]

knowing how Thailand can change its laws over night is there any update on this

in regards to the Pattaya area (way out there) office

thanks

[jm49er1]

Can anyone give me a list of the documents required for renewal? i have heard different accounts as to whether a medical certificate is required - also do i need a letter from Immigration with my address? i had read that this was unnecessary for renewals as they already have the address from the current license - Thanks!

[JohnC]

I renewed mine two weeks ago, the first document I was asked for was a "health certificate" the second one was "certificate of residence from immigration"

Now it has been suggested on the forum that these are not required, however, as you enter the licence centre on the first floor there are two signs in english the first one refers to documents for foreigner wishing to apply for Thai driving Licence and the second sign refers to documents required by foreigner wishing to renew Thai Driving Licence. Both notices state clearly that a Health Certificate and a Letter of Residence is required.

I had gone to immigration at Soi5 on Jomtein the previous day and filled in the form and handed it over, the lady asked me for my old licence and told me to go and renew it on Friday as it expires on Thursday, I was told to come back in half an hour which I did and I got the letter cost 200baht (up on last year) I also went to the same clinic as last year and asked for certificate, saw same doctor who remembered me (even asked how my dogs were!) took my blood pressure said "you healthy" went outside where the desk gave me a certificate again cost up on last year. I went to the driving center at 12:15 and found it empty (transpires the Thais gather in the morning as they have a two hour written test) I went straight to the window gave the lady the above documents plus old licence and indicated I wanted a five year licence, she completed the small slip of paper required and told me to go to window 1 at one o'clock. I went out and had a cold drink and came back at the appointed time and my licence was ready" 505 baht.

Final point make sure your pictures are of the small type, there is a photoshop opposite the licence centre which know exactly what you need and they do a sheet of 12 for 120baht. Any ??? pm me.

Edited June 1, 2007 by JohnC

[soundman]

I renewed mine two weeks ago, the first document I was asked for was a "health certificate" the second one was "certificate of residence from immigration"

Now it has been suggested on the forum that these are not required, however, as you enter the licence centre on the first floor there are two signs in english the first one refers to documents for foreigner wishing to apply for Thai driving Licence and the second sign refers to documents required by foreigner wishing to renew Thai Driving Licence. Both notices state clearly that a Health Certificate and a Letter of Residence is required.

I had gone to immigration at Soi5 on Jomtein the previous day and filled in the form and handed it over, the lady asked me for my old licence and told me to go and renew it on Friday as it expires on Thursday, I was told to come back in half an hour which I did and I got the letter cost 200baht (up on last year) I also went to the same clinic as last year and asked for certificate, saw same doctor who remembered me (even asked how my dogs were!) took my blood pressure said "you healthy" went outside where the desk gave me a certificate again cost up on last year. I went to the driving center at 12:15 and found it empty (transpires the Thais gather in the morning as they have a two hour written test) I went straight to the window gave the lady the above documents plus old licence and indicated I wanted a five year licence, she completed the small slip of paper required and told me to go to window 1 at one o'clock. I went out and had a cold drink and came back at the appointed time and my licence was ready" 505 baht.

Final point make sure your pictures are of the small type, there is a photoshop opposite the licence centre which know exactly what you need and they do a sheet of 12 for 120baht. Any ??? pm me.

Only one thing to add..

If you have a work permit you don't need a certificate of residence.

Cheers,

Soundman.

[BlackJack]

thanks

I think I will take my yellow house book as proof of residency and 2 photos and a purple persuader (b500)

that should do it

[lotus eater]

Did the immigration office require only the filling up of their appropriate form, without supporting documents relating to residence? If documents were required for their letter what are they?

[soundman]

Did the immigration office require only the filling up of their appropriate form, without supporting documents relating to residence? If documents were required for their letter what are they?

Immigration will accept either your 90 day report, a letter from your landlord with a copy of your landlord's ID card, a copy of your rental contract with a copy of your landlord's ID card, or a letter from your embassy. They will then type up a "letter of residence" for you. From Suan Plu in BKK this service is free. It appears that they charge 200B to do this in Pattaya.

Roads / lisence dept. will also accept the letter from your embassy as well.

If you have a "yellow house book" or work permit none of the above will be neccessary.

No tea money is necessary unless you fail the test....

Cheers,

Soundman.

[BlackJack]

Thanks for the feedback

[BlackJack]

I drove 20Kl on the bike to get there

made copies of everything

stood in line in the heat

no medical certificate

i said no need sign on the wall says only for tourist visa i have retirement visa

she said go

i said wheres your boss

she threw things back at me

I drove back to BPH and they wanted 700 baht

i went next door to clinic and paid 100 baht

Drove back to license department

gave paperwork to 2nd class Bitc- admin assistant

she said where resident letter

I said you have my yellow book immigration said this is better

no go get letter

I dont need

you need

who said

I SAID

Drove back to Soi 5

Asked officer why sign on the wall said no need for letter

she said old sign

now waiting for letter

so the whole thing has me thinking its all about greasing the trail

money for photocopy, fee, medical certificate, resident letter

it goes on and on

So dont beliwve what you hear or read

take 2 copies of everything

[oswaldcassidy]

I will be renewing my( first ) one year drivers license next week, hoping to get it renewed for five years. I have an o-a retirement visa.

When I first got the license last year the girl at the transport office actually filled out the paper work.

Can I hope for the same assistance when renewing or should I be looking to take a translator with me this time out.

Anyone with any recent experience to pass on?

You cannot renew your thai driving license until your 1 year one has expired so leave it untill after a few days before renewing all you need is your expired license and a couple of recent photographs

[wineman]

I will be renewing my( first ) one year drivers license next week, hoping to get it renewed for five years. I have an o-a retirement visa.

When I first got the license last year the girl at the transport office actually filled out the paper work.

Can I hope for the same assistance when renewing or should I be looking to take a translator with me this time out.

Anyone with any recent experience to pass on?

You cannot renew your thai driving license until your 1 year one has expired so leave it untill after a few days before renewing all you need is your expired license and a couple of recent photographs

oswaldcassidy you are so so wrong when you say "all you need is your expired license and a couple of recent photographs". To renew a Thai driving licence you need to take with you:

Passport + 1 copy of each of - 'face' page, non-immigration visa page, current TM6 card and latest entry stamp page.

One residence certificate from Pattaya Immigration (dated within 30 days of renewal).

Two 2.5cm x 2.5cm (1 inch) photos (available from vendors across the road. Best to also get the passport pages copied there because if you tell them why you want them they will know exactly what to do for you.

Your expired license.

One medical certificate, ideally a recent one; say dated within seven days of renewal.

Money; my car driving license renewal the other day cost 505 Baht (excluding cost of photos and photocopying).

Take no notice of anyone who says you don't need a medical certificate - YOU DO.

Edited June 4, 2007 by chelseatops

[jmac]

I got my certificate from Pattaya Immigration yesterday and all I did was fill out the form. had photos and copies done and that was that. No other documents needed. Will go for license renewal today.

[BlackJack]

I will be renewing my( first ) one year drivers license next week, hoping to get it renewed for five years. I have an o-a retirement visa.

When I first got the license last year the girl at the transport office actually filled out the paper work.

Can I hope for the same assistance when renewing or should I be looking to take a translator with me this time out.

Anyone with any recent experience to pass on?

You cannot renew your thai driving license until your 1 year one has expired so leave it untill after a few days before renewing all you need is your expired license and a couple of recent photographs

this is simply NOT TRUE

[BlackJack]

I will be renewing my( first ) one year drivers license next week, hoping to get it renewed for five years. I have an o-a retirement visa.

When I first got the license last year the girl at the transport office actually filled out the paper work.

Can I hope for the same assistance when renewing or should I be looking to take a translator with me this time out.

Anyone with any recent experience to pass on?

You cannot renew your thai driving license until your 1 year one has expired so leave it untill after a few days before renewing all you need is your expired license and a couple of recent photographs

oswaldcassidy you are so so wrong when you say "all you need is your expired license and a couple of recent photographs". To renew a Thai driving licence you need to take with you:

Passport + 1 copy of each of - 'face' page, non-immigration visa page, current TM6 card and latest entry stamp page.

One residence certificate from Pattaya Immigration (dated within 30 days of renewal).

Two 2.5cm x 2.5cm (1 inch) photos (available from vendors across the road. Best to also get the passport pages copied there because if you tell them why you want them they will know exactly what to do for you.

Your expired license.

One medical certificate, ideally a recent one; say dated within seven days of renewal.

Money; my car driving license renewal the other day cost 505 Baht (excluding cost of photos and photocopying).

Take no notice of anyone who says you don't need a medical certificate - YOU DO.

you are 100% right