Update - driver's license renewal - Phuket only

[Somtamnication]

This is a followup on the same topic.

For expats wanting to RENEW their 5 year license.

You need:

Original passport with copies of the usual pages (information page, visa and front and back of the arrival form)

Old drivers lic.

Certificate of residence from immigration OR OR work permit copies that are valid for at least 6 months

What you do not need:

Medical certificate!

For expats who do not have a certificate of residence

You need:

signed copies of the house owner's house registration papers (tabien baan)

signed copies of his or her Thai id card

Immigration will give you:

1 paper that the owner has to fill out and sign (the owner has to be registered with immigration BEFORE YOU GET YOUR CERT.

1 paper that YOU have to fill out to get the certficiate

1 photo, any size, but not larger than about 4cm on each side.

What I did:

Get the paper that the owner has to fill in. YOU FILL IT IN. As long as you have his signed id and house papers, YOU CAN SIGN THAT FORM. He she does not need to be there.

Get 2 copies of each

I did not pay one red cent for the certificates, nor was I asked for any money.

What happens at the dl office

It is not at the front anymore. Go in the parking lot and then turn right and go to the end and turn left. Far right building, across from dl test driver site.

They want foreigners to arrive for a cue number at 8:30.

You need to be there by 9ish.

They check your papers, count how many months you have left in your visa . If all is fine, they tell you to go upstairs at 10 am for video.

At 10, go upstairs, watch the idiotic video of rules that Thais never obey, then go downstairs, get a cue number and then you pay your 505 baht. Go to window 3 for picture, pay 110 baht more. You get receipts for 505 baht and 100 baht. The other 10 baht is for the sleeve for the dl.

Good luck.

[hansgruber]

Cool, so anyone with a pre-existing health condition can pass out behind the wheel and kill innocent road users. Many undiagnosed diabetics driving around this country but that doesn't seem worth checking.

Edited March 16, 2015 by hansgruber

[Somtamnication]

I suppose. LOL.

Forgot to mention. After they check your paperwork, you go into a room to test your reflexes.

You sit on a chair, foot on the right pedal. Hit the brake before the vertical green line turns to red. Do it twice. Then they test for color blindness. A traffic light has random colors. A drunk monkey can pass.

Heck, a Thai failed the reflex test 4 times and still passed. He is your ghost rider of the day.

[phuketrichard]

thanks, am heading there tomorrow

dont get this

front and back of the arrival form

what arrival form? That is taken by immigration when u enter the country and the departure form that they stable in ur passport has nothing on the back.

Also why do they look at how long u have?

my extension expires in July but, ( as i have done for the past 12 years) it will be extended.

[Somtamnication]

Departure form.

No idea why they look. The idiot was doing the one finger counting from today through to September.

[merijn]

Question: Renewal of a 5 year DL on a 1 year multiple entry visa issued outside Thailand.

Is this possible ? I hear conflicting stories that only 1 year extensions issued inside Thailand are accepted.

I believe that multiple entry visa should also be good to renew a 5 year DL.

[stevenl]

Question: Renewal of a 5 year DL on a 1 year multiple entry visa issued outside Thailand.

Is this possible ? I hear conflicting stories that only 1 year extensions issued inside Thailand are accepted.

I believe that multiple entry visa should also be good to renew a 5 year DL.

The head of phuket dlt had declared some time ago 5 years are only issued on extensions. I think it was pig issues and answers, but could also be TV forum.

[csabo]

Tell me it's not the 4 hour video again. Please just tell me that...

[LivinginKata]

Tell me it's not the 4 hour video again. Please just tell me that...

What 4 hour video, it's barely one hour. Mind you it's so boring it might feel lie 4 hours.

[4u2mad]

Renewed 5yr m/cycle and car license at Nam Pong KK yesterday.

2 copies of yellow house book

2 copies passport information page

2 copies depature card and addmited until stamp

1 copy of each old D.L

Watched the safety movie

Arrived at 11.30am. finished at 1.30pm. This included a 1hr lunch break

Cost 1060bht for both licenses

[csabo]

Tell me it's not the 4 hour video again. Please just tell me that...

What 4 hour video, it's barely one hour. Mind you it's so boring it might feel lie 4 hours.

I got my license in Phuket last week. The video was 4 hours long with a one hour break in the middle. This is not a typo. 4 Hours.

[KhunHeineken]

Do you go to renew your licence a few days before the expiry date, on the expiry date, or a few days after the expiry date. I've been told different things.

[phuketrichard]

did mine today,

Long line at 8:30

word of advice DO NOT renew before it expires
my license expired 3-15-2015

My new one expires 3-15 2021 got 6 years

they did not want the departure card copy., no medical

• The certificate
• copy front page passport
• copy visa page

All signed!!! ( so many people dont sign the copies)

for all that are renewing their 5 year license OR are getting thai license with an IDP

Brake test , green, yellow, red light test

than at 10:15 video for 1 hour for 15 of us farangs

Edited March 17, 2015 by phuketrichard

[schlog]

Question: Renewal of a 5 year DL on a 1 year multiple entry visa issued outside Thailand.

Is this possible ? I hear conflicting stories that only 1 year extensions issued inside Thailand are accepted.

I believe that multiple entry visa should also be good to renew a 5 year DL.

Multiple entry visa 1 year are good to renew 5 year. Did mine today and get 5 years again.

[nwh]

Cool, so anyone with a pre-existing health condition can pass out behind the wheel and kill innocent road users. Many undiagnosed diabetics driving around this country but that doesn't seem worth checking.

How'bout those that have eye vision problem and can't see their speedometer while driving a little smoky motorbike with gutted exhaust pipes 100 clicks?

I got my licenses for the next 11 yrs. not 5.

Got my residence from immi just showing my 3 year lease on the house that I live in when bying a m-bike last time; didn't have to have a signed copy of the owners ID.

But, then again, regulations change every other month on average.

[LivinginKata]

<snip>

I got my licenses for the next 11 yrs. not 5.

Lucky you, some sort of administrative error there, 11 years is not normal.

[JetsetBkk]

<snip>

I got my licenses for the next 11 yrs. not 5.

Lucky you, some sort of administrative error there, 11 years is not normal.

Well, he did say (and I quote): "How'bout those that have eye vision problem..."

[davidjg]

For anyone doing their first renewal (1 yr to 5 yr) a medical certificate IS required. There is a clinic opposite Robinsons that will give you the certificate for 100THB without having to even see a doctor

Also, no video and the only test required is the colour blind test.

I was told that for renewals, you can be there anytime before 3pm.

[madmitch]

For anyone doing their first renewal (1 yr to 5 yr) a medical certificate IS required. There is a clinic opposite Robinsons that will give you the certificate for 100THB without having to even see a doctor

Also, no video and the only test required is the colour blind test.

I was told that for renewals, you can be there anytime before 3pm.

That's this week's rules. Who knows what they will want next week! That's why up to date info is always useful but, like with immigration, go along with everything that MIGHT be asked for and you should be OK.

[Badrabbit]

did mine today,

Long line at 8:30

word of advice DO NOT renew before it expires

my license expired 3-15-2015

My new one expires 3-15 2021 got 6 years

they did not want the departure card copy., no medical

• The certificate
• copy front page passport
• copy visa page

All signed!!! ( so many people dont sign the copies)

for all that are renewing their 5 year license OR are getting thai license with an IDP

Brake test , green, yellow, red light test

than at 10:15 video for 1 hour for 15 of us farangs

Why not renew before expiry?

[phuketrichard]

if u renew BEFORE it expires u will get 5 years

renew a day of two after an get 6

[stevenl]

if u renew BEFORE it expires u will get 5 years

renew a day of two after an get 6

Yes, correct.

But in the mean time you,'re driving without a valid license.

[Badrabbit]

if u renew BEFORE it expires u will get 5 years

renew a day of two after an get 6

Yes, correct.

But in the mean time you,'re driving without a valid license.

Driving without a license would be a problem anywhere else other than Thailand, I will renew my license before it expires and be happy with 5 years!

[KarenBravo]

if u renew BEFORE it expires u will get 5 years

renew a day of two after an get 6

More than five, but, not six.

The expiry date is on your next birthday after five years from when you applied for the licence.

You will actually get MORE days if you apply before expiry.

Edited June 12, 2015 by KarenBravo

[phuketrichard]

if u renew BEFORE it expires u will get 5 years

renew a day of two after an get 6

More than five, but, not six.

The expiry date is on your next birthday after five years from when you applied for the licence.

You will actually get MORE days if you apply before expiry.

???

I applied for my drivers license on the 17th of march 2015.

it had expired on 15th of march 2015

NEW one expires on the 15th of March 2021

OK

2 days short of 6 years

So please tell me how i could have gotten more??

IF i had applied on the 14th of march 2015 it would be valid till the 15th of march 2020 5 years

[Badrabbit]

if u renew BEFORE it expires u will get 5 years

renew a day of two after an get 6

More than five, but, not six.

The expiry date is on your next birthday after five years from when you applied for the licence.

You will actually get MORE days if you apply before expiry.

???

I applied for my drivers license on the 17th of march 2015.

it had expired on 15th of march 2015

NEW one expires on the 15th of March 2021

OK

2 days short of 6 years

So please tell me how i could have gotten more??

IF i had applied on the 14th of march 2015 it would be valid till the 15th of march 2020 5 years

You broke the law for two days not something I intend doing!

[KarenBravo]

if u renew BEFORE it expires u will get 5 years

renew a day of two after an get 6

More than five, but, not six.

The expiry date is on your next birthday after five years from when you applied for the licence.

You will actually get MORE days if you apply before expiry.

???

I applied for my drivers license on the 17th of march 2015.

it had expired on 15th of march 2015

NEW one expires on the 15th of March 2021

OK

2 days short of 6 years

So please tell me how i could have gotten more??

IF i had applied on the 14th of march 2015 it would be valid till the 15th of march 2020 5 years

Surprised.

Everyone I know who got a license this year, including myself, the expiry date is on the persons birthday.

[Argus Tuft]

???

I applied for my drivers license on the 17th of march 2015.

it had expired on 15th of march 2015

NEW one expires on the 15th of March 2021

OK

2 days short of 6 years

So please tell me how i could have gotten more??

IF i had applied on the 14th of march 2015 it would be valid till the 15th of march 2020 5 years

You broke the law for two days not something I intend doing!

How did he break the law?

[phuketrichard]

my birthday is the 15th of march the date my license expires

PS i also hold a valid ca license,

no law broken , am driving with a valid license.

even so

waaaa, had a invalid Thai license for 2 days, you think the cops care?? LOL

[Badrabbit]

my birthday is the 15th of march the date my license expires

PS i also hold a valid ca license,

no law broken , am driving with a valid license.

even so

waaaa, had a invalid Thai license for 2 days, you think the cops care?? LOL

I care, dont give a stuff about anyone else!