STUDMEYER Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Hey All, I've renewed my 1 year now for 3 years in a row on a tourist visa. It's not a huge tragedy, but it was a PITA - It expired on me while I was traveling and had to take the bus like common folk for a bit... This year I will have a multi-entry business visa and I'm wondering if that will open up an opportunity for the fabled 5 year drivers license. Just curious if its been done before, or can be done at all. First hand experiences appreciated. Thank you for your comments Rgs, SM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beng Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 No problem as long as you had the one year previously. I did mine about 20 years ago on Samui. Back then foreigners were only given one year. My licence then expired and I didn't renew it for a few years. Went for a renewal In 2011 in CNX and was given a 5 year/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnynmonic Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I think it varies from province to province. In Mae Hong Son I got my 5-year and hold a one-year non-O visa. My friend in Phuket holds the same visa I do and they would only give him another one-year license. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGS1244 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Maybe OK if you have a residents letter from police and a 'medical'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doublephil Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I have a multiple entry Non-B visa and just changed my 1 year license for a 5 year license at Chiang Mai. Very simple - it only took a few minutes because I did it the day before the old license expired. If the previous license has already expired - they told me you have to do the colour blind eyesight + reaction tests again. All you need is your old license, passport with 1 year visa, medical letter from hospital and the confirmation of address document which is from immigration or your embassy/consulate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren palmer Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 you can get the 5 year with any 1 year visa. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquorice Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I think it's all down to the discretion of the office you apply at. In Roi Et province the'll issue a 1 year on a Tourist Visa and a 5 year on a single entry Non Imm O Visa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uptheos Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Renewing a drivers licence at Chiang Mai is a piece of cake, you should have no problem. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beng Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I have a multiple entry Non-B visa and just changed my 1 year license for a 5 year license at Chiang Mai. Very simple - it only took a few minutes because I did it the day before the old license expired. If the previous license has already expired - they told me you have to do the colour blind eyesight + reaction tests again. All you need is your old license, passport with 1 year visa, medical letter from hospital and the confirmation of address document which is from immigration or your embassy/consulate. If the previous license has already expired - they told me you have to do the colour blind eyesight + reaction tests again. Good to hear. I thought the tests are mandatory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STUDMEYER Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 Well that all sounds positive. I will report back once I have gone through the machinations of getting my res. certificate and try this out. Plan is, I'll swing by the drivers building and ask the girl there for the latest requirements. Last time she gave me a nice piece of paper that detailed everything i needed. Get all those boxes checked and go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I think it's all down to the discretion of the office you apply at. In Roi Et province the'll issue a 1 year on a Tourist Visa and a 5 year on a single entry Non Imm O Visa. Yes, this is Thailand, every office, in any field, just make up their own rules. Why does Thailand even bother to have a government, as every IO, driving licence office, government dept of any kind, do the governing for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfokevin Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Renewing a drivers licence at Chiang Mai is a piece of cake, you should have no problem. Just don't show up at the DMV wearing shorts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickyknee Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Renewing a drivers licence at Chiang Mai is a piece of cake, you should have no problem.Just don't show up at the DMV wearing shorts... Or no pants at all! Every time I've been there has been with flipflops and shorts (but collared shirt) and it was a piece of cake. Though, yesterday I do notice a sign in English stating that it was a government building and appropriate dress is required. Whatever that is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar God Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I got a 5 year license in Ubon with a retirement extension of visa and a one year license on my first renewal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STUDMEYER Posted April 11, 2015 Author Share Posted April 11, 2015 As promised here's my report On Thursday, went to the immigration office near the promenada. Went to guy in orange shirt in room 4 near copy machines. Gave them 2 photos, a copy of passport and VISA w entry stamp page, a letter from the condo manager. Paid 500 baht they said come back the next day between 1pm and 4pm. 15 minutes in and out, easy peasy. No same day or VIP servica available. Got my medical done that afternoon. Went to the DMV and got the paper from the girl at the info desk about what I needed to renew my (expired 1 year) license: - res certificate or yellow book - copy of passport w visa stamp - medical certificate Asked if i had to re-do the written tests - no She saw my non-imm multi entry business visa and asked me if I was OK with a 5 year. Yes please! Friday went to immigration at noon an hour before pick up time. Sat in front of window #2 the guy asked me forward, i gave him the slip he gave me my res certficate. If i have to do this again ill go first thing AM. Window 2 was always clear and im fairly certain all the res certificates are completed by the girl sitting beside the guy at desk #4 at the time they are dropped off. So with res cert in hand i rushed to the DMV arrived at 12:20, and handed everything to the girl at the info desk. Went to desk 28 with my paperwork and they did a quick colour test with me then stamped my paperwork. Went back to info desk and they told me the que was full for the day. I protested gently because of the songkran holiday next week i would have to wait, they made an exception and told me to come back at 5 pm and wait for the last que number to be served. Came back at 3:30, watched over 100 peiple get their DLs, waited for 370 to be called then went to desk 23 and was served immediately. Sidenote: i have dual nationality. My original 1 year DL was on a different passport with tourist visa. This time i used my other passport with business visa. 2 minutes explanation and they changed my country and passport number on my license. Easy peasy. Walked out of the DMV at 5 pm with 2 new shiny 5 year Drivers licenses. Rgs, SM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STUDMEYER Posted April 11, 2015 Author Share Posted April 11, 2015 One other side note. I wore pants based on comments in this thread. Meanwhile all sorts of thais and hippie looking farangs in sandles and shorts got served just as easily. Next time i will wear short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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