How early can I renew a 5 year Thai car and motorcycle license?

[connda]

My 5 year Thai car and motorcycle licenses expire in mid March next year. However, I had planned to be out of our province during that time. What is the earliest (or latest) that I can renew these licenses without being required to retake a written or driving test.

I am ignorant about the renewal process as it applies to the time frames within which you can renew. Hence the question.

[gerry123]

only hearsay but i think not until they day after expirey

[i claudius]

As I understand it, renew within a year of expiry you will be OK...But everyone must watch the hour long crap video on renewal......

Great isn't it,everyone fell asleep or ate their dinner when I renewd mine

[stevenl]

Vdo if renewing 5 year license, not for upgrade temporary to 5

DL can be renewed 3 months in advance to 1 year afterwards.

[MadMac]

You can do it 90 days before expiry but you would lose almost one year of validity as it always counts till your next birthday. There is a grace period, different information from 90 days to 1 year. Does not really matter. If you renew it 1 week after expiry (your birthday) you should get a new 6 years license.

*unless this has changed*

[connda]

You can do it 90 days before expiry but you would lose almost one year of validity as it always counts till your next birthday. There is a grace period, different information from 90 days to 1 year. Does not really matter. If you renew it 1 week after expiry (your birthday) you should get a new 6 years license.

*unless this has changed*

Does any one know for sure if this has changed?

[MadMac]

Would not mind to watch some funny video if this gives me another year without hassle....

Supposedly there are some new incentives in BKK to renew early for Thais. But that's probably the same thing, avoid the funny TV show.

[stevenl]

You can do it 90 days before expiry but you would lose almost one year of validity as it always counts till your next birthday. There is a grace period, different information from 90 days to 1 year. Does not really matter. If you renew it 1 week after expiry (your birthday) you should get a new 6 years license.

*unless this has changed*

Grace period is one year. That is for renewing without additional requirements only, not for driving without valid license.

[Time Traveller]

You can do it 90 days before expiry but you would lose almost one year of validity as it always counts till your next birthday. There is a grace period, different information from 90 days to 1 year. Does not really matter. If you renew it 1 week after expiry (your birthday) you should get a new 6 years license.

*unless this has changed*

Grace period is one year. That is for renewing without additional requirements only, not for driving without valid license.

What do you mean by grace period? If a 10yr licence expires on January 1st 2016, then you can renew it on December 31 2016, is that it ?

[habfan]

Are you required to bring another "Proof of Residence" certificate when you renew?

[stevenl]

You can do it 90 days before expiry but you would lose almost one year of validity as it always counts till your next birthday. There is a grace period, different information from 90 days to 1 year. Does not really matter. If you renew it 1 week after expiry (your birthday) you should get a new 6 years license.

*unless this has changed*

Grace period is one year. That is for renewing without additional requirements only, not for driving without valid license.

What do you mean by grace period? If a 10yr licence expires on January 1st 2016, then you can renew it on December 31 2016, is that it ?

Yes. But you'll be driving without valid DL for almost one year.

[jossthaifarang]

You can do it 90 days before expiry but you would lose almost one year of validity as it always counts till your next birthday. There is a grace period, different information from 90 days to 1 year. Does not really matter. If you renew it 1 week after expiry (your birthday) you should get a new 6 years license.

*unless this has changed*

Grace period is one year. That is for renewing without additional requirements only, not for driving without valid license.

What do you mean by grace period? If a 10yr licence expires on January 1st 2016, then you can renew it on December 31 2016, is that it ?

10 yr license? Do let us know how to get one of those mate?

[Liquorice]

There is only a 5 year FULL license, doesn't matter what date you take a test it expires on your birthday. So, renew it after your birthday and the license will expire on the NEXT birth date after 5 years.

I think the rules vary from province to province.

Renew up to 3 months before expiry date I agree, but when I renewed this year they made a point of telling me that further renewals must be made before the expiry date. (new rules). They date the new one from expiry date of old one, so no time loss. If you don't renew before expiry date then a full retest is required for a new licence. (Roi Et province).

The OP should check with his own Transport office.

[stevenl]

There is only a 5 year FULL license, doesn't matter what date you take a test it expires on your birthday. So, renew it after your birthday and the license will expire on the NEXT birth date after 5 years.

I think the rules vary from province to province.

Renew up to 3 months before expiry date I agree, but when I renewed this year they made a point of telling me that further renewals must be made before the expiry date. (new rules). They date the new one from expiry date of old one, so no time loss. If you don't renew before expiry date then a full retest is required for a new licence. (Roi Et province).

The OP should check with his own Transport office.

I think you will find that is just talk.

When you come to renew after the date you'll get till your next birthday plus 5 years without additional testing.

[connda]

You can do it 90 days before expiry but you would lose almost one year of validity as it always counts till your next birthday. There is a grace period, different information from 90 days to 1 year. Does not really matter. If you renew it 1 week after expiry (your birthday) you should get a new 6 years license.

*unless this has changed*

Grace period is one year. That is for renewing without additional requirements only, not for driving without valid license.

I would not drive without a valid license. That just gives an insurance company an excuse not to pay out in the event of an accident.

[sandyf]

As I understand it, renew within a year of expiry you will be OK...But everyone must watch the hour long crap video on renewal......

Not everyone.

[connda]

There is only a 5 year FULL license, doesn't matter what date you take a test it expires on your birthday. So, renew it after your birthday and the license will expire on the NEXT birth date after 5 years.

I think the rules vary from province to province.

Renew up to 3 months before expiry date I agree, but when I renewed this year they made a point of telling me that further renewals must be made before the expiry date. (new rules). They date the new one from expiry date of old one, so no time loss. If you don't renew before expiry date then a full retest is required for a new licence. (Roi Et province).

The OP should check with his own Transport office.

I'll be renewing in Lamphun, so wife and I will drive by the office sometime before the end of the year and get the specifics of the procedures and what documents they will require. Hopefully they'll be happy with my Yellow Book and mail that is sent to me at my physical address which is addressed in the Thai language). I don't really want to go through the hassle of obtaining a 'free' LOR from CM Immigration for a 500 THB 'service charge (sourced from other posts on the subject of LORs, CM Imm, and the 'service charge'). The less contact I have with CM Immigration nowadays, the happier I am.

[louse1953]

As I understand it, renew within a year of expiry you will be OK...But everyone must watch the hour long crap video on renewal......

The video was finally at the interesting part where bad mannered Mr Anmat and poor little Shogun where hospitalized and a woman came and turned the video off,it was getting close to lunch,I asked if they died and she told me,i wont spoil it for you other blokes that are still awake.I was in a room by myself getting the farang version.As much as i did see it was all about manners on the road,at least they have recognised it as a problem.The Mt Anmats of this world never learn until it is too late.License wise,i went in 3 weeks before due and they told me can go one year after and still renew.

[louse1953]

Are you required to bring another "Proof of Residence" certificate when you renew?

Yes

[louse1953]

You can do it 90 days before expiry but you would lose almost one year of validity as it always counts till your next birthday. There is a grace period, different information from 90 days to 1 year. Does not really matter. If you renew it 1 week after expiry (your birthday) you should get a new 6 years license.

*unless this has changed*

Grace period is one year. That is for renewing without additional requirements only, not for driving without valid license.

What do you mean by grace period? If a 10yr licence expires on January 1st 2016, then you can renew it on December 31 2016, is that it ?

Yes. But you'll be driving without valid DL for almost one year.

Not if i am in Oz doing my 2 years penance,it works in fine for me,got get a win sometimes.

[mankondang]

I'm up for renewing y 1 year car (and motorcycle) drivers license, to what maybe then a 5 year license.

Just a simple question, What is the YELLOW book that many have referred to ?

Thanks.

[mankondang]

I'm up for renewing y 1 yearcar drivers license, to what maybe then a 5 year license. Just a simple question, What is the YELLOW book that many have referred to ? Thanks.

You can apply for one as a farang living at an address. Saves all that letter stuff from your embassy..

Thanks.

I've been told to take to the license department:

1- Certificate of residence (Which entails getting a both my lease agreement, and a letter from my condo to the Immigration dept)

2- Original drivers license

3- A Doctor Certificate

4- My Passport

5- Money.

I have not been told of having to get anything from my Embassy? I'm in Chiang Mai.

If all this is correct, then how , what and where do I need to have and go for the Yellow Book.

Thanks

[stevenl]

I'm up for renewing y 1 yearcar drivers license, to what maybe then a 5 year license. Just a simple question, What is the YELLOW book that many have referred to ? Thanks.

You can apply for one as a farang living at an address. Saves all that letter stuff from your embassy..

Also non-farang foreigners can apply for one.

[Nemesis7]

Chances are they will ask you to come back after the expiry date but as per rule 90 days before and with in 365 days after expiration of the license it can be renewed.

[MadMac]

There is only a 5 year FULL license, doesn't matter what date you take a test it expires on your birthday. So, renew it after your birthday and the license will expire on the NEXT birth date after 5 years.

There is also a lifetime license with a red colored stripe. But they are supposedly no longer issued. Have seen 2 of them, so they really exist. Same card, so can't be that ancient.

[Time Traveller]

What do you mean by grace period? If a 10yr licence expires on January 1st 2016, then you can renew it on December 31 2016, is that it ?

Grace period is one year. That is for renewing without additional requirements only, not for driving without valid license.

Yes. But you'll be driving without valid DL for almost one year.

AND, if you have a prang your insurance co. will be very happy to see you ain't licensed..

that's fine, I won't be in the country to drive anyway.

[Apiwan2]

I went to the ministry of foreign affairs in chaeng wattana.

With my TM20 form filled out. And Proof of address to counter 11 only to be told I need to go to my embassy to get my signature certified.

When I told him I wanted my address certified for my driving license.

He replied there is no way we can help you. You have to go to your embassy .

And yet the lady at the transport office told me to go to chaeng wattana to get address certified or a yellow book.

Which is strange to me because I didn't need to go to the embassy before . 5 years ago.

So now I'm confused. As what to do.

[MadMac]

Out of curiosity, what happens when I want to renew my license (due next year) in Chiang Mai, with my yellow Tabien Baan from Bangkok. Thais can be registered anywhere. Would they give me an new 5 years here or send me to Bangkok? Anyone ever tried?

[Apiwan2]

Went to immigration imperial lat proaw today..

I know they only do 90 day reporting and Burmese .Laos etc labourers stuff now.. but it's on my doorstep .

Man behind counter said to go to chaeng wattana and they will do it .

Told him they said no . He replied they do . Do it.

Umm. So now should I go back to chaeng wattana or wait for my embassy ?

Trouble is I meet the same guy who refused me.

[MadMac]

Perhaps call the government hotline 1111. That would be a good use for it. Never heard that anyone used it though.