Question about Driver's License updating at Phuket Office

[FBlue72]

My 5 year DL has an old passport number and I'm wondering what kind of hassle it will be to update it in Phuket.

Anyone done this? What docs were needed?

Thanks for any responses.

[hansgruber]

Just done mine last week. Same deal with old passport number and address. Its no big deal having a new passport because you have the residence certificate from immigration.

Had to watch the painful video but was out of there before lunch.

[stevenl]

Just done mine last week. Same deal with old passport number and address. Its no big deal having a new passport because you have the residence certificate from immigration.

Had to watch the painful video but was out of there before lunch.

For update of passport number afaik only new passport is required.

[FBlue72]

Just done mine last week. Same deal with old passport number and address. Its no big deal having a new passport because you have the residence certificate from immigration.

Had to watch the painful video but was out of there before lunch.

I'll have to watch the video to update the passport number ?

it's a bit of a long story, but I'm extending a tourist visa without any kind of residency certificates, sort of a chicken/ egg dilemma with a side of Thai bureaucracy x factors- HORRORS because I do not have a current lease at my residence.

If I use the DL, they may notice the number is different, I guess I could take the old passport. Do I need a TM 30 or a RC or a .... or a ....or a .....

I really want to avoid the multi trip, paper - run hassle if it at all possible.

Edited October 22, 2015 by FBlue72

[FBlue72]

Just done mine last week. Same deal with old passport number and address. Its no big deal having a new passport because you have the residence certificate from immigration.

Had to watch the painful video but was out of there before lunch.

For update of passport number afaik only new passport is required.

Thanks for this, do you need to get there before a certain time? Is there a contact number ?

[hansgruber]

Just done mine last week. Same deal with old passport number and address. Its no big deal having a new passport because you have the residence certificate from immigration.

Had to watch the painful video but was out of there before lunch.

For update of passport number afaik only new passport is required.

Thanks for this, do you need to get there before a certain time? Is there a contact number ?

Get there early. Make sure you get into the first video screening before lunch. Otherwise it can be a long day.

I was there 8am and was done by 11.45.

[hansgruber]

Also i will give you a tip. Let the licence expire before renewing. Dont do it before expiry and youll get an extra year.

5 years and 359 days is what i ended up getting.

Edited October 22, 2015 by hansgruber

[FBlue72]

Just done mine last week. Same deal with old passport number and address. Its no big deal having a new passport because you have the residence certificate from immigration.

Had to watch the painful video but was out of there before lunch.

For update of passport number afaik only new passport is required.

Thanks for this, do you need to get there before a certain time? Is there a contact number ?

Get there early. Make sure you get into the first video screening before lunch. Otherwise it can be a long day.

I was there 8am and was done by 11.45.

I don't think this is correct I will have to watch the video , my DL is valid for several more years.

I am only seeking info on procedure to update the passport number.

[hansgruber]

Just done mine last week. Same deal with old passport number and address. Its no big deal having a new passport because you have the residence certificate from immigration.

Had to watch the painful video but was out of there before lunch.

For update of passport number afaik only new passport is required.

Thanks for this, do you need to get there before a certain time? Is there a contact number ?

Get there early. Make sure you get into the first video screening before lunch. Otherwise it can be a long day.

I was there 8am and was done by 11.45.

I don't think this is correct I will have to watch the video , my DL is valid for several more years.

I am only seeking info on procedure to update the passport number.

I wouldnt worry about it. My first did my 5 year licence in 2009 and got a new passport in 2010. Never bothered to change it over and nobody seemed to care.

Edited October 22, 2015 by hansgruber

[LivinginKata]

I think some posters are talking about renewal of DL. You only want to change passport details. You should not need to watch the video and no need to go early, in fact better to go later and miss the rush. I would turn up about 10.30.

[hansgruber]

I think some posters are talking about renewal of DL. You only want to change passport details. You should not need to watch the video and no need to go early, in fact better to go later and miss the rush. I would turn up about 10.30.

For details change you could go after lunch even when its empty.

[FBlue72]

Just done mine last week. Same deal with old passport number and address. Its no big deal having a new passport because you have the residence certificate from immigration.

Had to watch the painful video but was out of there before lunch.

For update of passport number afaik only new passport is required.

Thanks for this, do you need to get there before a certain time? Is there a contact number ?

Get there early. Make sure you get into the first video screening before lunch. Otherwise it can be a long day.

I was there 8am and was done by 11.45.

I don't think this is correct I will have to watch the video , my DL is valid for several more years.

I am only seeking info on procedure to update the passport number.

I wouldnt worry about it. My first did my 5 year licence in 2009 and got a new passport in 2010. Never bothered to change it over and nobody seemed to care.

Thanks for your... responses, but are you reading my actual queries?

I need to have some kind of proof of residency for a tourist visa extension- long story as already posted minimal details above

[FBlue72]

I think some posters are talking about renewal of DL. You only want to change passport details. You should not need to watch the video and no need to go early, in fact better to go later and miss the rush. I would turn up about 10.30.

I think some posters are talking about renewal of DL. You only want to change passport details. You should not need to watch the video and no need to go early, in fact better to go later and miss the rush. I would turn up about 10.30.

For details change you could go after lunch even when its empty.

Great news OK thanks, now as for docs needed? Copies? First born? I'm on a tourist visa is that going to be a pain? I might need to ask this in the visa, or some other section

[hansgruber]

Just done mine last week. Same deal with old passport number and address. Its no big deal having a new passport because you have the residence certificate from immigration.

Had to watch the painful video but was out of there before lunch.

For update of passport number afaik only new passport is required.

Thanks for this, do you need to get there before a certain time? Is there a contact number ?

Get there early. Make sure you get into the first video screening before lunch. Otherwise it can be a long day.

I was there 8am and was done by 11.45.

I don't think this is correct I will have to watch the video , my DL is valid for several more years.

I am only seeking info on procedure to update the passport number.

I wouldnt worry about it. My first did my 5 year licence in 2009 and got a new passport in 2010. Never bothered to change it over and nobody seemed to care.

Thanks for your... responses, but are you reading my actual queries?

I need to have some kind of proof of residency for a tourist visa extension- long story as already posted minimal details above

Yes and i covered that. You need to go to immigration and get that certificate.

Takes 10 mins and its just across the road.

Youll need get a rental contract from your landlord to prove address.

Edited October 22, 2015 by hansgruber

[FBlue72]

Also i will give you a tip. Let the licence expire before renewing. Dont do it before expiry and youll get an extra year.

5 years and 359 days is what i ended up getting.

Ummm Ok

[FBlue72]

Just done mine last week. Same deal with old passport number and address. Its no big deal having a new passport because you have the residence certificate from immigration.

Had to watch the painful video but was out of there before lunch.

For update of passport number afaik only new passport is required.

Thanks for this, do you need to get there before a certain time? Is there a contact number ?

Get there early. Make sure you get into the first video screening before lunch. Otherwise it can be a long day.

I was there 8am and was done by 11.45.

I don't think this is correct I will have to watch the video , my DL is valid for several more years.

I am only seeking info on procedure to update the passport number.

I wouldnt worry about it. My first did my 5 year licence in 2009 and got a new passport in 2010. Never bothered to change it over and nobody seemed to care.

Thanks for your... responses, but are you reading my actual queries?

I need to have some kind of proof of residency for a tourist visa extension- long story as already posted minimal details above

Yes and i covered that. You need to go to immigration and get that certificate.

Takes 10 mins and its just across the road.

Youll need get a rental contract from your landlord to prove address.

1 ) I do not have a lease

2) not going into it because it is complicated, and pertains to a different problem

3 ) I am trying to get info on this thread about updating my DL passport number.

I know you are trying to help BUT have put out some very misleading info, like I need to get there early, I need to watch a film etc etc. so..... thanks.

So please

[LivinginKata]

Great news OK thanks, now as for docs needed? Copies? First born? I'm on a tourist visa is that going to be a pain? I might need to ask this in the visa, or some other section

You'll need original old and new passport, copies of passport pages (2 sets if applying for m/bike and car).

I don't think you will need a certificate of residence from Immigration if no address change.

But I do think there will be an issue changing even just passport number on a 5 year DL with only a toursit visa which only gets a 1 year DL.

But I am really not undersatanding why Immigration would want to inspect you DL. I assume you are extending your 2 month tourist stamp for a one month extension. You should only need proof of registration by your land lord at the most ?

I would not take the risk of any DL change and get your 5 year DL knocked back.

[hansgruber]

Just done mine last week. Same deal with old passport number and address. Its no big deal having a new passport because you have the residence certificate from immigration.

Had to watch the painful video but was out of there before lunch.

For update of passport number afaik only new passport is required.

Thanks for this, do you need to get there before a certain time? Is there a contact number ?

Get there early. Make sure you get into the first video screening before lunch. Otherwise it can be a long day.

I was there 8am and was done by 11.45.

I don't think this is correct I will have to watch the video , my DL is valid for several more years.

I am only seeking info on procedure to update the passport number.

I wouldnt worry about it. My first did my 5 year licence in 2009 and got a new passport in 2010. Never bothered to change it over and nobody seemed to care.

Thanks for your... responses, but are you reading my actual queries?

I need to have some kind of proof of residency for a tourist visa extension- long story as already posted minimal details above

Yes and i covered that. You need to go to immigration and get that certificate.

Takes 10 mins and its just across the road.

Youll need get a rental contract from your landlord to prove address.

1 ) I do not have a lease

2) not going into it because it is complicated, and pertains to a different problem

3 ) I am trying to get info on this thread about updating my DL passport number.

I know you are trying to help BUT have put out some very misleading info, like I need to get there early, I need to watch a film etc etc. so..... thanks.

So please

How will you prove your address?

[hansgruber]

Great news OK thanks, now as for docs needed? Copies? First born? I'm on a tourist visa is that going to be a pain? I might need to ask this in the visa, or some other section

You'll need original old and new passport, copies of passport pages (2 sets if applying for m/bike and car).

I don't think you will need a certificate of residence from Immigration if no address change.

But I do think there will be an issue changing even just passport number on a 5 year DL with only a toursit visa which only gets a 1 year DL.

Anytime you change,lose or expires you need residence certificate.

Its just part of the bueracracy.

And youre correct about tourist visa. No 5 year licence, only temporary.

Maybe if all the details like these were in the original post we might not have to frustrate the vague member.

Edited October 22, 2015 by hansgruber

[FBlue72]

I think some posters are talking about renewal of DL. You only want to change passport details. You should not need to watch the video and no need to go early, in fact better to go later and miss the rush. I would turn up about 10.30.

Ok great this is very helpful. Thank you for it.

So you think only the passport is needed? I'm worried they'll see I'm now on a tourist visa or want a RC which will put me at square 1 as far as extending the ..... well never mind.

[LivinginKata]

Great news OK thanks, now as for docs needed? Copies? First born? I'm on a tourist visa is that going to be a pain? I might need to ask this in the visa, or some other section

You'll need original old and new passport, copies of passport pages (2 sets if applying for m/bike and car).

I don't think you will need a certificate of residence from Immigration if no address change.

But I do think there will be an issue changing even just passport number on a 5 year DL with only a toursit visa which only gets a 1 year DL.

Anytime you change,lose or expires you need residence certificate.

Its just part of the bueracracy.

And youre correct about tourist visa. No 5 year licence, only temporary.

Maybe if all the details like these were in the original post we might not have to frustrate the vague member.

Ok, I can understand the certificate requirement and officialdom BS.

But I urge the OP not to bother with the DL passport number change. DL of no interest to Immigration for any sort of extension.

[FBlue72]

Great news OK thanks, now as for docs needed? Copies? First born? I'm on a tourist visa is that going to be a pain? I might need to ask this in the visa, or some other section

You'll need original old and new passport, copies of passport pages (2 sets if applying for m/bike and car).

I don't think you will need a certificate of residence from Immigration if no address change.

But I do think there will be an issue changing even just passport number on a 5 year DL with only a toursit visa which only gets a 1 year DL.

But I am really not undersatanding why Immigration would want to inspect you DL. I assume you are extending your 2 month tourist stamp for a one month extension. You should only need proof of registration by your land lord at the most ?

I would not take the risk of any DL change and get your 5 year DL knocked back.

Yeah I thought about that. However having the 5 year knocked down to 1 year isn't really a problem, if that's all that will happen, especially if it helps my other problem- how to prove residency to get a 30 day extension on a Tourist visa

I don't have a current lease, my lanlord has never registered me, I always thought the border arrival/entry form was sufficient.

no way to contact my landlord we're on our word only kind of arrangement so I'm exploring options as to how to prove residency.

Forging dates on a strategically blanked out copy of the expired lease , and a scrawled signature is looking like a good option,

OR, a police certificate that's another thread I suppose as to what that needs

Edited October 22, 2015 by FBlue72

[LivinginKata]

Well, your current landlord is legally required to register you with Immigration on pain of a heavy fine.

A certificate of residence from Immigration is not usually issued on a tourist visa, although the 500 baht gratuity usually does the trick.

But you won't be asked for the C of R for a one month extension on a tourist stamp. But yu might be asked for information from your landlord and a form for your landlord to sign - but unlikely.

Why all this drama ... just go to immigration office in Patong and just apply for the 30 day extension - I doubt there will be any problem. All you need is passport copies and photo. And 1,900 baht

[stevenl]

@ op: don't bother changing, just leave is as it is. I don't think you'll need a certificate of residence, but I'm not 100% sure about that. But I do fear that with a tiurist visa or visa exempt entry you might get in trouble with a 5 year DL, since officially only people with extensions of stay or non-immigrant visa get a 5 year license.

Don't ask for problems, so don't change the passport number.

[LivinginKata]

Another thought - when you ask for the Certificate of Residence from Immigration they will for sure check on the computer database that you have been registered at your place of residence. So if you are not registered with some local address then you are screwed.

[FBlue72]

Well, your current landlord is legally required to register you with Immigration on pain of a heavy fine.

A certificate of residence from Immigration is not usually issued on a tourist visa, although the 500 baht gratuity usually does the trick.

But you won't be asked for the C of R for a one month extension on a tourist stamp. But yu might be asked for information from your landlord and a form for your landlord to sign - but unlikely.

Why all this drama ... just go to immigration office in Patong and just apply for the 30 day extension - I doubt there will be any problem. All you need is passport copies and photo. And 1,900 baht

( The CR was what I was being told I needed to update the DL number, but you concur that was mistaken info )

The landlord cannot be contacted, and the Visa forum here is now featuring threads that residency proof is needed for the 30 day TV extension.

I have been on 90 day stays for years on B visas, so I guess maybe that's why I never had to register before ?

however one simple solution offered on a thread there is to simply check into a cheap hotel for 2 days.

I'm thinking the now expired lease, in Thai w date strategically altered would be simplest and as I am residing at the address, in no way an attempt at duplicity.

Edited October 22, 2015 by FBlue72

[LivinginKata]

( The CR was what I was being told I needed to update the DL number, but you concur that was mistaken info )

The landlord cannot be contacted, and the Visa forum here is now featuring threads that residency proof is needed for the 30 day TV extension.

I have been on 90 day stays for years on B visas, so I guess maybe that's why I never had to register before ?

however one simple solution offered on a thread there is to simply check into a cheap hotel for 2 days.

I'm thinking the now expired lease, in Thai w date strategically altered would be simplest and as I am residing at the address, in no way an attempt at duplicity.

I think you are taking a very convoluted route to obtain a 30 day extension on your tourist 60 day stamp. Why bother with all the DL update nonsense. Immigration are not interested in a DL, it proves nothing to them.

Just go now to Patong Immigration and try for the extension, and don't wait until the last day, go at least a week before to allow for any residence problem.

If this residence registration proves a problem (I doubt it) then just check-in to a cheap guesthouse, insist they register you with Immigration and go back to Immigration with your temporary address.

[FBlue72]

@ op: don't bother changing, just leave is as it is. I don't think you'll need a certificate of residence, but I'm not 100% sure about that. But I do fear that with a tiurist visa or visa exempt entry you might get in trouble with a 5 year DL, since officially only people with extensions of stay or non-immigrant visa get a 5 year license.

Don't ask for problems, so don't change the passport number.

yes with this new info, sounds like good advice, thanks

Another thought - when you ask for the Certificate of Residence from Immigration they will for sure check on the computer database that you have been registered at your place of residence. So if you are not registered with some local address then you are screwed.

But I have gotten CRs before, many and a DL license all at this current address. And when I enter at the borders, it's always been entered on the arrival form.

But because my landlord did not ever do it, I'll be fined ?

[LivinginKata]

But I have gotten CRs before, many and a DL license all at this current address. And when I enter at the borders, it's always been entered on the arrival form.

But because my landlord did not ever do it, I'll be fined ?

It's been in the last year or 2 that Immigration have tightened up in this registration requirement. Previously this proof of registration was not considered when dealing with Immigration. I know this cos we have many guests at our various apartments, and last/this year they started coming back from Immigration with forms for us (as owners) to fill in and sign. Since a couple of years ago we registed our company with Immigration and have access to Immigration database where we enter guest passport details thus when our guests have to deal with immigration I tell them just to say they are are registered in the database. seems to work Ok for them and we don't usually need to supply our guests with any additional paperwork.

No, you will not be fined or penalised. The landlord is liable for any fine.

[FBlue72]

( The CR was what I was being told I needed to update the DL number, but you concur that was mistaken info )

The landlord cannot be contacted, and the Visa forum here is now featuring threads that residency proof is needed for the 30 day TV extension.

I have been on 90 day stays for years on B visas, so I guess maybe that's why I never had to register before ?

however one simple solution offered on a thread there is to simply check into a cheap hotel for 2 days.

I'm thinking the now expired lease, in Thai w date strategically altered would be simplest and as I am residing at the address, in no way an attempt at duplicity.

I think you are taking a very convoluted route to obtain a 30 day extension on your tourist 60 day stamp. Why bother with all the DL update nonsense. Immigration are not interested in a DL, it proves nothing to them.

Just go now to Patong Immigration and try for the extension, and don't wait until the last day, go at least a week before to allow for any residence problem.

If this residence registration proves a problem (I doubt it) then just check-in to a cheap guesthouse, insist they register you with Immigration and go back to Immigration with your temporary address.

This is all because of threads now on Visa forum saying proof of residence is now needed to extend a TV

I was only thinking I could use the DL as proof of residence, but the number is wrong , so was seeking info on how to get that changed...how much hassle.

Would they even notice the number ? Who knows? Toss the dice.

Thank you very much for your responses today.