Five year Thai driving licence

[Lancelot01]

I have just noticed that my five year Thai driving licence is due for renewal at the end of August  but unfortunately I will not be returning to Thailand until approx 10 September, is anybody aware of any problems if I  renew late?

[brewsterbudgen]

None whatsoever. I believe it can be renewed up to a year late although obviously it means you're driving on an expired licence.

[cornishcarlos]

No issues at all... Just renewed both my bike and car licence about 1 month late.

[blackcab]

No problem at all.

[BWPattaya]

You, as a foreigner, can renew up to one year late. 

It is actually better to do it after your birthday as you get a six year licence. 

[irwinfc]

no serious problems in renewing late. just make sure to renew within one year. otherwise, you're going to have to take the exam. also, there's a fine which will be calculated by number of days * full fine / 365 days. sorry, i don't know how much the full fine is.

[sometimewoodworker]

Here you go

old site

New site

[NoBrainer]

Looks rather unclear. What is the difference between Dark Purple & Light Purple steps?

[csabo]

2 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

Here you go

old site

New site

So everyone else posted it was "no problem" but now this info states you must re-take the theory test.  So is that the  computer exam that really sucks?  Sounds like a problem to me.  

[cornishcarlos]

I don't think you need to re take the theory exam ! I had to watch the video, in Thai, plus the reaction and eye test. 

As long as you are on a Non O visa or work permit, shouldn't be an issue...

Tourist visa might be different ?

[skatewash]

11 minutes ago, csabo said:

So everyone else posted it was "no problem" but now this info states you must re-take the theory test.  So is that the  computer exam that really sucks?  Sounds like a problem to me.  

I agree that it could be considerably clearer, but the way I read it only the physical test is required when renewing a 5-year driver's license within one year of expiration.

New Rules (posted above):
Under Procedure, Step 3 Take Only a Physical Test (by which they mean eye test, reaction test, depth perception, etc.).  It does go on to list four things:
1. Take I hour training (I think this is required.)

2. Take a physical test (required, as above.)

3. Take a written test (not required, as above.)

4.  Take a practical test (not required, as above.)

My reading of this is supported by the Remarks section which states that one year after expiration an applicant would additionally have to take the written test and three years after expiration an applicant would additionally have to take the practical test.  I read this to support that for a normal 5-year driver's license applicant (within one year of expiration) only the physical test is required.

[twizzian]

I read somewhere that if you lapse the now 2 year temporary licence over 1 day, the application & all the tests have to be done again, it's a complete re-start.

Is this true?

[skatewash]

5 minutes ago, twizzian said:

I read somewhere that if you lapse the now 2 year temporary licence over 1 day, the application & all the tests have to be done again, it's a complete re-start.

Is this true?

The screen shot posted above would seem to contradict that: no written test needed if within one year of expiration and no practical test needed if within three years of expiration.

 

I'm on my first 5-year license acquired the day before my 1-year (they were 1-year back then, but 2-year now) temporary license expired, so I can't contribute personal experience on that.

[giddyup]

I just renewed my 5 year licence two weeks ago. There is only the colour, reaction and perception tests, plus watching a 45 minute video. That's it, nothing else.

[ujayujay]

1 hour ago, skatewash said:

I agree that it could be considerably clearer, but the way I read it only the physical test is required when renewing a 5-year driver's license within one year of expiration.

New Rules (posted above):
Under Procedure, Step 3 Take Only a Physical Test (by which they mean eye test, reaction test, depth perception, etc.).  It does go on to list four things:
1. Take I hour training (I think this is required.)

2. Take a physical test (required, as above.)

3. Take a written test (not required, as above.)

4.  Take a practical test (not required, as above.)

My reading of this is supported by the Remarks section which states that one year after expiration an applicant would additionally have to take the written test and three years after expiration an applicant would additionally have to take the practical test.  I read this to support that for a normal 5-year driver's license applicant (within one year of expiration) only the physical test is required.

Health attest is required too.

[giddyup]

Just now, ujayujay said:

Health attest is required too.

Not if you renew within the allowed time.

[Lancelot01]

Many thanks everybody, your comments are much appreciated.

[sometimewoodworker]

4 hours ago, ujayujay said:

Health attest is required too.

Yes if you are going from a temporary (2 year )licence to a full (5/6 year) licence within 1 year of it expiring.

No if you are renewing a full (5/6 year) licence within 1 year of it expiring.

[jasonsamui55]

Does anyone know if you can do it early because of travels also? And if so, how early? Like within 30 days? And what must one bring with them before going there? I assume old license? Passport and visa? Some cash? What else? Maybe another doctor's note from fake physical test? Anything else?

[giddyup]

44 minutes ago, jasonsamui55 said:

Does anyone know if you can do it early because of travels also? And if so, how early? Like within 30 days? And what must one bring with them before going there? I assume old license? Passport and visa? Some cash? What else? Maybe another doctor's note from fake physical test? Anything else?

Letter of Residence from Immigration. Can go 30 days early, no problem.

[jeab1980]

renewed in July 6 months out of date 5 year licence. Documents

yellow book.

copy of non o visa.

copy of Pink ID card as proof of ID

filled in form went for reaction tests

was asked if i understand Thai language  (do but said NO) no 1 hr video (thank god)

no fine issued with new 5 year licence after 1.5 hrs. KK by the way.

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, jeab1980 said:

renewed in July 6 months out of date 5 year licence. Documents

yellow book.

copy of non o visa.

copy of Pink ID card as proof of ID

filled in form went for reaction tests

was asked if i understand Thai language  (do but said NO) no 1 hr video (thank god)

no fine issued with new 5 year licence after 1.5 hrs. KK by the way.

The video in Pattaya Transport has English subtitles, so you have to watch it.

[steve187]

11 hours ago, jasonsamui55 said:

Does anyone know if you can do it early because of travels also? And if so, how early? Like within 30 days? And what must one bring with them before going there? I assume old license? Passport and visa? Some cash? What else? Maybe another doctor's note from fake physical test? Anything else?

Rayong  5 year to 5 year, arrive early 7.30, to get queue number office opens at 8am, eye sight and reaction tests required, have to suffer a talk and video all in Thai, can do up to 3 month early, need residents certificate, but no no doctor cert.

[stevenl]

On 8/14/2017 at 11:01 AM, csabo said:

So everyone else posted it was "no problem" but now this info states you must re-take the theory test.  So is that the  computer exam that really sucks?  Sounds like a problem to me.  

The second picture refers to application for a new license, not to renewal.

[sometimewoodworker]

On 14/08/2017 at 7:52 AM, irwinfc said:

no serious problems in renewing late. just make sure to renew within one year. otherwise, you're going to have to take the exam. also, there's a fine which will be calculated by number of days * full fine / 365 days. sorry, i don't know how much the full fine is.

There is NO fine for renewing your licence late. SWMBO just renewed late.

There is a fine for renewing you vehicle tax late

[jeab1980]

8 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

There is NO fine for renewing your licence late. SWMBO just renewed late.

There is a fine for renewing you vehicle tax late

Yes took me by suprise last year screwed up the car tax by two months. No problems renewing it but they slapped an extra 1k on the price. Asked immediatley why apparantley its 500 a month if late? Up to a maximum of 3k. No idea if thats true money wise i knew there would be a fine though

[sometimewoodworker]

51 minutes ago, jeab1980 said:

Yes took me by suprise last year screwed up the car tax by two months. No problems renewing it but they slapped an extra 1k on the price. Asked immediatley why apparantley its 500 a month if late? Up to a maximum of 3k. No idea if thats true money wise i knew there would be a fine though

It's actually a percentage of the tax not a flat fee

[jeab1980]

5 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

It's actually a percentage of the tax not a flat fee

As i said i really dont know. The full amount i paid is in tbe book so nothing was skimmed off. 2840 this year spot on time last year 3840 2 months and a few days late. Year before that 2840 spot on time.

[Anthony Loh]

On 8/14/2017 at 0:28 PM, giddyup said:

I just renewed my 5 year licence two weeks ago. There is only the colour, reaction and perception tests, plus watching a 45 minute video. That's it, nothing else.

Totally agree with this as I have just renewed my 5 years DL last week and this is the 3th time renewing my as it is 16th years license. Cheers

[i claudius]

My licence runs out in march but its a 10 year one .i had a one year then a 10 year anyone else

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