Thai Driving License renewal

[HHTel]

Medical certificate is required for your first (temporary) licence. You don't need it for renewal.
You shouldn't need photos for the DLT as they capture you on camera for your licence. Yes you do need them for immigration.
I think you'll find a renewal is much simpler.

[hhinner]

Medical certificate also required when changing from temporary to 5 year licence.

[Big Boy]

I renewed my licence today - very easy, and nothing to contradict anything said above. However, colour blindness test was a challenge (I AM NOT colour blind). The numbers were not formed in a way that I could simply say 6 or 8 etc. I got it 100% correct, but it was far from easy. The guy who followed could not get past card 1 with either eye, or both eyes together. They took him to another room, where he passed another colour blindness test with no difficulty.

I read about the need to wear a white shirt, and thought they would not have one to fit me. The only white shirt I own is the same shirt I wore 5 years ago (seen better days), but I wore it anyway. It was acceptable. However, not everybody had to wear white. Some had their photos taken in multi-coloured shirts, whilst others had to change - TIT I guess.

For the first time ever, I had to sit through 55 minutes of the movie. They just seemed to be showing how to kill other road users - nothing you don't see every day on the road. I liked the road rage bit where the guy complained that the other party had a gun, making his confrontation unfair. At the end of the day, a useless movie, watched by a few - most were busy on their phones.

[Big Boy]

There was one other thing contrary to what somebody had written, My Yellow Book was accepted, negating the need to buy the letter from Immigration.

[Nereus]

I renewed my licence today - very easy, and nothing to contradict anything said above.

So was it expired or not, please?

[Big Boy]

My licence expired on 30 April, so I received almost 6 years validity as stated by others.

[Gregjam]

So I didn't wear a white shirt, but they were happy with a plain coloured one with a collar. I do agree with Big Boy about the colour blindness test, I had no problem but did find that you had to look carefully. A similar test is carried out as part of my annual medical and I never have any problem identifying the numbers there. Also agree about the video. I actually watched it and found the bit about staying calm while others drive like total incompetents entertaining.
Overall a painless few hours to sort out and cheaper than taking the wife to Market Village.

[curlybaggie]

I live in Tak in the north of Thailand, and I renewed my licence last week. I took the letter from the Police, medical certificate, paid 505 baht and waited to be called for the photo. I was there less than an hour, it obviously depends on where you live in Thailand as to the procedure, but you would think it would be the same everywhere.

[Robinhood]

Hi,

I want to get a 5 year Thai car driving license. Have UK passport and Non Imm B Visa. Quick questions.

1. What documents? - Passport, Workpermit, Status of Residence, Medical Cert?
2. What fee?
3. Do you need an appointment at either Cha am or Pranburi or just turn up?
4. What are the opening hours and is there a closed for lunchtime, also is english spoken everyday or just a set day?
5. What tests and video?
6. Anything else?

I'm travelling to the office by bus so need to get everything sorted before travelling!

Cheers
Robin

[HHTel]

You don't mention whether you have a Thai driving licence at present. If not, then you'll only get a 2 year licence initially.

[Big Boy]

You don't mention whether you have a Thai driving licence at present. If not, then you'll only get a 2 year licence initially.

If that is the case, you will either need to present a valid driving licence + IDP or take a test.

[Scout]

As for documents, you need Residence Letter from Immigration, Medical Certificate (if this is your first Thai license and not a renewal ), copies of relevant pages of your Passport, and I think I recall they’ll also want to see your Passport.

One time in the past they gave me an appointment that was a month out when I showed up at Pranburi, the other 6 or 7 times, including most recently, they processed me or my family members same day without requiring an appointment.

Word of caution, when getting the Residence Letter at Immigration they will ask “Car or Motorcycle ?” If you want one of each you will need to get and pay for 2 Residence Letters. My mother answered the question by saying “both”. Upon arrival at Pranburi there was massive confusion and we were denied service. After massive confusion they finally found a Thai that spoke English who communicated that the Residence Letter authorized my Mom to get a license to be a ships captain and that they did not issue maritime licenses at the Pranburi DLT. Seems that when my Mom answered “both”, the Lady at Immigration mis-interpreted that as “boat” and constructed the letter accordingly. This necessitated a return visit to Hua Hin Immigration to get the correct letters.

[Big Boy]

[chaspul]

Could not remember posting this before this web site has links to download form and what to fill in English. Hope it helps. https://iglu.net/how-to-get-a-thai-driving-license/
Chas

[Robinhood]

You don't mention whether you have a Thai driving licence at present. If not, then you'll only get a 2 year licence initially.

If that is the case, you will either need to present a valid driving licence + IDP or take a test.

Thanks guys for information. This will be my first application for a Thai driving license.
I currently have a valid UK driving license. Can I clarify, when you say plus IDP (International Driving Permit) do you mean if I have an IDP along with my UK driving license they will issue a Thai license without the Thai test?
I'm going for a holiday in UK October and will apply for an IDP if this is simpler than taking the Thai driving test.

Robin H