Thai Driving License renewal

[Governor]

No, you cannot get the CoR at Bluport, they advised me that you have to go to the new main office, didn't take long when you're there, they charge 500 Baht, I know it's supposed to be free but it's certainly cheaper than the letter from an embassy.

I renewed my licences last week in Pranburi, the only test was the colour board, I just said the colours not any numbers

[Gregjam]

Thanks, thought as much. Time for the 5 year renewal and with my birthday next week I will wait until after Songkran to get as much time as possible on it.

[chaspul]

Did my second five year almost 3 years ago at Cha Am.
Immigration wants to know who to address the proof of residence letter too. Either there or Pranburi.

Didn't have to do any tests and a medical is only required for first provisional licence.

Go the day after your Birthday as you get 6 years.

Got away with not watching the video as told lady I had watched it with my wife the previous November.

One thing to remember is to wear a plain colour short sleeve shirt with collar, for your picture. Not a Tee shirt.
They have one to borrow but about 20 guys from Laos/Myanmar had to use the lender.

Found the links in this article useful as it gives you the form and an English translation to fill it.

https://iglu.net/how-to-get-a-thai-driving-license/

Chas

[Gregjam]

Noted ref the plain shirt with a collar, just looked at my current licence as I didn't realise I had one on that day and a lender would be unlikely to even fit me. Now time to enjoy Songkran and wait for immigration to open again so that the letter is either on the same day as the application or close to it. Might try to avoid the film too if I can. Thanks for all the tips. I am surpised how quickly five years has passed. I do remember that when I got my last licence they had records of my going back to my original Thai licence issued in 1990 but had a new licence made up because the passport number had changed and it was easier to just get a new licence. I got my original one at the Pranburi centre when is was on the eastern side of the main road. I have always found Pranburi very easy to deal with.

[lomuamart]

In due course, I'll get my first Thai licence but in the meantime I got an International Driving Permit when back in the UK recently.
As I intend to give the new motor a drive tomorrow, I think I'm legal on the IDP. Is that correct?

[Big Boy]

TIT - depends which officer stops you, but technically yes.

[lomuamart]

Marvellous. Thanks for the reply.
I haven't seen any roadblocks on the way to Springfield recently so I'll probably take a chance.

[chaspul]

IDP should be supported by licence of home country, so carry both.

Chas

[Pleng]

One thing to remember is to wear a plain colour short sleeve shirt with collar, for your picture. Not a Tee shirt.
They have one to borrow but about 20 guys from Laos/Myanmar had to use the lender.

Is this a new thing? All three licenses I've been issued have had pictures of me wearing a tshirt.

[Gregjam]

So I renewed both my car and bike licence today at Pranburi. First stop the new immigration office in Nong Khon. As instructed I did not go upstairs and the nice lady who does the copies and is a font of knowledge was very helpful. She asked if Cha-am or Pranburi and fortunately I had the requisite 4 photos (2 for each letter ). I was there just before ten and it did not take long. 500 baht for each letter and so off to Pranburi.
No problems there either. I got a copy of the main and visa page from my passport for each application and took these with the immigration letter and licenses to the licence section upstairs. I only have a non-imm O visa but had no problems. When I submitted the forms I was shown the colour blindness test cards. Unlike an earlier poster I could not get out of watching the video and was told to return at 1300 and that it would take an hour. Went for lunch and returned around 1230 which was fortunate as video started about ten minutes later. One hour later was called out and after payment was made my photo was taken. Shortly thereafter two new licenses in hand and I was on my way. As previously advised I left it until a few days after my birthday and have ended up with nearly six years until my next renewal.
I was told that the video shows at nine, ten and one in the afternoon so if you need a letter from immigration then perhaps going for the licence the next day is a better idea.

[Gregjam]

Forgot to add, in case of interest. The cost of the driving license was 500 baht and the bike license 250 baht. In both cases 5 baht was added for ค่าคำขอ (kah kam kor) which I think is for administration although it seems to translate as cost of asking the price. So 500 for the letter, 5 as above plus 3 baht a copy at Pranburi if required and the cost of the license. I did not need any copies at immigration so do not know how much they cost there.

[Big Boy]

A question please....... people keep advising to renew your licence immediately after your birthday to maximise the the validity of your new licence. Does this mean people are driving illegally for a couple of days, or is there a period that you have in which to renew?

[Nereus]

A question please....... people keep advising to renew your licence immediately after your birthday to maximise the the validity of your new licence. Does this mean people are driving illegally for a couple of days, or is there a period that you have in which to renew?

Yes and Yes. No and no. TIT!

At one time, in the far distance past, there was a 1 year grace period.

[HHTel]

Renewing an expired license. You can renew your license up to 3 months before the expiration of your current one. You can also renew it up to 1 year after the expiration date with no penalty.

Not sure if that makes you illegal the day after expiry. I was once pointed out at a roadblock that my licence had expired and advised to get it renewed asap. No 'tea-money' or charge.

[Edmin]

Just want to provide freshest info on obtaining Thai driver licences for motorbike and car (I've got them today). Here is a list of docs that I found in this thread and what is really happened to me:

1. International Driving Permit. I had two copies of the first and the last (with photograph) pages. it was not enough. Agent asked for the copy of the page with the list of vehicles I'm allowed to drive. I asked if he wants to see my home country licence, he said no. Small store that makes copies is right before the entry to Transportation office place.

2. Certificate of Residence. I've got two at Immigration office on Nongkhon Tabtai Road right after Smart House Village (Bluport office does not do this). Got two certificates 500 Baht each in 10 minutes. I was only one to arrive in that time, even it was lunch time.

3. Medical Certificate. Some messages on this thread claimed that it is not needed so, i did not have one. It was wrong. I was told that there are 3 medical clinics on HWY 4 where I can get it. Two was closed, third one (not really on HWY 4, it is on the market street, few meters on left from HWY 4) charged 80 baht. Made a copy because they want everything in two pieces.

4. Passport size photos. I did no have any. Immigration office charged 130 baht for producing them. Transportation office also photographed me. No separate charge.

5. Departure card. Showed in Immigration. She has stapled it to my passport.

6. Copies of passport pages. I had two of each: my details page and Visa page that happens to be next to entry stamp page.

Paid 105 baht for bike and 205 baht for car licence. All in one day. Special thanks to my old Thai girl. (don't tell her I call her old, she will kill me).