Renew driving licenses in Thailand
Time passes very quickly. Another 5 years later and then the driving licenses have to be renewed. First to the Immigration where forms must be completed for a driver's license statement from the immigration.
In addition to bringing the original passport, copies must also be made of the page with photo, page with visa (a non-immigrant visa), page with departure card & arrival date and a page with visa extension. Hand in 1 complete set per driving license and 1 photo per set, then a number will be issued. After 20 minutes, after payment of 330 Baht per set, the two forms can be received.
The next day around 8 am to the Land Traffic Department in Banglamung. In close proximity to the International School of the Regents. In the arrivals hall, press the top button on the right before the Farang; on the serial number it is indicated in small detail at which agency one should go, in large the serial number. Here again 2 complete sets are handed in as at immigration, but the passport is now also handed in, the 2 driver's license statements from immigration, copies of the front and back of the driver's licenses and the original driver's licenses! Put signatures on the copies!
It feels a bit bare and stripped down with no passport and driver's licenses. A small consolation, you get a red serial number for driving license renewal and can then wait in one of the two waiting rooms.
Then simple tests follow. First being able to name the designated colors (red, yellow, green) in different orders, then trying to get 1 stick at the same height as stick 2 (depth perception) and then testing a reaction. When the light changes from green to red, quickly step on the brake pedal. Then a video film with English subtitles with 10 traffic rules (“done and not done” rules of conduct) and showing many traffic accidents.
During the "performance" a book is passed around in which everyone writes their name and indicates which driver's license is required.
Afterwards everyone gets their passport and papers back with serial number and the entire group can go to desk 15 where 2 ladies take pictures for the laminated driving licenses. Please pay first of course. Motorcycle/moped driving license 305 Baht and car driving license 555 Baht.
More than 4 hours later you can leave the building in possession of 2 new driving licenses and of course my own trusted passport!
Different rules apply to new driving licences. Extra: Bring an international or national driver's license with a copy, health certificate and a theoretical test by computer and there is a green serial number.
It would be useful to mention where this takes place in this way.
I live in a distinctly different place, and also renewed my Thai driver's license last week, and the procedure was completely different (and much easier)
I was outside again three hours after entering, with the driver's licenses, I didn't have to hand in my passport (I showed it, but I'm allergic to handing in) I didn't have to see the famous movie (the Thai did, by the way)
And as the author finds no need to mention where it happened his way, I find it unnecessary to mention where it happened the way it happened to me.
But I am happy to explain this to those who are interested.
Arjen.
Dear Arjen,
Land Traffic Department in Banglamung, which is near Pattaya
Arjen, you should read better the place is mentioned. Too bad you didn't mention your province because of this. Then it could have been an addition, instead of a bunch of text without any value/addition to the original message.
Reading is also a skill.
“Land Traffic Department in Banglamung”
If one holds a yellow tabian job or a pink ID for foreigners, one does not need to go to immigration for documents at all.
Yellow book , or pink ID card , which " or " can not , because not in possession of " yellow address book " also means no pink ID card ...
You have a choice of which to show Pink ID OR yellow Tabian ban. I make the choice to leave my yellow tabin job at home. So yes OR
I went to apply for a new driver's license for 5 years in Chiang Mai a month ago
I just needed a doctor's note that I am in good health and did not have to go to immigration for forms
After a simple test I had to wait 2 hours and a half for my driver's license. cost 505 Baht.
Same in Chanthaburi, but my Thai driver's license is valid for 10 years.
There are no 10 year Thai driving licenses. Not in Chanthaburi or anywhere else in Thailand. I smell a scam.
A doctor's statement is no longer required for a 2nd 5-year extension
Thanks for the useful information. We will soon have to extend our temporary driving license (valid for 2 years) to a 5-year driving licence. Is a health clearance necessary?
Nothing is certain and unambiguous in Thailand, see other reactions!
However, get a paper from a doctor for 100 Baht, that seems to be the "doctor's statement",
which was not necessary this time at the extension.
but not for the 1st extension after that.
Yes in Banglamung they ask for a doctor's certificate
Well,
Everything is a bit different in Thailand, but I also had to have a medical certificate for the extension, at the Land transport office to the Chatuchak market in Bangkok. I was even sent away for it.
This is Thailand
Greetings Gerrit.
Got my Thai driver's license a month ago
Had to have my (national) driver's license translated into Thai, cost 3000 thb
No theory test ,
I have renewed my driving licenses on Samui several times, but I have never heard of a driving license statement. A certificate of residence is required, only the address required for this on a note, passport and passport photo. An original and a copy of this are sufficient for two driving licences. The rest is as Lodewijk indicates, but wear long trousers by the way.
We have been going to Hua Hin for 3 months in the winter for a few years now. My husband got his Thai driver's license 2 years ago and needs to renew it next year.
Now I don't read anywhere that you have to show your yellow book. However, you have to show where you are staying on a piece of paper.
Can someone clarify this for me?
With greeting
Trees
You can show where you live by means of the yellow booklet if you have one. Otherwise by obtaining a certificate of residence at the immigration office. What you need to get this depends on the immigration office, so check there.
Good day,
I have a question. I have been living in Udon Thani for 3 months and would like to get a driving license for motorcycles, rot (car) and truck with trailer / semi-trailer. I am in possession of Thai blue ID and Passport, unfortunately I can speak, read or write far too little Thai. I have a Well Dutch driving license for B-BE-C-CE but no motorcycle license. An acquaintance said I can have it converted but only for the car, I don't want that I just want to get it for everything.
Lessons are not really necessary for me because I have been driving professionally for 17 years nationally and internationally, even driving in England with the truck, both with a van and car, also driving a lot in South Africa where they also drive on the left with the steering wheel on the right and the gear shift on the left. I even drove a rented car here in Udon in 2015.
What are the costs?
Do they speak English fluently at the Land Traffic Department? I do not have a girlfriend.
I also don't have a car nor a motorbike, can I drive their car for exam unless necessary?
How about for the truck?
The thing is that I want to buy a motorcycle as soon as possible because it is cheaper than a car.
Why truck? Because I want to open a transport company later.
Thank you for cooperation,
Khan Klahan
Then I have to tell you that a foreigner “Farang” can only get a driving license for following categories 1,2 and 6. All other categories are reserved for Thai. You never get a working permit to drive the other categories.
Type 1 – Temporary Private Car: This license is issued to those who have successfully completed the driving test. This license is valid for a period of 2 years. License holders are not permitted to drive outside the country. [Citation need] (Many Thai people that live/study outside the country have claimed to be able to use the temporary license to drive in that country without any problem, with some of them even receiving the confirmation from transport officers themselves that they are allowed to drive there.These countries include United States (might depend on the state), Australia, and New Zealand)
Type 2 – Private Car: This license is issued to those who have possessed Temporary License for a period of 2 years. This license is valid for a period of five years. Private Lifetime Car is no longer issued to new applicants but remains valid to existing holders.
Type 3 – Private three-wheel vehicle: This license is issued to those who wish to drive three-wheel vehicle, commonly known as Tuk-Tuk.
Type 4 – Commercial Car: This license is issued to those who wish to commercially operate private car such as taxi and other privately owned taxi.
Type 5 – Commercial three-wheel: This license is issued to those who wish to commercially operate three-wheel vehicle such as Tuk-Tuk drivers.
Type 6 – Motorcycle: This license is issued to those who wish to drive motorcycle.
Type 7 – Road work license: This license is issued to road construction vehicle drivers
Farang won't get a driver's license for getting a truck. Motor and sedan only.
Dear Khan Klahan,
By writing that you have a Thai ID and passport, it seems to me that you also have Thai nationality.
Everyone in their response here assumes that you are a “farang” and their responses are aimed at that.
Perhaps clarify that first before looking at what can and cannot be done.
Can make a world of difference
Thai nationality or not.
Speaking a language or not says nothing about nationality.
I know more people who also have Thai nationality, but barely speak Thai, let alone read and write.
First you talk about a Thai ID, by which you probably mean the blue book, your name cannot enter there, so it is of no value to you. You can easily transfer driving licenses for which you have an international driving license with just a few simple tests. Just assume the English they speak is minimal. The theory exam is on the computer and also in English. The practical exam is done on the grounds of the LTO (land transport office). You must arrange the means of transport for which you take the exam yourself.
You can forget about opening a transport company for which you want to drive yourself, as this may only be done by Thais.
Does anyone know anything about an age limit for a renewal of a driver's license? I am now 80 years old and have to renew my driving license next year.
It should be clear by now to a reader of this blog, who does this often, that the driving license procedures are always different depending on the region and the relevant office here in Thailand. People do what they think is good and there is no talk of unity. It is therefore important to inquire in advance at the relevant office. The procedure could even differ from year to year. But it is good that this procedure is being brought to the attention and in this case I miss the situation for Pattaya (Banglamung) when one has the Thai (pink) ID card and the yellow tambien job booklet. I haven't tried it yet, because I have to repeat it again for 5 years before the new year and apparently the trip to immigration is not necessary in my case. So I'm going to visit the driver's license office again soon to get clarity in my case.
@RonnyLatPhrao…that's right I have Thai nationality. But next week I will go to the land and traffic Department in Udon anyway to make inquiries and try just to see if I succeed.
I understand that you also know several people with Thai nationality who can get hold of little to reasonable Thai language. How did they apply for the driver's license if I may ask?
Bucky57…thank you for explaining the categories, I already found them at the time, but still for the others to know about the categories.
I have a BLUE ID and a Thai Passport and it is in my Thai mother's BLUE Tabien Job FOR the one who didn't read clearly.
So I am a small part farrang because I grew up in NL by my NL parents. But my blood is with my Thai parents whom I found in 2015 and since the beginning of this year I have collected my Thai ID and Passport. I have been registered IN Thailand since I was born in 1975.
So I can officially open a company and work where a foreigner is not allowed to have a profession and drive all categories of vehicles. So I can also drive a truck.
I am registered in the Blue Tabien Baan booklet and in the amphur… I just wanted to add that.
Registered in the Blue Tabien Baan booklet…it is not clearly written.
Dear Khun Klahan
I already suspected that people jumped to the conclusion that you were a “farang”, without taking into account that you could also have Thai nationality. However, it clearly stated that you also had a Thai passport. Think they assumed you weren't Thai because you said you couldn't speak Thai.
It is of course not because you do not know the Thai language or know little that you cannot be Thai.
As a Thai you have the same rights as other Thais. So you can perform the same work as all the other Thai
I also suspect that you can have the categories on your NL driving license converted to a Thai driving license, but they will be able to answer that question there.
You can also take a theoretical driving test in English. Those who don't know Thai do that too.
I don't know if any of them speak English. Could be. Depends on the agency I guess.
Don't you know anyone you can take there who can possibly translate it for you?