Answered6 months ago
Can I renew my Thai driving license a couple of weeks after it expires, or do I have to take the test again?
Does anyone know if you can just renew your Thai driving licence a couple of weeks after it expires. Or do you have to take the test again. TIA
Answer summary
You can renew your Thai driving licence within a year of its expiration without having to retake the full driving test. If it's been expired for less than 12 months, you'll only need to complete an eye and reflex reaction test, as well as an online theoretical test, rather than a practical retest. However, different provinces may have specific requirements, so it's advisable to check locally.
66 repliesnewest first
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Fra *****
Test again
Stephen ********
Sure can, and if you do wait until a few days after the expiry date you can get an additional year before the next expiry date. Why? Because their computer system will automatically give you 5 years from your next birthday, not from the previous expiration date. Discovered this entirely by accident when I renewed my license two days after my birthday when the previous license expired.
Lee **********
my girlfriend just got told she has to re test , l told her that can’t be right!! or be only country in world you would need to do that
Jim **********
The licence itself is still ok for ‘licence renewal’ process a year after expiry (yes, I know, but this is Thailand) and you can renew without taking a full test as long as you do within 6 months of expiry. You have to do (1) the online theoretical test ahead, (2) have a medical certificate (dated no older than 1 week before your test) and (3) when you attend the DLT office you will need to do a few co-ordination, reaction and colour vision tests, and (4) a video later. Outside of this period, you must do the full tests ie undertake practical driving assessment as well.
Gary *********
In Koh Samui you have to retake again even 1 day over 🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭
Jos *********
Gary Fendley you can renew up to 1 year expiration but you are only allowed to drive 1 week after expiration.
Jim **********
Gary Fendley not quite, and it is nothing to do with Samui. What is required is the same everywhere. If you are renewing, you do not have to take the practical test ie out on the bike/car, but you still hVe to do the online and in-office tests (see my reply elsewhere). I live in Samui and have just gone through the process.
Alan *****
OPGary Fendley 😱
David **********
yes you can
Deane ********
12 months
Stuart *********
Make sure you watch the 1hour 7 section video before you go and photo the QR code. It'll save the hassle at the office.
Farang *********
Just done mine after 11 months expired.
Hans ******
Yes 1 year
Paul ********************
You have upto 12 months after expiry to renew with no additional tests
Jos *********
Paul Anthony McDermott but you are only allowed to drive 1 week after expiration, asked it 2 weeks ago
Nev *******
Lost it or not
Craig **********
Mine expired and with in a short had to take the test all over again
Simon *********
You have to watch video and do a short test (i think 5 questions) to renew. You need a copy of the certificate to renew.
You can do at the transport office or online
You can do at the transport office or online
******************************
Andreas *********
DLT e-Learning (The Web Portal)
Instead of spending an hour watching a video about traffic rules at the DLT office, you can complete it online beforehand.
Website: dlt-elearning.com
Procedure: Register, watch the video (approx. 1 hour), and answer simple questions.
Important: At the end, you will receive a certificate with a QR code (take a screenshot!). This certificate is valid for 90 days and must be presented to DLT.
I just did it a month ago. If you also get your driver's license for motorcycles, it's almost 2 hours of video.
Instead of spending an hour watching a video about traffic rules at the DLT office, you can complete it online beforehand.
Website: dlt-elearning.com
Procedure: Register, watch the video (approx. 1 hour), and answer simple questions.
Important: At the end, you will receive a certificate with a QR code (take a screenshot!). This certificate is valid for 90 days and must be presented to DLT.
I just did it a month ago. If you also get your driver's license for motorcycles, it's almost 2 hours of video.
Nicknam*******
Can
Gregory *******
I went dlt two weeks ago Thai licence expired over one year so I said can I get new one because I have Australian one did eye test colour test and then they said I'd have to do 5 hours of videos I'm not doing that again so no licence.
John **********
@Gregory ******
no licence, no insurance, no driving
Nivat ***************
Yes, you can renew a Thai driving license a couple of weeks after it expires without taking the test again, provided it has been expired for less than one year. You will only need to complete the standard renewal process, which includes an eye/reaction test, rather than the full practical driving exam.
Mat *********
Up to a year it is no problem to renew it.
Kun *****
I do not know what's it worth, but before I renewed my motorbike and drivers licences , i needed to fill in the test on the app, when passes proove it to the staff, bring all the papers as mentioned above, do some tests and ( as it was 1 day after my Birthday) I got 6 years extention. The friendly staff mentioned can extend only 6 months after it expires. I asked before 1 year and she looked kind of strange. Better ask DLT Pranburi, you can get an A4 paper as well which is very usefull for the step by step process. Done Febr 2026 ...
Bill *********
I got mine on Tuesday at Ban Phai, had to get CoR from immigration first Copy of Passport and TM30. Then DLT Copy of passport including last stamp in. CoR Doctors Certificate, then sat for eye colour test and reaction test pay the money and wait for print out of License (5 Year)
Roger **********
The grace period rules in Thailand
Expired less than 1 year = Easy renewal
• You can renew at the Department of Land Transport like normal
• No written test or driving test required
• You just need: expired license, passport + visa, proof of residence, medical certificate issued within 30 days
• Plus color blindness, reaction time, and peripheral vision checks + watch a training video
• Fee: 505 THB for car, 255 THB for motorcycle 
Ex
Expired less than 1 year = Easy renewal
• You can renew at the Department of Land Transport like normal
• No written test or driving test required
• You just need: expired license, passport + visa, proof of residence, medical certificate issued within 30 days
• Plus color blindness, reaction time, and peripheral vision checks + watch a training video
• Fee: 505 THB for car, 255 THB for motorcycle 
Ex
Pe ****
Roger Cottrell
A hypothetical. Let’s say an applicant doesn’t have 100% red-green colour vision. Does this disbar them from obtaining a licence?
A hypothetical. Let’s say an applicant doesn’t have 100% red-green colour vision. Does this disbar them from obtaining a licence?
Roger **********
@Pe ***
. Good question. Not necessarily. Here’s why:
1. It’s functional, not clinical – Thailand uses a “three colours discrimination test,” not the Ishihara book. They care if you can tell red/yellow/green traffic lights apart, not if you have perfect color vision.
2. Many color-deficient people pass – Expats report passing despite being “Strong Protan”. One person wrote: “when driving I have absolutely no trouble distinguishing red / yellow (amber) / green traffic lights… and I have never had any trouble with colours when driving” and he got his Thai license.
3. Where it gets tricky: The peripheral test. You have to ID red vs green lights in your side vision without looking directly. A colorblind applicant said: “THIS WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT IF YOU ARE COLOUR-BLIND! … I struggled to see the red (it didn’t seem very bright to me)”.
4. It varies by office – Some test centers skip parts, some are stricter. Some use a chart, others use traffic lights.
Enthusiastic*************
Roger Cottrell you don’t need visa for that :)
Joe ********
Roger Cottrell watch the training video at home and print out screen shot. The Internet at the facility does not link to the website easily (too much traffic). Had to drive a few miles away for lunch and complete when I transferred my international DL to Thai.
Fizul *********
Joe Gricar Just to ge clear: take my international DL to get a Thai DL with just a visa exempt?
Stuart **********
They only renewed mine for two yrs because I had visa exempt.If I had a non o it would have been 5 yrs
Stuart **********
Think you need to watch two videos.one for car one for motorbike if you going for both
Asbjørn *******
Yes you can, but not after 1 year
Todd ********
SucMyLittleDong little is right….🤨. That screenshot has nothing to do with OP. it’s about renewing a thai license not GETTING a new license.
Bill *********
SucMyLittleDong That is for a new license not for a renewal
Nev *******
Yodsawadi Thomthong if in doubt C
Des ****
Yodsawadi Thomthong this is the appointment booking site which can only be used by Thai citizens. A farang has to attend in person to make a booking.
Yodsawadi ***********
Des Dp farang also can use ka.
Denis *********
Des Dp. You are wrong. Farang can book on line.
Did mine on line and going at the end of this month.
Did mine on line and going at the end of this month.
PinkRad*******
Yodsawadi Thomthong it’s in Thai ?
CaringPe*********
Renew just after your birthday and you will get 6 years on your license.
Dany ********
CaringPelican7510 not sure what visa he is on. that determines if you get 2 or 5+ years. if you dont have a longterm visa then its only 2 years. DTV for example is considered short term
Graham ******
Dany Nomads And a Non-O 90 day entry stamp only got me another 2 year DL (Sa Kaeo province) so a 12 month extension would be needed for a 5 year licence
Terry *********
You need to do the online test then go and apply for your licence dont forget a docters knote and you will take 3 or 4 tests at the licence centre.
John **********
@Terry ********
plus a residence certificateTerry *********
yes i used my yellow book
Den *****
You have a year to renew it...
Allan *******
Den Den try that in uk 5555
Brandon ************
You can renew up until a year after it expires.
Jos *********
@Brandon ***********
but it is only usable until 1 week after expiration, asked at DLT 2 weeks ago.Brandon ************
@Jos ********
Not really any concern. Pay 500 baht and continue on your way.
Paul *******
@Brandon ***********
An accident will cost you way more than 500 🤷🏼♂️Jos *********
@Brandon ***********
than why would you bother to go for one in the first place? Hopefully you don’t get an accident in that caseAlan *****
OP@Brandon ***********
thanks.Activity
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