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Can my son renew his expired Thai driver's license while he is on a tourist visa?

Thai driver's licenserenewal processexpired licenseproof of residencemedical certificatetourist visaThai Department of Land Transportresidency certificate
Feb 26, 2024
10 months ago
Jacqueline *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
My son has a Thai drivers license that expired in January 2024. Did it through a driving school. He is currently abroad and will return in April.

Can he re-apply for a renewal at any dept of Transport with a medical certicate, his old license card , but what about proof of residence? Can he use mine as I have a work permit? He will always return here on a tourist visa now.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquired about renewing their son's expired Thai driver's license while he is abroad. Answers indicate that he can renew it within a year after expiration, but must provide several documents, including a medical certificate and a residence certificate. While some immigration offices may issue a residence certificate to tourists, requirements vary, and it could be difficult for him to obtain one without a long-term visa.
Arturs ***********
You have 12 months after expiration to renew drivers license, if over 12 months you will have to start from scratch, like getting new license.

• Resident certificate on his name from immigration (for immigration TM.30, TM.47, copies of passport info page, visa, current stay stamp and filed application to get certificate). Contact local immigration as there can be additional requirements as he is on tourist visa.

• Copy of passport info page, visa and current stay stamp.

• Medical certificate.

• Save time and watch online 1h video (if not you must watch at visit day)

He will have to pass 4 physical tests: color, peripheral vision, breaking and distance test. Same as he did when applied first time.
10 months ago
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John **********
Different DLT offices have different requirements. Some require you to be on a long term visa, all require a residence certificate. Some immigration offices won't issue a residence certificate on a tourist visa. So while he will be inside the renewal window he may struggle to renew
10 months ago
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Bob **********
He will need a residence certificate
10 months ago
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Phil ******
@Jacqueline ****************
 yes he can renew his licen se in April. Best check the requirements with your local DLT
10 months ago
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Wylie *******
You can get a residency certificate on a tourist visa. All you need is a TM30, some passport copies and a picture I believe.
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Wylie ******
 depends on the immigration office
10 months ago
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Tullio *******
@Brandon ***********
 without a 90 days report most immigration won’t issue a residence certificate, maybe look for an agency.
10 months ago
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Wylie *******
@Tullio ******
 chiang mai will give one on a tourist visa, at least a few years ago they did. As far as needing 90 day report is only required if one stays in thailand for 90 consecutive days, which is not a long term visa requirement. I just got one and do not do 90 day reports becasue my multiple entry non-o only stamps me in for 90 days.
10 months ago
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James *********
@Wylie ******
 "at least a few years ago they did",,,, 🤣
10 months ago
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Wylie *******
@James ********
 yes, i understand things change which was why I stated that. I said it in the first place because many people just assume a tourist cannot, or ever could, without even checking. Others have also stated that some offices will give residency certificates to tourists.
10 months ago
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James *********
@Wylie ******
 Ahh, fair enough Wylie
10 months ago
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Wylie *******
@James ********
 I should've known I was setting myself up applying that phrase to any rule or requirement at immigration😂
10 months ago
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Tullio *******
@Wylie ******
 as I said most immigration office will require a 90 days report to issue a residence certificate, most means not all…. Yes a 90 days report is done if you stay 90 days in the country, it’s quite clear from the name… as the op doesn’t mention which immigration office she will be using then the answer has to be generic. In general to have a residence certificate you have to reside and provide proof of…. If you are on a tourist visa you are not residing therefore not entitled to have one, you need to find a way around it which usually is an agency helping you out.
10 months ago
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Wylie *******
@Tullio ******
 yeah, I get that. Perhaps you are correct that most won't on a tourist visa. I can only talk about CM immigration, but I think it would be odd for any immigration office to require a 90 day report since it is not an actual requirement of ANY long term visa to stay in country that long. Plenty of people on multiple entry visas or other long term visas that leave for various reasons before a 90 day report is required. But then again this is Thailand and many of their requirements make no sense.
10 months ago
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Tullio *******
That’s exactly the point every office has it own regulation and the big secret is never ask ‘WHY?’ 😂
10 months ago
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Tullio *******
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Paul ********
He can do it up to 1 year after it expires
10 months ago
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Jacqueline *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
 awesome ! Thx
10 months ago
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Jacqueline *****************
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Kool *******
Nothing you have will be able to be used by him, unless his name is on it. He's got up to one year after it expires to renew it.
10 months ago
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Jacqueline *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 thank you 🙏🏻☺️
10 months ago
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Jacqueline *****************
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Shayne **********
He can renew it in April and he will get a two year license. He will need a certificate of residence from immigration.
10 months ago
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Andy **********
@Shayne *********
 I think it's only the first license that is two years, when you renew, I believe you get five years.
10 months ago
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Simon *********
@Andy *********
 he will be on a tourist visa so only 2 year renewal
10 months ago
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Andy **********
@Simon ********
 okay thanks, I wasn't aware of that, I just thought you automatically got a five year license upon renewal.
10 months ago
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Shayne **********
@Andy *********
 with a non-immigrant long-term Visa he gets a five year otherwise just a two year. I know because I have felt that pain going from five to get back to two.
10 months ago
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Shayne **********
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Brandon ************
Yes he has up to 12 months after expiration to renew. He's going to need pretty much all the documents again to apply though, including residence certificate. What documents you have means nothing for his application.

Each DLT has their own requirements.
10 months ago
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Jacqueline *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thank you ☺️
10 months ago
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Jacqueline *****************
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