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Can you exchange your foreign driver's license for a Thai driver's license without taking tests?

Thai driver's licensedriving license exchangeexpat life in Thailandnon-O visaThailand driving regulationsThai immigration procedures
Nov 15, 2024
a month ago
Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
EXCHANGING your drivers license for a Thai DL.

I had never heard of this. I have been studying on how to get a Thai DL, and stumbled across this on at the website shown.

It outlines how a person can simply exchange his home country DL for a Thai DL, thereby by-passing several things needed to get a Thai DL.........such as the written test and driving test.

Has anybody ever heard of this or used this particular process?

THANKS!

______________________________

[members only]

If you already hold a valid driving license from your home country, exchanging it is fairly straightforward. You’ll need to apply at a local DLT office

When it’s time for your appointment, be sure to bring the following documents:

* Your passport containing a valid visa, plus a photocopy of the photo page and current visa

* Certificate of residency or a Thai work permit

* Medical certificate awarded in the last month

* Original driver’s license, plus a photocopy

* Translation of your driving license into English or Thai or an IDP

* Two recent passport-sized photographs

You’ll have to undergo awareness testing in the form of color blindness, reflex, and depth perception exams. As long as you clear these tests, you’ll be awarded a temporary license that’s valid for two years. This can be upgraded to a five-year standard license upon the first renewal. In total, the application costs roughly ฿600.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the process of exchanging a foreign driver's license for a Thai driver's license, allowing expats to avoid written and driving tests. Several commenters confirm that they successfully exchanged their licenses without needing an International Driving Permit (IDP) and describe the necessary documentation and testing involved. Key documents needed include a valid passport, residency certificate or work permit, a recent medical certificate, and the original foreign license. While some minor tests are required, the procedure itself is fairly straightforward for those eligible.
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Did *****
Better source directly from the government:

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a month ago
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Mike ******
Can you do this with DTV?
a month ago
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Did *****
@Mike *****
 yes, anyone in the country can do it. Just submit the requested documents.

The annoying thing is the certificate of residence:

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a month ago
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Did *****
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Bart **************
I don't understand a few things in your post. You speak of "bypassing", but you do have a valid driving license from another country by the context? So you should be able (with an IDP) to prove that you can drive to the Thai authorities? Then what stages are 'bypassed'? Of nobody with an overseas license (and IDP) would be required to take lessons and exams.

Second, although the "switch" would make some sense (what would be the point of forfeiting one's license if you just have another one you could drive on), the Thai DLT doesn't actually switch your license. You get the Thai license in top of your current.

In most western countries this is not the case. They actually switch, as it says. So if your first licence obtained is Thai, then the procedure to get one from a western country is interestingly complicated (if you don't want to do an exam again): get Thai license, get Thai IDP (can get after 2 years), switch both to license in different country, get IDP in that country (normally it doesn't require two years, Thailand is a little off with that), go back to Thailand, get Thai license again using foreign one and IDP. Then you have both (and still one IDP).
a month ago
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Ian *****
Yup sums it up. Not an exchange, they simply give oy a 2 yr Thai licence and you keep your foreign one. Easy 2-3 hours
a month ago
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Mally *******
International driving permit from your country
a month ago
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Ricardo *********
Pardon my ignorance, what is an IDP?
a month ago
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Bart **************
@Ricardo ********
 international driving permit.
a month ago
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Michael **********
@Ricardo ********
 internetional driving permit (google is your good friend and it's free)
a month ago
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Michael **********
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Marty *********
The drivers license and motorbike license are two different licenses. Get them at the same time. I got the drivers license one year and then the motorbike license the next year. Since the first license is a 2 year license I ended up at the Bang Chak office 4 years in a row. Watched that movie 4x.

I also just used my California license. No IDP.
a month ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marty ********
 Thanks for the info!
a month ago
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Ron ********
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Che *********
@Ricardo ********
a month ago
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Wayne *********
Got my 2 year this way many years ago and now 3 years into my 5 year, not really new news
a month ago
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Alistair **********
I did mine recently at Bang Chak, didn't need an IDP, just my Australian Driver's license. Had to watch a one hour online video and do a couple of quick tests at the department of land transport. But otherwise was pretty quick, took about 2hrs all up.
a month ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alistair *********
 Hmmmmm......I guess each office can be different. No mention of the test at that website as far as a 'exchange' procedure, or whatever it really is.
a month ago
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Alistair **********
@Ron *******
 it's a color blind test, a depth perception test and a brake test. Takes about 5-10mins.
a month ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alistair *********
 Roger that. Very good news! I was dreading the other test!
a month ago
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Ron ********
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Colin **********
The only thing new here is the £600
a month ago
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Richard ********
@Colin *********
 🤣🤣
a month ago
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Nick **********
@Colin *********
 absolutely wrong
a month ago
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Nick **********
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Eroll *********
Yes did just that cost me 410 for both and 100 baht for medical.
a month ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eroll ********
 Good news indeed! Thanks for the confirmation!
a month ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
That would be very nice and helpful! Please holler back at me here when you do so I can study on it. THANKS!!
a month ago
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Eroll *********
@Ron *******
 I am making a step by step how to on this on my Instagram page this week.
a month ago
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Eroll *********
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Brandon ************
You're not exchanging anything. You just need an IDP from your home country and your home country drivers license, plus the other regular required documents and you can get a Thai license that matches your home license without having to take the written or driving test. It's not exactly a secret. This is how most foreigners get their Thai drivers license.
a month ago
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Brian *********
@Brandon ***********
 I had an IDP, they never saw or asked for my California DL, I still have it and it’s still valid.

Even gave me two physical licenses, one for car, one for motorcycle.

These testing process referenced was basically correct.
a month ago
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Brandon ************
@Brian ********
 technically an IDP is invalid without the accompanying drivers license, so I'm surprised. But this is Thailand after all
a month ago
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Brandon ************
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Jeffrey **********
@Brandon ***********
 generally, IDPs are meant for tourist, not people with a resident visa. Some countries will even stipulate that an IDP is not valid beyond one year of residency. People visiting and doing border runs are not residents.
a month ago
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Kim *********
@Jeffrey *********
 IDP gives you permission to drive with your country's drivers license for 3 months only. The validity is 1 year.
a month ago
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Jeffrey **********
@Kim ********
 thanks. I didn’t know what the limit was for Thailand. I know it varies with other countries. Point being, if you’re a resident, you need to get a proper license. Others will float the system by renewing their IDP as needed. It’s a pain, but possible.
a month ago
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Jeffrey **********
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Oh OK. Very good then. I have missed this information regarding this option somehow. This is good news.

You say a IDP is also needed as part of the package you submit. Is that a Pattaya-specific requirement? I do not see it mentioned on the web-site other than needing a persons DL or a IDP. I ask because while I have a valid DL fron my home country, I do not have a IDP.

Thnaks for your help Sir!
a month ago
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Dave *********
@Ron *******
 I took both licences to my local office. They took the UK licence and weren't interested in an IDP at all. Hope yours is the same.
a month ago
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Jan ******************
@Ron *******
 I’ve seen feedbacks of people allowed to convert to Thai licence only with a national driving licence from an English speaking country.

We could convert only our Norwegian licence previously if we got a confirmed translation of our licenses from our embassy in Bangkok. The embassy has stopped providing this service, so now it’s no way around a IDP to convert.

I’m sure practice regarding this varies between DLT, but it’s wort a try to check this up.

For driving you’ll be fined without a IDP anyway.
a month ago
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Brandon ************
@Ron *******
 most people have the IDP. I would think most DLT offices require it as part of your application, but each office sets their own requirements.

I wouldn't go by what you see on any website. The only way to get the actual requirements is to go there and ask.
a month ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
YES SIR! I have been very well-schooled in that aspect in my ordeal in trying to obtain a retirement visa. I could write a book in how Jomtien tortured me for over 6 months regarding that. I would had simply left and moved to another district, but I had a double knee replacement in late April and that squashed that idea.
a month ago
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Ron ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Roger that. For sure. Nothing like the horses mouth! Ha Ha!
a month ago
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Brandon ************
@Ron *******
 Yeah but the annoying thing about Thailand is that the answer might change based on which staff member you talk to and which day of the week it is
a month ago
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Brandon ************
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