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

Thai driver's license foreign license exchange IDP examination requirements visa immigration procedures expat information

Nov 15, 2024

2 days 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

Yes, you can exchange your valid foreign driver's license for a Thai driver's license without needing to take the written or driving tests, as long as you bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) and other required documents. The process includes undergoing a few simple awareness tests, such as color blindness and depth perception. Many expats have successfully gone through this procedure, which typically involves visiting a local Department of Land Transport (DLT) office.

Mike ******

Can you do this with DTV?

a day ago

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 day ago

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