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Can you renew a 2-year temporary car/motorcycle license early to a 5-year one in Thailand?

Driving License Thailand DLT 2-Year License 5-Year License Visa Requirements Udon Thani International Permit

Jun 4, 2024

5 months ago

Samuel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

True or false: Can you renew a 2-year temporary car/motorcycle license EARLY to a 5-year one.

I have had my car/motorcycle license for almost ONE YEAR and I am unsure if I can renew it early. Despite this uncertainty, I plan to visit the Udon Thani DLT in person with all my documents to find out.

Any insight would be appreciated.

I don’t need help with the overall process, as it is outlined on the DLT website: [members only]

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The general consensus among commenters is that you cannot renew a 2-year temporary car or motorcycle license to a 5-year license earlier than 3 months before the expiry of the 2-year license. In some cases, individuals reported successfully converting to a 5-year license after updating their address or at the end of the 2-year period, provided they held a long-term visa. However, processes may vary between districts in Thailand, so in-person inquiries at local DLT offices are advisable for clarification.

Samuel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I thought I would give an update on what's happened in the last week.

I have all the documents ready. After an DLT onsite visit, I was informed that I can renew my licenses at the end of the month, as that will mark one year.

Brilliant news for me! 5 year plus international permit incoming!

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Anique *******

@Samuel *******

Thanks for the update. On what visa are you? And this is the DLT in Udon Thani? Will be happy to hear as mine is expiring in September.

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Anique *******

@Samuel *******

thanks :)

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Samuel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

just so there’s no confusion.

Today I converted my temporary car/motorcycle licenses which I held for one year, to full five year ones. I am on a non immigrant B visa.

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Samuel ********

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Trevor **********

My two year expired Nov 2023, renewed in Oct 2023 and 5 year licence started my birthday march 2024

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Radost **************************

@Trevor *********

it not started it ends on your birthday 5+ years

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Radost **************************

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DeShay ******

I may be wrong but I think you automatically get switched to a 5-year when you have to update a changed address.

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Bagyi ******

Just bribe, you can buy citizenship

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Lyndon ************

Just over a year into my two year licence, I changed address then updated my licence. The new licence is the 5 year.

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Philip ***********

I had my "2 years" only 1 year and needed an international .. they cannot give international on a 2 year, so they changed that first ( after or in the first year ) to a 5 year and gave me then also the international

That was in Phuket in 2019 ( will expire soon ) I don't know if I was lucky but they did it at the official office so it's possible, if they want ..

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Andrew ***********

I believe you are to early, maybe 3 months before it's ok and you will only get a 5 year visa if you have long term visa, if not you will get 2 years again.

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Frank-Steven ***********

Bear in mind that you will only get the 5 year license (at least in some districts), if you are on a long term visa. Else, some districts only issue 2 year temporary licenses again and again. Of course it is different everywhere for no reason - like always in Thailand.

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Radost **************************

@Frank-Steven **********

you never get a 5 year license legally without an long term visa (not a tourist visa)

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Frank-Steven ***********

@Radost *************************

Yeah. I didn’t. I am on my 3rd 2 year license. That is how Chiang Mai DLT handles it, unfortunately. But I heard some reports of DLTs in other districts handling it differently. Wouldn’t surprise me. After all, even immigration varies from province to province or even office or officer. I think it is annoying.

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Samuel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Frank-Steven **********

Third,two year Licence! That’s a shame 😔 weird how at my DLT the just gave me a five year straight up. How weird.

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Frank-Steven ***********

@Samuel *******

TiT. 😅

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Frank-Steven ***********

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Shane ******

If your looking at a couple weeks earlier, you could probably get away with it. But from the sounds of it, you are not even a year into your two year.... no way they will renew it. You get the 24month license first to prove you are a responsible driver, if you are, you will be upgraded to the 5 year renewal.

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Henrik *****

Instead of bending rules, it is easier just to follow the rules.

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Samuel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Doesn’t help that there’s no clarity pertaining to the renewal period on the official DLT website.

Doesn’t help that every provincial DLT has their own discretion as to how they issue licenses. Some provinces won’t give you one early, yet others like mine will.

If anything, Thailand can you standardize your processes.

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Henrik *****

A 2-year drivers license is valid for ….. 2-year

That’s clarity

When should a 2-year drivers license be renewed ?

Of course close to the end of its validity period.

That’s clear to 99,5 % of people.

Thailand has a standardized proces ! ! !

Go renew the Drivers license, when the validity period is close to end.

The 2 year drivers license is a trainee license, and you can’t get 2 years experience in 1 year.

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Samuel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Don’t hate the player, hate the game. I've held a license since 2013, thank you very much. Instead of focusing on me, consider the many locals who drive without a license, often while drunk, speeding, and making risky maneuvers—the primary causes of recent Songkran ‘surprise’ injuries and deaths.

I'm just being practical. If you have a business trip to Indonesia next month and need to drive, wouldn't you take the opportunity to renew your local license?

If you're still unhappy, I'm more than willing to provide you with the contact details for my local Department of Land Transport and submit to a full audit—at your expense, of course.

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Samuel ********

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Pete *******

You can apply for the 5yr license with 3 months remaining on your 2 yr license.

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Patrick *********

I was given the same information in Chonburi: 3 Months before expiry.

Also, a 5 year license is only issued to holders of long therm visa or extension of stay.

Tourist will only get 2 years.

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Patrick *********

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James *****

I did mine today… 2 year ending in few weeks and changes to 5 year…. You are 1 year too early to change yours

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James *****

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