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How can I obtain a Thai driver's license as an expat?

Thai Driver's LicenseDriving in ThailandExpat ServicesInternational Driver's PermitDLT Office ProceduresVisa and Residency RequirementsDriving Tests in ThailandConverting Foreign Licenses
Apr 28, 2025
22 days ago
Zach *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
How can i get a Thai drivers license?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To obtain a Thai driver's license as an expat, you generally need to visit a DLT (Department of Land Transport) office with the required documents. If you possess an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your home country's driver's license, the process is easier. Typically, applicants need their passport, proof of residency, and sometimes a medical certificate. Some DLT offices may allow direct conversion without full testing if you have the necessary paperwork. However, if you don't have an IDP, you might be required to undergo both theoretical and practical driving tests.
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Malcolm *******
International licence, your own country licence got the licence office watch a forty minute video on road safety and 300 baht. For both motorcycle and car

Job done in one hour, got mine this year in Chiangmai all lagal
20 days ago
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Bjorn ***********
**********************************************************
20 days ago
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Porky ******
It’ll probably help a lot if you take the driving test…
21 days ago
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Fish **********
Is it possible for a tourist under the
*****
days visa to apply for a Thai license ? I have my own license in my home country and is recognised under IDL. Thanks
21 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Fish *********
 depends both on your immigration office and your DLT office. You'll need a residence certificate to apply for a drivers license and some immigration offices won't do that for a tourist. Then there are a few DLT offices that requires you to be on a long term visa to apply for a Thai drivers license.
21 days ago
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Fish **********
@Brandon ***********
 thanks for sharing 🙏
21 days ago
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Fish **********
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Peter ***********
Pass your test pumpkin
21 days ago
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Gregory ********
Yes by paying for it🙈🙈🙈
22 days ago
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John *********
Use your UK driving licence, never had a problem
22 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
@John ********
 you dudn't need to sit the tests?
21 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
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Kevin ********
Visit TVS on Soi 13. They will help you!
22 days ago
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บูรพา **********
Message to me i can help you .
22 days ago
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JP *******
I did it! No agency needed, but if you have the farang cash, just pay an agent. There is a good one in Pattaya.
22 days ago
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David **********
Go to immigration and get a letter take it to dlt and show your independent drivers permit and do the online test pay your 300baht and get your licence thats how I got mine
22 days ago
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Vincent *******
take the test. . or just use your international liscence as a supplement to your home driving liscence. it costs 25 dollars at aaa. in usa. If you already have a valid one.
22 days ago
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Damo ***********
Been lazy and without manners for long? 🤦🏼‍♂️🙆🏼‍♂️
22 days ago
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YT ********************
No need
22 days ago
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Mark ******
@YT *******************
 Untill you kill someone
22 days ago
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YT ********************
@Mark *****
 hu?
20 days ago
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YT ********************
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Marty *********
Pass the test.
22 days ago
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Robert ********
Go to the transport office and apply for it.
22 days ago
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David *******
You need a medical and need a residency and need to sit the Thai reaction test that’s what I had to do, I have a place in Thailand so it was quite easy for me to get my license
22 days ago
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YT ********************
find on the car
22 days ago
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Andrew ********
Goto any AAA office fill out a form for a IDP it will be good for one year but your US license must be active
22 days ago
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Clint *********
@Andrew *******
 I have the idp, valid license, if I take the tight test was it valid for a motorcycle license? That's all I care about is the motorcycle license as I have the IDP
21 days ago
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Andrew ********
@Clint ********
 that I don't know but with the IDP you can apply for thai license and I think motorcycle is a separate one not suren
21 days ago
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Andrew ********
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Sacha ****
By doing the test
22 days ago
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จอนห์ *******
By passing your Thai driving examination 🤷🏽‍♂️
22 days ago
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Chang ******
Go to MVD in local ,

Have a international license

Passport with 6month visa or more

U r condominium contract or your house dee, u will be set within 3hours

Your lic
22 days ago
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Eliza **********
Exam
22 days ago
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Mick *****
Where in Thailand do you want to apply?
22 days ago
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Pat ******
@Mick ****
 chiang Mai , but i lost my international license. Is still

Possible to make with out them?
22 days ago
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Mick *****
@Pat *****
 I took my motorbike test in Cmx in January. You need a T30 from where you are staying. Take that to the immigration office near the airport along with a medical certificate from a local hospital or clinic where they will take your blood pressure and ask if you have any medical issues, cost about 150 baht. At immigration you will pay 1000 baht to collect your paperwork the next day.

Book an appointment at the test centre,near the airport ( I had to wait a month for my appointment, but that was high season)

On the day of your appointment, take your paperwork and passport to the test centre where you will watch a safety film with English subtitles all morning. Then come back in the afternoon to take a multichoice test on a computer where you need to get 45 out of 50 questions correct. If you fail, you go back the next morning to retake the test, if failed, back in the afternoon to retake, rinse and repeat until you pass. It took me 3 attempts. Then you watch another half hour safety film and the motorcycle people go off to drive around and the car drivers likewise. If you pass, back into the building for photo and issue of licence, cost 125 baht.

Multi choice questions same for motorbike as car.

You need to look online for mock test questions before you take the test, otherwise you will certainly fail, as you need to know some of the signs are written in Thai, plus speed limits in Bangkok/ Pattaya etc.

The licence lasts for 2 years and then can be renewed for a further 5 years.
22 days ago
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Did *****
@Mick ****
 you got scammed 1000baht 😁 Even if delivered on the spot, a 1000b bribe is crazy
21 days ago
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Pat ******
@Mick ****
 Thanks , will do that !
22 days ago
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Mick *****
Pm me if you need addresses of where you need to go for the paperwork or test centre
22 days ago
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Mick *****
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Jesper *******
Go to DLT near you and apply for one...the process will depends on what you already have.....let's say u already have a international license in your home country den it's pretty straight forward basically u just need your passport, residency cert, international licence, and a health cert from local clinic(150-200baht) and even if you do not have a international licence u still can apply but u will need to take theory lessons and test
22 days ago
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Will *********
After 90 days in Thailand, you are expected to have a Thai driving licence - you need one for each type of vehicle.

Some countries have licences recognised by the authorities in Thailand and you can avoid taking the whole test. THe written tests can be translated.

at first you get a temporary licence which I think lasts for 2 years - after that you can renew every 5 years.

If after 90 continuous days you rely on you IDP, you may find that you are no longer covered by Thai insurance.
22 days ago
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Jo **********
@Will ********
 thank you for accurate response
22 days ago
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YT ********************
@Jo *********
 it's not accurate
22 days ago
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Will *********
@YT *******************
 how is it not accurate.... you need to explain.
22 days ago
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YT ********************
@Will ********
 actually everything what you wrote are horseshit
20 days ago
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Jo **********
@YT *******************
 We have a branch in Thailand with many overseas employees and this is the same our Thai legal counsel gave us
22 days ago
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Jo **********
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Paul *****
@VIP ****************************
 are highly recommended.
22 days ago
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Greg *********
If you have a valid license from your home country it will be a lot easier.
22 days ago
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Milan *********************
Take a international from your country , take a agent
@Tik ************************
 ( for example) , 3 stupid short Tests at driver test Center, and take your license straight away
22 days ago
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Jonathan ******
It’s on tik tok one is explained by a Thai lawyer and one is explained by an ex Pat you need an international drivers license your personal drivers license and you can walk in and request a translation of your license and they will hand you a new license for Thailand you get like a two year for about 100 bucks. I’m not really sure if that’s right or not but that’s what it says. I’ll find out at the end of the month cause I’m going back and I’m doing it.
20 days ago
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Jonathan ******
Not according to the ads that keep running on the Internet if you have a valid international drivers license and you have a valid drivers license from your country, you have to have the proper paperwork which I’m sure you guys don’t know what that is and then they hand you a licenseI will try to make a video when I do it in a few weeks and if I can find it right now on my phone. I will try to post it to this page.
20 days ago
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Did *****
@Jonathan *****
 what does the agent do except holding hands ? Imho totally useless unless he makes you skip having the need to show a Certificate of Residence.
21 days ago
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Lee-Ann *******
@Milan ********************
 do you know if agents in Phuket please
22 days ago
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Milan *********************
@Lee-Ann ******
 : ask my friend
@Montree ****************
 , he knows everything in phuket
22 days ago
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Lee-Ann *******
@Milan ********************
 awesome, thanks for that
22 days ago
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Milan *********************
@Lee-Ann ******
 : you are welcome
22 days ago
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Milan *********************
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Jonathan ******
@Milan ********************
There’s no more three things if you have an international drivers license and a drivers license from your country and the paperwork you need to walk in and I’ll hand your drivers license all new Mr. Magoo
22 days ago
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Ronnie ***********
@Jonathan *****
 don't you still need to take the drivers theory and practical tests?
21 days ago
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Ian **********
@Jonathan *****
 what paperwork do they ask for - PP, Proof of Residence, International Driving Licence (including the country licence) etc??
22 days ago
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Milan *********************
@Jonathan *****
: your Profile Looks so serious, you will be the 1st Person i would choose 555555555555555555555555
**********
**********
*****
*****
*****
*****
5555
22 days ago
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Milan *********************
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Lee-Ann *******
@Milan ********************
@Mark ******
22 days ago
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Lee-Ann *******
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Phil ******
Dlt office shows how you can do
@Za**
.
22 days ago
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Phimnaphang ****************
22 days ago
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David ********
@Phimnaphang ***************
22 days ago
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David ********
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Dragan **********
Easy way is get a international driver permit from your country and then convert it in Thailand
22 days ago
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Mike ********
@Dragan *********
 get idl via .government website
22 days ago
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YT ********************
@Mike *******
 how online?
22 days ago
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Mike ********
Hope it helps.
22 days ago
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Mike ********
@YT *******************
 yes GOV.UK website if you are from UK. Search for international driving permit. You will need the 1968 version. Can be done online just follow instructions. I think you just save it electronically. Used to buy from post office but not anymore.
22 days ago
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Mike ********
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Robert **********
@Dragan *********
 you can not convert a permit. It is no liscence... it is just a translation of a drivers liscence.
22 days ago
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Dragan **********
@Robert *********
 that’s what I meant
21 days ago
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Dragan **********
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Brandon ************
By going to the DLT and applying for one with the correct paperwork.
22 days ago
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Brandon ************
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