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How can I renew my Thai driver's license with a recent address change before my 90-day report?

Thai driver licensesVisa rulesThailand Elite VisaResidence certificateTM30Address registrationImmigration process90-day reportingExpat assistance
Sep 13, 2023
a year ago
Jake *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
DRIVER'S LICENSE RENEWAL HELP

I'm on a 5-year elite visa. I arrived in Thailand by air on August 29th so my next 90-day report is due on November 29th or around that date.

My Thai driver's licenses expire on September 25th so I need to renew them in Bangkok as soon as possible. In order to do that I need a residence certificate for Bangkok, right?

But in order to get the residence certificate, I need to update my address with immigration. The problem is I've been living in Phuket for the past 6 months and I'm moving to Bangkok on Friday.

So is there a way I can update my address with immigration before my 90-day report due date or do I need to wait until November to renew my driver's licenses? Or is there some other way I can do this?

Is there anything I'm misunderstanding here?

Thank you 🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user on an elite visa is seeking help with renewing their Thai driver's license, which is expiring soon. They need a residence certificate for Bangkok but are moving there from Phuket and wonder if they can update their address with immigration before the 90-day report is due. Several responses explain the differences between the 90-day report and TM30, which is necessary for address updates, and suggest ways to obtain the required residence certificate. It is indicated that while having an elite visa, one is still required to do 90-day reports and that there are options for renewing the license even after it has expired.
Tito *********
If you don't mind paying a bit extra, you can use fatboy in Bangkok, or TikTok services or mots in Pattaya. You can renew your license with their help in less than a week. There are probably other agencies that I don't know of as well. Definitely possible without having done a 90 days report
a year ago
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Andreas *********
you can renew a Thai Driving License until one year after the expiry date. Actually, if you renew it 3-4 weeks AFTER your birthday, which should be the expiry date, you will get 5 years and 11 months validity on your renewed license
a year ago
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Ron *******
The US Embassy stopped issuing them on 1st March 2023
a year ago
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Graham *******
Guys all I can say is I arrived on a stamp at the airport, I got an o visa then a 12-month extension of stay with 800k in the bank! I then withdrew the 800k, I got residents certificate, Tm30, re-entry permit driving license without working up a sweat! Everything else to me sounds so much trouble I cannot see how it's worth what people go through! If you are under 50 maybe, you are better off in your own country or wp or married!
a year ago
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Jake *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Here's what Thailand Elite member services had to say:
a year ago
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Graham *******
I really do not understand how any embassy can issue any Thai immigration document!
a year ago
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Jake *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham ******
 The US embassy definitely does it. I got one from them several years ago. I think it was $50.
a year ago
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Ron *******
@Jake ******
 the US, UK, Australian Embassies etc no longer issue them
a year ago
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Jake *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
 Oh really? Good to know, thanks 👍
a year ago
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Jake *******
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Chris ************
Me thinks, you spend all that money and have to do stuff yourself.. Now it is 900,000 for 5yrs and get a few points, have to use the points to get stuff done. Might as well put the 800,000 in the bank na ka.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Chris ***********
 that doesn't help if you're not 50 years old.
a year ago
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Chris ************
@Brandon ***********
 yes, my apologies. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
a year ago
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Chris ************
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Richard *********
get the certificate in Phuket.
a year ago
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Kool *******
You've got up to a year to renew it after it expires.
a year ago
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Dar *****
though the elite visa did all of this for you as part of the service ?
a year ago
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Dar *****
******************************************************
- according to the website they will assist you
a year ago
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Gary ****
@Dee ****
 that's an agent in Japan and everything is out of date on there.
a year ago
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Ron *******
@Dee ****
 you pay for it.

It's not a free service.
a year ago
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Ron *******
Scott Ramsland he's talking about Thailand Elite helping to get a driver's license.

You still need all the required paperwork even with their help.
a year ago
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Ron *******
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Graham *******
Before you get resideny certificate you need TM30! Fo that you will need to prove your address with a blue book or rental agrement!
a year ago
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Jorge ****
Even before Covid, one had a 1 year grace period to renew. This was either reaffirmed or extended during Covid (maybe they did not want the large crowds). Last Dec both of my lic came up for renewal and they gave me an appointment for 3 months later, this past March. The usual docs needed: renewal application, passport copy, long term visa copy, old lic copy, residence cert from immigration, and the cheap medical health cert. One set of docs for each lic. They'll have you download an app to see a movie and answer a few test questions. Take the test till you pass. You get a receipt on your phone and bring that to the appointment. No need for pics. Good luck.
a year ago
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Veet ********
@Jorge ***
 To obtain the residence certificate required for renewing the initial 2-year driving license in Bangkok, which immigration office should we visit? Chaeng Wattana or IT Square Laksi?
a year ago
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Jorge ****
@Vit ********
 sorry, I do not know which one. Maybe someone else can comment.
a year ago
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Jorge ****
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John ******
@Jorge ***
Test questions and answers are available online somewhere. There aren't very many, which makes it easy, but you need to see these because the expected answers aren't always obvious (or necessarily correct!).
a year ago
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Jorge ****
@John *****
 I heard tbe same, but after the fact. And you are right, the answers are at time non-sensical. That's why years ago, when they gave stitting tests, I had to do it several times. Did the same this last time a few months ago but online. Went thru the test several times till the multiple choices were used up. I have not heard of anyone not getting a driver's lic here. Good exercise on the "Thai ways". 😀
a year ago
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Jorge ****
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Graham *******
I have read in various forums that if you have elite visa you do not have to do 90 day reports?
a year ago
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Ron *******
@Graham ******
 if you fail to do 90 reports using a TE visa, TE considers you being on overstay.
a year ago
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Ադամ ********
@Ron ******
 I didn’t know that about 90 day but when I was a member more than one member did long overstays and got banned. They had more cash than brains
a year ago
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Graham *******
thanks, then if u still have to do 90 day reports the advantage od a TE visa is what?
a year ago
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Ադամ ********
@Graham ******
 It is a great program for people who wish to stay longterm here or travel in and out of Thailand without hassle as many times as they wish who are under 50, are not working in Thailand, and are not married to a Thai.
a year ago
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Graham *******
@Ադամ *******
 so if u are under 50 you can get a TE visa, is that the only reason?
a year ago
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Ron *******
@Graham ******
 no. You don't need to ever mess around with immigration ever again.

You can leave Thailand daily if you want too and get stamped back in for 12 months every time as long as your membership lasts another 12 months and you have a passport valid for 12 months or more.
a year ago
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Graham *******
those who have a TE visa?
a year ago
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Ron *******
@Graham ******
 why would they disappear? Memberships come in 5,10,15 and 20yr increments.

Mine is good until December 2036
a year ago
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Graham *******
@Ron ******
 so they come in the country and disappear?
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Graham ******
 they still have to apply for an extension every year if they haven't left the country during the previous year.
a year ago
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Ron *******
@Graham ******
 who does????
a year ago
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Ron *******
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Graham *******
@Ron ******
 what is a te visa?
a year ago
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Ron *******
@Graham ******
 Thailand Elite
a year ago
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Ադամ ********
@Ron ******
 It is actually a PE “privilege entry “ visa offered by membership in the programme.
a year ago
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Ron *******
@Ադամ *******
 I know exactly what it is. I've had one since 2014.
a year ago
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Ron *******
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Ադամ ********
@Graham ******
 Not true.
a year ago
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Graham *******
@Ադամ *******
 then what is guy talking about?
a year ago
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Graham *******
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Ron *******
Until you've done a 90 day report in Bangkok, you cannot get a residence permit there.
a year ago
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Damian ******
Will be easier to get one in Pattaya, I would try to get all documents tmr if I were you in Pattaya
a year ago
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Brandon ************
Your 90 day report has nothing to do with reporting your address. It's just to report that you've been in Thailand for 90 days.

The TM30 is what is used to report address and should be filed by the property owner within 24 hours of you arriving.

Take your TM30 for your Bangkok address and your most recent 90 day report and see if they will issue you a residence certificate. The requirement to get a residence certificate in Bangkok is to have filed a 90 day report, but I don't know if they require that to be through the Bangkok office or at any office.
a year ago
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Jake *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Ok I'll do that, thanks!
a year ago
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Jake *******
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