What are the current requirements and experiences for renewing a 5-year driver's license in Thailand?

Apr 23, 2023
2 years ago
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I went online to take the test to renew my 5 year driver licenses. Put in my information and no test required (???) no doctor certificate, and not able to select my local land transport office in Buriram city, only outlying offices. Anyone have any recent experiences with this? We will call Monday morning but thought if someone v can pulse she’d some light …. I appreciate the help.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent discussions reveal varying experiences related to the renewal of 5-year driver's licenses in Thailand. Some individuals report that they were not required to present a medical certificate or take a test for renewal, while others had differing experiences depending on their location (e.g., Bangkok vs. Buriram). The process generally requires documents such as current licenses, residency proof, passport, and extension of stay. The necessity of an online test and the availability of local offices also appear to vary. Overall, it's advisable to confirm requirements with your local land transport office.
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Successfully obtained driver licenses, held five year and renewed today. Just to update:

Staff had no idea why I could not select Buriram city office while my wife could.

Items asked for at check in:

Current licenses

Doctor cert X2

Tabien Ban

Passport

Visa /extension

E learning bar code

All the above 2 copies signed.

In and out in one hour. No appointment.
Paul *******
@David ********
Ok, so you can choose. Either online or in the office. What about the reaction test?
Paul *******
@David ********
What's the "e learning barcode"?
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
after passing the test online a QR code is available to print to take to the office.
Paul *******
@David ********
Oh so you had to take an online test?
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
or in the office.
Paul *******
@David ********
So if you didn't have an appointment then what's this "selecting Buri Ram" all about? Last time I renewed I didn't have to deal with anything online. I showed up with all my documents and eventually after watching the video and doing a quick reaction test I was out the door with my brand new license.
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
apparently they prefer you have an appointment which is scheduled online. There was four choices of offices to select but I could not select Buriram city. Nang Rong and Praconchai were the choices I had. The test can also be taken online and they give you a QR code to produce at the office to show you passed. The reaction and color test were also done and that was very quick.
Paul *******
@David ********
So they're not doing the tests at the office anymore or giving you a choice where to take them?
Stuart *********
Medical certificate you can get at any clinic. 100 baht. If you’re still breathing they’ll issue one.

In Phang Nga recently they didn’t require you to watch the video to get a five year license off the two year one. They did if renewing a five year one. Go figure.
Paul *******
@Stuart ********
Same as in Bangkok. However when going from a 5 year to 5 year one in Bangkok, a medical certificate wasn't necessary. At least not when I went.
Stuart *********
@Paul ******
last time I did mine in Phuket I don’t think I needed one but that was 5 years ago so can’t really remember.
Paul *******
@Stuart ********
In that case yours would be up for renewal soon if it's been 5 years.
Stuart *********
@Paul ******
renewed it in Phang Nga last month. Haven’t been stopped in years. 10 minutes after getting the license I was pulled over and asked. Cop didn’t like it when I told him the license was still warm from the printer.
Paul *******
@Stuart ********
LOL, but your license would have been the 5 year one right? They still print them on the spot as they've done for years, right? Mine was renewed just over 3 years ago and has another 2 years before it's up for renewal again.

Anyway, did you require a medical certificate for renewal in Phang Nga last month?
Stuart *********
@Paul ******
yes I did. Not an issue there. 300m up the road is a centre. 100 baht if you’re still breathing.
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
interesting. They are making me drive 60km out of my way for an 0800 appointment not sure what the plan is here. I am renewing my five year licenses.
Mark *****
No doctors certificate needed to renew a 5yrs license here in Bangkok..
Richard *********
******************************
@Pass****
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ********
yes. That is the website we put in our info.
Garrett ***********
You need a certificate of residency or yellow book, and a medical certificate. No test for renewal
Jeffrey ************
@Garrett **********
Photographs? TIA
Garrett ***********
@Jeffrey ***********
Nope. Certificate of residency or yellow book, medical cert, copy of passport data page and visa page, copy of driver's license. If you're renewing car and motorbike license make 2 copies of everything.
Jeffrey ************
@Garrett **********
Cheers mate. I 😊🙏
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
ok great thank you. Online instruction did not say either way regarding medical for five year renewal but I figured I needed to have it.
Garrett ***********
@David ********
Only difference between a temporary and permanent license renewal is the 1 hour test/video.
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Umm, guess I should have proof read that. Last line should be

I thought if someone could please shed some light ….
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