What are the requirements and fees for renewing a Thai driving license?

Thai driving license license renewal Thai visa NON-O visa medical certificate residence certificate expat life in Thailand immigration procedures

Dec 19, 2019

5 years ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Chalk this one up in the "Everything Else" column.

Renewed my Thai Driving Licenses today. Take with you:

Medical Certificate

Residence Certificate

Your Passport

And your Thai licenses.

Photocopies can be done on-site, but it's the typical ones if you wish to do so ahead of time: passport details page, visa, and stamp. When applying for or renewing both licenses you need two sets.

Note: You only need ONE original residence certificate and ONE original medical certificate. Photocopies suffice when applying for both at the same time.

I got to upgrade from the 2-year provisional to the 5-year license. (You need a Non-Immigrant Visa. NOT a tourist visa or exemption. Those can be used to get the provisional 2-year license or renew and receive another 2-year provisional license.) 

It's a treat that it is 5 years plus time up until next birthday. (I'm good until summer 2025.)

Motorcycle license fee: 305฿

Car license fee: 555฿

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To renew your Thai driving license, you need a medical certificate, a residence certificate, your passport, and your current Thai driving licenses. You must provide two sets of photocopies, including the details page of your passport and your visa. Photocopies can be done at the location. One original residence certificate and one medical certificate are sufficient for both licenses. Fees are 305฿ for a motorcycle license and 555฿ for a car license. Notably, a Non-Immigrant Visa is required for a 5-year license, as tourist visas do not qualify.

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Roger ********

Last time I did mine in Korat they did not want the medical cert

5 years ago

Ben *********

Uhu, thanks. Price going up huh.

5 years ago

Andy *********

I got a residence certificate from kk immigration in an hour with no charge for car registration - needed a letter from DLT requesting for them to provide me with one but no charge at either location 🙂

5 years ago

Terary **********

What is required (other than the fee or non-fee) to get a Residence Certificate??

5 years ago

Terary **********

Thanks - I will go next week - you the man

5 years ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Terary *********

two photos, copy of passport details page, entry stamp, visa, tm30, and the application form.

5 years ago

Reply to

John *********

Federico **********

Most Immigration offices will charge you for the residency paper.

Funny that no receipt is given... cuz of course... its free (should be).

But go argue and waste time!

Some offices (Samut Prakarn) will even make you purchase 2 residency papers since they specifically write รถยนต์ (car) in one and รถจักรยานยนต์ (motorbike) in the other.

By the time u get to the DMV the nice people there will tell you they couldve easily written both in 1 paper.

Im never in a mood to be hated or delayed so i just pay the guy intead of bitching about how horrible Thailand is (while choosing to live here).

Just a heads up for those looking into renewing/getting a license.

Also: if u have a Work Permit most DMVs will accept that instead of the recidency paper from Immigration.

Not guaranteed... but they did take mine a few times.

If u hold a (valid) license from abroad u can get the license here without driving test but still have to sit for the hour video and check motor skills/vision.

5 years ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

That’s par for the course in Thailand.

Where others complain, I use it to my advantage.

Not in an aggressive way, but I’ve learned to not take “No” for an answer. It means ask someone else or try again later.

I sound like a kid, but it’s like asking Dad for something and when he says no you go to ask your Mom.

The laws/rules are not enforced. They are merely suggestions a majority of people abide by and a small minority of the people who do otherwise pay a penalty if they’re caught.

5 years ago

Ben *********

By reading all comments, really, I see no consistency and standard process especially for expats. Oh darn they know.

5 years ago

Rick ***********

I wonder if the people requiring the residency certificate are rewarded by the people issuing the residency certificate.

5 years ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I skipped the details on residence certificate because it’s a point of contention with a lot of people. Including me.

Be it free, 200, 500 or 1000฿.

In Chiang Mai it’s free with a wait, could be 2-4 weeks maybe longer or 1000฿ for next day service.

It takes 15 minutes or less to prepare. I know because when I showed up to collect mine, it wasn’t ready and they told me to wait.

And it’s a fairly useless form that adds to the paperwork.

If you have your passport with your TM30 in it, it’s just duplicating the info with your photo attached...which your passport has but I digress.

It’s just a thing. Don’t have to agree with it or understand it but I do it because it’s required.

5 years ago

Reply to

John *********

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How many months prior can I renew my Thai motorcycle and car license, and what are the document requirements?

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