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What are the requirements for renewing a 5-year driving license in Thailand?

5 Year Driving LicenseThai Driving License RenewalVisa RequirementsMedical CertificateResidence CertificateImmigration OfficeChaeng WattanaMuang ThongDriving License Application Process
Aug 23, 2020
4 years ago
David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
As anyone in this group can share there experience with renewing a 5 year driving license ? I've read that you need proof of address from immigration, any idea which office (Chaeng Wattana or Muang Thong ? any other information/docs I need to prepare. Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To renew a 5-year driving license in Thailand, you need to meet specific requirements: hold a non-immigrant visa, provide a work permit or residence certificate, obtain a medical certificate, and ensure your current license is not expired by more than one year. You can request proof of residence from either the immigration office or your embassy. It's recommended to check in advance with the Department of Land Transport (DLT) about the need for appointments, as foreigners typically can just show up without prior booking.
Nueng ***********
In the past the work permit show where do you leave. Which only work permit and current driving license are good enough. But WP has been change
4 years ago
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Daniel ************
if you have wp - not meed residence cert
4 years ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I still have a WP, but expired is that OK or not ?
4 years ago
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Daniel ************
@David *******
 well - thats depends the DLT
4 years ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniel ***********
 ok thanks, I will take a trip to the immigration, just in case.
4 years ago
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David ********
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Becky **********
I didn’t need anything when I renewed my 5 year license. They just ask if I’m at the same residence.
4 years ago
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John *********
They are open. Take all your paperwork and they will put you in que to take the tests. Mine is for the 27th at 12:45.
4 years ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I received my residence certificate today, did you book a queue in advance, online to renew you driving license and also did you have a medical certificate ?
4 years ago
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John *********
@David *******
 you go in and they will place you in que and the you come back on that date, watch a video of the rules, get your picture taken and then pay an get your new licence. 2 trips!
4 years ago
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John *********
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
OK thankyou
4 years ago
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John *********
@David *******
4 years ago
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John *********
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Stephan ***********
They renew licenses right now? Emergency decree will probably be extended to end of next month.
4 years ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok thankyou
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Ste****
 The DLT has been open for a few months already.
4 years ago
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Stephan ***********
@Garrett **********
 Thanks... just found it. So they just "forgot" to update their webpage... ;-)

"DLT offices are now open for pre-booked applicants who have applied without needing a driving test, such as those renewing a driving license. The driving test service will start on 22nd of June."
4 years ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephan **********
 If renewing, I need to pre-book in advance or just turn up ?
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Da***
 You can just show up. The appointment is only for Thais as you need s thai id card to book online. They're letting foriegners just show up.
4 years ago
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Stephan ***********
@David *******
 "DLT offices are now open for pre-booked applicants who have applied without needing a driving test, such as those renewing a driving license. The driving test service will start on 22nd of June."

That's the latest info i have, but maybe something has changed again... not sure... sorry...
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Ste****
 You know how things go here, lol.
4 years ago
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Stephan ***********
@Garrett **********
 Oh yes... whatever they tell you now can be different in 30 minutes... 🙃
4 years ago
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Stephan ***********
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Wayne ********
medical certificate also
4 years ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for the info, I will go to the immigration tomorrow
4 years ago
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Nueng ***********
@David *******
 if you have not do the 90 days. They won’t issue it
4 years ago
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Nueng ***********
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Kool *******
I went to ChaingWhattana last year to get my address letters for both my motorbike, and car licences, and then they mailed them to me. I did not pick them up that day.
4 years ago
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Stephan ***********
You needed to pay some for it?
4 years ago
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Kool *******
Stephan Studtmann, I can't remember. I think it was bt100, or close to that, but honestly I do not remember. I do know it was much cheaper that the bt1800 the US embassy would have charged me.
4 years ago
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Stephan ***********
@Kool ******
 Thanks, just interested, because there was a big discussion some weeks before. "Normally" (by law) it's for free, but also "normally" every Immigration charge between 300 and 500 Baht.

I needed this cert one time from the embassy (Bank don't want to accept from Immigration), it was also about 1.600.
4 years ago
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Trevor *************
@Stephan **********
 immmigration in ayutthaya charge 1000 baht for this residence certificate.told them.it should be free and they just laught ok we will not give so i had to pay 1000 baht.what a rip off
4 years ago
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Trevor *************
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Stephan ***********
Scroll down a bit, it's for renew 5 years also. The residence cert can be from your embassy as well as Immigration.

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4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
For the 5 year license you need to be on a non immigrant visa, have a work permit OR a certificate of residence, have the medical cert, and your license cannot be more than 1 year expired.
4 years ago
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Bob *********
I renewed my 5 year licence last year at Klong Luang DLT, no medical certificate required.

Was huge queue for the video, managed to get in on the second showing, but still took most of the day. People who arrived in the afternoon were told to go to a driving school to watch video. We got the details and when my wife renewed her licence the following month she went to the driving school to watch the video, 200 baht. Then armed with a document from the driving school she renewed the licence within a couple of hours.

Like anything in Thailand what you need can vary from office to office.
4 years ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do get residence certificate from immigration,. Still Chaeng wattana and not muang Thong
4 years ago
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David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 I am on Non O Retirement Visa,. This should be OK ? I read,. Don't need medical certificate if renewing 5 year license
4 years ago
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Kool *******
@David *******
, I just renewed my 5year drivers license for the second time last November, and you do need the medical certificate, but, just ask one of the motorbike taxi drivers to take you to get it. Takes about 30 minutes, and bt170. You also now need a residency certificate, you can get either at CW, or from your embassy. CW is free, and your embassy charges their regular notary fee. At US embassy that is US$50, or bt1800. cW mails it to you and the embassy gives it to you on the spot. Five years ago I was allowed to use my utility bill, but not any more. Still have to take depth perception test, and the reaction test, then watch the safety video again. If your license is expired there is the bt100 fine still.
4 years ago
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Channel **********
@Kool ******
 .... 100 baht fine is wavered. No fines.
4 years ago
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Channel **********
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Stephan ***********
@David *******
 You see... one say yes, another one say no. So... better you ask at DLT first, just in cases.
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Ste****
 I'd just get one to be safe. Clinic in Bangkok charges 100 baht for them and takes 5 minutes. Cheaper than a round trip down to the DLT to ask.
4 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Channel **********
@Garrett **********
 ...The 1yr rule expired dates have now been extended ..all other requirements are still in place.
4 years ago
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Stephan ***********
Sure about the medical cert? DLT says you don't need it for renew a 5 year license? But... doesn't make sense, no? 🤔
4 years ago
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Stanley **********
@Stephan **********
 I needed a medical cert for my 5 year renewal.
4 years ago
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Stephan ***********
@Stanley *********
 Think so, makes sense. So they just forgot it in the list.
4 years ago
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Stephan ***********
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