Answered6 months ago
What do I need to obtain a Thai driving license as an expat?
Thai Driving License (Car & Motorbike)
So I’ve heard a lot of different things but just want to make sure I’m not missing anything etc..
I have an international drivers license with more than 6 months before expire. I have a medical certificate that is under 30 days, which I will need two copies I believe. I have my TM30- is the TM30 suffice enough or do I need something from immigration?
Is it best to go early to Chatuchak DLT and I will be good to go? I tried going to Bang Chak DLT but she said I needed to schedule and it was 2-3 months out and I needed a different certificate from immigration because they don’t accept TM30.
Any tips and advice would be great. Plan on going this week sometime early morning walking in. And I have the QR code to do the hour long training video or whatever is needed before also. Thanks!
So I’ve heard a lot of different things but just want to make sure I’m not missing anything etc..
I have an international drivers license with more than 6 months before expire. I have a medical certificate that is under 30 days, which I will need two copies I believe. I have my TM30- is the TM30 suffice enough or do I need something from immigration?
Is it best to go early to Chatuchak DLT and I will be good to go? I tried going to Bang Chak DLT but she said I needed to schedule and it was 2-3 months out and I needed a different certificate from immigration because they don’t accept TM30.
Any tips and advice would be great. Plan on going this week sometime early morning walking in. And I have the QR code to do the hour long training video or whatever is needed before also. Thanks!
Answer summary
To obtain a Thai driving license, expats need to prepare several documents. An international driver's license is required, along with a medical certificate (recent and original). A certificate of residence from immigration is also necessary; the TM30 is often not accepted. It's advisable to book an appointment online as many DLT offices no longer accommodate walk-ins. Completing an online e-learning course is typically required before the appointment. Early morning visits are recommended to secure a faster appointment.
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David *********
Residents Cert
Once you have all you that , appointment and present ..
Certainly DO NOT pay an agent 6k , that's ridiculous, extremely easy .
Once you have all you that , appointment and present ..
Certainly DO NOT pay an agent 6k , that's ridiculous, extremely easy .
Articulate***********
OPDavid Moloney oh 100% agree. I mean if you got the money and you’re busy or just don’t want to then sure why not. But for me easy enough. Hard part done. Just gotta go back and pick it up now
David *********
ArticulatePeacock7648
Seriously , it's so easy , hardest bit is waiting , all done same day , you walk out with the licence with your photo .
( Unlike my home country where they post it to you 2 weeks later )
First one is your 2 year ( like probationary ) after that it's 5 year , but birthday dependent it can be closer to 6 .
Sounds like you have all once you have the residents Cert , get some photos prior .
Seriously , it's so easy , hardest bit is waiting , all done same day , you walk out with the licence with your photo .
( Unlike my home country where they post it to you 2 weeks later )
First one is your 2 year ( like probationary ) after that it's 5 year , but birthday dependent it can be closer to 6 .
Sounds like you have all once you have the residents Cert , get some photos prior .
Articulate***********
OPDavid Moloney right the waiting is always the worst lol.
Yeah I got the photos already to go also. Just need the cert which will be ready in like 1 week. But I hope my appointment can get scheduled in loss than a month so my residence cert doesn’t expire 😅
Which DLT did you go to?
Yeah I got the photos already to go also. Just need the cert which will be ready in like 1 week. But I hope my appointment can get scheduled in loss than a month so my residence cert doesn’t expire 😅
Which DLT did you go to?
John *********
You can speed up the process if you use your driver’s license from your home country. International drivers permit is of no value to the Thai DLT.
Articulate***********
OPJohn N Kwan it is a little bit the lady actually looked at that license vs the one from my home country and I handed her both
Jamie ********
I would book the licence date online(It is in English). Once you have a date work backwards as the certificate of residence x 2 (1 bike licence, 1 car licence) is only good for 3p days. Also there is the online testing to complete before you go.
Articulate***********
OPJamie Tanner this is actually one of the best tips. Because last year when I got the certs for buying/selling a car/bike I didn’t even realize it was only good for 30 days so months later when I wanted to my wife was like “you know these are expired right” lesson learned. Great tip! Hopefully I can get an appointment sooner than 30 days 😅 but isn’t it just for showing then at the DLT before your official appointment?
Jamie ********
ArticulatePeacock7648 No, each one is attached to the paperwork filed when you receive your licences. Good luck.
Shane ***********
Just done mine, I needed Int licence, residence certificate from immigration, who also gave me 2 photos which weren’t used, medical certificate, best to get a copy of each but you can also get from transport department. I had to do an online course before I got there which took 2 hours. Once they checked all the paperwork I had to do a brake test, pretty easy, just hit the break as soon as you see the lights coming up. All up took about 45 minutes
Articulate***********
OPShane Kinneally seems like exactly what I’ve heard too. Thanks man. Where did you go?
Shane ***********
ArticulatePeacock7648 I’m living near Kalasin, north east
Shane ***********
DLT e-Learning
**************************************
Michael *****************************
You could be denied your Thai driving license,….IF you are here on a tourist visa.
Ray ********
I guess you mean Accepted and not Excepted ?
Michael *****************************
Ray Taylor yes
Articulate***********
OPMichael Riddermann Munck Pedersen no I have DTV
Michael *****************************
ArticulatePeacock7648 again I wrote “ could “,…I was denied in Chaeng Wattana, and Talling Chan in Bkk. But I was excepted in DLT Chonburi.
Tiph ******
Went to bang chak, there is a line dedicated for foreigners, she looked at the papers and gave me an appointment 10 days after. Have everything in two copies. Go early
Articulate***********
OPTiph Adrd how long ago was that? I went two days ago and she said they are booked until June/July
Tiph ******
ArticulatePeacock7648 a month ago
Articulate***********
OPTiph Adrd okay maybe if I go earlier they will give me a different answer lol
Mick *****
I did this last week , albeit in Pattaya. TM30 no good you need a residency certificate from immigration. Before you get the residency certificate or the medical certificate make your appointment. Both of these must be <30 days old on the day of appointment.
Haydn *******
Your chances of getting a walk in appointment are very slim. Ow and most offices have put up signs saying no walk-ins.. I tried several locations in Bangkok and they all insisted I book online and the nearest appointments were more than 2 months away. I ended up booking in another province to get one within a few days. I needed a separate certificate of residence for each category on my international licence that I wanted on my Thai licence and also an original (not a signed copy) medical certificate for each as well. Doing the e-training online is also advised and as of last year it's meant to be compulsory to pass the 50 question knowledge test as well, although some office seem to forget this stage.
Shawn ******
I walked in without appointment to get drivers license waited approximately 45 minutes . Next door they have office where you can get your medical certificate as well before getting license Hope that helps
Articulate***********
OPShawn Baer was this recent or years ago? And did you go to Chatuchak?
Shawn ******
ArticulatePeacock7648 2 weeks ago
Articulate***********
OPShawn Baer nice! Which DLT?
MagentaGo**********
Residence certificate and take a e-learning course before you go DLT
CharmingG**********
I needed a certificate of residence. One for car one for bike. You got all the rest. At my local immigration they are 500 Bhat each . But obviously all immigration centres are different depending on the province
Paul *******
Just get agent to do it
6000 baht
No test no medical
Just eye sight
Pass
lol. Easy
6000 baht
No test no medical
Just eye sight
Pass
lol. Easy
Hasan ********
Paul Finch any agent u advise?
Billy *********
Hasan Gulada Got i done buy Buddy Visas on 3rd Road 6000bth its the best way too go no hastle ok
WhitePho********
Hasan Gulada i recommend ”Easy Thai Driving License Support” you can google it. Used it myself. I think it was 3-4k for renewing or something.
Paul *******
Hasan Gulada only one in Soi 6 pattaya
Can’t remember its name
My license exspired
Couldn’t get another one at all
So they just changed my passport number
Plus a small fee
All good I passed. lol
Can’t remember its name
My license exspired
Couldn’t get another one at all
So they just changed my passport number
Plus a small fee
All good I passed. lol
Ian ********
For my car license I had to watch an online video and answer some questions at the end to pass it and get the QR code .I think you just Google DLT to get the website
WhitePho********
Ive done with myself and also with agent later to renew. Its just so much hasle doing with myself. Go there with your docs.. book appointment.. get new documents because those you had last time expired…
Go and back many times its just so much easier to pay 2-4k to an agent
Go and back many times its just so much easier to pay 2-4k to an agent
Dave ************
WhitePhoenix5725 that is exactly why they make it dificult. If you use an agent, they split your fee so they both get a backhander
This is the Normal way of business for thailand
This is the Normal way of business for thailand
WhitePho********
Dave May-Miller correct. If you want to save a few baht do yourself.. but get a headache from all the bureaucracy haha
BC ********
Went a few months ago to get the DL after my 2 year temporary one expired.
It was not possible to get it the day itself by walk-in.
At the counter they will check your papers. If any documents are missing they will tell you. Also will tell you which copies you need, which you then can make at the little copy shop there.(so no need to make them in advance) After making the necessary copies, go back to the counter again. When everything is checked (they staple your necessary documents together) you can agree on an appointment. In my case it was not longer than a week later.
It was not possible to get it the day itself by walk-in.
At the counter they will check your papers. If any documents are missing they will tell you. Also will tell you which copies you need, which you then can make at the little copy shop there.(so no need to make them in advance) After making the necessary copies, go back to the counter again. When everything is checked (they staple your necessary documents together) you can agree on an appointment. In my case it was not longer than a week later.
Articulate***********
OPBC Farang thanks!
Lars ********
Last time I did it at chatuchak, you had to go first to book an appointment. They checked documents and if everything is in order you got a date for the actual licence. But the appointment was only couple weeks later. That was around 2 years ago. Couldnt do it same Day. Otherwise super easy process.
Also do the e-learning in advance at home.
Also do the e-learning in advance at home.
Articulate***********
OPLars Schmid thank you!
PeacefulSe**********
Prove of residence from the immigrations, take some pictures with you, I guess 2 or 3 when you go immigration
Ian ********
PeacefulSeahorse9792 The DLT will normally give you a letter to immigration requesting the certificate of residence. They did for me last year. ( Sisaket Province and free).
Articulate***********
OPPeacefulSeahorse9792 thanks!
Ian ********
As John says COR and state it’s for a driving licence
John **********
You will need a residence certificate from immigration not a TM30
Articulate***********
OP@John *********
that’s what i figured. Thanks 🙏🏽
Jack *****
ArticulatePeacock7648 mine took. 7 days once I submitted what they want..gave me a yellow slip with my name and told come back 7 days..present yellow slip..more than just my name on slip..in thai
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