What documents do I need to convert my driving license to a Thai one?

Mar 3, 2021
4 years ago
John *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Dear all, need some advise on converting my driving licence to a Thai one. One of the requirements is an original present residence address in Thailand certificate from immigration bureau. Is this a TM38 document or what kind of document do i need to take to get a certificate?

I know I can use an agent, but they will ask you to prepare all documents, or they handle this one?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To convert your foreign driving license to a Thai one, you need a Certificate of Residence from Thai immigration, which can be obtained with your passport, entry permit, and proof of residence (either a landlord's letter or property ownership documents). Expect to pay around 300 to 500 baht for the certificate, and you may need multiple copies of official documents like your visa and passport. After acquiring the certificate, proceed to the Land Transport Office to submit your application along with additional documents like health certificates and your foreign driver's license.
John *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you everyone!!!
Tom *******
Regarding your “residence address in Thailand certificate from immigration bureau,” you can also get one from your embassy. Mine offered one printed out on the day but wanted 1400 THB per copy. If money’s no concern, and you want to avoid the hoop jumping at Thai immigration, it’s a viable option to get one from your embassy.
Tom *******
I did it last week at Chaeng Wattana. They said they’ll mail it to me in a week. I need it to renew my Thai driving license. When I asked how the long residency letter is valid for, the lady didn’t know. “One or two months,” she said. When I pressed her for which one, she admitted she didn’t know. Now I realise my appointment at the DLT in Bang Chak is for April which means if the residency letter is only valid for 30 days, I’m screwed. Welcome to Thailand. You’re forced to visit a car park (Chaeng Wattana) on the outskirts of town when any normal practise would allow you to apply online (especially during a pandemic). That’s to apply for a letter to prove you live there (I’ve lived at the same address for 16 years), and while your 90-day report is proof of your address and supposedly valid for that time, the letter that’s supposed to be free, isn’t and valid for less than the same time—only 30-60 days. TIT.
Sammy *******
@Tom ******
the residency certificate in Chiang mai states its valid for 30 days from date of issue. nsybe it's different in bkk??
Tom *******
@Sammy ******
mine arrived yesterday from Chaeng Wattana and it doesn’t state at all how long it’s valid for. The woman immigration officer who processed it for me said she didn’t know how long it’s valid for when I asked her. TIT.
Andrew *********
Land Transport office opens at 8 am but they start dishing out the queue numbers from about 730am onwards.
Jon ********
@Andrew ********
where? there are many different offices with different systems
Jonas *************
Not an issue here, at least not when I did it. The reviews don't mention it.

Department of Land Transport, Building 4

+66 2 271 8888

*****************************************
Tom *******
@Jonas ************
I was at the DLT Bank Chak last week. My appointment is not till April 22nd, a 2-month wait.
Jonas *************
In Bangkok I went in the afternoon like 2pm finished in two hours. I visited almost every floorm very little wait and no long queing. The conversion line seemed different from the waiting outside forever line.
Tom *******
@Jonas ************
in Bang Chak DLT, they’re using an appointment system now. Takes about two months to be able to visit there.
David *********
John

You first have to go to Immigration to get a Certificate of Residence

To get this you need

Passport and Entry Permit and Type of Visa

Residency Either House or Condo ownership or letter from Landlord

Passport Size photos 2

Application Form

All of the above you will need photocopies and sign each one

Cost is 300 BHT for each one at Jomtien Immigration

If you are applying for both car and motorcycle you need two certificates and 3 photos

At Land and Transfer Office opens at 08:00

You will need

Certificate of Registration from Immigration

Passport and Visa

Medical Certificate from Thai doctor 200 BHT

Your Drivers Licence from your country. If not in English you will have to get it translated and then sent to your Embassy in Thailand for Certification of Documents

Sign all documents and if getting Car and Motorcycle licence you need 2 medical Certificates

Photocopies of all and sign them

If you do not have a motorcycle licence from your country you can go to driving school. In Bang Saray the name is Mityon and they do everything. Even the classroom , exam and practical test. Cost was 1500 BHT.
David *********
@David ********
very detailed explanation 👍
Taz **********
You need to get a letter from your landlord stating that you reside at your address and for how long

You take that letter to immigration and ask for a certificate of residence

If you want for both car and motorcycle you will need 2 letters from your landlord

2 copies of passport I’d page 2 copies of visa page 2 copies of last entry stamp

Every immigration is different however most will charge you 500 baht per certificate of residency

If you have a Thai partner usually only 300 baht per certificate of residency

You take the certificate of residency plus copies of your passport and copies of your home country drivers licence and copy of international driving permit if you have one

Go to the Thai licence office & submit your application for a driver licence

Depending on where you apply you may or may not need to do a few things

Watch a safety video (thais crashing cars and bikes)

Do some testing

Colour blind test

Brake response test

Eye hand co-ordination test

Road sign test

If you are on a tourist visa you can only get a licence for 2 years

Other visas you can get a 5 year licence, however the first one issued will only be for 12 months then when you renew it after 1 year you can get a 5 year licence
Tom *******
That’s the old system. The first one is now valid for 2 years and doesn’t expire (remains valid) for a third year until you make the renewal.
Taz **********
@Tom ******
Ok

I used to have the 5 year licence, however last time I renewed my licence (2years ago) I was in thailand on a tourist visa and they only gave me 2 years stating ppl on a tourist visa could only get a licence for 2 years

It expired late last year and as I had already left Thailand I will have to see what the requirements are when I make a new Thai licence
Tom *******
@Taz *********
Interesting. I never heard that before. I understood that the 2-year license was only the first one and all thereafter were for 5 years. Don’t forget you have to book an appointment there and there’s a 2-month wait right now. Good luck.
Alessandro **********
Just go to your nearest immigration office and apply for a certificate of residence. Bring work permit if any, and/or TM30 receipt.
Stuart *********
If you don’t have a work permit you need either a letter from your immigration office stating your address or from your embassy. No form for immigration just go and say you’re applying for a driving license. They’ll print out a letter for you. In theory this should be free but expect a charge of approx 300 baht. No idea what charges your embassy will impose,or indeed if they’ll do one at all.
Jon ********
500bht in Prachuapkhirikahn
Jonas *************
They mail it to you.
John *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
i have a work permit but it doesnt state my living address🙄
Stuart *********
@John ******
as far as I know it doesn’t have to. Notice of residence is only needed IF you don’t have a work permit. However each office may interpret the rules differently.
Tom *******
@Stuart ********
the work permit needs to state your address on it. The new WPs do. Otherwise you need a residency letter from the immigration office or your embassy.
John *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
🙏🏻👍
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