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What is the actual cost of obtaining a Thai driving license for expats?

Thai driving licenseexpat adviceimmigrationvisa rulescost of living in Thailanddriver's license process
Jul 19, 2022
3 years ago
Anthony *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
hey guys, how much should I be paying to get a thai driving licence? We just got quoted 6000thb but seems expensive but could be wrong just wanted to see if anyone has a better idea
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The quoted price for obtaining a Thai driving license can vary significantly. While some agents may charge around 6000 THB for convenience, many community members advise handling the process independently for much lower costs—often under 1000 THB. Breakdown of costs typically includes 205 THB for a car license, 105 THB for a bike license, 100-500 THB for medical certificates, and about 300 THB for a certificate of residence. It's suggested to go directly to the transport department to avoid inflated fees from agents.
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Terary **********
I don't remember how much I was quoted but it seem stupid expensive.. I ended up doing the thing myself. It takes about a day (Pattaya), running around immigration office, DMV, etc. I did have to pay some school to give me a piece of paper that says I watched a movie or something.
3 years ago
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Dave *********
As others have said BT 205 for car, BT 105 for bike. Around Bt100 for a med certificate issued at a clinic. Certificate of residence issued by your immigration office (in Korat it's free).
3 years ago
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David *********
I am assuming you have a driving license for car and motorcycle from the country you are from. Also I am assuming you license is in English If it is not in English than you would have to get it translated into English by an approved translator approved by your embassy. Then you would have to send the translation to your embassy for authentication. Get Medical Certificate 200 THB and Certificate of residency 300 THB each. Passport copies. Go early watch the video and do practical test. If you got there early in the morning you may have your licenses by 12:00. Otherwise you will be finished in the afternoon. My location is Pattaya
3 years ago
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Anthony *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
 yeah I have a full car and motorbike licence from the UK but I've also lost it, we moved from Phangan to the north when covid hit and it's somehow got lost along the way as I have looked everywhere for it, lol.i didn't know if it's essential if you're applying for a Thai one anyway but I suppose if I need it I can order a replacement to the address I use in the UK and can have it posted over
3 years ago
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David *********
@Anthony ********
 You will need your UK car and motorcycle license to get a Thai license. If not then you will have to go to a Thai driving school and take lessons. Mityon is one of those schools. They do all the practical and theoretical. Also they do all the testing after completion of each course. The easiest and most cost effective is to get the UK to issue new licences. Maybe the UK embassy can assist you in Bangkok
3 years ago
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Anthony *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
 ah that's a good point but worst comes to worse I can call the DVLA in the UK and have them post me a new licence I have done it before as I lost one around 2008 and it was about 20 quid I think it was, I might contact the embassy first though thanks I wouldn't have thought of that 👍
3 years ago
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Anthony *********
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Istvan *********
Bike licence 105, doctor certificate 200 baht, proof where you live certificate (i don't remember the official name) 300 baht. I paid this in February when i did my bike licence. 605 baht in total.
3 years ago
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John **********
Nuts man Agents making a killing off these poor folks.
3 years ago
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David ********
205 license. 10 for plastic cover. 500 for immigration letter. 100 for medical letter. And allow a morning to complete. There is an agent in Bangkok offering 3500 all in. All amounts in baht. Easy to do yourself.
3 years ago
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Jo **********
i just use my Dutch license
3 years ago
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John **********
@Jo *********
 you also need an international driver's permit alongside and should get Thai license after 3 months.
3 years ago
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Jo **********
MIke Rootie kind of true
3 years ago
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Pui *****
MIke Rootie you're incorrect. We're not talking about tourists. As a resident, you must convert your country's license to a Thai license to continue driving unless you are here short-term. It seems obvious that the person asking wants a Thai drivers license for long-term use, and isn't a tourist on a quick trip if they are considering paying 6000 baht for one. As a new member, you shouldn't be talking down to members like me who have been here for years giving advice about drivers licenses and visas to travellers to Thailand.
@Jo *********
 is active enough in the various Thai groups and has seen me enough to surely be able to judge who is more likely to be giving correct advice. I've helped Jo with questions multiple times myself, but that doesn't mean I won't clarify or correct if something is wrongly stated.
3 years ago
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Brook ********
@Jo *********
 limited validity
3 years ago
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Jo **********
@Brook *******
 how so been using it for 15 years? explain
3 years ago
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Pui *****
@Jo *********
 you've been illegally doing it. Just like you could likely keep using a UK license in the States for years since no one is checking how long you've been in the country. Doesn't mean it is legal. Just cause you get away with something doesn't make it legal.
3 years ago
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Jo **********
@Pui ****
 it’s legal in my case
3 years ago
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Dada ****
@Jo *********
 Only if you have an International driving permits along with your dutch driving license..
3 years ago
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Pui *****
@Jo *********
 I believe you go in and out somewhat often, which is why it doesn't apply for you.
3 years ago
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Pui *****
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David *********
I was quoted from an agent -

3000 for car or bike

5000 for car and bike
3 years ago
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Janin ******
@David ********
 to much, do it yourself ..easy!
3 years ago
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Janin ******
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Bob **********
Do it yourself both license under 1000 baht using an agent is only for paperwork and the Que you still have to go and take the tests
3 years ago
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Dar *****
@Bob *********
 and Que jumping to be fair
3 years ago
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Dar *****
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Paul *******
I did my driving license (bike and car) last month, apart from the residence cert which was an issue for unrelated reasons it was super easy, I arrived at the transport department at 10:00 and was out with both car and motorcycle license by 12:30. You do have to make an appointment. I did have to book an appointment and at the time it's about 3 weeks wait for one. I guess if they do all the paperwork for you then it might be worth 6,000 THB but if you have to do that yourself then it's better to just do the whole thing yourself.
3 years ago
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Joe *********
@Paul ******
 i already has us licenses. Made appointment (6 weeks out) easy color test and reaction test. Was out in 2 hours with cycle and car licenses.
3 years ago
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Paul *******
@Joe ********
 yep I had a UK license, really easy to get it done.
3 years ago
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Paul *******
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Jonathan ********
@Paul ******
 , you took class and written test and car driving test and motorcycle driving test and all pics, paperwork etc. all in 2
***
hrs?
3 years ago
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Paul *******
@Jonathan *******
 if you already have a license for a car and/or bike from certain countries (Europe, US, Australia) then you only have to pass a depth perception test and a reaction test, then watch a video about car crashes (that I think was meant to be serious but was a bit comical) it really doesn't take long. If you don't already have a license or have a license from a country that Thailand doesn't recognize then I guess you'd have to take the full driving test, I don't know how long that would take.
3 years ago
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Paul *******
Sorry it's three tests a colour test, where you have a traffic light and have to say the colour, then a depth perception test where you have to push a button to align to white lights. Then a reaction test where you have to hit a brake when you see a red light. Almost no way to fail as you get three goes at each test.

Once you've done that you watch a video then they print the license and pay and that's it.
3 years ago
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Gee ******
@Paul ******
 And pass an exam too yes?
3 years ago
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Paul *******
@Gary ********
 no exam if you already have a license, just the three tests.
3 years ago
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Gee ******
@Paul ******
 oh wait you mean Thai license? Mine is first Thai license
3 years ago
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Paul *******
@Gary ********
 No if you already have a foreign license.
3 years ago
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Gee ******
@Paul ******
 Oh cool 😎!!!
3 years ago
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Gee ******
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Gee ******
@Paul ******
 Where did you get your appointment? Phuket office is 2 months out
3 years ago
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Paul *******
@Gary ********
 to be precise this office is the only one in Bangkok that you can book as a non Thai:

Department of Land Transport, Building

*****************************************
3 years ago
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Gee ******
@Paul ******
 oh? I booked with the Phuket office via the DLT app
3 years ago
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Paul *******
@Gary ********
 yes I was only speaking about Bangkok (that has 3 offices), not Thailand as a whole, I am sure if you can book it on the app it will be fine.
3 years ago
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Gee ******
@Paul ******
 ok I see. Khab
3 years ago
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Gee ******
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Paul *******
@Gary ********
 Bangkok
3 years ago
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Paul *******
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Gee ******
Does certificate of residence have to show a date for a year span? I thought I read that on the DLT site somewhere
3 years ago
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Gee ******
Even the Cert of Residence is only good for a month?
3 years ago
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Pete *******
@Gary ********
 Both the certificate of residency and the medical certificate are only valid for 30 days from date of issue.
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Gary ********
 What?
3 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Jack *********
310baht plus 30baht for Medical Certificate and whatever the Immigration Office charge you for a Certificate of Residence. Total will be under 1000baht for Car plus Motorbike Licences.

If you cannot answer the simple questions in the test you should not be driving on the Thai roads
3 years ago
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Bryce ********
@Jack ********
 they are not simple questions. Broken English and grainy low res pictures where its hard to tell what's going on.
3 years ago
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Anthony *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jack ********
 sure but I'm led to believe this could day me 5 days all in all? If so then the 6k might now be as bad as I thought as they say that I will be able to get it 1 or 2 day 🤷
3 years ago
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Jack *********
@Anthony ********
 I was in and out inside 1½hours with both licences. Showed them my UK licence did eye and reaction test watched a video and had photo taken and licences issued. No theory or practical tests so I would advise you to get a Thai person to ask what is the process before you start and you go throwing your money away 😁
3 years ago
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Anthony *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jack ********
 its pretty much what you have just put so seems the better option now tbh
3 years ago
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Anthony *********
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Maarten ****
@Anthony ********
 6k is a reasonable price .. you need to pretend a computer test (which you don’t really need to do it lol ) and a driving test inside a driving school which guarantee will pass
3 years ago
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Anthony *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maarten ***
 thanks and yeah, its kind of looking that way delving a bit more into it, its not really the extortion that I first thought lol
3 years ago
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Anthony *********
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Markus **********
It depends what you are paying for. Some agents makes it more "easy" for you to get the driving license. For example you maybe don't have to do the exams with the question. So ask exactly what you get for this money and then it's up to you to ask yourself if it's worth it or not. I spent 5 times with the test/questions. Took me 5 days of my valuable time.
3 years ago
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Anthony *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Markus *********
 well, this is the thing, my wife says if I pay this I can do it in 1 or 2 days
3 years ago
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Terry ********
@Anthony ********
 the test is online with the correct answers. Although a person should be able to pass regardless. For me the hardest part was watching 5 hours of video that taught me nothing. Then coming back the next day for computer exam (joke) and test (bigger joke)
3 years ago
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Markus **********
@Anthony ********
 then it's totally up to you :)
3 years ago
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Anthony *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Markus *********
 yeah, if it's goiing to be 5 days without paying the extra then it might be somewhat of a good deal as its pretty far away from us as well so then I'm staying over etc
3 years ago
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Jonathan ********
@Anthony ********
 , I believe he might have meant he took 5 days to pass the test, failing the first 4. I did in one day but my son recently took two as the tests were a day after the class.
3 years ago
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Jonathan ********
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Malcolm *******
Certificate of residence 500 baht at immigration , medical 100 baht and licence fee car 205 baht , bike 105 baht .
3 years ago
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Andreas *********
Certificate of residence alone is 500 baht.
3 years ago
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Todd *********
@Andreas ********
 and you need two, one for each license
3 years ago
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Andy *********
@Andreas ********
 depends on io - free at kk as well as other offices
3 years ago
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Paul *******
@Andy ********
 free in Korat just jave to wait 7 days
3 years ago
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Andy *********
@Paul ******
 20 mins in kk 😀
3 years ago
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Andy *********
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Anthony *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andreas ********
 yeah, i have that no way am I paying that when I can just go myself, ludicrous lol
3 years ago
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Andreas *********
@Anthony ********
 need a lot time. Need to go with passport photo and home rental contract to immigration. Than to a doctor for health certificate. And than to land and transportation office. Watch a video 1 hour and do test after if you not just translate a international driving license. Last time they send me to a private driving school to watch the video +500 baht. Because of Covid.
3 years ago
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Anthony *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andreas ********
 okay, with this being the case I might be better off just taking a shorter route, thanks for the info I will weigh it all up but if its a case of it will take 2 instead of 5 days lets say then 6k isn't a big deal really I can easily afford it
3 years ago
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Anthony *********
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Anthony *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks guys I knew this was over the top lol
3 years ago
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Brett **********
Go to the transport department and not an agent
3 years ago
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Daren *********
MIke Rootie. Agreed, but this is Thailand
3 years ago
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Daren *********
@Brett *********
 totally agree with you. It's not a difficult process.
3 years ago
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Daren *********
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Wayne *********
Depends do it yourself is under 500baht including cost of medical. I paid 760baht for my bike and car 5 year licence, s
3 years ago
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Pete *******
Car license is 205baht, bike license is 105baht.
3 years ago
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Pete *******
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