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.
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.
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).
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
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
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
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 👍
Reply to
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.
John **********
Nuts man Agents making a killing off these poor folks.
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.
you also need an international driver's permit alongside and should get Thai license after 3 months.
Jo **********
MIke Rootie kind of true
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 🤷
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 😁
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
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
Reply to
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.
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)
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
, 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.
Reply to
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 .
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.
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