This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What is the process for getting a Thai driver's license as an expat in Samut Sakon?
Thai driver's licenseexpat advicelicense renewalIDP (International Driving Permit)medical certificateresidency letterThai road rulesdriver licensing centermotorcycle license
Apr 24, 2022
4 years ago
Mark ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHi guys,
What's the process for getting a Thai drivers license? Easy or not? Just trying to 'tick things off' each time i visit prior to retirement. I'm located in Samut Sakon.
TIA
What's the process for getting a Thai drivers license? Easy or not? Just trying to 'tick things off' each time i visit prior to retirement. I'm located in Samut Sakon.
TIA
TLDR : Answer Summary
Getting a Thai driver's license as an expat can be straightforward if you hold a valid home country license and an International Driving Permit (IDP). The general process involves watching a video, passing a color blind test and a basic eye test. You also need to provide a residency letter from immigration, a medical certificate, a copy of your passport's data page, and your visa extension page. The additional requirements highlight the need to ensure you have the correct documents for a smoother application, especially if you plan to get a motorcycle license as well.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Peter *******
I intend to renew my 5 year DL at DLT tomorrow.
I know that I have to bring a certificate of residence, but do I also need a medical certificate?
Also is there anything that exempts me from watching the hour long video tutorial?
I know that I have to bring a certificate of residence, but do I also need a medical certificate?
Also is there anything that exempts me from watching the hour long video tutorial?
Mark ******
ORIGINAL POSTEREdit- this visit is under 30 days so is a TM30?
Confusing!
Confusing!
Mark ******
ORIGINAL POSTERAnyone got the correct link for my Thai GF to submit the TM30 for me to get the residency cert at local office?
Gary **********
Medical cert is easy to get approx 200 bht takes 5 mins
Mark ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gary *********
will try locally then but have also emailed an agent but presume I'd still need it anyway.Reply to
Mark ******
Reply
Maarten ****
I didn't exchange my UK driving license..just straight go to exam ( 5 mins test ) and by pass the theory exam (pretned sit in there and do nothing. Lol) on the exam day . There are people never driven before and got pass too lol
William ********
Money,,,,, solution,,,,,, solved
Mark ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@William *******
in hand. Easy to pay lol 😆Reply to
Mark ******
Reply
Terary **********
It was easy. There is a class you have to take. I payed some school to say I had taken the class. I got my license in Chonburi - about 2 hours.
Maxim ***********
@Terary *********
Even my wife who is Thai did that when she was younger, lol!Reply to
Maxim ***********
Reply
Kool *******
Understand that there are two separate licenses, one for car, and one for motorcycle. If your home country license does not have a motorcycle endorsement then you will have to take the written, and driving test for motorcycle. A motorbike is the easiest way to get around, so it is good to have that license, and a cheap motorbike. If your license is in English then you don't need an IDL. Just a residency letter from immigration, or a notarized letter from your embassy, or your work permit if it has your address on it. Many don't now. You also need a medical certificate, that any motorcy taxi drivers at the DLT office can take you to get cheap. Then of course a copy of your passport data page, and visa extension page. You take the normal color eye test, reaction test, and depth perception test. It is quite easy if you have a valid home country license, with motorcycle endorsement.
Jeffrey ************
I found mine was pretty straightforward. My Thai ID card also helped.
Simon **********
Pretty easy but time consuming. At least half a day sitting in a driver licensing centre watching a video, filling in forms and generally sitting round waiting. Get an agent and they do all the paperwork etc, some can even go on your behalf apparently but I have never used that service.
Mark ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Simon *********
your a star! I'm on it now 👍🙂Simon **********
@Ma**
glad to helpReply to
Simon **********
Reply
Mark ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Simon *********
that seems the easy option 👍. Don't mind the doing the test but the rest sounds a ball ache👎Simon **********
@Ma**
I used these and they were very helpful.Simon **********
@Ma**
*********************************
Simon **********
@Ma**
there’s no test really, just watch a video, do a depth perception test and call out the traffic light colours and they switch the lamps on. Worst part is just sitting around waiting. There’s a backlog of Thais renewing their licences since Covid so I had to go down to Rayong to renew mine last month.Mark ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Simon *********
okay thanks Simon, I'm going through Rayong next week on way to Koh Chang so will have a Google and see if can locate some assistance in Pattya as there for 2 days 👍Simon **********
@Ma**
*************************************
Reply to
Simon **********
Reply
David ***********
Very easy
David ***********
When I did my first one in Khon Kaen it only took me an hour two years later I got my 5 year in Kantharalak Sissket
Reply to
David ***********
Reply
Gregory ******
You also need a medical certificate for fit to drive, plus what others have stated above.
Mark ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gregory *****
not as easy as I thought then and a more onerous process than i thought 😗Gregory ******
@Mark *****
it easy medical certificate from gp was only heart rate, and bp. Did mine the day before. Went to Lopburi with my IDP, my drivers licence and medical certificate and yellow book. Took 30 minutes to get 2 year licence. Did colour eye test and a brake test.Reply to
Gregory ******
Reply
Mark ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHave IDP & license so need resident letter but only here for 3 weeks at a time so unsure if they will give me letter??
Paulus *********
If IDP you watch an hour video, answer 3 easy questions, take a colour blind test and that's it. Take your passport, copies of data page, resident letter from immigration
Todd *********
@Paulus ********
depends on which location. Same will make you do written and driving test for each licensePaulus *********
@Todd ********
, possibly but I think this is a new thingReply to
Paulus *********
Reply
Jo ********
If you have your own country license and IDP, quite simple
Reply to
Jo ********
Reply
18 comments
2 years ago
31 comments
2 years ago
16 comments
2 years ago
40 comments
2 years ago
48 comments
2 years ago
20 comments
2 years ago
45 comments
2 years ago
5 comments
2 years ago
7 comments
2 years ago
29 comments
2 years ago
98 comments
2 years ago
10 comments
3 years ago
52 comments
4 years ago
59 comments
4 years ago
45 comments
4 years ago
36 comments
4 years ago
23 comments
5 years ago
80 comments
5 years ago
26 comments
5 years ago
83 comments
5 years ago
66 comments
5 years ago
10 comments
6 years ago
9 comments
8 years ago
11 comments
8 years ago
23 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.