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What is the process for obtaining a Thai driver's license as a retirement visa holder?
Thai driver's licenseretirement visaDLT processThailand driving regulationsexpat driver's licenseinternational driving license
Mar 29, 2024
2 years ago
Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat is the process of getting a Thai driver's license when applying for a retirement visa? Thank you.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The process for obtaining a Thai driver's license as a retirement visa holder is independent of the visa application. Applicants must interact with the Department of Land Transport (DLT) to acquire their driver's license. It's important to check if the DLT accepts your home country's driver's license. If not, you may need to undergo a full driving test. In certain provinces, an online theory course may be required. For those with an international driving license, the process is generally easier. It's advisable to visit a DLT office that accommodates foreigners, where paperwork can be managed efficiently.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Julian ***********
The DLT at Chatuchak in Bangkok have a foreigner's desk. They sort out your paperwork and tell you where to go. You can do it yourself in a couple of hours if you have a license from your home country.
Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Julian **********
Thank you.Julian ***********
@Joseph ********
Get a resident certificate from immigration, copy passport and visa and take your home country licence and you're good to go.Graham ******
@Julian **********
Plus a "fit to drive" medical certificate from a doctor or clinic.Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Michael ********
Be wary of these people who say they can do the Driving licence for you, its a scam, and like others have said it has nothing to do with visas, Its easier if you have an international driving licence, which you should have for Thailand anyway.
Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
Thank you.Reply to
Joseph *********
Reply
Aake **********
You also need to do an online theory course that takes about an hour
Graham ******
@Aake *********
That depends on the province, Sa Kaeo doesn't require this.Aake **********
@Graham *****
Lucky youReply to
Aake **********
Reply
Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTERAgain, thank you for your help.
Chris *****
FYI, you can have your Thai driver’s licence digitally in the DLT app. I used my email to receive the OTP.
Chris *****
You can see my review on the process here.
*************************************************
Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ****
Wow, thank you very much.Reply to
Joseph *********
Reply
Mel ******
You should contact local office to make sure they will accept your country’s driver license. If not, you will have to do a full drivers test. Also motorcycle license is separate issue
Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mel *****
Thank you. Good to know. Is the mororcycle license easier to obtain?Mel ******
@Joseph ********
about the same process from what I hearJoseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mel *****
Thank you.Reply to
Joseph *********
Reply
Jo **********
unrelated
Chuck *********
@Malcolm ******
I used them alsoVery easy only needed to take color & reaction test. No video required. Was staying at hotel and they used that as my address.
Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you very much.
Reply to
Joseph *********
Reply
Brandon ************
The 2 things are completely unrelated. You apply for a driver's license from the DLT and the visa from immigration.
John **********
@Brandon ***********
except some offices require you to be on a long term visa to get a licenceJoseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you for your reply. Do you know the details for obtaining a driver's license? Thank you.
Jan ******************
@Joseph ********
All formal requirements are mentioned here. But do you want to fully apply for a driver license or just convert your national license to a thai license?If you just want to convert, you’ll need your national license and an IDP (international driving permit) as well. Or else you’ll also need to take the theoretical and practical test.
Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
Thanks. I just want to convert my US license to Thai.Jan ******************
@Joseph ********
Ok I don’t know for US but for foreigners from EU it’s required to bring a IDP issued at home as well.Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
Thank you.Reply to
Joseph *********
Reply
Chris *****
@Joseph ********
I just did mine last week at DLT Chatuchak building 4. No need appointment. Go early. No need to take online learning test if it’s your first time getting the Thai license. I did the online test and brought it but the staff told me it’s for license renewal (5yrs) only. Fee is B$205. Medical fitness certificate at clinic is B$150. Clinic just outside the DTL main road.Stuart ***********
@Chris ****
I know TiT and I'mnot saying you are wrong, but that makes absolutely no sense. You don't need to learn the laws for the first 2 years, but after driving for 2 years you need to do the online learning and take a test?Jan ******************
@Stuart **********
No test, just a video. The test is just for sight and reaction.Stuart ***********
@Jan *****************
the video has a series of questions that you have to answer to pass the test, or at least it did 2 years ago when I did it.Jan ******************
@Stuart **********
Ok, I’ve had and renewed driver licenses for ten years in Buriram and Pattaya, and never done or answered any theoretical questions except when I applied.Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
This is good to know. Thank you.Chris *****
@Stuart **********
the staff at the counter told me for first timers, we have to do the learning video in the building. The online learning video which I did and presented the paper to him, he said that’s for the renewal of licence process.Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris ****
Thank you.Reply to
Joseph *********
Reply
Stuart ***********
@Joseph ********
Brandon has covered the documents required. You also need to book an appointment online and complete a 1 hour online training video and take a copy of your pass to the DLT on the day of your appointment. On the day, they do a few reaction and eyesight tests and you are done, really easy. Good luck.Graham ******
@Stuart **********
The hour video depends on the province. I got my initial 2 year Thai DL from Sa Kaeo province in January and did not need to do the video just the 3 tests (colour blindness, reaction and depth perception). In and out with my licence in 75 minutes.Stuart ***********
@Graham *****
yes I agree Graham, same as most things in Thailand. Is that true about it being mandatory to get the 5 year licence, as that seems crazy. After 2 years you should have a pretty good amount of driving knowledge without doing the 1 hour video.
Graham ******
@Stuart **********
Most of the comments I've seen suggest it is mandatory for the renewal to get the 5 year licence which does seem back to front but TiT.Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you for this additional helpful information.
Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart **********
Thanks so much for the information. I appreciate it.Michael *******
@Joseph ********
if you bring an IDP from your home country together with your license you are spared the training video…..you just need to do a reaction and color blindness test which takes a few mins…..important thing is booking appointment and a current medical cert and cert of residenceReply to
Michael *******
Reply
Brandon ************
@Joseph ********
each DLT office has their own requirements. But generally you'll need a residence certificate from immigration and a health certificate along with passport copy, copy of your home license and IDP, and possibly a few others.Joseph *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
Thank you for the information.Reply to
Joseph *********
Reply
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