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What is the process for translating and legalizing a driver's license in Thailand at the German embassy?

Driver's License Translation German Embassy Legalization Process Expats in Thailand Visa and Immigration Thai Driving Laws

Aug 5, 2025

9 months ago

Robert *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Nice experience wanted to share:

This morning we had a appointment to pick up my drivers license translation(8:40) and at 09:30 a appointment at the German embassy for legalization of that copy. So we left at 6:45 arrived at the translator at 10:00 and then at 10:30 at the German embassy. We thought let’s try if they still would help us as Germans are well known for being on the clock and too our big surprise they helped us not even complaining about us being late. (Cost translation & legalization THB 1943)

So we got everything ready for my Thai drivers license.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post shares a personal experience regarding the process of obtaining a driver's license translation in Thailand and having it legalized at the German embassy. The individual detailed their timeline for the appointments and expressed satisfaction with the embassy's service despite arriving late. The comments discuss differences in experiences with consulate services and varying requirements for driver's license conversions based on nationality.

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Stevie ********

Got my car and bike licence myself, I think 380bht for the both of them, it was in a small town when I was doing the Mae Hong Song loop.

9 months ago

Peter ****************

Never needed a translation from my (Dutch) drivers license at the DLT. But......maybe DLT's have different rules 🤷‍♂️

9 months ago

Robert *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Peter ***************

I lived in Germany before moving to Thailand so I had a German driver’s license and no IDP

9 months ago

Peter ****************

@Robert ******

Aha. Okay. Yes, even 8 years ago, I did have an IDP.

9 months ago

Jan ******************

@Peter ***************

If you don’t bring a legal IDP from home -which basically also just is a translation to the native language of all contrives who participate in the convention- some embassies offers to verify a translation of your national licence into Thai for converting.

9 months ago

Peter ****************

@Jan *****************

Aha, okay. A bit off topic but I even read that someone only could get a 2 year drivers license because he only had 3 months left on his current year extension. Although he lived here for many many years on year extensions.

9 months ago

Reply to

Peter ****************

Robert *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thought mentioning the difference between German civil servants working in Thailand and in their home country. My experience with Ausländerbehörde is so bad they can learn from their Thai colleagues

9 months ago

Pete *******

@Robert ******

my Auslanderbehorde was still using a fax machine….

9 months ago

Robert *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Pete ******

not only there, about 2 years ago I was waiting at the krankenkasse I thought they getting a new printer but surprisingly it was a brand new fax machine

9 months ago

Reply to

Robert *******

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What are the requirements for converting a European driving license to a Thai one without translation?

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