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What is the proper procedure to renew a 5-year driver's license in Thailand?

Driver's License Renewal Thailand Immigration TM30 Certificate of Residence Medical Certificate DLT Visa Requirements

May 12, 2024

7 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello can anyone explain to me the proper procedure to renew a 5 yr driver's license. I know about the medical certificate and showing TM30 to immigration.  My concern is what form immigration needs before I take it to the dept of transport. Can I get the form online...ie TM18??? Or just go to immigration. Or do i get the form from the dept of transport. Which is done first...hate to make extra trips...thank you

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To renew a 5-year driver's license in Thailand, you need a medical certificate, a certificate of residence from immigration, and your current driver's license and passport. The process involves first obtaining the certificate of residence, which requires you to submit two passport photos, your passport, and proof of accommodation (TM30). You can fill out the application for the certificate of residence online but can also obtain the necessary forms at the immigration office. After acquiring the certificate, visit the Department of Land Transport (DLT) to complete the renewal. Additionally, to qualify for a 5-year license, you must have a long-term visa; otherwise, you'll only receive a 2-year extension.

Nick ************

Strangely my immigration office do not issue a certificate of redidence for this. I have to go to land transport and they request a certificate of residence which takes about a week. Same thing when changing blue book for the car I bought.

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Doris ******

Is it true that I need a long-term Visa in order to get the 5 years licence? When I made my license almost 2 years ago there was no such information. I could get the 50+ visa but am still on TR because I travel a lot. Maybe time for a change?

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Brooke ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sorry but these comments don't help my question...thanks anyway

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Greg ***********

“Hello can anyone explain to me the proper procedure to renew a 5 yr driver's license. I know about the medical certificate”

*** yes, you need a medical certificate from a hospital doctor or licensed medic, for the DLT

"and showing TM30 to immigration."

*** you don’t need to show your TM30 to Immigration. They will see your TM30 registration on their computer, in case you have been registered TM30 properly.

When they see this, they will service you and will issue a “certificate of residence”, which you will need for applying for a driver license extension on the DLT

"My concern is what form immigration needs before I take it to the dept of transport."

*** Immigration needs two passport pictures, your passport and a TM30 must have been completed, otherwise they will not issue a “certificate of residence” to you, which you will need for the DLT

"Can I get the form online...ie TM18???"

*** YES there is an application form online for the application to the “certificate of residence” (COR) on Immigration. However, I would use the form they will give you at their office. It might be Immigration specific. This application for has no TM number!

"Or just go to immigration. Or do i get the form from the dept of transport."

*** no, you don’t get the form to apply for the COR on Immigration at the DLT. The DLT has nothing to do with your accommodation registration

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Brooke ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg **********

thanks so much for your clarity. So helpful….i will go and see how long it takes to get the certificate….then deal with the DLT

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Brooke ******

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Brandon ************

yes, it's true. If you're not on a long term visa you'll just get another 2 year when you extend your licence.

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Doris ******

@Brandon ***********

thank you! Do you also know if the expiry date is handled a bit flexible? My license expires 25.08. If I get a 3 months Non-O in Laos within the next 2 weeks I could make it on time with a Visa extension. But it's quite tight😅

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Brandon ************

you can renew your drivers licence up to 1 year after it expires

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Brandon ************

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Jon ********

Agent Cando it all for you. 3,000 baht I think.

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Brooke ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

why pay someone when it's easy to do...3000 buys a lot of beer

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Michael *******

and it fuels corruption - in Phuket now they have created a 3 month wait for an appointment to “encourage” use of agents…….we went to Phang Nga and got same day…….

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Jon ********

Convinence.

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Jon ********

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Tony ********

Also if you have access to a PC and printer, go to the DLT site and watch the 1 hour video in English, answer periodic questions to prove your watching, at the end answer about 5 simple questions. On completion print off the QR code and present it with your other paperwork. Usually means you can be in and out of DLT within half an hour new licence in hand. Otherwise when you put paperwork in they are supposed to book you into the next English speaking video slot with space which could be days away.

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Ron ******

I am certainly no expert but you need the necessary documentation which includes a residency certificate from IMO, if you google thai licence renewal I am pretty sure all the info you need is on there.

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Graham ******

Medical Certificate and Certificate of Residence from Immigration are the two external things you need plus your current driving licence and passport. Everything else is at the DLT.

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Brooke ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

is the certificate of residence a separate form. I have a TM30...if there is a

form to be completed be fore DLT or do I do it at immigration

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Graham ******

Yes, it's separate and issued by Immigration after you complete their application form and tick "Driving Licence" as the reason for the request

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Brooke ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

is the application form online...or have a TM number

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Greg ***********

the application form for the "certificate of residence" is online and can be downloaded. I posted the link above. It can be found under number 24. It looks like this, I marked red the box ya need to tick for the purpose "driving license" :

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Greg ***********

the application to the "certificate of residence" on Immigration does NOT have a specific TM number. It rather looks like this, reason for application is marked under "driving license"

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Graham ******

They are at the Immigration Office, I don't have the TM No but it onlt takes a minute to complete. I got my Residence Certificate in about 25 minutes (and that included a delay as the Officer had never seen an online TM30 before so was trying to get me to pay the fine for not having one lol)

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Brooke ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

did you pay for speedy service or wait...1-2 weeks

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Graham ******

all done over two days for a total of just over 200B

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Brooke ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks for your help

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Brooke ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

so I go to immigration and fill out their form

..is the waiting period 2 weeks

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Bob **********

depends on where your at and if you let your 5 year expire for at least one day you’ll get almost an extra year on your new license

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Greg ***********

you go to Immigration and apply for the "certificate of residence". The application form does not have a specific TM number! Take your passport, and 2 passport pictures along with you and 200.- THB. The certificate will be issued on the same day. How does the TM30 play into it? It's simple: if you have not been registered in your accomodation yet, via the TM30 system, Immigration will not service you! The certificate will be valid to use on the DLT for 4 weeks

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Greg ***********

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