What is the updated process for obtaining a Thai driving license as a foreigner?

Thai driving license updated process.

- First thing is to book appointment from DLS Smart Queue app. In tourist cities, you get it for months after. Your documents are valid just for 30 days so make sure you book appointment first. It's free.

- Having an IDP is good but apparently, your home license is enough if it's clear. Mine had "M Cycle" instead of motorcycle. The in-charge told, we don't entertain your home country abbreviations. Make a letter from your embassy to confirm it's motorcycle.

- Get residence certificate from immigration where you live. It's valid for 30 days and is very simple. It should be free but is charged 300-600 Baht.

- Visit any government, private hospital or a decent clinic to get your health certificate. They charge 100-300 Baht and just do a basic checkup. Make sure, it has physician sign, stamp, name, license number. It should have 5 diseases boxes checked.

- Watch 1 hour video on DLS eLearning app. At the end, they ask very basic 5 questions and gives you a QR code. It's must to pass this test within 180 days of applying. If not, they will sit you in license branch and make you watch those videos. There's no 2x 😄

- You can visit any transport office in Thailand irrespective of your residence since license is from "Kingdom of Thailand" and not specific to a province. I made mine 150 km away from my home because appointments are difficult. Less touristy provinces still entertain walk-in.

- On the day of application, you will bring the following documents. Separate copies for car and bike: Passport BioData page, latest visa stamp page, evisa, residence certificate, health certificate, TM30 (not written but they took mine), your license copy (front back printed on same page, IDP copy, online 1 hour lesson from DLS eLearning app confirmation page.

- Original: passport, license, IDP

- You take token and wait for your turn. Then you head to counter and staff checks + arrange your documents. They handover to data entry staff and you sit. Data entry person completes and calls a few applicants to collect their documents.

- Having home license exempts you from written test. In physical exam:

1. You place chin on a machine. The display gives you a color and you see it either on right or left side (close to your ears so you shift your head). Whichever side that color comes, you press button on that side (mostly it's white color).

2. Two vertical bars are in a box at a distance. One is fixed, another can be moved front/ back with a joystick 🕹️ in your hand. You arrange them side by side and click confirm.

3. Reaction time test: You sit on a chair and press race. Green light appears in the display ahead. It suddenly changes to red light. You switch the paddles and hit brakes right away. A machine notes your reaction time.

4. The officer points at several colors (arranged closely in a circle), you name the color. Mostly it's red, green, orange, yellow.

- The officer signs your exam sheet and you proceed to make payment. 205 Baht for car and 105 for bike. Once payment is made, she gives a receipt and you proceed for picture.

- The officer takes complete bundle of your documents here. Enters your data for printing. Takes nice picture (there were male and female formal coats as well, free). The machine prints a card every 2-3 mins. Depending on backlog, you get your license in 5-10 mins after picture capture.

That's it.