Today, I renewed my temporary 1-year driving licences (car and bike) for 5-year versions and would like to share up-to-date information for anybody in Bangkok wishing to do likewise in the near future.
Documents needed (per licence application):
• 2 1x1 inch photos (recent – best get new set done if yours are more than a couple of months old)
• Certification of residence: I used my work permit (signed photocopies of the information pages). You can get a letter from your embassy (expensive if you are British), or a certificate from the Immigration Department.
• Signed photocopies of passport photo page, visa page and TM card.
• Medical Certificate – I originally read on Thai Visa that this was not required for renewals, but it is.
Likewise, some websites give conflicting advice concerning when you can renew a 1-year licence. I originally went 2 days before mine expired and was told to come back after the expiry date.
Best office to use in Bangkok is the Head Office (open Mon-Fri) opposite Chatuchak weekend market. Exit no. 2 from Mo Chit BTS, then 300 yards following the flow of the traffic. When you see a big, impressive traditional Thai building, you have found the Land Transport Office.
You need to go to building number 4 – the buildings have signs in Thai – you need the building that is about 100 yards behind the Thai-style building at approximately 1 o’clock (as the crow flies).
Go up one flight of stairs (the second floor, apparently), you will see an area with counters laid out like a bank. The good thing about using this office is that there is a dedicated ‘Foreigner’ desk (number 16). There is no application form, just hand over your paperwork and the helpful member of staff will invite you to sit down while the necessary administration is done.
I waited just 15 minutes before I was called back to the same desk and asked to sign about 4 forms and handed over 760 baht – 550 for car and 210 for bike.
You are then presented with your unlaminated licence. Take this over to the counter with the photocopiers on the same floor near to where you entered, and for 10 baht you can have it laminated.
That’s all there is to it.
Documents needed (per licence application):
• 2 1x1 inch photos (recent – best get new set done if yours are more than a couple of months old)
• Certification of residence: I used my work permit (signed photocopies of the information pages). You can get a letter from your embassy (expensive if you are British), or a certificate from the Immigration Department.
• Signed photocopies of passport photo page, visa page and TM card.
• Medical Certificate – I originally read on Thai Visa that this was not required for renewals, but it is.
Likewise, some websites give conflicting advice concerning when you can renew a 1-year licence. I originally went 2 days before mine expired and was told to come back after the expiry date.
Best office to use in Bangkok is the Head Office (open Mon-Fri) opposite Chatuchak weekend market. Exit no. 2 from Mo Chit BTS, then 300 yards following the flow of the traffic. When you see a big, impressive traditional Thai building, you have found the Land Transport Office.
You need to go to building number 4 – the buildings have signs in Thai – you need the building that is about 100 yards behind the Thai-style building at approximately 1 o’clock (as the crow flies).
Go up one flight of stairs (the second floor, apparently), you will see an area with counters laid out like a bank. The good thing about using this office is that there is a dedicated ‘Foreigner’ desk (number 16). There is no application form, just hand over your paperwork and the helpful member of staff will invite you to sit down while the necessary administration is done.
I waited just 15 minutes before I was called back to the same desk and asked to sign about 4 forms and handed over 760 baht – 550 for car and 210 for bike.
You are then presented with your unlaminated licence. Take this over to the counter with the photocopiers on the same floor near to where you entered, and for 10 baht you can have it laminated.
That’s all there is to it.
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