Getting a Thai Driving Licence

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Getting a Thai Driving Licence

Anyone driving any sort of motor vehicle in Thailand must have a valid driving licence.

Foreign and international driving licenses are accepted to drive in Thailand but there is a limit on how long a person can use them. Although international driving licences are valid for up to one year after arrival in Thailand, after three months many comprehensive insurance policies are made void if still driving on a licence that is not Thai.

Anyone with a valid driving licence from another country can get a Thai driving licence and will not have to do the practical driving test.

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Thailand

Licence holders may only drive the category of vehicle for which their licence is valid.

Anyone who does not have a foreign or international driving licence will need to take the full theory and practical driving examinations in Thailand. An interpreter is allowed to accompany the person as the training, the written and practical test are all in Thai.

Thai Driving Test

Applicants for a driving licence must be 18 years old.

The Department of Land Transport Office processes all of Thailand's driving licences. Go in person to the nearest local office to complete the paperwork and get a driving licence.

• For a list of local offices in Bangkok and throughout Thailand. Click here

The following paperwork is required by the DLT with copies:

• Passport with valid non-immigrant visa (tourist visa is not accepted)
• Work Permit or Certificate or Letter of Residence issued by Thai immigration or the Embassy. The work permit must be valid and the letter or certificate no more than 30 days old
• Medical certificate – no more than 30 days old
• Two photographs, 1x1 inch (no more than six months old)
• Fee

Applicants for Thai driving licences have to be prepared for lengthy queues so it is better to arrive early (between 08:30 and 09:00). It is not possible to make an appointment to take a driving test, but applicants who need to take the test must arrive at 08:30.

The whole process will take a few hours to complete. It is best to take along a Thai speaker for interpretation and filling in the forms which have to be completed in Thai.

Applicants will be required to:

• Fill in the licence application form
• Hand in the application
• Participate in an eyesight test
• Participate in a reaction test
• Participate in a two-hour Thai road regulations training session
• Complete a written test on road regulations
• Take a practical driving test. The driving test takes place within the DLT's grounds on a mock road system and not on the roads. It normally takes no longer than half an hour

Once all the formalities have been completed the person will receive a temporary Thai driving licence, valid for one year. After this period the person will need to renew their licence and can apply for a licence that is valid for five years.

Motorcycle Licences

To get a motorcycle licence the procedure is essentially the same, however, the test can be done in English. Once the test has been successfully passed there is no maximum size of engine that can be driven.

Further Information

• How to get a Thai Driver's Licence
• The Department of Land Transport Office