Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Thailand

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Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Thailand

To drive or lease a car in Thailand it is necessary to have a valid international or Thai driver's licence.

After three months in Thailand a Thai driving licence must be obtained. However, a foreign or international driving licence will allow the applicant to be excused from doing the practical driving test when applying for a Thai driving licence.

Note: 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 foreign licence.

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

Getting a Thai Driving Licence

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

It is recommended to phone in advance to check exactly what paperwork is required as it has been reported that different DLT offices have different requirements. The following paperwork is required by the DLT with copies:

• Passport with valid non-immigrant visa (tourist visa is not accepted)
• Work Permit. If no work permit is held then usually a Certificate of Residence issued by the Thai Immigration or a Letter of Residence issued by the Embassy will be sufficient, but telephone to confirm. The work permit must be valid and the letter or certificate no more than 30 days old
• Medical certificate from a hospital or health clinic which must be no more than 30 days old
• Two photographs, 1x1 inch, no more than six months old. In some offices photos are not required as they will be taken with DLT cameras as part of the process
• International or foreign driving licence. A foreign driving licence must have a certified translation issued by the Embassy. Foreign driving licenses in the English language will sometimes be accepted with no translation necessary
• Fee

The whole process can take a few hours to complete depending on the office and the number of people applying. The forms have to be completed in Thai, so non Thai-speakers should take along a Thai speaker for interpretation and to help fill in the forms (some DLT offices have English-speaking staff that can help, such as the Chatuchak office where the whole process can be undertaken in English).

What to do at the Department of Land Transport Office

Applicants for Thai driving licences have to be prepared for lengthy queues so it is best to arrive early - before 08:30. Sometimes the office is so busy, applicants arriving after 09:00 may be turned away.

The whole process can take a few hours to complete depending on the office and the number of people applying. The forms have to be completed in Thai, so non Thai-speakers should take along a Thai speaker for interpretation and to help fill in the forms (some DLT offices have English-speaking staff that can help).

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

Once all the formalities have been completed the person will receive a 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. 

Note: There is some confusion about the rules regarding one and five year licenses (even among officials) so getting a five year driving license may not always be possible, particularly depending on which DLT office is used.

Motorcycle Licences

To exchange a motorbike licence the procedure is essentially the same. There is no maximum size of engine that can be driven with the licence.

Further Information

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