6 replies to this topic

[Expattaya]

As luck would have it, I will be travelling out of Thailand next month about two weeks before my Thai driver's license expires on May 26. I've had it only for one year and it has to be renewed.

I have received three different sets of advice. One Thai woman told me that I can renew it without any problem when I get back in mid-June. But a Thai guy at the beach told me that I must renew it before it expires or I will have to take the eye exam, color blind and depth perception tests again if I renew late. Finally, a farang told me that they will not allow me to renew it before I leave, which is two weeks in advance of its expiration.

Does anyone know the correct answer to how I can renew this license with the least hassle ?

[Gaybutton]

Does anyone know the correct answer to how I can renew this licens with the least hassle ?

Yes. When it was time for me to renew mine, I misunderstood the expiration date and I showed up at the driver's license agency nearly a full month late. There were no questions asked and no exams. They renewed my license without any problem at all. I was in and out in less than thirty minutes.

Make sure you take a new set of driver's license size photos and a new Residence Certificate with you when you go, along with your old license and your passport.

Also, since you are renewing a one-year license, you'll be pleased to know that your new license will be valid for five years.

[wpcoe]

Ironically, you cannot renew your Thai drivers license until after it has expired. Yep, if you need to drive yourself to the license bureau for a renewal, you must do it on an expired license.

Regarding the photos, I believe the Pattaya office (if not nationwide) now issues the new card-type of license where they take a photo with a digital camera, so you need not bring your own photos. There was going to be a period of time, and I'm not sure if we're still in that time, where you could still specify and get the older paper license where you need to supply photos.

[Gaybutton]

Ironically, you cannot renew your Thai drivers license until after it has expired. Yep, if you need to drive yourself to the license bureau for a renewal, you must do it on an expired license.

That's very interesting. I didn't know you had to wait until the license expired. No wonder they didn't bat an eye when I showed up a month late. However, I do know that if an accident had occurred while I was driving on an expired license, then the insurance company would not have had to pay. I was lucky.

I also did not know about the new license style. Good. When my renewal time comes, then I won't have to worry about photos. Is that license on a plastic card? If it isn't, those little shops directly across the street from the license office can laminate the license.

[frodo77]

When you get your first license it is good for 1 year. You have to wait until it expires before you can renew and you have 1 full year after expiry date to do that. As GB states, the second license is a 5 year one, and this can and should be renewed before it expires. This can be done up to 3 months in advance.

[Gaybutton]

this can and should be renewed before it expires. This can be done up to 3 months in advance.

This is really confusing. You have to wait until the first one-year license expires before renewing, and yet you have to renew the five-year license prior to the expiration date. If there is any logic behind those rules, it escapes me. But strange rules in Thailand come as no surprise.

[frodo77]

I have read that there is a rule that a license cannot be renewed until you have had it for 1 full year. This would explain it. TIT.