Obtaining a Thai Driver's License

If you plan to stay in Thailand for some time, you should consider the advantages that having a Thai issued driving license can bring you. An International Driving license is only valid for a relatively short time, so the longer validity of a Thai drivers permit will be a great advantage if you want to hire a vehicle for example. A driving license from your home country is not officially recognised in Thailand.

If you are issued with a Thai drivers license, you can use it as an official form of identification. If you need to present it for any reason, it will set you apart from tourists and may even give you some level of immunity to 'farang markup' (example – National Parks). You can also use it in place of your passport for hotel stays etc.

To obtain one, you must apply in the province you currently live in. For example, if you live in Surin, that is where you should apply.

To apply, you will need the following...

Your valid passport, containing a Non-Immigrant visa (visa on arrival or tourist visas are not good enough).
Signed copies of the main photo page of your passport, of the current visa and the latest entry stamp.
A certified letter from your embassy stating your address, or a letter from the immigration department (Note: If you have a work permit, this will serve as verification of your address).
The fee of 105 Baht (correct at the time of writing).
Certification from a doctor that you are in good health and fit to drive.
2 Passport sized photographs.
A valid International Driving Permit and a signed copy of the driving license issued in your home country, certified by your embassy.

If you do not have good Thai language skills, you should take a Thai speaking friends along with you to help fill out the forms and do the talking when necessary. During the application, you will probably have to take a colour blindness test, amongst a few other things, such as reflexes etc.

After a series of administration shuffling around between different windows and testing station staff, you will be asked to pay the fee and assuming all is in order, you will be issued with a 1 year temporary Thai drivers license. After one year, go back to the land transport office again with the one you were just issued and apply for a 5 year licence.

If you want a motorcycle license, you will have to get a separate licence (we recommend you do this at the same time on the same visit).

You could also consider having your Thai licence translated into English and complete with official stamps etc at the Ministry of Land Transport for a very small fee. This will then become a valid international drivers license that you can use anywhere in the World.

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