Apply for or renew your Thai driving license    

at the Phuket Road Traffic Office (Saphan Hin) Phuket Provincial Land Transport Office      Google Maps
If you want to drive a car or motorcycle in Thailand for longer than 3 months, you need a Thai driver's license.

Up to 3 months, an International Driving Permit in accordance with the International Convention of 1926 is sufficient.
As the regulations may change, there is no guarantee that these explanations will still be valid tomorrow.
Last update 21.12.2024

 

Renewal of the Thai driver's license
Pre-registration is mandatory
A pre-registration is required, with which you will receive an examination date after approx. 1-2 months.
The following documents must be submitted for pre-registration: (1 set per car and motorcycle)
1. passport copy of the first pages
2. passport copy of the non-expired residence permit (visa)
3. copy of work permit - or certificate of registration - or copy of yellow house book.
4. health certificate from a clinic or hospital. Costs approx. 100-200 THB (not older than 30 days before the exam)
All documents must be signed.

New application for a Thai driving license
Documents as for renewal: see above
1. certified translation of the national driving license by the embassy in Bangkok
2. original and copy of an international driving license from the home country
3. passport photo
or take a driving test
The theoretical test is carried out by asking test questions on a PC. The program is also available in English.
There is always only one correct answer.
The practical test is carried out on a type of traffic training ground. However, you must have a vehicle available for this.
This test should not be a problem for a reasonably experienced driver. An unsuccessful test can simply be repeated in the following days.
The driver's license is initially issued for 2 years, after which it expires for 5 years
You do not need to bring any photos with you for the driving license, as the authorities take these themselves.
Costs may vary slightly
Driving license car 2 years 205 B, 5 years 605 B, motorcycle 2 years 155 B, 5 years 355B

Examination - Procedure
You should arrive early for your appointment, or wait in the left-hand queue.
From there it's off to the reaction and eye test, then to pay (car currently 505 baht), and then to have your photo taken and ID card issued.
A training video is required for the driver's license.
It is available online at www.dlt-elearning.com.
After registration, the video provides information about important traffic rules in Thailand. It is not possible to skip through the video. There are several questions to answer, which should not be a problem if you watch the video carefully. After completing the online video, a certificate will be issued to confirm that you have successfully completed the course.
From January 2019, the driving licenses will be provided with a QR code. After installing the DLT QR License app and then registering, you are in possession of a virtual driving license. In practice, this means that you can prove that you are authorized to drive a vehicle simply by showing the app installed on your smartphone.
A separate license is required for “big bikes”. To obtain this license, experience in driving smaller motorcycles must be proven, as well as special training and a successful test.

Avoid a prolonged expiry of the license. After 1 year, you will have to take another driving test and start all over again.
The application can be made approximately one month before the driving license expires.
The expiry date is always the applicant's date of birth.