How to renew your driving license in Thailand (Pattaya) in 2024

New rules for renew driving licenses from 2024

• If your driving license expired more than 1 year ago but less than 3 years ago, then you must now watch a 5 hour video and take a theory test.
• If your driving license expired more than 3 years ago, you must watch a 5 hour video, take a practical test and a theory test.

When can you exchange your driver's license in Thailand?

Driver's licenses can be exchanged before their expiration date, as well as after the driver's license expires.

Is it possible to change my driver's license in advance?

Yes, a permanent driving license (which is valid for 5 years) can be changed up to six months before it expires.

A temporary driver's license (which is valid for 2 years) can be changed up to three months before it expires.

Is it possible to change a driver's license after it has expired?

Yes, and if the driver’s license expired less than 1 year ago, then the same procedure is used to exchange it as for renewing a valid driver’s license.

If your driver's license expired more than a year ago, but less than three years ago, then in addition to the standard procedure, you must watch a 5-hour training video and take a theory test.

If your driver's license expired more than three years ago, then in addition to the standard procedure, you must watch a 5-hour training video and pass a practical and theoretical test.

If a foreign license was used to obtain a Thai driver's license

If a foreign license was used to obtain a Thai driving license and your Thai driving license is currently expired, then you cannot use the foreign driving license again to obtain a Thai license – you must go through the necessary procedure to replace the expired license.

Where to renew your driver's license in Pattaya (Chon Buri)

To renew your driver's license, as well as replace an expired driver's license, you can contact any nearest Land transportation Department.

The nearest place where you can apply for a change of license in Pattaya is the Land Transportation Department of Banglamung.

See also: Where in Pattaya to get and renew a driver’s license

In total, there are 4 similar offices in Chon Buri:

• Chonburi Provincial Land Transportation Department
• Land Transportation Department of Bang Lamung Branch
• Land Transportation Department of Sri Racha Branch
• Land Transportation Department of Nong Yai Branch

To change driver's license you need the following set of documents:

• current driver's license and its photocopy on both sides
• original passport and photocopies of pages with photo and name, as well as pages with a current stamp on crossing the Thai border, or pages with a visa
• certificate of residence (for details, see the article “How to get a certificate of residence in Pattaya, what is it and why is it needed”). An alternative may be a work permit (Blue Book) that contains the address
• medical certificate (for details, see the article “Where in Pattaya to get a medical certificate for a driver’s license”). Medical certificate is valid for 1 month

What is the procedure for renewing or replacing a driver's license

1. The first step is to contact the Land Transportation Department to make an appointment for a replacement driver's license. To do this, come to the nearest Land Transportation Department, find the window for receiving foreigners and show the documents you have. You will be given a list of missing documents and assigned a day when you need to come with a complete set of documents to replace your driver's license.
2. On the appointed day for replacing your driver's license, come with all the necessary documents and their photocopies. Contact the foreigner reception window. Your documents will be checked and you will need to write your name, phone number and sign an application for a replacement driver's license. Then follow the staff's instructions.
3. You will need to wait until the color recognition and reaction time tests begin – these tests are required for anyone renewing their driver's license. If your driver's license has been expired for more than 1 or 3 years, you will be required to take additional tests and watch an instructional video.
4. After the test is certified, pay for a replacement driver's license.
5. Wait until your photo is taken and a new driver's license is issued.

The whole procedure takes place quite quickly – within 1 hour.

You can apply for both a car license and a motorcycle license at one time.

If you miss your appointment or do not bring the required documents, you must re-book your appointment.

In case of loss of driver's license

To restore a lost driver's license (still valid at the time of application), you must provide the following documents:

1. Original certificate of residence from the Immigration Office (Resident Certificate)

2. Police notice report

3. Original passport and copies of photo and visa pages or arrival stamp

For this case, you do not need to make an appointment in advance; documents can be submitted from Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 14.30.

What do you need to get a Thai driving license valid for 5 years?

Driving licenses can be issued for a period of 2 years (these licenses are considered temporary) and for 5 years (permanent).

Now, for foreigners, the rule that permanent driver’s licenses are always issued after temporary ones does not apply. In order for a foreigner to obtain a permanent driver's license valid for 5 years, he must have a visa entitling him to long-term stay in Thailand.

Costs for replacing and obtaining a driver's license

How much money do you need in total to obtain and replace a driver's license?

• medical certificate: 80-100 baht (may be more expensive, depending on the hospital you choose)
• certificate of residence (300-500 baht)
• driver license:
• motorcycle (temporary for 2 years): 155 baht
• motorcycle (5 years): 255 baht
• car (temporary for 2 years): 355 baht
• car (5 years): 505 baht

When you first obtain a driver's license, you are always given a temporary license. When replacing a driver's license, they can give you both temporary (in the absence of a visa) and permanent ones.