1. Cert of Residency or Original Affidavit of residence executed at your Embassy or consulate. (under 1 month old) If doing 2 licenses eg. car/motorbike then you can use a copy for the 2nd license.

2. Non-immigrant visa.

3. Passport copies main page. Visa page and TM

4. Medical report from a doctor or hospital (under 1 month old & original ). About 100 baht cost at a clinic.

5. Your country driver's license to verify what license you hold (if not you take a test written multi choice & road test. If no bike or car you can rent)

6. 2 photos size 1" X 1" can obtain for 200 baht per 6 pics at Immigration

7. Fee baht 305 baht for bike and 505 baht for a car license.

The Chiangmai drivers license centre has photo copy machines, laminating machines & photo stalls etc. tests go upstairs but the Help counter will direct you. Written tests start at 1pm & a motorcycle hiring fee is 10 baht. The tests are easy but the written is somewhat ambiguous. You must get over 45 out of 50 questions but if you fail just go back and do it again. You also have an eyesight test and a accerator/brake test on your ability to brake in time. If you have both motorcycle & car license from your country then do both licenses using copies for the second license. The license is current for 1 year and following the year you have 365 days to renew for a 5 year license or you will have to do the licenses all over again.

THAI ROAD TRANSPORT HANGDONG ROAD:

What you need: Passport & immigration copies, copy from Immigration, 4 small 1"  photos which you can normally get out at the Registration Office & of course the forms & UPLIFT your drivers license when completed.
Don't forget to bring your passport! 

RESITTING YOUR 5 YEAR LICENSE THATS EXPIRED as at 2019

Basically you have to resit all the tests if after expiry of 1 year over the 5 year period. Once your paperwork is filed at the Information desk [see pic above] on the first floor then Window 27 you go to Room 1 on the left of the info desk. The classes normally start at 9am but can be around 9.30am. The Info centre will give you a number and thats your seat number in Room 1. There will be around 70 others in the room but don’t worry as it is all in Thai by the teacher so just relax; watch the videos. Once the class starts you will be lead to the room across from Room1 to take the colour eye test then the foot pedal green/red light test which if you fail you can do again.

Then it is back to Room 1 all day till 4.30pm to listen to the teacher or else watch the videos of traffic control etc. Lunchtime is 1 hour break and you can go to the toilet or buy drinks in the kiosk on the same floor during the day. She will hand out a road sign booklet in English for those who need to brush up on Thai signs to study up which is returned later in the day.Everything is nicely signed for toilets etc and a lot better than it used to be. If you stay the full day say Friday then the teacher will tell you to come back for the written tests & driving test Monday. You normally have 90 days to sit the driving test. You must do 2x written tests if your 5 year license expired. It pays to study up on some of the signs & meanings and there are tests on the internet.

THAI WRITTEN TESTS FOR CAR/BIKE LICENSES:

Click on a Test : Qu and answers. The highlighted are the answers not the sign. Practice these tests as some Qu will be a little different from the West but all are common sense that you should know for Thai roads. The test is via a computer digitized and you receive a card to slot into your computer then press 1-4 buttons to complete each answer. You may find them repititious but they are OK and you have time to complete each written test. If you fail they allow you to complete again and most people fluster on exams so don't worry the wrong answers are on the screen when you finish so you have time to check the right and wrong answers. The Transport staff are very good and they will help you. Once again remember things may be different in Thailand but the beauty is the leeway of obtaining a license as against the west--which costs a whole lot more

PRACTICE THESE TESTS BELOW:

THAI-TEST1

THAI-TEST2

THAI-TEST3

THAI MOTORCYCLE TEST:

Head to the test building hand papers in and wait in the air condition room before 10am.You then go to the outside wearing your helmet. Make sure its done up tight. Once the teacher tells you the route etc just follow the Thais one after another. You drive around a sqaure. Use indicators & Stop at the 2nd turn stop sign. Indicat turn left & go over small bridge then another turn left then straigh;t another turn left then through a salom of poles slowly not to hit any then stop at a white line before the plank terst. You then drive over a 10meter painted green board which is about 1 foot wide & stop at the next white line then proceed to park your bike and test is over. Park your bike around by the aircon building & MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE YOUR HELMET ON. Go back to where the teacher is to get your pass & papers. If you take your helmet off before you reach the teacher he will fail you & you may have to go roung again???

Once you do the motorcycle test which is 10am & 1pm in the afternoon take papers to the Info upstairs to get a number upstairs at the Info counter, sit and wait maybe an hour as normally many people there. Once your number is called go to Number desk digitally signed and hand your papers in pay 305 baht then head to the photo kiosks which are behind these desks.

Uplift another number sit and wait. Photo taken & your new drivers license given. You can buy a plastic cover for 10 baht for your license--just ask the girl Mee plastic mai and youre done. Cost for motorcycle license =305 baht and you get 5 years.

BANGKOK: The Driving License Sub-Division of the Motor Vehicles Registration Office, Tel: 02 279-2959 will tell you where to find the right place. Sukhumvit residents, go to Soi 99. Exit the expressway at Soi 62, turn right into Sukhumvit Road and then left (at Diethelm Building) walk down the long side street and it is on the left at the end of the street.

BENEFITS OF HAVING A LICENSE: 

1. Its a current driving license if you have an accident.

2. The license has your passport number on it so is your ID card for renting cars, hotel stays etc.or admission into places where otherwise you need your passport.

3. ID for banking & checking in or out parcels and clearances.

4. Renewals are straight forward.

5. You are supposed to possess one if living in Thailand after 6 months.

6. It can save you a hell of a lot of money in the longrun !!!!!especially if your Inter isn't current & you cannot read the fine print on your Insurance policy.

7/. On passing the test, a Thai driver’s license will be issued & is valid for 1 year. This may be renewed for a further 1 year. You then need to sit for a 5 year license

Residency Certificate: 2018

1a). Copy your passport main page
b) Current visa page
c) TM arrival card

2. Two pictures, passport size. Can get pics made 200baht for x6 on ground floor as well as photo copies

3. Proof of residence, like a lease agreement or letter in Thai, Eng from your condominium, or your work permit, or anything showing where you live. Bring the original in case they ask for it.

Residence Certificates can be applied for at Promenada Mall. Go to Building A, 2nd Floor, Office of the Immigration Police. There is a bus service there but use GRAB or Taxi & Bus back which eventually goes to the airport. This document is free and takes a week to process. Office hours are 9am to 11am for applications and 1pm to 4:30pm for certificate pickup, excluding weekends. You can get max 2 Cert of Residency only but you can use copies if applying for say both car/motorcycle license. The alternative is to apply for a residence certificate at your home country’s embassy or consulate within Thailand.Promenada 2nd floor below pic