Obtaining a Thai Drivers License
CHECKLISTS FOR DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR THAI DRIVING LICENSE
(You will need to sign all photocopied documents)
The following checklists identify the documents you will need when applying for a Thai driving
License at the Land Transport Office (LTO). The first two items will need to be obtained before
applying for a driving license. The last three checklists identify the documents you will need
at the LTO for either a 1 year license, a 5 year license, or renewal of a 5 year license.
Thai Immigration Residence Letter (Dated Within Last 30 Days)
This document is obtained from Thai Immigration. When you enter the Immigration Office, tell
them you need a residence letter to get your Thai driving license. There is shop adjacent to
Pattaya Immigration that makes photographs and photocopies.
1. Application for Letter of Residence
2. Two (2) Photographs – Passport Size (approximately 4×5 cm or 1 5/8 x 2 inches)
3. Passport Original
4. Photocopies of pages in your passport
a. Identity Page
b. Latest Visa/Visa Extension Stamp
c. Last Entry Stamp into Thailand
5. Photocopy of your Departure Card (should be stapled in your passport)
6. Evidence of your current address – Ownership papers, rental agreement, or lease
7. Evidence that you reside at the address – utility bill, cable/satellite TV bill, etc. showing
your name and the address
8. Fee for Letter – 200 Baht
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
(Dated within the last 30 days)
Most clinics and hospitals in Pattaya have the blank forms. Go to one of them and tell them
you need a medical certificate for getting a Thai driving license. In the smaller clinics you will
most likely hand them the fee and they will hand you the completed and signed form with no
examination. Some clinics and hospitals may do a very cursory examination. The fee will vary
with the normal fee at small clinics being from 100 to 150 Baht.
1 YEAR LICENSE – DOCUMENTS NEEDED
(Be sure to sign all photocopies and have the original document available for inspection)
There are several shops across the street from the Banglamung Branch Office of the LTO that
can make photocopies. No photographs are needed. The new style Thai Driving License uses
a digital photograph, which is taken by the LTO staff.
1. Application for Driving License
2. Photocopy of Passport pages showing identity and visa/visa extension stamp
3. Photocopy of a Valid Thai Work Permit (required only if you have one)
4. Original Medical Certificate (see above)
5. Original Immigration Residence Letter – obtain from Thai Immigration Office (see above)
6. Photocopy of unexpired Driving License from your own country (if you have one)
7. Photocopy of International Driving Permit (IDP) from your home country (if you have one) -
make photocopies of the pages with information about you and your driving license information
8. Fee for Car License of 205 Baht and/or Fee for Motorcycle License of 155 Baht
If you are applying for both a car and motorcycle license, you will need a complete set of documents
for each application – photocopies of the Medical Certificate and Immigration Residence Letter may
be used for one of the two applications.
If you do not have item 7, you may be required to take the written test. If you do not have item 6, you
will be required to take both the written test and the driving test.
CAUTION: Be sure the issue date of your IDP is before your arrival date in Thailand.
5 YEAR LICENSE – DOCUMENTS NEEDED
(be sure to sign all photocopies and have the original document available for inspection)
1. Application for Driving License
2. Photocopy of Passport pages showing identity and visa/visa extension stamp
3. Photocopy of a Valid Thai Work Permit (required only if you have one)
4. Original Medical Certificate (see above)
5. Original Immigration Residence Letter – obtain from Thai Immigration Office (see above)
6. Original 1 year drivers license
7. Fee for Car License of 605 Baht and/or Fee for Motorcycle License of 255 Baht
If you are applying for both a car and motorcycle license, you will need a complete set of documents
for each application – photocopies of the Medical Certificate and Immigration Residence Letter may
be used for one of the two applications.
CAUTION: To qualify for a 5 year license, you must have had a 1 year license for a full year -
meaning the 1 year license must have expired at the time you apply for the 5 year license.
