Thai Driving Licenses may be renewed at any Land Transportation Office in any province.
Current Thai driving Licenses for M/C & Car are of the hard 'credit card' style with engraved photo. A separate Licence is required for each.

Eastern Verification Center is:- The office for Vehicle Registration, Annual Taxation, Annual Roadworthy Inspection, Driving Licence applications & renewal.
The office is about 19kms from Big C Supermarket, top of South Pattaya Road. No public transport (busses) travel this route, although a 'Baht Bus' can be engaged to take you, wait and return you to Pattaya.

Travel north on highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road to Bangkok) about 10kms. Observe an 'overpass' bridge on your right, you need to pass under the bridge (turn right) signed 'route 36 to Rayong'. After about 9 kms you will see the 'Regents School' on your right hand side, the road you need is just before the school, but it's not possible to do a 'U-turn' here. A short way past the school is a place where you can safely u-turn.

Now drive just past the school again, and turn sharp left at a narrow road poorly signed. Follow this road a short way - you will see a number of shops offering photo-copying, food, insurance, etc - on your right is a big building with two grand entrances (use the second). This is the 'Eastern Verification Center' office.

Vehicle documentation is Ground Floor, Driving Licences upstairs. Open Monday - Friday 0830 to 1600.
Getting a 'First-time' Driving license at the Eastern Verification Center (referred to as a Provisional Licence).
You Need to take with you :--

1. Letter of address/visa confirmation from Soi 5 Jomtien Immigration - usually around 200 baht (must be less than 30 days old). You need 2 passport size photos for each residency certificate required. Ladies - please note that you must have your shoulders covered for official photos.

2. Letter of 'Fit-to-drive' from Doctor - 200 baht (must be less than 30 days old).

3. Passport + 1 signed photocopy of each - (a) 'face' page, (b) visa page, (c) current TM6 card & latest entry stamp page.

4. Current (home country) driving licence + 1 signed copy of all pages. (see note2)

5. Photos are no longer required as they use digital photo images engraved on a hard 'credit-card' style permit.

6. Money for a 1-year licence - now around 300 baht for car - 200 baht for motor-cycle.

7. A 1st licence issue is valid for 1 yr. (often referred to as a temporary or provisional licence)

(A 'current TM6 card' refers to the Immigration Departure card attached to your passport during your stay in Thailand. It has a reference number (TM6) that tells where & when you entered Thailand) (some will have a new style card)
(note1) A complete 'set' of above papers are needed for EACH licence application (motorcycle & car). (the second immigration and doctor letters can be copies if both applications are made at the same time)
(note2) A current 'INTERNATIONAL' driving licence (obtained OUTSIDE Thailand) for the correct vehicle is a great advantage, as it means you do not need to attend a 'Driving Skills Seminar' (in Thai Language only), or take a 'written' or 'driving skills' test for that particular vehicle. A foreign country licence (only) usually results in tests. Please note that only English Language 'foreign' licenses can be read by the staff. Non-English licenses will either require an Authenticated Thai Translation or an International License.

(note3) Photo-copying, Laminating and Insurance services are available across the road from the centre.

(note4) A 5yr licence will only be issued to a foreigner if you have a Non-Immigrant visa in your passport, or hold a Residence Permit. A 1yr licence is issued using any kind of visa or entry permit, and may be renewed (for 1 year) if necessary.

A 1st licence is for 1 year. After 1 year a 'FULL' or 'PERMANENT' licence is available for 5 years expiring on your next birth-date 5 years later, and renewed for further 5 year periods thereafter.
For those without an International Driving License, a local Thai license can be obtained against the Driving License of their respective country but may require attending seminars & passing written & practical tests.
Take a numbered entry ticket, wait your turn. Fill in the application form (issued in Thai / English language) and attach the required documentary evidence as indicated above. (the counter staff will fill the application for you and are usually very accommodating)

Join a class for instruction on the laws related to driving and how to drive safely in Thailand. The class is for two hours. Foreigners unable to speak Thai should arrange for a Thai friend to accompany them to provide interpretation. (an International licence will often avoid this step)

Take a test for colour blindness.

Take a 'Reaction Time' test.

Take a written test (in Thai language, but with a poor English translation) on the rules of driving. (an International licence will often avoid this step)

Take the driving test. (an International licence will often avoid this step) (the instructions say you must supply your own vehicle for tests. I don't know how this is possible if you don't have a driving licence in order to drive it there! I guess a friend would have to take you.)

Pay the licence fee and wait for the licence.
You must be 18 years old to apply for a licence in Thailand.
There are separate diving licences for car and motorcycle.
Obtaining a Thai driving license may be an advantage if you do not have an International Driving License and plan to drive in the following countries with a Tourist Visa.
Singapore
Malaysia
Laos
o-o-o-o-o

Documents needed for renewal of Thai driving license:
1. Passport + 1 signed copy of each - (a) 'face' page, (b) non-immigration visa page, (c) current TM6 card & latest entry stamp page.
2. Photos are no longer required as they use digital photo images engraved on a hard 'credit-card' style permit. Ladies - please note that you must have your shoulders covered for official photos.
3. Letter of 'Fit-to-drive' from Doctor - 200 baht (must be less than 30 days old).
4. 1 residence certificate from Pattaya Immigration (dated within 30 days of renewal).
5. Money 665 (500+55) baht for car - 365 baht for motor-cycle.
6. Your old Thai driving license(s).
(A 'TM6 card' refers to the Immigration Departure card attached to your passport during your stay in Thailand. It has a reference number (TM6) that tells where & when you entered Thailand)
(The letter of 'Fit-to-drive' from a Doctor is again required)
o-o-o-o-o

Obtaining an Int'l Drivers License in Thailand...

(many thanks to Jay, September 2004)

I recently renewed my Thai Driver's licenses and am due to head back to the States soon, where I'll need to rent a car. Upon diligently checking the Net, I learned that all car rental agencies will accept the driver's license from one's home of residence (ie Thailand, etc), BUT they do require that you also have an International Driver's License (IDL), for identification. I believe this info also applies to Europe & Australasia. An IDL alone is NOT a valid driver's license, it is merely a translation of your foreign license for identification purposes. After all, what police officer would be able to read Thai, or whatever? I've read claims that an IDL alone is valid for driving, but it is NOT! An IDL is available in Bangkok, as follows....

Requirements for obtaining an IDL in Thailand:
You must have a valid 5yr Thai license, you cannot use the initial 1-year license to obtain an IDL. You must also have a non-immigrant type visa or Residency Permit. You cannot obtain an IDL in Thailand with a tourist visa. Applying for an IDL can only be done in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, not in Pattaya/Banglamung. You must apply at one of the major Dept of Land Transportation Offices. I used the main one, not far from the Morchit Bus Station in Bangkok, which is on 1032 Phaholyothin Road, near the Chatuchak (Jatujak) weekend market. It's a 50-Bt motocy ride from the bus station to the Transportation Office. The IDL and driver's license offices are one floor up from entry level.

You need to bring the following documents:
1. Your passport and a photocopy of the picture page, visa, TM6 card and most recent re-entry to Thailand stamp. If you missed anything, they will make copies for 2-Bt/page.
2. Your Thai driver license (if you have m/cycle and car licenses, bring them both), and 2 photocopies of the front and back of each driver's license.
3. The ORIGINAL certificate of residence, which can be obtained from Immigration on Jomtien Soi 5, or at your Embassy. Immigration currently issues this for 200 baht and it can be completed and in your hands in an hour.
4. 2-photos about 45cm x 35cm (2"x1.5"). You can also get them at the licensing office for 70-Bt.
5. Fee for the IDL is 505-Bt, valid for 1-year unless your full license expires earlier.

(NOTE: An International Driver's License is NOT valid in the country of issue!)
(A 'TM6 card' refers to the Immigration Departure card attached to your passport during your stay in Thailand. It has a reference number (TM6) that tells where & when you entered Thailand)

For individual advice attend a PEC Meeting here in Pattaya, or email -( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )