Three ways to get one
| Your situation | What you do |
|---|---|
| You hold a valid licence from home, or an IDP | Convert it: colour, reaction and depth tests, a short training video, no driving test in most cases |
| You have no licence for that vehicle | Online or classroom training, a written test, then a practical test. A driving school helps |
| You already have a Thai licence | Renew it: the first licence lasts 2 years, renewals 5 years |
Documents you'll need
- Passport with your visa and latest entry stamp. Most offices want a non-immigrant visa or extension; some convert for visa-exempt visitors with proof of address.
- A residence certificate from immigration, or your work permit.
- A medical certificate from a clinic, issued within the last month (a few hundred baht).
- Your foreign licence or IDP, and a certified translation if it isn't in English.
The day itself
- Book a queue slot through the DLT's online booking system or at the office.
- Hand in documents and copies, then sit the colour-blindness, reaction (brake) and depth-perception tests.
- Watch the road-safety training video, or complete it online in advance.
- Take the written and practical tests, if you're not converting.
- Pay the small fee, have your photo taken and collect the card the same day.
Do car and motorbike on the same visit; the tests are shared.
Driving schools
If you've never ridden a motorbike or driven on the left, a few lessons at a licensed driving school are worth it. Many in Pattaya teach in English and can arrange the test at their own track, which DLT accepts.