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.