Driver's license renewal, 1000 baht proof of address?

[wenshidi]

A friend went into the HH police station this morning to find out about renewing his five year driver's license. The officer took the documents he had, photocopied them and said that he also needed a police report which would cost 1000 Baht.
Thant seems a bit expensive.
Is that the same for everybody?

[Dannie Boy]

A friend went into the HH police station this morning to find out about renewing his five year driver's license. The officer took the documents he had, photocopied them and said that he also needed a police report which would cost 1000 Baht.
Thant seems a bit expensive.
Is that the same for everybody?

You don't need a police report.

From memory, what you need is your old licence, proof of where you live, copy of your passport with visa and last stamped entry and a medical certificate confirming you don't have any of the (5?) diseases they quote. If you have a yellow book that's proof of where you live but if not then if you live with a Thai wife or GF a copy of her blue book should suffice. If I've missed anything, I'm sure others will correct.

[JW]

You need a medical from a doctor too.

[sateeb]

Correct me if I'm wrong but you can get "proof of address" from immigration if you don't have a yellow/blue book....

[Bristolian]

A work permit can also replace the proof of address.

[hhinner]

Is this a new (paid for) service by the police? As far as I know driving licences are renewed at the land transport dept in Pranburi. Aren't they? I've never needed a medical for renewal either. But you do have to do the eye and reaction tests. And sit through that so called safety video. Might be worth 1000 baht to avoid that.

[buksida]

Its a scam, you do not need to pay for this document (apart from in Hua Hin evidently). You do also don't need the proof of address doc for renewal (only a new license - since its written on the back of your old one), but you do need the medical (80 baht).

Immigration also offer this "service" at half the price.

Looks like another case of different requirements for different places.

[Bristolian]

Is this a new (paid for) service by the police? As far as I know driving licences are renewed at the land transport dept in Pranburi. Aren't they? I've never needed a medical for renewal either. But you do have to do the eye and reaction tests. And sit through that so called safety video. Might be worth 1000 baht to avoid that.

Not sure about Pranburi but in BKK a medical cert is needed. Conveniently there is a clinic next to the office at Mo Chit. The doctor does not even check for a pulse. As long as you are able to hand over 100 baht you get the cert.

[sateeb]

http://www.dlt.go.th/th/index.php?optio ... &Itemid=88

Hope this clears any confusion

[Dannie Boy]

http://www.dlt.go.th/th/index.php?optio ... &Itemid=88

Hope this clears any confusion

for the clarification.

[pitsch]

The confusion is even greater now. This document says for renewing a 5 years licence you don't need a medical, but you need a residence certification. Just the opposite buksi said? I think it depends on the place you go.

[hhinner]

Definitely no need for a police report though.

[georgy]

The confusion is even greater now. This document says for renewing a 5 years licence you don't need a medical, but you need a residence certification. Just the opposite buksi said? I think it depends on the place you go.

I needed letter from immigration and medical certificate when I renewed my dl last year in Pranburi.

[sateeb]

IN CASE OF FOREIGNER
RENEW THAI DRIVING LICENCE [BY YOURSELF] FROM ONE-YEAR (DRIVING LICENCE) TO FIVE-YEARS DRIVING LICENCE

HAVE TO PREPARE THE DOCUMENTS AS FOLLOW
1. ORIGINAL ONE-YEAR THAI DRIVING LICENCE
2. PASSPORT WITH NON-IMMIGRANT VISA (ORIGINAL AND PHOTO COPY)
3. ORIGINAL PRESENT RESIDENT ADDRESS IN THAILAND CERTIFY FROM EMBASSY / IMMIGRATION BUREAU (VALID FOR 1 YEAR) OR WORK PERMIT WITH ORIGINAL AND PHOTO COPY
4. ORIGINAL MEDICAL CERTIFICATE (5 DISEASES FORM) FROM CLINIC OR HOSPITAL (VALID FOR 1 MONTH)


IN CASE OF FOREIGNER
RENEW THAI DRIVING LICENCE [BY YOURSELF]
FIVE-YEARS DRIVING LICENCE

HAVE TO PREPARE THE DOCUMENTS AS FOLLOW
1. ORIGINAL FIVE-YEARS THAI DRIVING LICENCE
2. PASSPORT WITH NON-IMMIGRANT VISA (ORIGINAL AND PHOTO COPY)
3. ORIGINAL PRESENT RESIDENT ADDRESS IN THAILAND CERTIFY FROM EMBASSY / IMMIGRATION BUREAU (VALID FOR 1 YEAR) OR WORK PERMIT WITH ORIGINAL AND PHOTO COPY




Looks pretty clear to me. If you are exchanging a 1 year licence for a 5 year you will need a medical cert. If you are renewing an existing 5 year D/L no medical cert required. I would suggest you print the page from the official website to avoid confusion when dealing with a dimwitted clerk

[buksida]

Regardless of what the government website says the problem, as always, is that different offices/regions and different officials/clerks ask for different things.

Best to have everything really to cover yourself, I've also found that phoning the day before and asking what you need helps, especially if you get the name of the person informing you.

You definitely do not have to pay for the proof of residence letter at our local cop shop, that said I don't live in Hua Hin!