How to Get a Thai Driving Licence as an Indian Expat

If you’re an Indian expat living in Thailand, obtaining a Thai driving licence offers several advantages in addition to it being just a legal requirement for long-term driving. The perks include getting an affordable insurance rate and also being recognised across ASEAN countries which means that road trips beyond Thailand become much easier.

Local driving licence is necessary if you are looking to rent a vehicle in Thailand. Also, certain jobs may require you to have a driving licence. Its a small step that can benefit you long term. Here’s a complete, updated guide to help you navigate the process.

Before you apply for a Thai driving licence, there are criteria that you must meet before you can consider yourself eligible. 

• You must be at least 18 years old 

• Hold a valid non-tourist visa (tourist visas are not accepted)

• Reside in Thailand with proof of local address

• Be medically fit and not have disqualifying conditions (verified via a medical certificate.

One of the most common stumbling blocks is failing to meet the visa residency requirement. Usually, tourists have to wait until they get a visa or work permit before obtaining a Thai licence. Therefore, make sure that your visa is in order and plan to get proof of address. 

You will need to prepare two signed photocopies of each item below:

• Passport and Visa: original passport, photocopy of photo page , visa page (must be non non-tourist visa), latest entry stamp, TM6 card if available, TM30 receipt if available, 90-day report if you’ve been in Thailand over 90 days)

• Proof of residence: Thai immigration residence certificate (dated within 30 days) or work permit

• Medical certificate (dated within 30 days)

• Indian driving license or International Driving Permit (IDP), if applicable

• Certified translation of your Indian license (if it’s not in English) from the Indian Embassy

Get all your documents in order first, since documents like the residence certificate and medical certificate only last 30 days.

If your Indian licence is in English, you might not need a translation. But always double-check the details. Thai officials look for English text on your licence—like categories and your name. If anything is in a regional language, get it translated. More importantly, the translation must be certified. That means a stamp from the Indian Embassy or an official consulate. This helps Thai authorities know your document is real and properly translated.

Getting a medical certificate in Thailand is one of the easiest parts of the licence process. Just walk into any local clinic or hospital and ask for a certificate for a driver’s licence. Clinics near DLT offices often offer this service and know exactly what’s needed. The check-up is very basic—usually just a quick blood pressure reading, a few health questions, and a simple look-over by a doctor. No major tests are involved.

Most clinics charge between 150 and 300 baht. It’s fast, cash-based, and you’ll usually have the certificate in hand within 15 minutes. If you’re applying for both a car and a motorcycle license, ask the doctor to issue two originals. That way, each DLT application gets its own form. Just remember—the medical certificate is valid for only 30 days. So plan to get it just before your DLT appointment, not too early.

You’ll apply for your licence at a DLT office. Every province has one, and big cities like Bangkok have several. Most expats go to the branch closest to home. In Bangkok, Chatuchak is a favourite—it’s organised and used to foreigners. Booking? Use the DLT Smart Queue app to pick a time slot. If you don’t see availability, walk-ins are possible. But here’s the catch: no Indian timing—you need to be there early. The earlier you go, the faster it gets done.

So when you arrive at the DLT Office, the first thing you need to do is tell the staff at the information desk that you’re there to apply for a driving licence. You can just say ‘new licence'. After you have submitted your documents to the staff, you will get a queue number. They might also hand you a form to fill out. Passport photos are not required at this point, as you will get your digital photos taken later.

What happens next is, you will be required to head to the submission counter. This is where you hand the requirement documents mentioned in point 2 to the officers. Your information will be entered into the system. If you're converting, politely say, “Have Indian licence. Conversion. No test?” Most staff will understand and mark your application accordingly.

Then come the physical tests—everyone does these:

• Colour Blindness – Name red, green, and yellow lights (say yellow, not orange!).

• Depth Perception – Align a moving pin with a fixed one.

• Reflex Test – Press the gas, then brake when the red light flashes.

• Peripheral Vision – Call out flashing side colours without turning your head.

The test is fairly simple and won’t take long. If you fail one, at the most you’ll get a retry after watching an instruction video.

If you’re applying for a driving licence for the first time, you will be required to take the theory written test and also watch a do a 5-hour training video. There will be 50 questions and passing score is 90%.  However, converters with a valid Indian licence or IDP skip both the video and the written test. New drivers also take a practical driving test on a closed course. But if you’re converting, you skip this, too.

Upon completion, you pay the licence fee, get your photo taken, and receive your Thai license—usually a 2-year temporary card. You can upgrade to a 5-year licence after that.

Renewing your Thai licence is simple—if you plan ahead. You’re allowed to renew up to three months before your licence expires, so don’t wait until the last minute. If your licence has already expired, you still have a one-year grace period to renew without retaking any tests. But after one year, the theory test is required again, and after three years, both theory and practical tests must be retaken.

Bring your current licence, passport with valid visa, a new medical certificate, a residence certificate, and proof that you completed the DLT’s online refresher video. You can watch this one-hour training on the DLT e-learning site and show the QR code or printout at the office.

No theory or driving exams are required if you're renewing on time. But you will still need to complete the four physical tests (colour, reflex, depth, and peripheral vision). Once everything’s checked, you pay the fee—around 505 baht for a car and 255 baht for a bike license—and get your shiny new 5-year license on the spot.

Getting a Thai driving licence is refreshingly affordable. The 2-year car licence costs around 205 baht, and a motorcycle licence is about 105 baht. If you apply for both, you’ll pay each fee separately, but it’s still just a few hundred baht total.

After two years, you can upgrade to a 5-year licence, which costs between 505 and 605 baht. Motorbike licences for five years cost around 255 baht. Prices may vary slightly by office.

Your licence includes your photo, name, and expiry date and is printed in both Thai and English. Most licences expire around your birthday, so set a reminder—driving with an expired one can lead to a 2,000 baht fine.

In Thailand, car and motorcycle licences are separate. You need a different licence—and a different card—for each. If your Indian licence covers both vehicles, you can convert both. If it only covers one, you’ll convert that and do the full process (tests and training) for the other.

Many expats apply for both licences together to avoid repeat visits. You’ll only need to pass the theory test once—it applies to both car and motorbike. But for the practical driving tests, you must complete each one separately: one in a car and one on a bike. It’s more effort up front, but much easier than going through the whole system twice later.

Getting a Thai licence is doable—but not without a few bumps. Language can be a challenge, so learn a few Thai phrases like “I want a license” or bring a Thai-speaking friend if possible. Some staff speak basic English, but not all. The theory test is in English, but some questions might feel oddly worded—read carefully and ask the proctor if you're unsure.

Double-check all your documents. Missing even one can delay everything. Bring multiple signed copies of your passport, visa page, residence and medical certificates. If you're applying for both car and motorcycle licences, you’ll need two sets of everything—including two original medical certificates.

If you’re using your Indian licence, don’t forget the certified translation or your IDP. This is one thing many forget—only to be told by the officer to come back another day. Save yourself the trouble and get this done early. With the right prep, the process can be smooth—or even finished in a single morning.

If you've recently moved to Bangkok and are looking to explore areas popular among Indian communities, check out our article on the Best Neighbourhoods in Bangkok for Indian Families.