Documents you need for a Thai driving license in Phuket
The complete list, what each costs, where to get it and in what order. Roughly 600 ฿ in fees in total, and it can be done in a day or two if you go in the right order.
What you need
Everything from the new-license list, plus:
Work permit or retirement visa
The order matters
Get the order right and it is one day.
- 1
Your landlord or hotel files this. Do it first - without it, Immigration won’t issue the residence certificate.
- 2
Photos
Any print shop, a few minutes.
- 3
Phuket Immigration, one day.
- 4
Any clinic, minutes.
People most often get stuck by going to Immigration before the TM-30 exists, and losing a day.
What it costs
What it costs and how long it takes.
| Item | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| TM-30 | Free | Filed by your landlord |
| Photo | - | A few minutes |
| Residence certificate | 500 ฿ | One day |
| Medical certificate | ~100 ฿ | A few minutes |
Total: about 600 ฿ and one day, if the TM-30 is already filed.
If you'd rather not deal with it
We handle the full document set - this one included - for 1,500 ฿, as part of a driving license application. Doing it yourself costs about 600 ฿ in fees plus a trip to Immigration. The difference is your time.
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Specific questions.
Can I prepare any of this before arriving in Thailand?
No. The residence and medical certificates are both issued in Thailand and expire 30 days after issue, so there is no benefit to arranging them ahead of arrival.
How long do these documents stay valid?
Thirty days from issue, for both the medical certificate and the residence certificate.
What happens if my documents expire before my registration date?
They need to be reissued. Both take a day or less, so this is a delay rather than a problem.
What if my landlord won't file the TM-30?
It is the property owner's legal responsibility, not a favour. It usually gets resolved once that's made clear.
Do I need a rental agreement?
Requirements vary by case. Bring one if you have it; it isn't always requested.
Can someone else collect the documents for me?
No. Both certificates are issued to you personally and require your own passport.
Last checked: August 2026. Fees and requirements in Thailand change - tell us if you find something out of date.