Chiang Mai Living Guide

Driving & transport

Getting or converting a driving licence in Chiang Mai

Preparation for converting a Japanese licence. Confirm current documents, appointments and fees with the Department of Land Transport.

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A sample Thai probationary driving licence
A sample Thai probationary driving licence · Own work · Photo source · Public domain · Resized and converted to WebP; display may crop.

Start with these three things

  1. Applications to convert a Japanese licence go to a Thai land transport office.
  2. The Japanese Consulate-General issues an English certificate of particulars from a Japanese driving licence.
  3. Current Chiang Mai appointments, training, tests and fees remain unverified.

Steps

"Tip" marks a planning suggestion, not an official rule.

  1. Tip Tell the land transport office whether you need a car or motorcycle licence and whether this is a first application or a conversion of a Japanese licence.
  2. For a conversion, the Japanese Embassy describes preparing the Japanese licence and an English certificate of its particulars.
  3. If using the Consulate-General’s licence certificate, check its eligibility requirements and documents.
  4. If an English certificate based on your Japanese overseas-residence registration is required as address evidence, prepare the registration and current-address documents.
  5. Tip Arrange your visit after checking documents, appointments and training requirements with the land transport office.

What to prepare

  • The Embassy lists a passport, Japanese driving licence, licence certificate, medical certificate and English residence-registration certificate, among other items. Confirm the complete current list with the land transport office.
  • For the Consulate-General’s licence certificate: application form, original Japanese licence and a copy, and original passport. A My Number card holding licence information alone is not accepted.
  • For the English residence-registration certificate: passport and evidence of your current address, among other documents.

Where to ask

Chiang Mai land transport office

Applications go to a Thai land transport office. The relevant Chiang Mai branch, appointment method and opening hours remain unverified. Confirm before visiting.

Things to watch for

  • The Consulate-General’s certificate requirements and Thai driving-licence requirements are separate.
  • Detailed requirements for a first licence without a Japanese licence, motorcycle licences, and training or tests at renewal remain unverified.

Planning tips (not official rules)

  • If your immigration status or licence type differs from a friend’s, do not rely only on their application experience.

Japanese licence conversion

The Consulate-General’s certificate provides relevant particulars of a Japanese licence in English. Its guidance requires a long-stay visa or similar status and at least three consecutive months in Thailand. Ask whether you qualify for this certificate.

Planning tips (not official rules)

Have your immigration status, entry date, Japanese licence category and expiry date ready when asking.

Checks with the land transport office

The Embassy advises that Thai licence requirements can change without notice and should be checked with the land transport office. Obtaining a consular certificate does not complete the Thai licence application.

Planning tips (not official rules)

List your questions: branch, appointment, accepted immigration status, issue dates of medical and address certificates, training, tests and fees.

Ask the office about appointments, fees and photos

Current Chiang Mai appointment procedures, fees and photo specifications remain unverified. Ask the transport office before using the requirements in older consular notes.

Planning tips (not official rules)

Until you have confirmation, avoid fixing a rental or purchase around an assumed licence issue date.

Rules can change. Confirm with the Thai Department of Land Transport and, for the English certificate, the Consulate-General of Japan in Chiang Mai.

Sources & dates checked

  1. OfficialEmbassy of Japan in Thailand 運転免許証についてEmbassy of Japan in Thailand · Checked 2026-10-11
  2. OfficialConsulate-General of Japan in Chiang Mai 運転免許証抜粋証明［英文］Consulate-General of Japan in Chiang Mai · Checked 2026-10-11
  3. OfficialConsulate-General of Japan in Chiang Mai 在留届出済証明［英文：日本以外で使用する場合］Consulate-General of Japan in Chiang Mai · Checked 2026-10-11