DLT Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai Provincial Land Transport Office)

Hang Dong Road (Highway 108), Hang Dong, Chiang Mai 50230 — located approximately 10 km south of Chiang Mai Old City in the Hang Dong district, near the Hang Dong Big C and Royal Park Rajapruek turnoff

Office Details

Address

Phone

053-270-411

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00 (queue numbers distributed from 8:00 AM; last queue for new license applications typically issued around 14:00; closed weekends and Thai public holidays)

How to Get There

The DLT Chiang Mai office is on Hang Dong Road (Highway 108), approximately 10 km south of the Old City. FROM THE OLD CITY: Drive south on any road leading to the Chiang Mai-Hang Dong Road (Highway 108). Pass the Chiang Mai Airport area and continue south for approximately 7-8 km. The DLT is on the left (east) side of the road. Total drive time is 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. FROM NIMMAN/HUAY KAEW AREA: Head south via the Canal Road (Superhighway) or cut through to Hang Dong Road via the airport area. The drive takes 25-35 minutes. BY RED SONGTHAEW (SHARED TAXI): From the Old City, find a red songthaew heading south toward Hang Dong. Tell the driver 'Kor Sor Lor' (กรมการขนส่ง) or 'DLT Hang Dong'. The fare should be 30-40 baht per person for a shared ride, or 150-200 baht if you charter the whole songthaew. Note: finding a songthaew going directly to Hang Dong can take time — Grab is more reliable. BY GRAB: Search 'DLT Chiang Mai' or 'สำนักงานขนส่งจังหวัดเชียงใหม่'. The fare from the Old City is typically 120-200 baht, from Nimman approximately 150-250 baht. Grab is the most convenient and affordable option. BY MOTORCYCLE/SCOOTER: A popular option for Chiang Mai expats. Follow Highway 108 south — the road is straightforward. Free parking at the DLT. LANDMARK: The DLT is near the Hang Dong Big C and the turnoff for Royal Park Rajapruek. If you see the Big C on Highway 108, the DLT is within 1-2 km.

Services Available at This Office

New driving license — car (Class B) and motorcycle (Class A)

Foreign license conversion (with valid home-country license and certified translation or international driving permit)

License renewal — 2-year temporary to 5-year, and 5-year to 5-year renewal

International Driving Permit (IDP) issuance

Vehicle registration and ownership transfer

Driving test — written exam (Thai, English, Chinese, Japanese) and practical driving test

License replacement (lost, stolen, or damaged)

Change of address on driving license

Provisional motorcycle license

Tips for This Office

The Chiang Mai DLT is located outside the city center in Hang Dong district — plan for a 20-30 minute drive from the Old City or Nimman area. Do not underestimate the distance, especially if relying on songthaew.

This is one of the busiest provincial DLT offices in Thailand due to Chiang Mai's massive digital nomad and long-term expat community. During peak season (November-February), the office can be surprisingly crowded.

Arrive by 7:30 AM during high season to secure an early queue number. During the quieter months (April-September), arriving at 8:30 AM is usually sufficient.

The English-language written test (50 multiple-choice questions, 90% pass rate required) is consistently available here. Chinese and Japanese tests are also offered — confirm at registration.

English-speaking staff are available, though proficiency varies. The office handles a high volume of Western applicants, so basic English communication is generally not an issue.

Dress code is loosely enforced but avoid sleeveless shirts, very short shorts, and flip-flops. Chiang Mai is slightly more relaxed than Bangkok on dress code, but it is best to dress modestly.

Bring your own pen, water bottle, snacks, and a phone charger — the full process can take 3-5 hours. The waiting area is air-conditioned and reasonably comfortable.

Parking is ample with a large open lot in front of the building — parking is rarely an issue at this office, even on busy days. Free parking.

There are several medical certificate clinics within 1-2 km of the DLT on Hang Dong Road. The nearest clinic is approximately 500 meters north of the DLT and charges 50-100 baht. Alternatively, Chiang Mai RAM Hospital and Suan Dok Hospital (CMU Hospital) both issue certificates but are in the city center.

Photo shops are available in the Hang Dong area, but it is easier to get your photos done in the city before heading to the DLT. Shops on Huay Kaew Road near the Nimman area charge 80-120 baht for 6 photos.

The practical driving test course is on-site behind the main building — it includes slope start, parallel parking, S-curve, and U-turn. No need to travel to a separate facility.

What makes Chiang Mai DLT unique: the office has developed an efficient system for handling foreign applicants due to the sheer volume. The process tends to be more streamlined here than at smaller provincial offices. Many digital nomads report completing the entire process in 3-4 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the full process take at Chiang Mai DLT?

For a new license application, expect 3-5 hours including document check, medical/reaction tests, the 1-hour safety video, and the written test. License conversion (foreign to Thai) typically takes 1-2 hours. Renewals are fastest at 30-60 minutes. Chiang Mai DLT processes foreigners relatively efficiently due to high volume — many report completing the process in 3-4 hours.

Is the written test available in English at Chiang Mai DLT?

Yes. The English-language written test is consistently available at Chiang Mai DLT. The test has 50 multiple-choice questions and requires 45 correct answers (90%) to pass. Study the official DLT question bank beforehand — the pass threshold is strict.

Can I complete everything in one day at Chiang Mai DLT?

Yes, if you arrive early with all required documents. The document check, reaction tests, safety video, and written test can all be completed in a single day. If you also need the practical driving test, it is on-site. However, if you fail the written test, you must return another day to retake it.

Do I need an appointment at Chiang Mai DLT?

No appointment is needed. The Chiang Mai DLT operates on a walk-in, first-come-first-served queue system. Queue numbers are distributed starting at 8:00 AM. Arrive early for the best position in the queue.

Where can I get a medical certificate near Chiang Mai DLT?

There are clinics on Hang Dong Road within 500 meters to 1 km of the DLT that issue the required medical certificate (ใบรับรองแพทย์) for 50-100 baht. Alternatively, you can get your medical certificate at any clinic or hospital in Chiang Mai before heading to the DLT — Chiang Mai RAM Hospital, Suan Dok Hospital (CMU), or any local clinic in the Old City or Nimman area will issue one.

What if I fail the test at Chiang Mai DLT?

If you fail the written test, you can retake it the next business day at no additional charge. If you fail the practical driving test, you can also rebook for another day. There is no limit on retake attempts. We recommend studying the official DLT question bank — the 90% pass threshold is the most common reason foreigners fail.

Is the Chiang Mai DLT far from the Old City?

Yes. The DLT is approximately 10 km south of the Old City in the Hang Dong district. Plan for a 20-30 minute drive depending on traffic. By Grab, expect 120-200 baht. By red songthaew, 30-40 baht shared. Many applicants combine their DLT visit with shopping in Hang Dong (known for its furniture and antique shops).

Are there nearby alternatives if Chiang Mai DLT is too busy?

Chiang Mai is the only DLT office serving Chiang Mai province. The nearest alternatives are Lamphun DLT (approximately 30 km south) or Chiang Rai DLT (approximately 200 km north). For most people, coming back to Chiang Mai DLT on a quieter day (mid-week, off-season) is the better option. Tuesdays through Thursdays tend to be less crowded than Mondays or Fridays.

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