Applying for driving licenses online is fake news, DLT warns

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) has warned the public not to fall for a Facebook page using its DLT initials to deceive people into paying for driving licenses by claiming they can obtain the licenses without taking an exam, driving test, or applying in person.

The Anti-Fake News Centre Thailand (AFNCT) quoted the DLT as warning motorists not to believe the misleading ad from a Facebook page titled “DLT Department of Land Transport for hire to issue all types of driving licenses.” The title of the Facebook page was in Thai, except for the DLT initials in English.

The AFNCT stated it had crosschecked with the DLT and found that the Facebook page was spreading false information, claiming it could help drivers obtain all types of driving licenses without the mandatory training, driving knowledge and traffic law exam, and driving test.

The AFNCT quoted the DLT as affirming that to obtain a driving license for the first time – regardless of the type – drivers must submit applications in person at DLT offices.

The AFNCT also quoted the DLT as saying it had no policy to assign anyone or any entity to issue driving licenses on its behalf. Therefore, if drivers transfer money to the page, they would lose the money and receive fake licenses. Worse still, their personal information could be leaked to online scammers, the AFNCT warned.