This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Can DTV holders in Chiang Mai renew their Thai driver's license for 5 years instead of 2?
Thai driver's licenseDTV visalicense renewalChiang Mailong stay visa5 year licensenon-immigrant visa
Sep 19, 2025
7 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERDrivers license renewal. I have a DTV and a 2 year Thai license which will expire in a few months. I've read that some DTV holders have had success in receiving a 5 year license when they go to renew. Does anyone have experience? I'm in Chiang Mai if that matters
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the renewal of a Thai driver's license for a DTV holder in Chiang Mai, mentioning that some individuals have successfully obtained a 5-year license, although the current regulations specify that only holders of non-immigrant visas qualify for this. Recent changes in licensing rules are highlighted, indicating that many DTV holders may only receive licenses for 2 years. Advice to contact local authorities or experts for further clarification is also provided.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Henrik *****
Rules changed recently
Check DLT website
Check DLT website
Paul *******
Chiang Mai should be OK for getting a 5 year license on a DTV. Go and find out then report back here.
Eddie *****************
Since you are Chiang Mai, you will see the new rule at counter 27 window when you arrived at the Transport office.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERIf the new license will be a 2 year license, is it a full license or another temporary? I'm not bothered about the expiration date on it, but would be nice to be able to get an IDP
John **********
Anonymous participant you can't get an IDP on a 2 year licence
Reply to
John **********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Not anymore. Rules have changed for the DTV. Only Non-immigrant visas. It's going to be 2 years.
John **********
Anonymous participant 674 I'm not aware of any rule change, it's been the case that you can't get a 5 year licence on a tourist visa, which the DTV is.
Paul *******
@John *********
Nonsense. The DTV is in a separate category. For a tourist visa, you usually get only 2 years but some offices might grant a 5 year license upon renewal to holders of the METV. Might is the key word. For DTV holders, some offices grant a 5 year license upon renewal, others only 2 years.John **********
@Paul ******
the DTV is officially classified as a tourist visa. The authorities specifically classified it as such.Paul *******
@John *********
It's a special category visa.John **********
@Paul ******
indeed, a special tourist visa, but a tourist visa nonetheless.Reply to
John **********
Reply
Paul *******
Anonymous participant 674 The rules haven't changed. Only Rayong and Pattaya won't do 5 year licenses for DTV holders. Other offices are OK.
Toni *******
@Paul ******
it was rayong/something that did 5years some time ago, chonburi (pattaya) was in the firsts to only do 2. I renewed mine 2months ago at chon buri, 2years.Paul *******
@Toni ******
I heard Rayong was 2 years as well, from the beginning.All Bangkok offices except Bang Chak are 5 years (or were as of a couple of months ago anyway). Same thing in Chiang Mai.
I have not heard of any rule changes for those offices...only Rayong and Chonburi are definitely 2 years. Others...really depends.
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Paul ******
went to renew my 5 year license last month, they only gave me 2 year temporary license.Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 297 at which DLT?
Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
do you know someone who had a 2 year license and was same to receive a 5 year license upon renewal?Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Pete *******
The regulations regarding a 5 year license require a long stay visa. A DTV holder does not qualify.
Reply to
Pete *******
Reply
5 comments
10 months ago
32 comments
10 months ago
23 comments
10 months ago
20 comments
a year ago
1 comments
a year ago
23 comments
a year ago
39 comments
a year ago
1 comments
a year ago
17 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
3 comments
a year ago
43 comments
a year ago
4 comments
a year ago
2 comments
a year ago
26 comments
a year ago
44 comments
a year ago
1 comments
a year ago
11 comments
a year ago
14 comments
a year ago
3 comments
2 years ago
1 comments
2 years ago
Can DTV holders obtain a 5-year Thai driving license, and are there differences based on visa types?
28 comments
2 years ago
26 comments
2 years ago
34 comments
2 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.