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Can DTV holders obtain a 5-year Thai driving license, and are there differences based on visa types?

Thai driving license Digital Nomad Visa (DTV)5-year license Elite Visa driving license regulations Chiang Mai Thailand immigration policy long-term visas expat guide Thailand Dept of Land Transport

Sep 18, 2024

6 months ago

Sefton ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just a data point. 

I was in the land transport office (Chiang Mai) and they were quite happy to issue a 5 year Thai driving license, providing of course the usual conditions were met (previously holding a 2 year etc) for me as a DTV holder. 

Was curious how that would work out as the Elite / Privilage visa often is denied this ability. They also knew about the LTR and said they would allow a 5 year for those also.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user successfully obtained a 5-year Thai driving license while on a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Chiang Mai, noting that the local office was knowledgeable about the DTV and also mentioned that LTR (Long Term Resident) visa holders could also qualify for a 5-year license. Various comments highlight that eligibility for driving licenses can vary by location and visa type, with some users affirming that driving licenses are generally obtainable even on tourist visas. There's discussion around consistency among different land transport offices in Thailand regarding issuing driving licenses.

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David ****************

wow thats great news, thank u for the update.

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Pete ********

Dude I got 5 year license on visa exemption stamp 😆

Everyone can get it doesn’t make a difference if you have dtv or elite or even a tourist visa

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Sefton ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Not the case.. Sure sometimes it happens but in CM its a 2 year if your on a tourist and even on elites.

They will even knock you back from holding a full 5 year to a 2 year provisional, which seems crazy logic, if you renew when not on a long stay.

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Pete ********

@Sefton *******

I made in Bangkok … but dude I just checked with my friends wife she hid an agent in his g Mai she said possible if go with agent

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Paul *******

I got my first 5 year license from a 2 year one, on a double entry tourist visa in Bangkok.

My next 5-year one on a non-O. The one after that (which is coming up fairly soon) will be on the DTV.

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Paul *******

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Ivan ************

I suspect it's more down to the office than the visa and an office that will do 5 year for DTV will also do it for Elite, they are the same class of visa. Plenty of Elite people do get 5 year licenses, some they will only do 2 year as it's a tourist class visa but it's down to the office.

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Kevin ********

A lot depends on the office, Samui is no issue on tourist

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Sefton ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

5 year as well as the 2 year ??

Good to know.. Thailand operating with its usual consistency..

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Kevin ********

@Sefton *******

it seems to be much easier for licence in Samui, Phuket has a 2 month wait on appointments right now. Just need to work out which is best place.

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Kevin ********

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Paul *******

Ok good to know. This is the exact question i asked recently and now we finally have someone who can confirm that yes, they're issuing 5 year licenses to those who are eligible to get them and are on DTVs. This will apply to me relatively soon.

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Sefton ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes I wanted some clarity.. I fully expected them to not know or guess, and prefaced it with 'I expect this is a little bit new but...' and she scanned the visa immediately knew what a DTV was and seemed very sure.. Also knew about LTR.. So was on the ball.

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Paul *******

@Sefton *******

Yes I need to renew my 5 year license in the first half of next year. I'll be on the DTV by then.

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Paul *******

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Daniel *******

You can get driving license even on a tourist visa

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Rob *********

Yes, correct.

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Todd *********

they are talking about the conversion to the

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year permanent license. Not the 2 year temporary

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Rene ******

the problem is the residence certificate. In Bangkok it seems to be difficult, in Chiang Mai it is possible

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Paul *******

Embassy letters work. Or go to another province. The DTV doesn't tie you to any particular province as it's viewed as a tourist visa. You can literally use any immigration office in the country for whatever immigration services you may require including doing 90 day reports and TM30s. Of course, you may need to file a new TM30 before doing a 90 day report in a different location, but that's easy enough.

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Sefton ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

If they do then go to the embassy and get the letter.. 4 different ways to solve residence proof are accepted.

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Sefton ********

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Damian ******

Good to know I need to extend my driving licence and was looking for 5 years one. Anyone check if can get 5 years on DTV in BKK?

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Tod *********

Good to know that the Dept of Land Transport office looks at the DTV as a "long term" visa. (y) congrats getting the 5 year permanent license

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Liam ********

I just got the DTV and I’ve never had a Thai drivers license before (but I intend to get one this time).

Is getting the 2 year temporary one firstly mandatory?

Or do you think I can just go straight for the 5 year one?

Thanks.

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Liam ********

Ok, good to know. Thanks guys.

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Sefton ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes it is mandatory.. You get a 2 year provisional first (up to the next birthday) then you can get a 5 year if your visa status is eligible on renewal.

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John *********

everyone gets 2 year provisional first. And on renewal with a long term visa can get 5.

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John *********

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Seb ********

Never heard of the elite visa being denied a DL. Even people on a tourist visa can get one. Congrats!

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Flemming ********

Elite visa and 5 year driving license. No problem in Pattaya and I did it myself, no agent.

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Tod *********

It's not getting the drivers license that is the issue

It's getting the 5 year permanent one from a 2 year temporary one that MANY Dept of Land Transport offices won't do if you're on free stamp, tourist visa, or even Elite visa.

There are more than a few reports of people on Elite who only get another 2 year license again when they go to "renew", they're not allowed to get the 5 year

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Sefton ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

They are not denied driving licenses, but as the Elite is technically a special kind of tourist visa, it is not eligible for a 'full' 5 year license, and in turn things like an IDP or the license being legal to use in the rest of asean. The 2 year licenses are a form of provisional license.

Some Elite holders have got them, but it seems a rarity and not the rules.

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Sefton ********

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