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Can I apply for a Thai driver's license immediately after a DTV border bounce?

DTV Visa Driver's License Thai Immigration Border Bounce Visa Extension Certificate of Residence

Oct 22, 2025

6 months ago

Josh ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

For existing DTV holders. Question Re Driver’s licenses and DTV 180-day border bounces.

Sure many of you have already seen this onerous form for DTV extensions. Received this one today in Phuket Town but must be started at least two weeks in advance, and so I must exit and re-enter the kingdom due to insufficient time to extend. This isn’t a surprise to me, but it is a great letdown. When I asked immigration staff if the driver’s license could be applied for immediately upon return from the border bounce, the English-speaking volunteer at building 101 in Phuket Town said this shouldn’t cause a delay in applying for a driver’s license.

But I’d rather be sure. Those who bounced already on a DTV after your first 180 days, were you able to receive a drivers license without waiting another 90 days following your exit/re-entry?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around the process for DTV holders regarding the ability to apply for a Thai driver's license after completing a 180-day border bounce. Some expats have shared their experiences and insights on the necessary documents and whether there are waiting periods to consider. The immigration staff provided mixed messages, leading to questions about the actual requirements for obtaining a driver's license without additional waiting time post-border bounce.

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Anonymous ******************

Why do you need again 500k for extension after 180 days?

6 months ago

Josh ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 876 For many that’s the easiest part to provide. Just log-in to a couple bank accounts, download and print out some PDFs. Done. Instead they put up the gauntlet. I don’t mind doing a border bounce, but the current extension requirements are too onerous to be practical and could jeopardize one’s ability to obtain a driver’s license if another 90-day wait (for TM 47) is required to get the residence permit.

6 months ago

Anonymous ******************

@Josh *******

I mean if you do visa run after 180 days. You leave the country, come back and pay just extension, no need to have again 500k for extending visa..500k is only for 1st time approval as I know.

6 months ago

Josh ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 876 That is my understanding as well. And re-entry starts the 90-day clock over from zero, which presumably presents a problem obtaining a driver’s license.

6 months ago

Tod *********

@Josh *******

where are you getting this nonsense about the "90 day clock" and it having anything to do with you getting a drivers license?

I don't think Phuket has a rule that you have to have done a 90 day report to get a certificate of residence.

6 months ago

Marianne ********

@Josh *******

As long as you can get a residence certificate you are golden.

If Phuket doesnt offer it unless you have done a 90 day report, plenty of other places that will. Take a holiday up the coast 🙂

6 months ago

Reply to

Marianne ********

Tod *********

Remember in Phuket you can apply for an extension when you have 45 days or less left on your current stamp, they ADD the extension to your current expiration date so no need to burn your stamp down, you don't lose time applying early

Wouldn't even waste your time talking to the immigration officers (or their engrish speaking volunteers) about getting a Thai Drivers License on a DTV because

Immigrations doesn't have a clue about it as they don't issue drivers licenses 😛

To get a drivers license from the Dept of Land Transport you need a certificate of residence, you need a medical certificate from a clinic, you need your passport/visa and current d/l from your country

The only thing I can think is that if you don't have much time left on your current stamp is that immigrations won't sell you a certificate of residence <- which means bounce out/back get a new 180 day stamp THEN apply for the certificate of residence and after that go to the DLT to get the thai drivers license

6 months ago

Josh ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

A very thoughtful response. Appreciate it. Your suggestion to bounce and then work with the DLT directly is what I will plan to do. Would’ve had this finished already but had to deal with a property fraud in Kathu, Phuket, which I was planning to use to get my residence certificate.

6 months ago

Lee-Ann *******

@Josh *******

a certificate of residence is needed for getting a driver's licence, purchase of a vehicle or motorcycle and for those who are the right visa a bank account ( cannot open on DTV) you need one for each and they are 500 baht each and only valid for 30 days, so time getting them when you need to use them, you'll also need a copy of your TM 30

6 months ago

DTV_Be*******

@Josh *******

residence certificate on a DTV?

6 months ago

Josh ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

DTV_BegPecker Yes, a requirement to turn a 1-year IDP into a Thai driver’s license.

6 months ago

Tod *********

DTV_BegPecker a certificate of residence is gotten from immigrations and you can get one even if you're here on a 60 day free stamp entry

6 months ago