Can I apply for a Thai driving licence on a DTV with a TM30?

Oct 27, 2024
10 days ago
Rory *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can I apply for a thai driving licence on a DTV? I have an IDP but I gather that I can only use that for 90 days at a time and I plan to be here longer than that. I see one of the requirements for the driving licence is a residency cert, I only have a tm30. Is that acceptable? TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about obtaining a Thai driving license while on a DTV (Non-immigrant visa) and possessing a TM30 form, necessary for residency certification. Responses clarify that a residency certificate is needed along with a medical certificate, and steps to obtain the certificate are outlined, including the necessity to visit an immigration office. Some comments note varying requirements based on location, emphasizing the importance of checking with the local Department of Land Transport (DLT) office regarding specific needs for documentation.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
John **********
Maybe. Check with your local DLT office, some require you to be on a Non-immigrant visa. If they do then you will also need a residence certificate and a medical certificate. You will need to take some reaction tests. You might also need to watch a video and take a multiple choice test.
Tor ******
Note that in Bkk they will issue a residence certificate only after your first 90 day report. And it takes 2 weeks.
Tore *********
@Tor *****
yeah recently changed. Got mine two weeks after entry
Tor ******
@Tore ********
Good to know! It was a bit strange anyway, in other provinces they never had this requirement afaik.
Tore *********
@Tor *****
indeed. Just be aware they send it by post to the TM30 registered address. Although the visit at Chaeng W was quick with not much queue, it took about a week to receive
Tor ******
@Tore ********
Yes, but I remember they checked my TM.30 anyway. Always a good idea to have your TM.30 updated before you go there for anything at all really. (And I just learned they cannot really see the history of it, which surprised me a bit. So they wouldnt even know if it had been wrong before.)
Tor ******
@Graham *****
Ok, I did not know. Last time i got mine (last year) it was still in place.
Graham ******
@Tor *****
that requirement ceased recently
Nick *******
As well as a resident certificate you need a medical . Any clinic can do one 100-200 ish baht and takes about 10 minutes.
Charles ********
Really depends on your area. In general, tourist visa/exempt can get a drivers license as long as they can get the required documents. Mostly challenge for tourist in Bangkok and surrounding area is a resident certificate which requires a current 90 day report. Some other offices give them out like free candy.
Tore *********
@Charles *******
no need for 90 day report now.
Brandon ************
@Charles *******
luckily they stopped the 90 day report requirement a month or two ago in Bangkok.
Dennis *********
@Brandon ***********
that's just for dtv or completely stopped for all ??
Brandon ************
@Dennis ********
it's no longer a requirement for anyone to get a residence certificate in Bangkok. But they don't do same day service. They will only mail the certificate to the address on the certificate to verify that it's your address.
Charles ********
@Brandon ***********
oh really? I had not heard that. Very good news.
Jason ******
Residency certificate for driving licence application is attainable at immigration within 30 mins for 500 bht ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ
Tore *********
@Jason *****
200 baht. And they send it by post to address registered on TM30 . At least in Bangkok
Graham ******
@Jason *****
free in some provinces such as Sa Kaeo
Jason ******
@Graham *****
I think it's free everywhere Graham,but it can take days or weeks ,if you want while your there it's 500 B for express service I think ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ
Graham ******
@Jason *****
I got mine in 25 minutes and it only took that long as the guy kept asking for my father-in-law to come and pay a fine as he'd never seen the online TM30 PDF before. I kept pointing to it eventually he took it to the back office and came back and said ok. 555
Jason ******
@Graham *****
brilliant ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฝ
Tony ********
You have to take your tm30, passport and lease agreement (or other proof of residence) to immigration to obtain the residents certificate first.
Rory *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony *******
thanks for all the replies, I have an idea of what needs to be done now. I will run with the IDP for a couple of months before getting the licence, that way the renewal date will be convenient for me when it comes up in a couple of years
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