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Can I convert my French driving licenses to Thai licenses without a TM30 while on a DTV visa?
DTV VisaTM30Driving LicenseInternational Driving Permit (IDP)Certificate of ResidenceThai ImmigrationVisa RegulationsExpat Life in Thailand
Feb 15, 2026
2 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHello,
I am on DTV visa and would like to have both car and motorbike licenses. I have both french licenses so I just need to conver them.
My problem is I can not have a TM30 as I live with a friend and I am not on the lease. Logn story short, we can not change the lease yet.
Is there a way to do it anyway?
Can I have a TM30 from a Hotel?
Also I saw people here done it with IDP, I read about translation certified my french ambassy? How did you do?
Thank you
I am on DTV visa and would like to have both car and motorbike licenses. I have both french licenses so I just need to conver them.
My problem is I can not have a TM30 as I live with a friend and I am not on the lease. Logn story short, we can not change the lease yet.
Is there a way to do it anyway?
Can I have a TM30 from a Hotel?
Also I saw people here done it with IDP, I read about translation certified my french ambassy? How did you do?
Thank you
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is looking for advice on converting their French driver's licenses to Thai licenses while on a DTV visa, facing challenges due to their unofficial housing arrangement (not on the lease) which prevents obtaining a TM30. Suggestions from the community include acquiring a TM30 from a hotel, using an IDP or making sure their licenses are in English or properly translated. Community members emphasize the importance of compliance with Thai laws regarding residency registration, as well as obtaining a Certificate of Residence from immigration.
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Anonymous ******************
This is what immigration wanted from me for a recidence certificate. Year rental contract. Including landladys copy id. And copy of red book proof she owns the property. Then they stamped my rental contract making it legally binding. Now all documents needed are alot easier. Iv had 3 recidence certificate so far . At my local immigration charge 500 Bhat per certificate. Do this stuff first. If you can't get this or struggle with your french licence. Maybe get an agent to do it for you.
Robert *******
Why do you think that living with a friend is excluded to get registered at the Immigration as living at an address.
STOP making excuses to follow the Thai rules and regulations.
Go to Immigration, get yourself registered at the address where you reside and go get a Thai driving license which you need by law if you stay longer than 90 days inside the country.
BE aware that insurance companies know these rules, do not play stupid games and win the gofundme prize if things go wrong
STOP making excuses to follow the Thai rules and regulations.
Go to Immigration, get yourself registered at the address where you reside and go get a Thai driving license which you need by law if you stay longer than 90 days inside the country.
BE aware that insurance companies know these rules, do not play stupid games and win the gofundme prize if things go wrong
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert ******
I know the rules. We just have problems with the landlord who does not want to do it... So for now I am stuck. And you should know, mister lessons giver, having problems with thai landlord can be very tricky even if the law in on your side.If I wanted to play stupid I would just drive with no license...
Marc ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer I wonder why the landlord would refuse to register you since he didn't have any problems registering your friend.
Is it not more like the landlord dosn't know your friend is letting you stay with him? Because he might would want to charge more money if he knew there are more people living there?
Is it not more like the landlord dosn't know your friend is letting you stay with him? Because he might would want to charge more money if he knew there are more people living there?
Robert *******
Anonymous participant I always ask and go with the landlord to the Immigration to register the address, if the landlord refuse it will not be my landlord.
You accept to live at that place ignoring the rules and you ask here how to avoid the rules.
You ask, I explain that playing around is not the way foward, even if you do not like to read that.
Plenty of available property.
You accept to live at that place ignoring the rules and you ask here how to avoid the rules.
You ask, I explain that playing around is not the way foward, even if you do not like to read that.
Plenty of available property.
Reply to
Robert *******
Reply
Nuttaporn **********
If do not have an international license ,I think cannot convert to a Thai driving license
Andrew *********
@Nuttaporn *********
Done it 4 or 5 times, yet nevwr had an IDP or translation document. It depends if your licence is on English or not. If not you can have an approved translation. The IDP isnt a licence its a translation document only.Reply to
Andrew *********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
I would get a TM30 from a hotel in that case. You need it for the certificate of Residence.
We just used our Dutch/European license (already in English) and it was accepted, but that may be different in other places
We just used our Dutch/European license (already in English) and it was accepted, but that may be different in other places
Andrew *********
Is your licence not a European picture one written in English?
Dany ********
you need the IDP to convert the licenses. otherwise you would need to go through the process of a fully new license with tests, etc…
IDP is already translated. dont need to do something in that regards.
TM30 is mandatory. you / the. landlord is breaking the law for
not beeing correctly registered. yes you can visit a hotel and they have to do the TM30.
you will need an appointment with the DLT. dlt smartqueue app.
you will need certificate of residence from immigration (can be free). you need medicial certificate from a local doc (100-200 baht).
you need everything copied 2 times. even your IDP.
2 licenses cost about 320 baht. 2 years valid.
IDP is already translated. dont need to do something in that regards.
TM30 is mandatory. you / the. landlord is breaking the law for
not beeing correctly registered. yes you can visit a hotel and they have to do the TM30.
you will need an appointment with the DLT. dlt smartqueue app.
you will need certificate of residence from immigration (can be free). you need medicial certificate from a local doc (100-200 baht).
you need everything copied 2 times. even your IDP.
2 licenses cost about 320 baht. 2 years valid.
Andrew *********
@Dany *******
I've done my licence 4 or 5 times now here. Never had an IDP in my life.Dany ********
@Andrew ********
that wasnt the question but yes you can do. just more effort… with IDP it took me 1 hour from parking lot to obtaining my license cards. super easy.Andrew *********
@Dany *******
I dont think you understood that. I have never needed an IDP or to do the full test on the 4 or 5 times I've done my Thai licence.You do not need a IDP if your licence is in English.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dany *******
I don't have Idp and can not have it in the next few months. So Idp is no way to go for meReply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dany *******
I know he is, but the situation is tricky, and as I am not on the lease as this is a shared apartment, it's even more tricky. So can do not go that way.You don't necessarily need IDP, you can have a translation, the alliance française is doing it.
For the certificate of résidence I just go to immigration?
Dany ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer yes immigration for the certificate of residence. they would want the TM30 (which is in the system usualy). so better book a hotel then for the days around your trip to immigration. the TM30 is just for immigration (certificate of residence) not for something else.
i dont know about that translation thing 🤷♀️ just used my IDP..
make sure you register online with dtl learning and watch the 1h video before. otherwise you will sit in their office for an hour and watch it :D
i dont know about that translation thing 🤷♀️ just used my IDP..
make sure you register online with dtl learning and watch the 1h video before. otherwise you will sit in their office for an hour and watch it :D
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dany *******
thanks for the info 🙏🏼Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
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