Answered2 years ago
Can I get a 5-year driver's license extension on a DTV visa in Thailand?
Just extended my driver license on the DTV visa. Was looking good for the 5 year licence, I paid for it. But when I had to take a picture the teller checked the documents again and saw my visa stamp. I had to get a refund and pay for the 2 year licence. So officially only 2 year on the DTV? Maybe you can get lucky and get 5 year.
Answer summary
The conversation discusses the issuance of driver's licenses in Thailand for individuals holding a DTV (Destination Thailand Visa). It notes that the DTV is generally considered a tourist visa, leading to the issuance of only a 2-year license initially, with the possibility of extending to a 5-year license upon renewal under other visa types. However, experiences vary by location and individual DLT interpretations, leading to inconsistent results among applicants.
44 repliesnewest first
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Markus *****
I renewed my 2 year DL for the 2nd time on my DTV and was only given 2 years. I asked why I can't get 5 years and she just said she doesn't know, its just the way it is. First application and first renewal were both on tourist visa at that time. Chonburi office.
Tim *********
@Markus ****
maybe it's the tourist visa 🤷♂️Markus *****
Possibly, but I don't think so. In my opinion, maybe it is the fact you need a long term visa for the 5 year DL, and the DTV is only 180 days per entry so less than a year that normally given for other longer term visas despite the fact the validity is 5 years. Buuuut I really don't know just my speculation.
Tim *********
Whichever visa you have, the driving licence starts at 2 years and you then renew it for 5 more
Sebastian *******
OP@Tim ********
unfortunately not with the DTV visa.Tim *********
@Sebastian ******
OK, thanks
Brian *********
Don’t you just love Thailand administration every day a different rule
Colin *******
If its your first thai license it's always 2 years then 5 years when you renew it
Todd *********
@Colin ******
no it’s not. Depends on visa typeBrandon ************
@Colin ******
only 5 years if you have a long term visa. Otherwise you'll always get 2 yearsColin *******
@Brandon ***********
o dear so my 5 Yr licenses ain't valid then
Sebastian *******
OP@Duncan ******
Ok that's what I was looking for. Thanks!
Greg ***********
@Sebastian ******
any Non-Imm Visa Type would be sufficient. There are a dozens of them around. However the DTV remains a tourist visa type
Shayne **********
Nice! Glad I got my licence renewed last month while I was on an education visa. Getting the DTV next month. Hopefully in 2030, they will accept the DTV as a longer term visa.
MissRung *********
Dtv visa = long tourist visa so when you extend you will get only 2 years
Mark *********
@MissRung ********
dtv tourist visa because it is less than a year.Sebastian *******
OP@MissRung ********
Yes, that's it. I was confused. I thought it's Destination Thailand Visa - and not a tourist visa.
Daniel ******
Got 5 years and 10 month!
Greg ***********
@Daniel *****
you can get 5 years and 11 months, if you visit the DLT 3 weeks after your birthdaySebastian *******
OP@Daniel *****
on DTV?
Willem ****
DTV is a kind of tourist visa. Thats why.
A workasion visa.
A workasion visa.
Sebastian *******
OP@Willem ***
yup. I thought so 🙏
David *******
Its 2 years first time and then 5 years. I have never heard of anyone having a problem before but i did mine in phuket so maybe different interpretations
Sebastian *******
OP@David ******
I did my extension in Phuket on the new DTV visa - only 2 year extension on that type of visa.Greg ***********
@Sebastian ******
the DTV officially is a tourist visa. That's why you only got issued another 2 years
Tony *********
If you have a one year visa the renewal of the initial 2 year license will be extended for another 5 years.
Nongnuch ********
@Tony ********
he got a DTV, which is regarded as being a tourist visa. That's why they only extended for 2 more yearsSebastian *******
OP@Tony ********
Yes, the
Albert *****
isn't the first application always 2 years and subsequent renewal will be 5 years? I'm on 1 year retirement visa and it is the case
Brett *****
@Albert ****
yes I just renewed mine it's for six yearsTodd *********
@Brett ****
same. But it does depend on on your visaJohn **********
@Albert ****
it depends on what type of stay you are on. For a Non-immigrant visa the subsequent renewal is 5 yearsSebastian *******
OP@John *********
Yes the DTV visa doesn't qualify.John **********
@Sebastian ******
indeed, it's not a long stay visa but is officially classed as a tourist visaSebastian *******
OPI extended my 2 year temporary one, to another 2 year temporary.
John **********
@Sebastian ******
that's how it works for those not on Non-immigrant visasBrandon ************
If it were so simple as a yes or no answer.
Each DLT office will have their own interpretation of what qualifies as a long term visa or not. It might even come down to what staff is working that day. So it's complicated. You might find someone who got 5 years on DTV and you go to that same office and then you get 2 years. Welcome to Thailand!
Each DLT office will have their own interpretation of what qualifies as a long term visa or not. It might even come down to what staff is working that day. So it's complicated. You might find someone who got 5 years on DTV and you go to that same office and then you get 2 years. Welcome to Thailand!
Sebastian *******
OP@Brandon ***********
but what is the official rule? I suppose it's 2 year. But the DTV is not a tourist visa. So I didn't understand why it's only a 2 year extension.Like you said. Probably just comes down to which officer you get in front of you.
Christopher ********
@Sebastian ******
it’s a tourist visa.Christopher ********
@Sebastian ******
it does that. It said Americans get working holiday visas. We never have.Brandon ************
@Sebastian ******
the only "official" thing I've ever heard is "long term visa" but I don't know what that means. Maybe the DLT staff don't either. It took them 20 minutes to decide what to do with my LTR last week when I went to renew.John **********
@Sebastian ******
the DTV is officially a tourist visa so only 2 years at each extensionActivity
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