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Can I get a 5-year driver's license extension on a DTV visa in Thailand?

DTV visa Driver's license in Thailand Visa rules Driving license regulations Thai immigration rules License extension on tourist visa

Dec 23, 2024

3 months ago

Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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.

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TLDR : 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.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
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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.

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Tim *********

maybe it's the tourist visa 🤷‍♂️

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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.

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Markus *****

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Tim *********

Whichever visa you have, the driving licence starts at 2 years and you then renew it for 5 more

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

unfortunately not with the DTV visa.

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Tim *********

@Sebastian ******

OK, thanks

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Tim *********

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Brian *********

Don’t you just love Thailand administration every day a different rule

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Colin *******

If its your first thai license it's always 2 years then 5 years when you renew it

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Todd *********

no it’s not. Depends on visa type

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Brandon ************

only 5 years if you have a long term visa. Otherwise you'll always get 2 years

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Colin *******

@Brandon ***********

o dear so my 5 Yr licenses ain't valid then

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Colin *******

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Duncan *******

Note the DLT states on their website that a Non-Imm visa is required

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok that's what I was looking for. Thanks!

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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

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Greg ***********

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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.

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MissRung *********

Dtv visa = long tourist visa so when you extend you will get only 2 years

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Mark *********

@MissRung ********

dtv tourist visa because it is less than a year.

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@MissRung ********

Yes, that's it. I was confused. I thought it's Destination Thailand Visa - and not a tourist visa.

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Sebastian *******

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Daniel ******

Got 5 years and 10 month!

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Greg ***********

you can get 5 years and 11 months, if you visit the DLT 3 weeks after your birthday

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

on DTV?

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Sebastian *******

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Willem ****

DTV is a kind of tourist visa. Thats why.

A workasion visa.

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

yup. I thought so 🙏

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Sebastian *******

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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

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I did my extension in Phuket on the new DTV visa - only 2 year extension on that type of visa.

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Sebastian *******

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Greg ***********

@Sebastian ******

the DTV officially is a tourist visa. That's why you only got issued another 2 years

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Tony *********

If you have a one year visa the renewal of the initial 2 year license will be extended for another 5 years.

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Nongnuch ********

he got a DTV, which is regarded as being a tourist visa. That's why they only extended for 2 more years

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes, the

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Sebastian *******

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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

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Brett *****

yes I just renewed mine it's for six years

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Todd *********

same. But it does depend on on your visa

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Todd *********

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John **********

it depends on what type of stay you are on. For a Non-immigrant visa the subsequent renewal is 5 years

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

Yes the DTV visa doesn't qualify.

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John **********

@Sebastian ******

indeed, it's not a long stay visa but is officially classed as a tourist visa

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John **********

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I extended my 2 year temporary one, to another 2 year temporary.

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John **********

@Sebastian ******

that's how it works for those not on Non-immigrant visas

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John **********

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Brandon ************

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!

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@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.

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Christopher ********

@Sebastian ******

it’s a tourist visa.

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Sebastian *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Christopher *******

Yes my mate chatgpt lied to me

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Christopher ********

@Sebastian ******

it does that. It said Americans get working holiday visas. We never have.

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Christopher ********

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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.

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John **********

@Sebastian ******

the DTV is officially a tourist visa so only 2 years at each extension

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John **********

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