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Can I obtain a residence certificate in Bangkok for a driving license without a 90-day report?
BangkokResidence CertificateDriving LicenseVisa IssuesForeigners in Thailand90-Day ReportAustralian ExpatThai Immigration
Apr 17, 2024
2 years ago
Alastair ********
ORIGINAL POSTERResidence certificate from Bangkok immigration for driving license.
Has anyone been able to get the residence certificate in Bangkok without having done a 90-day report? I've seen multiple previous comments saying the 90-day report is mandatory for residence certificate.
My situation is that I make frequent short trips overseas, so I'm never in Thailand for more than 90 days at a time.
-If it makes any difference; I'm Australian citizen on spouse of Thai citizen visa, and have yellow house book & pink ID card.
-Driving license office said I can use yellow house book & pink ID card instead of residence certificate as proof of address, but then driving license will only be valid in Bangkok, not other provinces.
Has anyone been able to get the residence certificate in Bangkok without having done a 90-day report? I've seen multiple previous comments saying the 90-day report is mandatory for residence certificate.
My situation is that I make frequent short trips overseas, so I'm never in Thailand for more than 90 days at a time.
-If it makes any difference; I'm Australian citizen on spouse of Thai citizen visa, and have yellow house book & pink ID card.
-Driving license office said I can use yellow house book & pink ID card instead of residence certificate as proof of address, but then driving license will only be valid in Bangkok, not other provinces.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around whether an expat can obtain a residence certificate in Bangkok without having completed a 90-day report, given that they frequently leave Thailand before the 90 days is complete. Some comments emphasize that a 90-day report is usually mandatory for obtaining the residence certificate, while others suggest that a yellow house book can serve as proof of residence instead. Participants also clarify that driving licenses issued in Thailand are valid nationwide, contrary to the notion that a license could be restricted to Bangkok if a yellow house book is used.
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Henrik *****
Be aware that there may be several months until you can get a appointment for a driving test.
If only staying less than 90 days, just use a International drivers license from you home country, since that is valid for up to 90 days / stay.
If only staying less than 90 days, just use a International drivers license from you home country, since that is valid for up to 90 days / stay.
Nongnuch ********
if you hold a yellow house book, you don't need a residence certificate. The yellow housebook is a substitute for the residence cert
Andy ********
Driving licences are valid throughout Thailand and not limited to a province. I think that bit of information was lost in translation or made up on the spot.
Alastair ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andy *******
I speak fluent Thai, so not lost in translation. Though easily could have been made up on the spot. I'll go back to my DLT appointment with the yellow book and see what happens.Reply to
Alastair ********
Reply
Kev *********
From what you state about driving licence only being valid in 1 province, either you've been misinformed or misinterpreted what you've been told. My first licences were issued in Bkk then, on expiry, re-issued in Rayong.
Alastair ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kev ********
I speak fluent Thai (so not a mis-translation). The staff member at DLT (min buri office) very confidently told me that the license would only be valid in Bangkok and not other provinces if yellow book was used as proof of address.Though they could have given me wrong information.
I'll go back to my DLT appointment with the yellow book and see what happens.
Reply to
Alastair ********
Reply
Ian *********
I would take a copy of the last entry stamp in your passport. Assuming that was dated <90 days ago, should be a sufficient replacement for the 90 day report and justification for why you don’t have one. Take all other docs too….. ‘belt and braces’ 😉….. as another person said, I’ve never heard of a Driving Licence being only valid in another province either
Jae *******
I still don't have a car or bike licence, despite fully passing both tests because I couldn't stay in Thailand for 90 days to get a certificate of residency... so yes you do need one unfortunately.
Garrett ***********
@Jae ******
My advice would be spend 2 days in chiang mai or another province. Chiang mai issues certificate of residency to anyone.Reply to
Garrett ***********
Reply
Ruud ******************
If you are never 90 days in Thailand; each time you enter the country a new 90days starts; so if it’s true you never stay longer than 89 days you don’t have to worry about
Ruth *******
@Ruud *****************
read the question againRuud ******************
@Ruth ******
I answer a part of his question and that is that he doesn’t have to do a 90 day report; read my answerGarrett ***********
@Ruud *****************
She's not asking anything about 90 day reports.Ruth *******
@Ruud *****************
this will be my last response on this. He clearly knows he does not need to do a 90-day report. That’s precisely the problem. 🤣🤣🤣. To get a residency certificate one DOES need to do a 90-day report. If one is never in the country for 90 days, they don’t do a report. He needs the certificate to get a license. How to get his license without the report is the only question. You didn’t answer half.Reply to
Ruth *******
Reply
Brandon ************
There's no way to get a residence certificate in Bangkok without a 90 day report.
I've also never heard of a license that's only good in one province. I'm not sure that's even a thing. Many DLT will accept a yellow house book as proof of residence and will issue a regular drivers license based on that.
You can find out if the Australian embassy offers residence verification but most embassies have stopped offering this.
Personally I just went to a different province (Chiang Mai) to get my drivers license since I knew I could get a residence certificate there.
I've also never heard of a license that's only good in one province. I'm not sure that's even a thing. Many DLT will accept a yellow house book as proof of residence and will issue a regular drivers license based on that.
You can find out if the Australian embassy offers residence verification but most embassies have stopped offering this.
Personally I just went to a different province (Chiang Mai) to get my drivers license since I knew I could get a residence certificate there.
Alastair ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
Thank you. Australian embassy don't offer residence verification. I was surprised by suggestion of driving license valid in only one province, but the staff member appeared very confident. I speak fluent Thai, so not a translation issue, but could be staff member giving wrong information.
I'll go back to DLT with the yellow book and see what happens.
Jae *******
@Brandon ***********
Immigration in Korat won't accept just a yellow book unfortunately.Garrett ***********
@Jae ******
immigration?Reply to
Garrett ***********
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