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Can I obtain a Thai driving license if I visit my wife in Thailand a few times a year?

Thai Driving LicenseInternational Driving Permit (IDP)Visa RequirementsExpat Life in ThailandDriving in ThailandResidence CertificateVisa Types
May 5, 2025
2 days ago
Paddy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I visit my wife in Thailand once or twice a year. Is it possible for me to get a Thai driving licence?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, it is possible to obtain a Thai driving license if you visit Thailand regularly, provided you have the necessary documents. Typically, you can convert your home country’s driving license into a Thai driving license, especially if you possess an International Driving Permit (IDP). There are differing opinions on visa requirements, with some arguing that even a short-term visa should suffice, while others suggest that a long-term visa or residence certificate is needed for a full Thai driving license. However, as a visitor, you can usually drive with an IDP for up to three months.
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Wayne *******
No. Its well known you have to visit her at least 5 times a year
2 days ago
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YT ********************
@Wayne ******
 oh very demanding
2 days ago
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YT ********************
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Ernesto ********
Nice setup. 👍🏿
2 days ago
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Galen *******
I don't know where you live, but even with a Thai driving license, you can't drive to your wife more often if you don't have the appropriate immigration visa.
2 days ago
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Abey *********
His name gives it away.
2 days ago
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Robert *********
Have your international driver's licence
2 days ago
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SJ *******
Why don’t you ask your wife what her other husbands do?
2 days ago
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Paddy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@SJ ******
 why don't you go fuck yourself
2 days ago
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John *********
@SJ ******
 yes, it’s common, I knew a girl once that told me she had three foreigners on the go, she did well milking them for wire transfers. I enjoyed her company for a drink but nothing more but it did give me an insight early on, some of the obvious pitfalls but if you know, you know 🤷🏿‍♀️
2 days ago
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John *********
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David *******
An "International driving permit" bought at home or here.
2 days ago
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Kim *********
@David ******
 from home - here if you have a Thai drivers license
2 days ago
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Kim *********
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Alan *****
Yes you can Don’t forget to take your drivers license from home
2 days ago
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Jonny *********
Get an international driving licence.
2 days ago
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Bruce ***********
Yes of course
2 days ago
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Kevin ******
Yes
2 days ago
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Billy ********
No,but I got a Thailand ID tho. You can buy a International driver iicence for one year. Around 45 dollars. I get one very year.
2 days ago
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Robert **********
@Billy *******
 PERMIT!! Why are people calling the IDP a license??!
2 days ago
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YT ********************
Why no one know TDL?
2 days ago
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YT ********************
@Robert *********
 because not really smart
2 days ago
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YT ********************
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Roger **********
Possible
2 days ago
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Fra *****
If you have a Visa
2 days ago
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Luc ************
@Fra ****
 also on visa exempt.
2 days ago
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Fra *****
@Luc ***********
 O for 3 months is ok, what is on Visa 🤷‍♂️
2 days ago
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Fra *****
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Paul *******
I don't think you need a driver's license for that Paddy ... 😂
2 days ago
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Pete *******
Your home country driving license together with an IDP allows you to drive for 3 months on each entry into the Kingdom. If you need longer you can apply for a temporary license which is valid for two years and can be got with a visa exempt entry or a tourist visa. If you are on a non O based on marriage or retirement you can apply for the 5 year license after first getting the 2 year temporary license.
2 days ago
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YT ********************
@Pete ******
 everyone mixed everything here
2 days ago
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Pete *******
@YT *******************
 which is why I have cleared it up.
2 days ago
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Peter ***********
@Pete ******
 Aussies get six months
2 days ago
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Pete *******
@Peter **********
 no Aussies are treated the same as everyone else. Thailand recognises an IDP as valid for 90 days from entry, then you must either obtain a Thai driving license or exit and re-enter the Kingdom.
2 days ago
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Pete *******
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Kurt ***********
If you are staying in Thailand for more than 3 months, the Thai authorities require you to have a Thai driver's license, even if you have an IDP that is valid for one year. A foreign driver's license can be converted to a Thai driver's license at DLT. This requires a minimum of 3 months visa, a residence certificate from Immigration and a medical certificate from a medical clinic, as well as a national and international driver's license.
2 days ago
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YT ********************
@Kurt **********
 not true
2 days ago
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Rob **********
@YT *******************
 you should absolutely read up on the law in Thailand,as you are giving shit advice, or should I say no advice at all, you are only saying everyone else is incorrect without offering any alternative ideas.
2 days ago
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Billy ********
@YT *******************
 No, i

I couldn’t get one.
2 days ago
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Fra *****
@YT *******************
 sure true, if you talk about Thailand
2 days ago
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Kurt ***********
@YT *******************
 There may be different requirements for different countries. These are the rules that apply to travelers from Europe.
2 days ago
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Kurt ***********
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Marco *******
Yes you can
2 days ago
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Kjell ******
I think you just need an international driving license. It's the same as the one you have, just translated into Thai.
2 days ago
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Erwin *******
@Kjell *****
 But must renewed yearly,
2 days ago
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Kjell ******
@Erwin ******
 You can get it for 3 year.
a day ago
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Kjell ******
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Robert **********
@Kjell *****
 it is a permit (IDP), not a license...
2 days ago
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YT ********************
@Kjell *****
 no need
2 days ago
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Kim *********
@YT *******************
 much easier so yes need
2 days ago
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Kim *********
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Si ********
@Paddy ******
 Don't believe the agents that say they can get you a licence without you attending the tests. 💯 scammers.
2 days ago
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Tony *******
No you need a visa married or retired .why don't you get a international licence from your country
2 days ago
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Tony *******
2 days ago
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Graham ******
@Tony ******
 generally
2 days ago
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Jan **********
@Tony ******
 bad advice
2 days ago
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Tony *******
@Jan *********
 that information is from the guv website
2 days ago
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Tony *******
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Jim ********
@Tony ******
 you don’t need anything. I got mine on a visa exempt stamp
2 days ago
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Marco *******
@Tony ******
 false information. He can do it under any permission of stay with a valid residence certificate issued by local immigration office
2 days ago
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Tony *******
@Marco ******
 how do you get a valid residence certificate without a visa?
2 days ago
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Marco *******
@Tony ******
 simply going to immigration office with printed tm30, copy of visa/exemption stamp page, copy of data page and 2 photos. 500 baht for express service or FOC for standard service
2 days ago
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Marco *******
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YT ********************
@Tony ******
 lol, no.
2 days ago
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YT ********************
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David *******
Yes. Next time you come brung your home country photo licence and also an IDP. You can then get a Thai licence without a driving test. Initially for 2 years then 5 years each time.
2 days ago
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Lawrie *******
@David ******
 So you can learn Thai style how to not observe speed limits, drive while over the blood alcohol limit and heaven forbid can drive while texting or talking on your smartphone or driving one handed while video recording on your smartphone. Oh and don't forget to put your motorcycle helmet in the front basket in case you have an accident, and car seat belts are just ornaments that you don't have to wear!
2 days ago
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David *******
@Lawrie ******
 Have you always been a twat?
2 days ago
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Lawrie *******
@David ******
 No just following in your footsteps DS!
2 days ago
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Lawrie *******
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Richard ********
@David ******
 You don't need an idp.

You only get five years if you are on a long stay visa or extension. Otherwise just two years each time.
2 days ago
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Richard ********
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Si ********
2 days ago
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Paddy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for confusion lol
2 days ago
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Paddy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Si *******
 I wouldn't have a certificate of residence as I only visit
2 days ago
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Rob **********
@Paddy ******
 so therefore you will not be able to obtain a Thai driver’s license, as a valid certificate of residency from immigration is a legal requirement
2 days ago
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Rob **********
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Si ********
@Paddy ******
 Just follow these instructions. They are from the official DLT website. Don't listen a single word that
@YT *******************
 is saying.
2 days ago
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John **********
@Si *******
 while that may be an official graphic it's a bit light on reality. If you have a valid driving licence AND an International Driving Permit from your home country you can take that, your passport (and copies of relevant pages), a residence certificate, and a medical certificate to your local DLT and apply to convert them to a Thai licence. Some DLT offices additionally require you to be on a Non-immigrant visa.
2 days ago
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Graham ******
@John *********
 Agreed, just the three reaction/physical tests in Sa Kaeo province if you have an IDP, no video and or theory test for the first 2 year licence
2 days ago
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YT ********************
If your DL is in English to no need to do anything.
2 days ago
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YT ********************
@John *********
 exactly but you no need international driving licence. I haven't but I got the permit. I needed only translate my DL. If your DL is in English you no need to do anything.
2 days ago
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YT ********************
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YT ********************
@Si *******
 no need this
2 days ago
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YT ********************
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Sam ************
Yes
2 days ago
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Judy *******
If you have an internationally recognised licence yes
2 days ago
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David *********
@Judy ******
 what’s an internationally recognised licence ?
2 days ago
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Rok ********
@David ********
 IDP - International Driving Permit obtained in your country (not online). In UK used to be from the post office and in USA i believe from AAA.
2 days ago
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Graham ******
@David ********
 An International Driving Permit based on your "home" driving licence
2 days ago
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Neil ********
@David ********
 international driving licence obtained for temporary driving abroad. Makes it quick and easy to convert to Thai
2 days ago
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Neil ********
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YT ********************
@Judy ******
 no need
2 days ago
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Steven *******
@YT *******************
 No need, but if you have an IDP, you don’t have to do as many tests.
2 days ago
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YT ********************
@Steven ******
 if you have English version of your license you no need to do anything
2 days ago
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Rob **********
@YT *******************
 you still need a certificate of residency from immigration and they will not issue you one if you are on a visa exempt entry stamp. As the OP didn’t state how long he stays in Thailand per visit and what if any visa he uses it’s impossible to give him the correct advice.
2 days ago
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Steven *******
@YT *******************
 You have to do a Reaction test.
2 days ago
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Steven *******
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Mark *********
@YT *******************
2 days ago
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Reply to
Mark *********
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