thailand
Ask question

Can one obtain a Thai driver's license on a 30-day tourist stamp?

Thai driver's license30-day tourist visavisa rulesCertificate of Residencyexpat adviceThailand driving regulationsInternational Driving Permit (IDP)
Feb 25, 2018
7 years ago
David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can one obtain a Thai drivers licence on a 30 day tourist stamp?
4,968
views
6
likes
171
all likes
110
replies
2
images
37
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, it is possible to obtain a Thai driver's license with a 30-day tourist stamp or a 60-day tourist visa, but it may vary by province. To successfully acquire the license, applicants typically require a Certificate of Residency, which can be sourced from certain immigration offices or embassies. While many have done it with just a tourist visa, having an International Driving Permit (IDP) can simplify the process. It's worth noting that the type of license granted (one year versus five years) often depends on the length of the visa and personal circumstances.
Tod *********
Truly the thread that will not die. :O

To sum up the responses YES it is indeed possible to get a thai driver's license on a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp OR a 60 day tourist visa stamp at most Department of Land Transport offices.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Steve ********
I think many people may have a situation like mine . I USED to have an International Driving Permit , but they are only valid for 1 year and I have not been back home for years . So to get legal on a Thai scooter , I'd like to get licensed , even as an 'exempt entry' type tourist . A pity they make it awkward and provoke so many travellers to ride without a license .
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
Reiner you can 100% definitely get the residency cert in Chiang Mai on a 30 day visa exempt stamp. But this depends on the province, not all will do it.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
@St***
 it's not difficult in Chiang Mai, getting the residency cert is very easy, 600B from Tian visa agency top floor of Promenada. Then if you have an existing foreign license I believe you can convert it pretty quickly. If your current license doesn't cover the class of vehicle you want, you have to take a test. But it's not that difficult and I know lots of people who have done it.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reiner *********
Wright Steve, but the question was ..." On a 30 day visa" ...I agree much better with the thai once....
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Reiner *********
Reply
Steve ********
I intend to try this in a few days in CM . From my research , it hinges on a Residency Certificate .
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
@St***
 you can for sure get a residency cert in Chiang Mai. You have to pay Tian visa service (top floor Promenada) for it though unless you are willing to wait a month. It's 600B I believe now. I got one a while back when it was still G4T and paid 500B.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Steve ********
@David *******
 I will , even if I do not succeed😀😀😀
7 years ago
Like
Reply
David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hope you share your experience here after you are successful of course.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
David ********
Reply
Linda ****************
Can be done we done ours on a 30 day
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Mark ********
Better bring an International Lisc. For both.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Barry ******
Yes
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Rungnapa ***********
Can but if you have license from your country it more easy.if you no have any license then you must training 5 hour then test next day if you make in Pattaya appointment it April just bring your passport only to book appointment after you get appointment already then you can get this document
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Asif *********
tik tok visa shop can make and good service i think u contact
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Michael ********
Yes way too much in my opinion for something that is usually under 1k all up.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Sarah ****************
They charge 5000 baht but can sort it easily
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Sarah ****************
Reply
Michael ********
Yes you can for sure (in Pattaya). As long as you can get a residency certificate. If you are a TOURIST and staying short term then an IDP is fine If you plan to stay long term in Thailand you need a Thai licence after 90 days. This is legal wise and insurance wise.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Arnee *******
i know someone who did even without visa , you may not believe but its true :)
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Rob *********
I believe you.... Hes talking about a visa exempt stamp....so no visa....
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Rob *********
Reply
Rob *********
yes you can!
7 years ago
Like
Reply
David *******
why do you need one? Just get IDC from post office
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Danny *********
No!
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
For a thirty day lease? Seriously?
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Robert *******
You can get the residency certificate from your Embassy, so I don't see any problem to apply for a driving license.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Robert *******
Your Embassy.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Farwy ************
@Robert ******
 oh I see thank you and how about an American? 🙂
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Robert *******
As a Thai citizen you have the bleu house book as residency certificate.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Farwy ************
So what if I’m a dual is American and Thai citizen. What should I do since I have an American driver license! 😊
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Farwy ************
Reply
Mathew *******
Yes but only one year license not 5
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Lance *******
I got mine a couple of year's ago now just outside of bkk. Maybe they have changed the rules again TIT.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Justin *****
@Lance ******
 no it was in Khon Kaen - very friendly and helpful and she took her time to explain.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Lance *******
Justin your in Bkk?
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Justin *****
I tried to renew this week and get 5 years. Not possible they told me, they would only give 2 year licence based on a 30 day exemption stamp and required a visa of a year or longer to get a 5 year one.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Lance *******
Must be different rules everywhere. I got my five year license on a setv.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Mathew *******
@Tod ********
 that was my experience too Tod
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Ellie *******
okay. Seems better to change my comment like:

Everybody gets 2 years (temporary license - 1 year a while ago) for the first apply. it doesn't depend on your type of visa. If you have long term visa, you may be able to get 5 years when you renew after first 2 years up.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Tod *********
@El***
, umm, I dunno if that is right or not anymore.

A friend of mine who had a 5 year license (when he was on a b visa and work permit) went to renew it and because he was only on a tourist visa they would only give him a 2 year temporary license this time. :/
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Ellie *******
Everybody gets 2 years (1 year a while ago) for the first apply. you will get 5 years when you renew after 2 years up. it doesn't depend on your type of visa.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Michael ********
Yes 2.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Jon **********
Its a 2 year license these days, but yes, u can not get 5yr license without a long term visa
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Jon **********
Reply
Graeme **********
Why do you want a Thai License anyway. You only need a license from your home country and an International Drivers License. But if you do that, make sure you carry the originals with you because I got pinged for only showing the cop a photocopy of my International Drivers License. The ticket said I didn’t have a license. 400baht fine.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
David *******
mine is brown, just got it from post office
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Thomas *************
In Thailand you need the international driver's license from 1949, white, not the one from 1964, gray.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Thomas *************
Reply
Graeme **********
See
**************************************************
%20vehicles%20ThaiLicense.html
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
But yours is right? BS.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
It's actually licence in both British and Australian English
@Gra***
, license is the American English spelling.

***********************************************
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Jon **********
That was the question in the OP. Your answer was wrong. Get over it and stop crying u muppet
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
You should substantiate your claims in writing from an official source. Now build a bridge and get over it. There’s more important things than whether or not you can get a drivers license on a 30 day tourist stamp. Who really cars, and why would you want to get a Thai license if potentially you’re only here for 30 days anyway? And BTW, correct spelling is license not licence.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Jon **********
"Can one obtain a Thai drivers licence on a 30 day tourist stamp?" the answer is YES. If its your website, you should edit it to reflect that, if not, you shouldn't quote it as guidance, cos its wrong.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
Like many things in Thailand. The answer is yes, you can, but how to go about it and how easy it is going to be depends on the province.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
Therefore, by definition, there’s no correct answer
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
@Gra***
 just providing information. It's correct that some immigration offices, including Bangkok, won't do a residency cert until after a 90-day report, which effectively means that no-one on a visa shorter than that can get one. It's also however the case that other immigration offices will, and it's also an option to get an affidavit from your embassy instead if you happen to be in Bangkok.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
Good on you. You’ve done well.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
@J**
 you don't even need a lease, you just need to provide your address. You can get it staying night-by-night at a guesthouse. The name card of the hotel can be enough. I got mine without any lease.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
Oh sorry, I thought Pattaya was the ONLY place in Thailand. Guess I’m wrong again. Anyway, I’ve got a Thai License so I don’t really care about anyone else.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
@Gra***
 Pattaya is not the only place in Thailand. The rules on this vary by province.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
Well he might as well buy a motorbike then and he’s got all the bases covered
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Jon **********
TV = Tourist Visa = SETV

If he has a lease, yes
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
So you believe this guy on a 30 TV will be able to obtain a Residency Certificate?
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
Is a TV the same as a Retirement Visa
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Jon **********
The third paragraph. It say you cannot get DL on TV or exempt. I have maintained a drivers license for the last 9 years on nothing but exempt stamps and SETVs. No agency/under the table. Its allowed. Thai gov websites are terrible for updates and misinformation
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
What’s incorrect about it. Please be specific
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
Incorrect. The info is updated weekly when and if required
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Bauke ***********
This is old information. It used to be that way but you can get it on tourist visa now.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bauke ***********
Reply
James *********
Basically yes. But if you want both car and bike make sure you tell them that at immigration when you are getting your residency letter. I learnt the hard way they are not the same!
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
@J**
 a person on a tourist visa or exempt CAN get a CoR from immigration in Chiang Mai. I got two. Not in Bangkok. It depends on the province.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
James *********
In my experience when asked what I wanted the letter for and said to open bank account they would not do it. They gave me a different letter for my license. When trying to open an account with said letter anyway they said that it was only valid for license. Hope this clears things up
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Jon **********
A tourist visa, or exempt cant get CoR from immigration anyway. Need to visit embassy
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Diane ******
Chiang Mai is the same certificate. Original for one license and copy for the second, but you must be doing the two at the same time.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
from my own experince not hiring agencies for sitting in the aircon...
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
me neither, stating facts.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
James *********
Not going to argue
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
NO same ceritifcate can use for motorbike/car/bank.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
James *********
One for car one for bike

And you need a different one for bank too
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
I dunno who told you this which is not true.. same residency certificate for same purpose just vehiecle is different.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
They are the same, they take the original with one of the licenses and copy for the second one.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Chris *******
Reply
Bauke ***********
Yes you can see
*********************************************************************************************************
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Jon **********
@Graeme *********
 ive done it in bkk on 30day exempt. With a lease its easy to get CoR from embassy.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
But this guy is on a 30 day visitor visa. How’s he gonna get a certificate of residency?
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
yes.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
I don’t believe it I’m afraid. Have you done it
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
NO BS, thats how it is... believe or not :)
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Graeme **********
Sounds like BS to me
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Graeme **********
Reply
Graeme **********
Doubt it because you need a Certificate of Residency from Thai Immigration
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
You can a certificate of residency on a visa exempt or tourist visa in many provinces. Not in Bangkok, but in many other provinces. I have got two of them, on a tourist visa, in Chiang Mai.

In Bangkok you have the option of getting it from your embassy instead.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Ivan ************
Reply
James *********
I made mine in BKK on a visa exempt, I'm from England, did it through a company to save any hassle think it was 'fatboy motors' or something on fb
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
yeah medical certiifcate is 50-200 baht depends how classy is the hospital...
7 years ago
Like
Reply
James *********
Filled in my forms, made everything go smoothly, I just sat in the aircon, sorted out my medical certificate too, which I know now is a 5 minute job but it just made everything easier
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
they dont do anything more than you by yourself, just collecting money for speaking...
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Chris *******
Reply
San *********
Well in bkk u can not ...i did it 3 months ago but maybe they change the the rules so give a try and let us know
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
yes you can!
7 years ago
Like
Reply
David ************
I have license from my own country and had to test out.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Paul *********
***************************************
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
******************************************
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
if you dont have DL from your own country will need to take tests for motorbike or car license, because they are separate.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Chris *******
Go to the local DLT with medical certificate + residency certificate, your original DL if its in english or IDP or certified translation.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Dave ********
How
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Dave ********
Reply
Steven ***********
I got mine on a visa exempt....
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Steven ***********
Maybe it depends where your from
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Steven ***********
Reply
San *********
U need a non immigrant visa in order to make a drive license.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Shane *********
I personally got my Thai drivers license for the first time here on a 30 day tourist visa. I went to the immigration with my key card from my hotel and they gave me the residency certificate. My situation has changed now but the first time I got it (2.5 years ago) this was the case.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Jason *******
Confirmed! Tourist visa success here.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Shayne **********
Any visa or exempt entry is possible.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Shayne **********
Reply
Reiner *********
Well some did it but I think not possible
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Tod *********
Totally possible. The critical thing is getting proof of residence either from the immigration office or from your consulate.
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Shayne **********
Possible
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Shayne **********
Reply
San *********
No can not!
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Barry ******
******************************************************************************************************
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Shayne **********
I did.
**********************************************************
7 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Shayne **********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice
... members · 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice
Can someone with a DTV visa apply for a Thai driver's license?
26 comments
2 months ago
Can a DTV visa holder apply for a driving license in Thailand?
41 comments
3 months ago
Can expats apply for a driving license in Thailand on a DTV visa?
19 comments
3 months ago
Can you apply for a motorbike license in Thailand on a 60-day visa extension?
6 comments
3 months ago
Can you obtain a driving license and yellow book in Thailand on a Tourist Visa?
11 comments
5 months ago
Is it possible to get a Thai driver's license as a tourist? What is the process and requirements?
48 comments
8 months ago
Can I Apply for a Thai Driver's License on a 60-Day Tourist Visa?
34 comments
9 months ago
Can I transfer my American driver’s license to a Thai driver’s license?
57 comments
9 months ago
Can I obtain a Thai driving license in Krabi town on a visa exempt status?
55 comments
a year ago
How long can I hold a Thai driver's license if I'm on an education or marriage visa?
39 comments
a year ago
Can a US passport holder on a 60-day tourist visa obtain a Thai driver's license?
17 comments
2 years ago
Can you use a US driver's license in Thailand without obtaining a Thai driver's license?
56 comments
2 years ago
Can I obtain an international driving permit in Thailand with a Thai driver's license?
25 comments
2 years ago
Do you need residency status to get a driver’s license in Thailand?
25 comments
2 years ago
Can I renew my expired Thai driver's license while on a tourist visa?
61 comments
2 years ago
Can I obtain a residence certificate on a 30-day tourist visa in Thailand?
11 comments
2 years ago
Is an International Driving License needed for long-term visa holders in Thailand?
59 comments
3 years ago
Can a university student holding a tourist or amnesty visa obtain a Thai driving license?
6 comments
3 years ago
Can I renew my 5-year Thai driver’s license with a tourist visa?
6 comments
3 years ago
Can I extend my tourist visa before its expiration to obtain a motorcycle driver's license in Thailand?
9 comments
3 years ago
Can I obtain a Thai driver’s license to legally ride a motorcycle if I missed getting a license in my home country?
76 comments
3 years ago
Are International Driver Licenses accepted in Thailand and for how long?
151 comments
4 years ago
What document do I need from Immigration to get a Thai driver's license?
54 comments
4 years ago
Can I get a Thai driver's license on a Tourist visa, and what is the validity of a Residency Certificate?
19 comments
7 years ago
Can I obtain a Thai driver's license while on a 30-day visa exemption?
9 comments
7 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.