Answereda year ago
Can tourists obtain a driving license in Thailand?
Driving licence as a tourist. For clarity does anyone know if you can get a DL as a tourist? The driving licence in most DLTs requires a residence certifcate, which requires a long term visa. I've seen many reports that tourists are getting a DL, any thoughts or did I miss something
Answer summary
The ability for tourists to obtain a driving license in Thailand varies by province. While some regions may require a long-term visa for a residence certificate, many do not have such strict requirements. Tourists can often utilize their home country driver's license along with an International Driving Permit (IDP), which is valid for up to 90 days. It's noted that in cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok, some DLT offices may issue licenses to tourists who have a valid IDP, as long as certain conditions, like having sufficient time left on their visa stamp, are met.
32 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Petrov ********
In that time i have only stamp for 60 days should have permission to stay in Thailand for more than 15 day when apply for driving licence. I ask first in DLT Chatuchak and after going on Sukhumvit 62 there more slow but they do not ask for so much documents.
Petrov ********
I get already with 60 days stamp and international driving licence in Bangkok on DLT sukhumvit 62
Colin **********
OP@Petrov *******
the document say visa is required, there is no 60 day visa. Its a visa exempt or allowed with no visaPetrov ********
You can get resident certificate in imigration and can apply with tourist visa or stamp if you have driving licence in English or international driving licence do not need to do exam if you do not have have to do exam about 4 hrs and take.
Paul *******
@Petrov *******
There are NO international driving licences.Colin **********
OP@Petrov *******
many thanks for your sterling effort, the requirement is clear. My question was can you get a DL as a tourist because I thought to get the Residence Certificate you need along term visa (apparently you dont need it) this was because on a lawyers website in Bangkok they said you need the long term visa to get a certificate of residence. It looks like they were wrong. Ironically a few months ago I got my new DL my 4th one, when I went to immigration I gave them all the documents I thought they might which included my non o visa, I assumed they would need it.Jay **********
My international permit is valid for 3 years
Jay **********
Thanks 👌
David *******
@Jay *********
it might be valid for 3 years , however it's only valid for 90 days everytime you enter Thailand so if you've been in Thailand for 90 consecutive days it's then void and only starts again once you've left and returned. Please don't get caught out on that one Jay.
Frank ****************
@Jay *********
yes but only good for the first 90 Days with your national DL in Thailand, after 90 days you need a Thai DL to drive, and after 90 days you have a long term visa and can.Took me 2 days with 2 visit immigration and 2 visit the DL department to give me both a bike and a car DL.
Jay **********
@Frank ***************
fair enough, thats news to me.... but other than, say a crash or being convicted of a driving pffemce and having to present yourself at the police station, surely the oficer pulling you over and checking your licence would have to see your passport. Obviously your insurance would be invalid also but as far as a rd side stop goes it would be impossible for them to know right?Lloyd *********
Helps to say where issued as each countries IDP validity period is different
Jay **********
@Lloyd ********
helps not to have an underlying tone of passive aggressiveness.... ie where is you licence isued please. ukLloyd *********
Who's being aggressive? I'm merely saying it helps others to know where YOU obtained YOUR IDP for 3 years..
BTW, my last IDP was issued in Australia and valid for 12 months, hope that helps 😊
BTW, my last IDP was issued in Australia and valid for 12 months, hope that helps 😊
David *******
Why? Use your home country licence with your international driving permit (IDP)
Paul *******
@David ******
There are no valid international driving licences.David *******
@Paul ******
thank you - I meant to say international driving permit - now corrected. 👍
TattiBa********
In chiang mai you can. But they ask you to have at least 30 days left on your stamp to get the residence certificate
Pascal ********
As a tourist, you need an international driving permit, which is valid for 90 days in Thailand. After 90 days, you are no longer a tourist and therefore need a visa or residency permit.
Ruud ******************
If you are really a tourist, you can use your driver license from your home country with an IDL
Gregg *************
@Ruud *****************
not for motorcycles
GreenPa*******
@Ruud *****************
IDP. International driving permit not a licence 😁
Brian ********
GreenPapaya279
You need both to legally drive here, IDP+ full licence from home country
You need both to legally drive here, IDP+ full licence from home country
Lloyd *********
If you've already got a Thai DL why are you asking how to get one? 🤔
Brian ********
@Colin *********
So do I.Colin **********
OP@Brian *******
I just use my Thai DLColin **********
OPGreenPapaya279 yes, its sort of a authenticated copy of the orignal licence. Formatted to a International standard.
Faron *************
I can recommend
@Easy ********************************
she got me all documents needed on a tourist visa
Brandon ************
I only know of one province that requires you to be on a long-term visa to get a residence certificate. That's not the case in pretty much every province. So it's not an impediment to getting a drivers license.
Colin **********
OP@Brandon ***********
ok thanks I picked up that info on International lawyers website in Bankok
John **********
@Brandon ***********
although some DLT offices also require a Non-immigrant visa
Graham ******
@John *********
that's true tooActivity
18 joined18
people
Related
25Is it worth getting a single Non-O visa to obtain a driving license in Thailand?
1.9k17183mo
What are the requirements to obtain a Thai driving license and can I convert my international driving license?
5.6k41724mo
Can I get a residence certificate for a driving license while staying short-term in Thailand?
637174mo
Can I get a Thai driver’s license for a scooter on a tourist visa, and what requirements must I meet?
6.4k48378mo
Can I use my UK driving license to drive in Thailand while on a 12-month extension?
4k31469mo
How can I obtain a Thai driving license in Kalasin as an expat with a Non-O spouse visa?
2.4k20191y
Can I legally drive in Bangkok with an IDP on a DTV visa?
4.2k42201y
How can I obtain a residency certificate in Nonthaburi for my driver’s license renewal?
2.5k15211y
Can I obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Thailand with a DTV Visa and a Thai Driving License?
1.7k12101y
Can you obtain a Thai driving license on a DTV visa?
6.2k67181y
Can I obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Thailand while on a tourist visa?
5.1k44281y
Can I obtain a Thai driving license if I visit my wife in Thailand a few times a year?
8.8k80741y
Do I need to renew my international driving permit after changing my address on my driving license?
1.7k1292y
Can I apply for a Thai driving licence on a DTV with a TM30?
2.9k23182y
What paperwork is required to convert an international driver's license to a Thai driver's license?
10.1k51492y
What steps should I take to obtain a Thai driving license with foreign driving licenses?
6.3k47432y
Can I use my Singapore driving license to rent a car in Thailand?
5.2k15112y
How can I obtain an international driving permit in Thailand with a Thai driving license?
4.3k22273y
Can you obtain a certificate of residence in Bangkok with a visa exemption or tourist visa for a driving license?
1.7k10113y
How can I obtain a temporary motorcycle license in Thailand with a tourist visa?
4.1k21343y
Do you need residency status to get a driver’s license in Thailand?
3k25204y
Can I obtain a driving license for a motorbike in Thailand if my visa expires on 18.09.2022?
1.3k1124y
Can I use my Thailand Pass as a driving license in Thailand?
16.6k1102584y
Can I extend my tourist visa before its expiration to obtain a motorcycle driver's license in Thailand?
1.2k955y
What do I need to open a bank account in Thailand while on a Tourist Visa?
6k50546y
Resources
Need help with 90-day reporting?
Trusted service that gets people to a real agent fast