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Can tourists obtain a driving license in Thailand?
Driving LicenseTourist VisaInternational Driving PermitResidency CertificateThai Driving LicenseVisa Requirements
Nov 26, 2025
5 months ago
Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERDriving 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
TLDR : 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.
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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 **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Petrov *******
the document say visa is required, there is no 60 day visa. Its a visa exempt or allowed with no visaReply to
Colin **********
Reply
Petrov ********
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 **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@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.Reply to
Colin **********
Reply
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?Reply to
Jay **********
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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 😊
Reply to
Lloyd *********
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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. 👍Reply to
David *******
Reply
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 motorcyclesGreenPa*******
@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
Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brian *******
I just use my Thai DLLloyd *********
If you've already got a Thai DL why are you asking how to get one? 🤔
Brian ********
@Colin *********
So do I.Reply to
Brian ********
Reply
Colin **********
ORIGINAL POSTERGreenPapaya279 yes, its sort of a authenticated copy of the orignal licence. Formatted to a International standard.
Reply to
Colin **********
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Faron *************
I can recommend
@Easy ********************************
she got me all documents needed on a tourist visaBrandon ************
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 **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
ok thanks I picked up that info on International lawyers website in BankokJohn **********
@Brandon ***********
although some DLT offices also require a Non-immigrant visaGraham ******
@John *********
that's true tooReply to
Graham ******
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