Can you buy a car in Thailand with a DTV visa?

DTV Visa Car Purchase Residency Certificate Thailand Immigrations Vehicle Registration

Nov 6, 2024

8 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Has any DTV holder bought a new or used car? 

(need a valid visa to get the ownership and license plate paperwork done)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Yes, DTV holders can buy a car in Thailand. The key requirement is obtaining a Residency Certificate from Immigration, which may vary depending on the office and location. Some Immigration Offices, such as in Jomtien, can issue this certificate quickly, while others in Bangkok may require a 90 Day report first. It's important to note that a visa is not strictly necessary for the car purchase itself.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

John **********

You can buy a car on any visa, or no visa

7 days ago

Jared *********

Yes. The visa was irrelevant. Needed Residence Certificate from immigration.

Transferring plates from Bangkok to Chon Buri and transferring blue book to my name as we speak.

8 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jared ********

visa is needed for conversion to white plate. No visa at time of application=no white plate

I am asking if any dtv holder has bought a car (the whole process) smoothly. Meaning i would like to know if dtv (a new visa category) is treated the same as the other visas

7 days ago

Jared *********

Anonymous participant I tried to answered your original question. I have the DTV and purchased a secondhand vehicle. The plates on the car were from a different province so I had to apply for new plates with a new number and everything. I am getting the new white plates without any issues. The process takes a couple months.

I haven't purchased a new vehicle or had to convert from red to white so I don't have experience with that. Where did you get the information about not being able to convert red plates to white? Are you 100% sure that is accurate?

7 days ago

Urs ********

@Jared ********

Normally, when you buy a used car, the white license plate of the previous owner remains on the car.

I have bought a used car in Bangkok, but I live in another province. I don't care where th license plate is from.

Is there a single reason to apply for a new white license plate in the province where you live?

7 days ago

Jared *********

@Urs *******

the car registration people told me that I need new plates because registering in Chon Buri instead of Bangkok... I assumed that this was correct info since it was from the officials but... 😅

7 days ago

Urs ********

@Jared ********

Believe me, the license plate stays normally on the car for ever, no matter what province you live in. But if you wish to have a license plate from the province you live in, of course you can apply for a new one at your DLT. Takes approx. 2 weeks and of course it has a price.

6 days ago

Jared *********

@Urs *******

darn.... I wish I asked fb first instead of the officials while doing the ownership transfer

6 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jared ********

Now we know. This group is so helpful

6 days ago

Jared *********

Anonymous participant I was being sarcastic. Because what would we expect to happen.... I ask random people on fb and then I'm supposed to tell the Thai government officials that they are doing their job incorrectly and to do it the way that some ransom guy on fb says it should be done. I'm sure the government officials will say "I'm sorry, thanks for teaching me how to do me job..."

😂😂😂

6 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jared ********

I know. Well to be fair, different provinces and divisions have their own rules and practices. Things are always changing too

6 days ago

Jared *********

Anonymous participant that's a good point. Maybe i over reacted.

6 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jared ********

it is the processing time when things can be rejected. I found out this way. There is only 1 way to be certain: when you actually hold the white plate in your hands and fix it to your car. Else its no guarantee

7 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jared ********

Ok thank you. I bought a new car with another visa before dtv. 100% sure

7 days ago

Reply to

Anonymous *************

Greg ********

Yes, you can buy a car on a DTV. You can buy one on a tourist visa or even visa exempt. It is the Residency Certificate you need from Immigration. You need your TM30 registered. Some Immigration Offices such as Jomtien will issue Reisdency Certificate right after this is done. Then other like Bangkok require at least on 90 Day report before issuing a Residency Certificate.

8 days ago

Lee-Ann *******

@Greg *******

silly question, but where do we get the TM30 from if you don't mind me asking, I'm new to all this, we will be staying at an Airbnb in Phuket for a month and we want to purchase a new car

6 days ago

Greg ********

@Lee-Ann ******

Your landlord has the legal responsibility to register you within 24 hours of your arrival. Some do not as they want to keep their head down in case of tax. However, it is you who gets fined if no TM30 is completed. 1) Ask your landlord to do it 2) If he does not then ask him for the documents to do it yourself

6 days ago

Lee-Ann *******

@Greg *******

awesome, thanks for that information, if I have to do it myself, where do I do it

6 days ago

Reply to

Lee-Ann *******

Deepak *******

@Greg *******

You can also get a residency certificate for 500 baht.

8 days ago

Greg ********

@Deepak ******

What are you talking about?

8 days ago

Deepak *******

@Greg *******

Residence certificate for 500 baht. What's the confusion?

Jon **********

from where?

Greg ********

It depends on the particular immigration office. Some you can pay to have the issuance of the certificate expedited. There was a post about Chiang Mai recently about paying 300 in the office itself or 500 to the agent across the road with no need to go to the office.

7 days ago

Greg ********

@Deepak ******

Why are you telling me? I did not ask you the question. Reply to someone who needs to know.

8 days ago

Reply to

Greg ********

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg *******

your country's embassy can issue res cert too without 90d report

8 days ago

Greg ********

Anonymous participant How does the UK Embassy know where I live to issue a Residency Certificate? Do you know if the Land Transport Office will accept a Residency Certificate issued by a Foreign Embassy rather than Royal Thai Immigration?

8 days ago

Jon **********

@Greg *******

they would. But the British Embassy doesn’t issue them anymore

8 days ago

Greg ********

@Jon *********

I know - not really their job to do is it?

8 days ago

Jon **********

@Gr**

it used to be. I’ve had 4 or 5 off them in the past. At 3k a go it was a good money spinner too, not sure why they stopped. Especially with bkk immigration insisting on a 90day report before they’ll issue a CoR - for people that travel a lot it can make getting a license/buying a vehicle here challenging. The embassy offering it was a good solution.

7 days ago

Greg ********

@Jon *********

I think they stopped as budgets were cut and so took up staff time for what was not a core activity.

7 days ago

Reply to

Greg ********

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Greg *******

you need a valid visa for white plate conversion from red plate. Has anyone done it on dtv?

8 days ago

Greg ********

Anonymous participant No idea. My friend owns a largish garage I will ask her. She deals in 2nd hand cars though not used. (Having said that though she does not deal with foreigners - too much hassle 🙂 )

8 days ago

Reply to

Greg ********

Thiên ******

Thank you so much for your comment. FYI

@Trường ******

8 days ago

Reply to

Thiên ******

Can you renew a 5-year driving license with a DTV in Thailand?

14 comments

8 days ago