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Can you obtain a Thai driving license on a DTV visa?

Thai Driving LicenseDTV VisaVisa TypesResidency CertificateTM30Temporary StayDriving License RegulationsExpat Advice
Jun 8, 2025
22 days ago
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can you have a thai driving license with a DTV?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, you can obtain a Thai driving license with a DTV visa. While it's possible to acquire a license on various visa types, including tourist visas, the validity of the license and specific requirements may vary based on local regulations. Key factors include the need for a residency certificate (often linked to a TM30 form) and individual driving licensing offices' policies. It's advisable to confirm these requirements at the local Department of Land Transport (DLT) office, as experiences can differ by location.
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Markus *****
When I was in Bangkok, they would not give the needed residency certificate with on a tourist visa. Not sure if you can with a DTV. However, I went to Pattaya and they will give one no problem. So first and foremost is to make sure you can get the residency certificate where ever you are as each town maybe different
20 days ago
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Mark **********
You can get a license on any visa. You can also use a hotel as an address. You can ask for a copy of the TM30 form from the hotel.
21 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Mark *********
 There are some DLT offices that will not issue licenses to tourists. So you have to be careful making blanket statements.
21 days ago
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Mark **********
@Brandon ***********
 How pedantic and exaggerated. LOL. The MAJORITY of offices will do what is legally your right to do. i.e Get a licence. And in the 15 years I lived in Thailand, I can't recall a single person who was refused from making an application. However, if you turned up looking like an unwashed, deadbeat backpacker, you MAY have problems. And in the EXTREME case of actually getting denied from making an application, simply go back a few days later and see a different person or go to another office. But I've NEVER heard of anyone having to do that. LOL
21 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Mark *********
 Government functions REQUIRE pedantic. That's like saying visa on arrival is the same as visa exempt, when they are not the same thing at all. Give the wrong advice and it can cause someone to spend a lot of time and effort and possibly money too on something that's not possible.
21 days ago
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Mark **********
@Brandon ***********
 Mate, stop grasping at straws and being a doom and gloom panic merchant FFS! It simply IS easy to get a licence. And if in the extremely unlikely situation where you're refused from making an application, NO money is lost. Simple as that. Ignore this negative drama queen troll peoplešŸ„ø
21 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Mark *********
 Giving someone accurate information is not doom and gloom. Whether you like it or not, it's accurate and is to help people and prepare them.
21 days ago
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Mark **********
@Brandon ***********
 Go away you clown. Or ban me. Up to you. šŸ„ø
21 days ago
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Mark **********
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Jo **********
You need to have residence certificate and that requires a TM30. I live in my own house so I donā€™t have one. So I am not a tourist. I am on a long term visa and I canā€™t get a divers license.

ridiculous
21 days ago
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Mark **********
@Jo *********
 As a foreigner who owns property in Thailand, you need to register your stay at your own house with the Immigration Bureau using the TM30 form yourself. Sorted.
21 days ago
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Jo **********
@Mark *********
 ok thank you
21 days ago
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Jo **********
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Dany ********
@Jo *********
 how do you even do a 90day report without a tm30? šŸ¤£
21 days ago
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Jo **********
@Dany *******
 donā€™t need to 90 day reporting
21 days ago
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Dany ********
@Jo *********
 because you have a special visa that doesnt require it? šŸ˜…
21 days ago
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Dany ********
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Dany ********
@Jo *********
 everyone needs to have a TM30ā€¦
21 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Jo *********
 what? That makes no sense. You just file your own TM30 as legally required
21 days ago
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Jo **********
@Brandon ***********
 have not done one ever in 4 years. to much trouble
21 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Jo *********
 then you can't complain about not having a drivers license because you can't be troubled to spend 5 minutes to register online.
21 days ago
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Jo **********
@Brandon ***********
 chiang mai cant on line
21 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Jo *********
 you still have no idea what you're talking about. Local immigration offices have NOTHING to do with the online TM30. It's a national system. TM30s are not approved by anyone. It's just an entry database. You submit a new entry and that's it. It's immediately available to download and print.
21 days ago
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Jo **********
@Brandon ***********
 i know lol šŸ˜œ
21 days ago
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Jo **********
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Bob *******
Visa doesnā€™t matter. Even on visa exemption you can
22 days ago
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Graham ******
@Bob ******
 It does matter in some provinces ;)
21 days ago
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Graham ******
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Matthew *********
Itā€™s only a fill out a form take copies of visa and passport and watch video for 1hr and then you will have your Thai licence
22 days ago
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Victor ***********
@Matthew ********
 where did you do it ?
21 days ago
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Stephen *********
@Matthew ********
 donā€™t forget the practical tests. Checking for color blindness, emergency braking and some weird test with 2 white sticks in a box
22 days ago
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Chris ********
@Matthew ********
 where are you located
22 days ago
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Chris ********
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Lee-Ann *******
Yes, my husband and I both do, we are DTV visa holders
22 days ago
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Stephen *********
You can get one on a tourist visa, but normally only valid for 2 years
22 days ago
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Drew *****
@Stephen ********
 1 year now, then renew for a 5 year.
22 days ago
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Craig **********
@Stephen ********
 correct then apply for 5 years before 2 years expires
22 days ago
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Robert **********
@Stephen ********
 the first license for anyone, including Thais, is 2 years subsequent licenses are 5 years
22 days ago
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Stephen *********
@Robert *********
 my wifeā€™s, who is Thai got her first license, valid for only one year. Then after that 5 years. My first and second license where both for 2 years
22 days ago
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Robert **********
@Stephen ********
 guess it depends on which office & when she got it mine got her first car license last year & that was 2 years and was told renewal will get 5 years

Lots of info & appointments can be booked on this site with your local DLT office, on the link below in English & Thai

************************
21 days ago
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Robert **********
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Stephan ***********
@Robert *********
 Renewal is also just for 2 years (temporary), if you don't have the "correct" visa. Normally they want to see a Non-Immigrant-Visa, some accept also a DTV for a 5 year license.
22 days ago
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Robert **********
@Stephan **********
 guess again it depends on the office as you say some are 2 on renewal some 5 in your experience
21 days ago
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Stephan ***********
@Robert *********
 The official requirement for a 5 year license is a Non-Immigrant-Visa (you may or may not check the DLT website), everything else is up to the discretion of your local DLT office.

*****************************************
21 days ago
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Stephen *********
@Stephan **********
 agreed šŸ‘
22 days ago
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Stephen *********
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Pat ******
I just do driving license with 60 days tourist entry
22 days ago
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Muchlis ********
@Pat *****
 u do it by youtself or using agent?
22 days ago
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Pat ******
@Muchlis *******
 byitself , its very easy ! No need agent here
22 days ago
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Pat ******
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Mackenzie ********
@Pat *****
 how did you get your residency slip? Are you in a rental or hotel type stays
22 days ago
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Pat ******
@Mackenzie *******
 rental condo - hotell is also okey - just you need to have at least 15 days minimum stay..
22 days ago
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Mackenzie ********
@Pat *****
 okay yeah I need to get it done
22 days ago
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Mackenzie ********
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Kurt ************
@Pat *****
 where in Thailand?
22 days ago
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Pat ******
Chiang Mai - but it donā€™t matter where - law is the same everywhere .,,,

Need to have medical certificate ( 100 baht )

From immigration need to get certificate fir accommodationā€¦ - for that one you need to have tm30 from your current hotel-condo- hostel or whateverā€¦

Then passport copy, if have driving license from your country then copy of those ā€¦

Need to book time for examt at DLT - i git first aviable time for 30 days later ā€¦ so this one need to do first..

Download this app and bookit from there ā€¦

Also - for the exam need to practice online tests ā€¦

Thaidriveexam.com - same questions will be at exam .. have 50 questions. Need to do 45 correct..

Exam fee is 105 baht - if you pass it , if you fail then can do again for free - 2 times per day ā€¦

Good luck
22 days ago
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Jo **********
@Pat *****
 yes you need a TM30 i live in my own house so I donā€™t have one.
21 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Pat *****
 not exactly the same everywhere. There are DLT offices that will not accept tourists
22 days ago
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Jo **********
@Brandon ***********
 You need to have residence certificate and that requires a TM30. I live in my own house so I donā€™t have one. So I am not a tourist and I canā€™t get a divers license - ridiculous situation
21 days ago
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Pat ******
@Jo *********
 you can do tm30 also if you live in your own house .. šŸ¤”
21 days ago
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Jo **********
@Pat *****
 not sure itā€™s possible have never done one in 2 years!

I am not running a hotel or rental accommodation
21 days ago
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Wayne *********
@Jo *********
 I do my own it's easy just register with immigration and then log in and do it.
21 days ago
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Pat ******
@Jo *********
 Brandon is wright
21 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Jo *********
 TM30 has nothing to do with hotels. It's a legal requirement for EVERY property owner to report a foreigner staying there within 24 hours of arrival. It doesn't matter who owns the house.
21 days ago
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Jo **********
@Brandon ***********
 crazy i fly into Thailand 2-3 times a month. I canā€™t drive all the way to immigration for a day every time.
21 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Jo *********
 why would you drive to immigration? You think hotels go to immigration every day? It's all done online
21 days ago
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Jo **********
@Brandon ***********
 last time I did this , i was told to do to this at an office at immigration. This what I happened.
21 days ago
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Muchlis ********
@Brandon ***********
 which one?
22 days ago
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Brandon ************
@Muchlis *******
 Pattaya for one
22 days ago
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Brandon ************
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Andrew ********
Yes, IDP is only good here for 90 days, if you are going to stay here longer then 90 you can take their classes and test or move your license over via reciprocal agreements but its eaiser to just take their classes and test, how long yoir license will be valid for is based off the visa you have
22 days ago
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Dany ********
@Andrew *******
 there is no law that says that an IDP is only valid for 90 days. such thing is not existing and an internet myth
21 days ago
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Craig **********
@Andrew *******
 I just done this entire process very easy and enjoyable did a days training and then a test with pattaya boss company close to Chon buri transport office šŸ‘
22 days ago
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Andrew ********
@Craig *********
 cool I did too šŸ˜Ž test on computer and road test
21 days ago
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Jo **********
@Craig *********
 a whole day? omg
21 days ago
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Jo **********
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Graham ******
@Andrew *******
 Only the colour blindness, breaking and depth of vision tests in Sa Kaeo province plus an IDP. The first licence is for 2 years.
22 days ago
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Andrew ********
@Graham *****
 depends on your visa xan be 1 year or longer
21 days ago
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Graham ******
@Andrew *******
 First is 2 years probationary and then it becomes a full licence of 5 years on renewal. I got mine on a Non-O.
21 days ago
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Graham ******
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