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Do I need a letter from the US Embassy to transfer my US driver's license to Thailand?

US driver's license Thai driver's license visa rules residency certificate US embassy expat advice Pattaya visa agent immigration international driving permit

Jun 2, 2021

4 years ago

Terary **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have been informed by the visa agent I use, to transfer my US drivers license to Thailand - I need to get a letter from the US Embassy.

Is that true?

Does anybody have experience doing this? How much time does it take?  The US embassy is in Bangkok and I am in Pattaya, will I have to travel there to get it?  Also what is it, called?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To transfer your US driver's license in Thailand, you generally do not need a letter from the US Embassy. Instead, individuals can obtain a residency certificate directly from the local immigration office, which is sufficient for the process. Some comments suggest that only those without an English-written license require embassy involvement for translation purposes. It is advisable to gather the necessary documents such as the residency certificate, copies of the passport and visa, and possibly a medical clearance, without needing to visit the embassy unless your situation specifically demands it.

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Jeff **********

What does immigration require to get the residency certificate for a renter with no blue book or yellow book?

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George *************

@Jeff *********

If you have done a TM-30 there and are current on your 90-Day Reports, that's it. Otherwise, you will likely have to do a TM-30 and have evidence of where you're staying, like a lease for instance.

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George *************

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James ********

When I got mine, I had to have 2 copies of my passport signed my the embassy, and 2 copies of my place of residency signed by Thai immigration and retirement visa. I made 3 trips to the license place and they told me 1 thing at a time till I got everything done it was a nightmare. Call the license place and get clear information before going. I had 10 different information from friends and nobody was right, things change all the time, so do your own research or you will be making a lot of trips to the license office.

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Pui *****

Are you sure you want to trust a visa agent that gives you such erroneous info?

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Bobby ********

Pui Sun. Agents give the information that they can invoice you the most for! 🤣

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Bobby ********

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Antonio ***********

Really need an agent to do that? 🤔😢

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Bobby ********

Antonio Giurlanda. Some foreigners here are so helpless, they need an agent to wipe their bums! 🤣

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Bobby ********

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Alessandro **********

You don't need to pay a visit to Embassy. Only those who don't have a license written in English do. Because they need to have an English translation out of their license and so they need a stamp on the translation by their embassies

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George *************

@Alessandro *********

If you have an International Driver's Permit (which is a translation of your driver's license into English and other languages) you don't need to get translations.

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George *************

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Tod *********

Your visa agent is a little off the mark.

IF you're in Pattaya you can go to the immigration office and get a certificate of residence at the office there on Soi 5

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Steve **********

I did it. I never went anywhere near an Embassy. My Florida drivers license, my international license, the residency certificate from immigration, copies of passport and visa, and the medical clearance was all I needed. (That I remember). But for sure I did not go anywhere near the embassy.

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Wylie *******

The US consulate/embassy website for Thailand has detailed instructions for getting a Thai driver's license as well as instructions on how to do many, many other things in Thailand. It's an excellent resource. If you click on "driving in thailand" at the below link it will list what is needed.

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Sammy *******

or get a Residency Certificate, no need to get document from embassy

can get this certificate directly from immigration or pay a bit more and have an agent get it for you in a shorter period of time.

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Sammy *******

btw simply Google " getting a thai driver's license" and you'll see all the info you need.

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Sammy *******

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Bobby ********

You need a certificate of residency from immigration.

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Malcolm *******

Not sure about a US License , but I know for certain that UK and Australian citizans dont require a letter .

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Malcolm *******

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