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Answered4 months ago

How easy is it to get a DTV extension in Bangkok compared to a border bounce?

Nicholas ********
asked Jun 24, 2026
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Getting the DTV extension in Bangkok was easy. Here's my experience and how I think about the idea of going on a border bounce.

Going to Immigration Office: I had my documents prepared. They open 8:30am but I was there 7am and I got queue #233 but I was #1 to visit Counter J where they extend DTV visa, so the wait was short. The interview and review process was pretty quick, they looked over every document and cross referenced financials, and they asked a few questions, then gave me a preliminary stamp. I do have to make a second trip to the I.O. to officially get my stamp in two weeks, but the officer told me if they accept my documents in person (which they did), it's 100% sure I'll get my extension.

I prefer this method to the border bounce.

Here's why.

While the time spent queueing at an airport for the first flight or standing in line at the IO is roughly equivalent, I believe getting my new stamp will be very quick compared to the second flight's queueing. Plus, printing some documents was much easier for me than having to go through the logistics of planning a two-way flight, hotels, and taxis.

In terms of costs: It only cost 1,900 THB for extension, under 500 THB for transportation there and back using Grab car, and I did my document copies at a shop near my home for cheap so it cost only a couple hundred baht for those. Not a big financial hit at all when it comes to well under 3,000 THB for everything and I'm home the same day.

Oh and I also did my 90-day report and Residency Certificate in the same day so it shows how quickly things can get done at the Immigration Office.
Answer summary
The author shares their experience obtaining a DTV extension in Bangkok, highlighting the ease and efficiency of the process compared to a border bounce. After arriving at the Immigration Office early and preparing the necessary documents, they had a quick interview and received a preliminary stamp for the extension. The author prefers this method over a border bounce due to the lower costs and the ability to complete multiple immigration tasks in one day. The total cost of the extension and related expenses was under 3,000 THB.
63 repliesnewest first
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Peter ********
Peter ********
Don’t forget you need to go in person to make appointment you don’t just rock up
Karen ********
Karen ********
Also do you have to make appointment or can you just turn up with everything?
Karen ********
Karen ********
Question: I went into the DLT elearning, registered and watched part one, answered question, submit, then said in progress, waited, waited refreshed page, loged out, loged back in, still in progress, SO....did it all again, submitted answer, (yes correct one) again waited, waited, etc..... CAN you only do 1 part per day or is there something wrong with the site?
Mark ********
Mark ********
My situation is going to be that I will be leaving Thailand before I am eligible to renew my 5 yr license again and will not be back till after it expires. Everything I have read is that I can renew it up to a year after expiration.
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
Philip *********
Philip *********
Yes I done it myself 2nd time easy
Phil ********
Phil ********
Just make sure you renew it on time. When I obtained my first Thai licence it was very easy using my UK licence. All I needed was a medical certificate, and to take a colour blindness and reaction test. Renewing that for a 5 year licence was also problem free. Unfortunately my Thai licence expired during Covid whilst I was in the UK and couldn't get back. I still haven't sorted that but have been told that its not a straightforward renewal now due to the amount of time that's passed. They will not accept my UK licence as proof of ability and a full application with driving test will be needed. I don't know what that actually involves but its clear its not going to be as easy as the original application. As I now have a different passport number (used as ID number on the licence), I'm tempted to play dumb and just do a new application as if I'd never had a Thai licence. I'll check what's involved first but contrast that with my wife (Thai) who took a 3 day (12 hour) course at a private driving school (automatic pass), took the pass certificate to the DLT, did a colour blindness and reaction test and walked out with a licence - SHE STILL CAN'T DRIVE and will not even attempt driving alone!
Elegant*******
Elegant*******
I have a friend who had a driving license for years, needed to attend the 3 days course in Thailand and she failed the test 🤣🤣
Sturgess ********
Sturgess ********
Very easy.
MNathalie *********
MNathalie *********
Just don't yourself. I don't understand why people use agent for this
Sturgess ********
Sturgess ********
MNathalie Raymond some people, who cannot speak a word of Thai, get spooked at the thought of dealing with a burocracy.
MNathalie *********
MNathalie *********
Sturgess Spanos don't need to speak Thai to get your license, there's always someone who speak English there.
Mark *******
Mark *******
Online test plus online appointment.
Bob ********
Bob ********
Simple, I did it yn an morning. Eyesight test x . photos and passport. Proof of address in Thailand. Done
Terence **********
Terence **********
Quite easy my second license is for 5 years
Ant ***********
Ant ***********
Yes
Chuck **********
Chuck **********
Why did you not do it yourself in the beginning? It is so so easy.
Robert **********
Robert **********
Book an appointment online, do the e-learning, get medical & off you go

*****************************
James **********
James **********
Once you have the 2 year licence, it’s easy to get the next one yourself, but make sure you do the online test before you go
Graham ******
Graham ******
James Laughlin It was the same for my initial 2 year licence as my renewal (actually easier as I didn't need to do the video test)
James **********
James **********
Everyone needs to do the e learning video test now, I had to do one for the car and one for the motorcycle, I used an agent for my first 2 year licence
Sandy *******
Sandy *******
Use the DLT website...review questions, short exam on the review questions... easy then they give you a QR code. Show the code at the DLT. Take the color blind and reaction tests...get a photo and you're out.
John *********
John *********
As mentioned - Rayong. Bliss
John *********
John *********
Complete prior E-learning. Comply with Medical protocols. Both simple. Attend your local land Office. I would advise taking a Thai friend to help with any unforeseen issues. Some land Office’s are mad houses. Some blissfully simple and helpful. Chose accordingly
Phil ********
Phil ********
John Kenealy I think you mean Land Transport Office.
Simon *********
Simon *********
Easy, you will need to visit your local transport office to find out how to book an appointment and double check what documents they require.

You need:

- old thai licenses,

- passport and copy

- medical report from doctor. (mine was refused because it didn't specify Epilepsy, so check for that),

- certificate of residence

- photo

- certificate from the e-learning course, that you can print yourself.

2 copies of everything, if you have car and bike licenses.

You can do the e-learning at the transport office, but need to book and be on time... Easier to do online.

******************************
Tim **********
Tim **********
Simon a great short, precise, accurate and helpful reply, Sir!
IndigoG********
IndigoG********
Yes. I do it myself
Galenus ******
Galenus ******
ONlY if you can write your name 🤣
Jim ************
Jim ************
Some handle these type things better than others. Personally, I used agent for renewal and took about 1 hour

Easy breezy- 5,000 bhat and only ONE trip.

Good luck
Graham ******
Graham ******
Jim Allbritten mine took 75 minutes at the DLT, total cost (Residence Certificate free, Medical Certificate 100B, Licence 205B) was 305B. This was Sa Kaeo province.
IndigoG********
IndigoG********
Jim Allbritten ill do it next time for 2k.
Jim ************
Jim ************
IndigoGrape5836 perhaps I should add that my agent was also.one of the most beautiful thai ladies ive ever seen- id pay double!
*****
5
Jim ************
Jim ************
IndigoGrape5836 Business and pleasure- i like it!
IndigoG********
IndigoG********
Jim Allbritten There are plenty like her...just ask her for a date, much cheaper then 5k!
Jim ************
Jim ************
IndigoGrape5836 DEAL! 555
Doug ********
Doug ********
Jim Allbritten ..5000,,!!!!!! Resident certificate from immigration..500 max..medical cert 100 max, licence 207..

807...!!!......plus I did 40minutes at the centre...no appointment..in and out..plus a few photo copies and they have a copier at the office If you forget anything
Jim ************
Jim ************
Doug Powell that's great for you Doug. I simply am sharing information and my own experience, im not trying to sway anyone in any direction.

I've only lived three years here and certainly not qualified to give advice but can share experience.

I have no doubt about those fees and pleased it was easy for you.
Jim ************
Jim ************
Doug Powell no offense taken sir!
Doug ********
Doug ********
Jim Allbritten .didn't mean to offend you in any way, was just a bit shocked at 5000 so also wanted to share my experiences, so people get various ideas and experiences.

A lot of it is luck I guess, I went to Udon thani dlt which seems easy compared to many in the phuket region.

Anyways,good luck, have a nice afternoon
Paul ********************
Paul ********************
It's easy to do it youself, you may need a Thai speaker with you at the DLT the first time
Jean-yves **********
Jean-yves **********
Pour le permis international Thaï vous devez attendre la fin du permis provisoire c'est à dire 2 ans.
Paul ********************
Paul ********************
Jean-yves Le Gall

Inital "temporary" Thai license is two years, let it expire repeat process get your full 5 year Thai DL.. Do it after your birthday if you can you get close to 6 years then
Martin *******
Martin *******
Where are you? My thai wife had such trouble (queues and long delays) in Pattaya that she goes to Essan to renew.
Sturgess ********
Sturgess ********
Martin Baker Rayong is very organized, fairly busy but not a madhouse.
Don *******
Don *******
Martin Baker Thais queue but farangs just get an appointment in advance. It took me under an hour to renew my licence this year. No queuing at all.
Paul ********************
Paul ********************
Martin Baker Rayong is far quicker than Pattaya
Martin *******
Martin *******
Paul Anthony McDermott yes, i have heard this.
Elegant*******
Elegant*******
Phuket 😊
Charlie *********
Charlie *********
ElegantLotus00 I just renewed my motorbike license. In Phuket the queue for an appointment was until November or so. Went up to BKK instead and got it done a couple weeks ago instead (my license was set to expire end of May). Need certificate of residency, and medical certificate. There might be more documents I’m forgetting as I haven’t had my coffee yet but the point is the queue for appointments at Phuket DLT are months out, so try another province
Dave ********************
Dave ********************
Yes
WhitePho********
WhitePho********
Really depends where are you, in bangkok you have to walk in to get appointment for renewing license which takes like couple weeks.

Then simply come back for your appointment with your documents updated and done. However id still pay for an agent to get it all done in one day..
Wylie *******
Wylie *******
Easy. Wait until a few days after it expires though. You'll get an extra year of validity.
Peter ********
Peter ********
After birthday not expiry
Chuck **********
Chuck **********
Wylie Pfaff don’t think so!
Paul *******
Paul *******
Chuck Stringer That's how it works. day after birthday get 6 years validity
MagentaGo**********
MagentaGo**********
Just take an e-learning course before you visit DLT. Bring along required documents and attend some reflection and eyesight test. Easy to get the license.
MNathalie *********
MNathalie *********
MagentaGoldfish4443 do t need reading test when you have your international DV
Stuart ***********
Stuart ***********
Very easy.
Paul ******
Paul ******
Just look up on Google what you need ,and go to your nearest license center . All be done in an hour . At the cost of about 6 or 7 hundred baht .licence 500, photos ,medical certificate ,200 baht
Peter ********
Peter ********
It's easy
Marty *********
Marty *********
I’ve done this myself many times. Get the requirements from your local DLT.
Luc ************
Luc ************
Go to the DLT.

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