thailand
Ask question

How long can I hold a Thai driver's license if I'm on an education or marriage visa?

Thai driver's licensevisa typestemporary licenseeducation visamarriage visadriving regulations in Thailandlicense renewal process
Jun 15, 2023
a year ago
マレー *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey guys, drivers licence question.

Trying to find out how long I can get a licence for if on an education or even marriage visa. I'm hearing there are longer licences now for some.
2,057
views
5
likes
73
all likes
39
replies
0
images
11
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
In Thailand, a first-time driver's license is issued as a temporary license for 2 years, regardless of the visa type held (including education or marriage visas). Upon renewal, individuals can obtain a driver's license valid for 5 years, provided they have legal status. While tourists can receive a 2-year license, a 5-year license is typically granted for those with specific non-immigrant visas, such as a NON-O or B visa. Some exceptions occur, where individuals on tourist visas may also be granted a longer license, though this is less common.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement 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.
David *******
From my experience it is possible to get a 2year temporary license with a tourist visa. My Thai wife and her parents didn’t think it was possible at all but I got one.

When I went to renew I was also on tourist visa and told I could only get another 2year license but if I had an O visa could have gotten a 5year.

Funny story though, when I went to pay and get processed the lady that served me remembered me from when I did the first one and said I should of been given a 5year license but was unlucky to be served by “wrong” person when processing the documents and ticked the 2year box.
*****
my wife was and still is amazed that I have a license at all.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Paul *******
@David ******
 Why are they amazed? On a TR visa, a 2-year license is readily granted. It's only on a non-imm visa that 5 year ones are generally granted BUT occasionally, a 5-year license will be granted to a tourist visa holder (which happened to me once).
a year ago
Like
Reply
David *******
@Paul ******
 they just didn’t think a falang could and particularly only with tourist visa.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
David *******
Reply
Richard *********
@David ******
 u need a NON O, B visa to get a 5 year license on ur renewal>

so ......
a year ago
Like
Reply
David *******
@Richard ********
 yes that’s my understanding and my experience.

But sometimes it may be possible to get lucky as some contributors have posted about getting 5 year licenses on different visas.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
David *******
Reply
Ken ********
First licence 2 years after that 5 years
a year ago
Like
Reply
Lye **********
Always 2 years for 1st timer and 5 years for renewal, provided you have legal status to be there. I think tourist visa is not applicable.
a year ago
Like
Reply
マレー *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lye *********
 strange. They said 1 year last year when I asked them
a year ago
Like
Reply
Lye **********
@Jaymie *******
 I got 2 years. Forgot to mention, I already have a valid license from my home country. Not sure if that would make any difference.
a year ago
Like
Reply
マレー *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lye *********
 ok cool. That's good to know.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
マレー *****
Reply
Ally ************
Interesting conversation.. since I'm going to DLT in CM myself next week for my driving 'test' (lol) in order to get my Thai driving & motorcycle licenses.. so will know first hand what CM grants to first time license holders
a year ago
Like
Reply
David *******
First one is 2 years, on any visa! After when you renew you get 5 years. Regardless of visa (must have legal status) this is how it goes for everyone.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Bob **********
2 years it’s a temporary license then on to

A 5 year which is an international license
a year ago
Like
Reply
Richard *********
@Bob *********
 its not an international, its a 5 year thai license.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Dirk **************
@Richard ********
 or in other words: Thailand will only issue you an international driving permit if you hold a 5-year license.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Bob **********
Richard Reitman yes but you can use it internationally as with the 2 year you cannot
a year ago
Like
Reply
David *******
@Bob *********
 cannot, if you want to use it internationally (legally) you need to get the international driving permit valid for a year.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Graham ******
@David ******
 The IDP issued in Thailand is now valid for 3 years
a year ago
Like
Reply
David *******
@Graham *****
 this is not a Thailand thing, this is a world wide treaty, and it clearly states must be valid for a year.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Graham ******
@David ******
 The UK has recently changed to 3 years too so things are changing
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Brandon ************
@Bob *********
 There's no such thing as an international license. A Thai 5 year license is not an international license? What does that even mean? You can apply for an international drivers permit when you have a 5 year license but that's not an international license.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Toni *****
@Brandon ***********
 AFAIK even with 2 year (temporary) you are allowed to drive in ASEAN countries atleast, and other countries accept it aswell. You get 5 year’s license when you renew your 2 year temporary license and then can apply for international permit here if you wish
a year ago
Like
Reply
Bob **********
@Brandon ***********
 it means I can rent a car a drive legally in the US ,it also works in Cambodiaand Vietnam whereas a 2 year license you cannot
a year ago
Like
Reply
Kool *******
@Bob *********
 you do understand that you can do that with any driver's license being a tourist in any country, but only for a short length of time, after which you must get the local country's drivers license to stay legal. It is usually 30-90 days, even using a Thailand driver's license in another country.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Bob **********
@Kool ******
 yes but years ago when I had my 2 year they would not accept it in Vietnam and Cambodia or the US but the 5 year yes
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bob **********
Reply
Brandon ************
Thai drivers license always starts out with 2 year "temporary" license then the renewal is 5 years.

The type of visa you are on is irrelevant.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Jay ********
@Brandon ***********
 In CM only a 2yr temp licence if on tourist visa, 5yr licence requires non-imm visa
a year ago
Like
Reply
Bob **********
@Brandon ***********
 I believe if you look you can only get a 2 year license with the Elite Visa
a year ago
Like
Reply
Jeffrey ************
@Bob *********
 I have elite visa and 5 year license.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Bob *********
 that wouldn't make sense because a tourist can get a 5 year license as long as they're in Thailand to renew the 2 year license.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Garrett ***********
@Brandon ***********
 You need to be on a Non-Immigrant visa to get a 5 year license. If you renew on a tourist visa, you'll get another 2 year license.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Garrett **********
 good time for an agent I guess
a year ago
Like
Reply
Duncan *******
@Brandon ***********
 Since when have tourists been able to get five-year licenses? A five-year license requires a Non-Imm visa, according to the DLT.

*****************************************
a year ago
Like
Reply
マレー *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Duncan ******
 this is interesting. I'm curious then if I can't get it on an education visa but can on a marriage visa.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Kool *******
@Jaymie *******
 what visa you have does not matter getting your Thai drivers licenses. In Bangkok it is a little harder as you need a residency certificate and Bangkok immigration will not give one if you haven't done at least one 90 day report. This confuses lots of people, mostly from communication difficulties at the DLT.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Duncan *******
@Jaymie *******
 both are Non-Imm visas so shouldn't be a problem.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Bob **********
@Brandon ***********
 I know but for some reason that’s what was told to my friend??
a year ago
Like
Reply
Kool *******
@Bob *********
 that is correct, but that is true with any visa. Your initial license is for 2 years, even if you are Thai, then for 5 years on every renewal after that. If you miss renewing it for over 1 year then you start over with the 2 year license. When I first got my Thai drivers licenses, one for car, and one for motorcycle, it was initially only 1 year in the first stage instead of two.
a year ago
Like
Reply
マレー *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 that was changed recently to 2 years? Because I was asking a year ago and they said 2 year so I didn't bother.
a year ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
マレー *****
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Can you renew your driver's license in Thailand on a Digital Nomad Visa (DtV)?
3 comments
2 months ago
Can DTV holders obtain a 5-year Thai driving license, and are there differences based on visa types?
28 comments
2 months ago
Can you obtain or extend a 5-year driver's license in Thailand with a DTV?
34 comments
3 months ago
Can you obtain a driving license and yellow book in Thailand on a Tourist Visa?
11 comments
5 months ago
Can I Apply for a Thai Driver's License on a 60-Day Tourist Visa?
34 comments
9 months ago
Can I convert my 2-year Thai driver's license to a 5-year license while in Hua Hin in April?
23 comments
a year ago
How long can I drive in Thailand with an International Driving Permit before obtaining a Thai driving license, and what is the validity of the Thai license once obtained?
7 comments
2 years ago
Do you need residency status to get a driver’s license in Thailand?
25 comments
2 years ago
Can I obtain a driving license for a motorbike in Thailand if my visa expires on 18.09.2022?
11 comments
2 years ago
What documents do I need to obtain a 5-year driving license in Thailand?
6 comments
2 years ago
Is an International Driving License needed for long-term visa holders in Thailand?
59 comments
3 years ago
Can a university student holding a tourist or amnesty visa obtain a Thai driving license?
6 comments
3 years ago
Which immigration office should I visit in Bangkok for a driver's license renewal, and how long will it be valid without a visa?
6 comments
3 years ago
What visa do I need to renew my Thai driver license for another five years?
10 comments
3 years ago
Can I renew my 5-year Thai driver’s license with a tourist visa?
6 comments
3 years ago
Can I extend my tourist visa before its expiration to obtain a motorcycle driver's license in Thailand?
9 comments
3 years ago
Can I obtain a Thai driving license with an ED Visa?
14 comments
4 years ago
What Are the Requirements for Obtaining a Thai Driving License as an Expat?
10 comments
5 years ago
What type of visa do I need to renew my Thai motorbike license?
12 comments
6 years ago
What are the requirements and process for acquiring a driving license in Thailand on a non-O visa?
11 comments
7 years ago
Can I renew my expired temporary Thai driver's license for a 5-year license with an ED visa?
13 comments
7 years ago
Can one obtain a Thai driver's license on a 30-day tourist stamp?
110 comments
7 years ago
What documentation is required for renewing a Thai driving license after 2 years?
30 comments
7 years ago
Can I get a Thai driver's license on a Tourist visa, and what is the validity of a Residency Certificate?
19 comments
7 years ago
Can I obtain a Thai driver's license while on a 30-day visa exemption?
9 comments
7 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.