Answered5 months ago
What is the duration of driving licenses issued for DTV holders in Thailand?
They don't give 5 years driving license on DTV in Phuket, they only give 2 years temporary driving license, and you can renew it up to 1 year before, so its best to go renew every year, note that you have 1 month delay to have an appointment
Answer summary
In Thailand, DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) holders typically receive a 2-year temporary driving license. It's recommended to renew annually, with the option to renew up to a year before the license expires. However, there are various opinions about the duration of driving licenses, as some users report receiving 5-year licenses under specific conditions or locations, with discussions emphasizing the differences across provinces like Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Krabi.
52 repliesnewest first
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Dany ********
2 years in Krabi ✌️
Ko ******
You should take a look at this Reddit post regarding license renewals; it explains that obtaining a five-year renewal may not be possible.
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Arefeh *******
thank you for the information! im actually going to get my thai driver license, did you all need to have your driver license to be translated or to be IDP?
ps: mine is US driver license
ps: mine is US driver license
Dany ********
@Arefeh ******
no translation neededSefton ********
Chiang Mai gives 5
Excellent*********
@Sefton *******
Have you renewed it recently?
Dave ***********
They don’t give 5 years driving license for DTV anywhere in Thailand, not just Phuket.
It’s 2 years license for DTV holders, and you can renew it up to 1 year early. I can’t imagine why you would want to do that. You book an appointment online do go into the renewal center a week or so before your license expires. Once every 2 years.
It’s 2 years license for DTV holders, and you can renew it up to 1 year early. I can’t imagine why you would want to do that. You book an appointment online do go into the renewal center a week or so before your license expires. Once every 2 years.
Michael *********
@Dave **********
wrong, it’s location specific, much easier issan for 5 yearsSefton ********
Dany ********
@Sefton *******
depends on office and maybe even worker there
Conor *******
@Sefton *******
when did you get the 5 year from Chiang Mai?Conor *******
@Sefton *******
You saw the sign on the second floor? Whereabouts?Sefton ********
@Conor ******
They are still giving them as recently as 2 weeks ago. They have a sign up that dtv LTR and elite visas can get 5 on renewal.
Dave ****
@Dave **********
You're wrong. I got 5 years in Udon last December and plenty of other reports of DTV holders getting 5 years, of course depends on the location
SoftFal*******
@Dave **********
year ago renewed mine in Bangkok with DTV visa and received 5 year- license. Must have been new thing then
Christer *****
It's the same for Thai people. First licence - two years
Garrett ***********
@Christer ****
He clearly said he's renewing his license.Christer *****
@Garrett **********
On the other hand: it can't be valid longer than your visa. So, if you have a DTV you, as a foreigner gets a two year licence. After that you only have three more years of Visa. Hence a two year, againGarrett ***********
@Christer ****
I mean, I've lived here for 8 year, extended my DL twice, and manage a visa/expat group with over 100k members for the last 5 years. But sure, I'll bite, where does the DLT say your DL can only be valid for the length of your visa? Take your time, I'll wait.
Christer *****
@Garrett **********
Ah, yes of course. The DLT is wrong, and you are correct. And the multiple threads on other fora that discuss the matter is also wrong. Is your middle name perhaps Donald?Dany ********
@Christer ****
i got told that if you have a 1 year stamp then you will get 5 years. otherwise 2. so i got 2 on my renewalGarrett ***********
@Christer ****
Again, that's not true at all either. No where anywhere is there a restriction on the length of your drivers license. All Non-O visas are 90 days or 1 year. Let's stop making things up just to hear ourselves talk.KindDach*********
OP@Christer ****
It's a renewed license
Steve **********
I renewed my 5 year on 60 day exempt. I think the problem is Phuket.
Dany ********
@Steve *********
2 years in krabiSteve **********
@Dany *******
5 years in Udon.
Franck *************
@Steve *********
i just renew my 2 years temporarily driving license and they also give me an other 2 years (dtv visa) in pattaya
William *********
Why renew it every year? Why not wait until you need to renew on the second year? Also you can get a thai drivers license as long as you have a valid one from your country. As well as and IDP that that is valid from your country. On any visa or even exempt. It will still be the 2 year permit.
KindDach*********
OP@William ********
Your license is invalid at N+2, and you can renew after N+1, so you have a 12 months window to renew it, better do it at 1st month than at 11th month
Brandon ************
KindDachshund6786 not even close to better. If you renew it AFTER the expiration date you'll get 3 years on the next one. Much better to do it then.
Dany ********
@Brandon ***********
why would you get 3 years? the 2 years temporary license validity always starts on the day you get it. so it is always exactly 2 years.Brandon ************
KindDachshund6786 I didn't say to wait a year. Go the day after it expires. It's not rocket science.
KindDach*********
OP@Brandon ***********
After two years your license is invalid, while it may be ok for cops, your insurance may not cover you
Ash***
All initial licences are 2 years. What are you talking about. It's "provisional" and full after 2 years and renewal gets 5 full.
Garrett ***********
@Ash***
No, only those on non immigrant visas transition to a full 5 year license. If you don't have a Non immigrant visa, you get another 2 year license.KindDach*********
OP@Ash***
No, I already got 2 years temporary license last year, this year they gave me another 2 years license
Luc ************
KindDachshund6786 strange. Is it a legal driving license from the DLT?
Erika *******
KindDachshund6786 I also had the same thing. Renewed and they only gave me 2 years
KindDach*********
OP@Luc ***********
YesAsh***
KindDachshund6786 That's a new one on me.
Ash***
@Andy ********
after the initial 5 DTV or .....
Andy *********
Mehrdad ********
I got 2 years driving license in surathani . Same day
Greg ******
Thanks for the information. It is indeed transportation office specific but most now provide two years.
John **************
@Gr**
You to The Embassy to get A Driver license... 🤔😬🫡Greg ******
John Doe Da 1st You're right. My bad 😅
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