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What is the process for obtaining a Thai driving license as an expat and what paperwork is required?

Mar 14, 2025
20 days ago
Sharing as some people said you can’t get it unless you’ve done your first 90 day report.

This is my second visit in Thailand with my DTV, this time I’ve been here for 1 month, obtained my temp resident certificate 3 weeks ago which was needed to apply for this.

Managed to get my Thai Car and Bike licence today converted over from my UK. Note I don’t have a full bike licence for my UK licence but I do have a current CBT certificate which allows me to ride a 125cc where as my UK licence only allows a 50cc, not sure if that made a difference.

Apart from all the required paper work, I had to watch a 1 hour video and answer 4 questions at the end which were also asked during the video randomly.

The physical test if you can call it that was interesting to say the least lol and involved pressing the red/yellow/green button several times when the corresponding traffic light changed, and some make sift accelerate and stop peddles when the light changed on the second test.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
This post discusses the experience of obtaining a Thai driving license while on a DTV visa, especially regarding the need for a temporary resident certificate and the steps involved in the application process. It highlights that individuals can now obtain a residence certificate without requiring a 90-day report, which was previously a rule in Bangkok. Users share their personal experiences regarding the ease of getting licenses, required paperwork (like the TM30, medical certificates, and original driving licenses), and practical tips for expats looking to navigate the process efficiently.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
John *********
If over 21 can ride up to 125 on a cbt
Lee ********
Has anyone gotten a non temporary license on DTV?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lee *******
temp applies to everyone even if Thai. After two years you can apply for 5 years and then 10 after that.

So unless someone has already had their 2 year temp and now on a DTV while renewing they wouldn’t have a different one.
Lee ********
Anonymous participant Thanks for the knowledge. I appreciate it.

I asked when i got my temp but they just said not possible.
Hans *******************
Gratulation, i have to do my also on the next visit
Andy **********
Yes if you have a full car driving licence from your home country, and it has basic motorcycle entitlement, you can easily convert it into full Thai car and motorcycle licences at the DLT, by completing a simple colour blind and reaction test.
Kevin ********
Every DLT is different as is every Imigration center. So worth checking locally what you can and can’t do.

Samui allows resident certificate the week you arrive even on tourist visa as long as you have a TM30
David ***********
In the US, car and motorcycle designations are on the same license card. Annoying that we have to carry two cards if we have both licenses. 🙄
Urs ********
@David **********
You Americans always have something to complain about. Why don't you just accept customs, habits, rules and laws in the countries you visit?

Thank God Thailand is not like the USA.
David ***********
@Urs *******
Just noting an inefficiency. Why the need to stereotype one’s nationality? Your rudeness is noted, sir.
Urs ********
@David **********
I wasn't rude. I was just saying it like it is. I'm an honest person. Why do Americans always expect other countries to be the same as the USA?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Urs *******
is it not more practical and efficient to have a single licence card instead of two different ones. That’s an observation and true.

Are wallets limited to how many cards you can have in them? Yes, and at times it’s already a pain to get what you need in them.

To borrow your own words what’s wrong with saying it like it is. That it is annoying without someone such as yourself stereotyping a whole country.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Urs *******
are you American then? Since you know…. You’re complaining!? 🤣

I mean I had to take my justice league of gentlemen card out of my wallet to fit the additional one it. Not acceptable!

That’s a joke btw!
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David **********
yeah totally agree
Dawid **********
Just got mine as well, no 90-day reporting, just a residence certificate.

With the help from
@https://www.facebook********************
the whole thing took me 75 minutes, between 9am and 10:15am, from entering a clinic to get a certificate to obtaining both DL plastic cards (moto+car).
Marc **********
@Dawid *********
kudos to FB...helped me with tm30 and residency certificate
Dawid **********
@Marc *********
correct, requirements change every couple of months and a lot of websites have outdated info, for example to get a residence certificate you don't need a fresh 90-day report anymore, anywhere. A lot of websites still say you do.
Marc **********
@Dawid *********
I was only there 5 weeks on exemption...but needed the RC to buy a motor bike
Dawid **********
exactly, you can do it on exemption with RC, but 90-day report not needed in BKK area anymore to get RC
Joe **********
It can be done, if you willing to pay the right price
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joe *********
no need to pay, if you do it all yourself. Other than processing fees
Gabriel *********
Do you need to have any paperwork to get the license? i.e. to prove your license in your original country?

Also, where did you go?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gabriel ********
yes, you need your original licence, and must also have your intentional driving permit.

You then just need the other bits they require you to do here like resident certificate, medical certificate etc
Gabriel *********
resident certificate, you mean like my passport with my DTV?

Medical certificate, just get it at a clinic/hospital?

Thanks for the answers
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gabriel ********
A Thai residence certificate is a legal document that attests to a foreigner's legal right to stay in Thailand and is official proof of residency.
Joyce ************
Brian *********
Anyone can do it… I didn’t even convert but got the license direct by going through a class 😂
Steven *******
FYI if you have UK travel insurance and you crash on your bike or in your car you will not be insured. You need a full UK motorbike and car licence.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steven ******
yes almost all people don’t realise your UK driving licence only covers upto 50cc bike and pretty much every bike here is higher than that. You also must have your International Drivers Permit which you can get very easy in the UK for £6. I have bother my 1968 and 1949 in case i visit some other places, so can legally drive.

when I was here last year I actually had a minor accident on a bike and the insurance company did pay out. They did want to know the engine size and I provided them with my CBT which showed I can ride a 125cc in the UK.

They asked for a rental agreement and I told them I was never given one and was on some small island, the woman I spoke to understood things are done very different here. They also asked for a copy of my IDP and CBT cert.

I could have been just lucky but they accepted everything I gave them.

However in Feb I made a permanent move here staying for the foreseeable future, so I wanted to do things properly and get my Thai licences so there is no doubts and not relying on my UK licence. My GF is Thai and her car insurance covers me, and for a bike I will just make sure I do the same if I buy one etc
Steven *******
Anonymous participant your lucky they accepted a CBT, in the small print of most insurances I've seen it says they require a full motorbike licence, Class A, A1 or A2. Also you must be wearing a helmet.
TheinToe ******
How was the whole process?

1. Make residence certificate

2. Go to area 3 and take appointment.

3. Wait and Go on appointment day.

Is it like that?

would be awesome if u can share
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@TheinToe *****
1. So I went to Area 3 DLT first of all to enquire about what’s required and when I could make an appointment to have it all done.

The soonest I could book in for was today which was a 2-3 week wait from when I originally went.

I was told I needed a medical certificate and a residential certificate but it can be a 30 day temporary one. ( temp ones can be issued for buying and selling a car/bike and also converting driving licences )

2. A few days later I went to the immigration offices ( no appointment needed ) near DMK airport, filled out forms for a temporary residency certificate and marked down it was for Car/Bike Licence. It lasts for 30 days and i received this in the post the next day, tracked.

For the temporary residential certificate you need your TM30 and a rental contract. This wasn’t in my name but my G/F but was fine.

3. went to the local private hospital ( no appointment needed ) and let them know I needed a medical certificate for the purpose of a driving licence, it’s important you let them know it’s intended purpose as they use a form for this use case. This cost me around 600baht

4. arrivated at Area 3 DLT at 8am, huge queue but it goes down quick. Provided them with copies and originals of all my paper work. I had to provide 2x copies of everything as I was applying for both bike and car licences. They keep the original resident certificate and medical certificate.

5. had to do a couple of basic health checks based around sight and reaction times, these where extremely basic, and I mean next level basic

6. after that you wait to watch an instructional video which is around 1 hour long or you can do it online. They only have one slot which was around 11 am, so I just went somewhere quiet and logged on to the website and did it to save time. You can do this at home beforehand.

You are asked a few questions ( 4 ) during the video by prompt and after you get a certificate code which you go back and show them.

7 joined a queue to have my photo taken, paid my 310 baht and within 5mind was issued my two licences which are made there and then for you.

The whole process took maybe 3 hours but half of that was doing the video online.

Normally there is a test where you have to answer 50 questions and get a certain percentage to pass, but I was sold I didn’t need to do this because of my UK licence.
TheinToe ******
Anonymous participant thats perfect

thank you so much
Praewa **********
📌
Alex *****
I'll be getting mine later on this month. Report back how it all went 👍🏼
Paulie ********
Can get a licence on any tourist visa but just not the 5 year one
Andrew *********
@Paulie *******
after 2 years can get 5 years 🫵🏼
Paulie ********
@Andrew ********
not with a tourist visa you cannot
Paulie ********
@Andrew ********
and DTV is a tourist visa I've already tried to Renie both bike and car with DTV even agent cannot get me 5 year
Andrew *********
@Paulie *******
just obtain a 3 year one from post office in the UK IDP 😁
Paulie ********
@Andrew ********
no good when you live here i need thai licences for my truck and jet ski insurance IDP fine for you neen a tourist.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew ********
that’s an international driving permit which you need with your UK licence to drive in other countries. ( 1968 )

The 3 years is when the IDP expires, but you are only allowed to use it for 3 months in Thailand with each visited after which it’s not valid to use.

For example if you enter Thailand today and stay for 6 months, the IDP will only be allowed to be used for the first 3 months. If you are planning to drive longer than the 3 months you are then meant to get the licence converted and yet your Thai driving licence, which is a temporary one but lasts for 2 years and you can just reapply for another after.

If you leave and reenter then you can use it again.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paulie *******
yes you need a non-immigrant visa
Quincy *******
Yeah you don't need a dtv for this. I got mine done on exempt stamp two years ago.
Daniel *********
Had to do a 50 question theory test to get a Thai motorbike license (have a full UK car license but no motorbike license). Some online practice before and passed easily. Fortunately, I didn’t have to watch 4 hours of theory videos as I held a UK car license. It has saved thousands of baht in police stops in 3 months
Cole *********
You can get a drivers license on a visitors visa.. I got mine in October while on a visitors visa before I even got on a DTV visa.
Rob *********
I got time years ago with a student visa.
Bob **********
What is a temporary resident certificate never heard of a temporary resident
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
it lasts for 30 days and is for the propose of either registering/selling a car/bike and/or obtaining your driving licence.

You just need proof of your TM30, no 90 day reporting required and some additional paper work like rental contract of where you live and copies of passport/visa etc
Bob **********
Anonymous participant thanks I had many just never heard of temporary resident?? Be careful on these roads good luck
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Eric *******
I did mine also in Bkk right after I got dtv
Stuart *********
The comments about having to have done a 90 day report to get the needed residence certificate from immigration refers to an old rule that used to be in place in Bangkok only. A few months ago that changed and now anyone can apply regardless of visa type.
Apple ***************
@Stuart ********
Do you mean the Recidence certificate is not needed anymore?
Stuart *********
@Apple **************
The RC is needed. The ability to get one no longer needs a previous filed 90 day report.
David ********
I got mine, didn’t help when I ran a red light on the weekend 😂
David ********
Well it actually did because international permits are higher fine amounts than Thai licenses
Jai **********
I noticed you posted anonymously but I have a couple of questions. Would you mind DMing me?
Rogerio ******
@Jai *********
why don’t you just ask here
Gigi ****
Which part of Thailand?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gigi ***
Area 3 in Bangkok
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
BTW if you were the French dude who was in there making a whole big scene, shouting and slamming your phone on the counter, do better! Not cool!
Vitaly ********
Anonymous participant right, French dude from UK - they’re the worst
Georges *****
Participant(e) anonyme ??
Jeremy *********
Very easy to get got both mine in the first week I was here 🤘
Georges *****
@Jeremy ********
with the DTV it is easy to get your european driving license converted you/he say.s ?
Jeremy *********
@Georges ****
also if any issue and rather use an agent she is amazing!
@https://www.facebook.*********************
Jeremy *********
@Georges ****
yes for any nation as far as I've seen
Georges *****
@Jeremy ********
thanks a lot !
Jeremy *********
@Georges ****
absolutely!
Pyae *********
Do u need appointment first or directly go to the office .?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pyae ********
you need an appointment. I walked in and the earliest i could get was 2-3 weeks