This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What visa do I need to obtain a driver’s license and open a bank account in Chiang Mai, Thailand?
Visa TypesThai Driver's LicenseBank Account OpeningChiang MaiRetirement VisaResidence CertificateInternational Driving Permit
May 27, 2024
2 years ago
Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi there, I'm planning on retiring in Thailand at the end of 2025 but I'm taking some long service leave for 2 months at the end of this year and I'll be looking to head to Chiang Mai. Do I need a particular visa type to get a drivers license and open a bank account or can this be done on a tourist visa?
TLDR : Answer Summary
To open a bank account and obtain a driver's license in Chiang Mai, you typically need a residence certificate. This can be acquired for 500 baht in Chiang Mai. While some users successfully obtained their Thai driver's licenses on a tourist visa, others reported that a non-O visa or long-stay visa is preferable. Having an International Driving Permit can also simplify the process of converting to a Thai license. It's best to check directly with the Department of Land Transport in Chiang Mai for the latest requirements.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTERLooks like the new DTV visa can assist - plus now I get 60 days on arrival.
Terary **********
@Bruce ********
You may want to wait until it's published in the Royal Gazette (if it hasn't already), until you finalize your plans... Welcome to Thailand.Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Terary *********
cheers! 😇Reply to
Bruce *********
Reply
Carsten **********
Like in most countries nowadays, you need proof of a local residence to open a bank account.
John *********
Why would you choose to live in a “World’s top 10 most polluted cities “?
Shane ******
Just get an agent to do it for you, can bang out both in one day. Just be sure to get IDP before coming. Preferably with motorbike and car stamps
Robert *********
Buy health insurance asap ,older you get more expensive
Phil ******
@Bruce ********
agree with @Brandon ***********
but really Chiangmai where the pollution each year is getting longer in months and much worse?Joseph *********
Phil ******
@Joseph ********
ok thats great. Apparently life expectancy is 5 years lessJoseph *********
@Phil *****
I know it is wore now.I am just agreeing it's getting worse.
I have lots of ex student friends in CM and they said this year was esp bad.
It's very sad as my health improved greatly 2012 to 2019.
Phil ******
@Joseph ********
yes some have died too which is sadReply to
Phil ******
Reply
Joseph *********
I lived in CM fir 7 years.
Used International permission to drive until I got my Long Stay.
Then presented my car liscence and was given Thai liscence. No test.
For my Bike/Scooter I had theory test and driving test. I just Google Bike test for Thailand and practiced the test. You needed to score
Re Bank Account I had one befire because I purchased a time share.
Bangkok Bank but had no trouble opening another with K Bank.
If yiu want to check with.
Used International permission to drive until I got my Long Stay.
Then presented my car liscence and was given Thai liscence. No test.
For my Bike/Scooter I had theory test and driving test. I just Google Bike test for Thailand and practiced the test. You needed to score
*****
.Re Bank Account I had one befire because I purchased a time share.
Bangkok Bank but had no trouble opening another with K Bank.
If yiu want to check with.
John **********
According to this page you can't get a Thai license if you are on a tourist visa in Chiang Mai. Best to check directly with the DLT office up there
*****************************************************
Jan ******************
If you get and bring a IDP (international driving permit) along with your national license, you can just convert them into a Thai license with a residence certificate as mentioned and a doctor’s statement.
Most DLT in Thailand will give you licenses on any entry stamp. I did both mine on visa exemption. (Although I’ve seen feedbacks of some DLT demanding Long term visa). You just get license for two and two years, until you get five years on a long stay visa.
If you don’t have license on motorcycle from home, you’ll need to do this separately from scratch in Thailand with theoretical and practical test as well, as I did.
Most DLT in Thailand will give you licenses on any entry stamp. I did both mine on visa exemption. (Although I’ve seen feedbacks of some DLT demanding Long term visa). You just get license for two and two years, until you get five years on a long stay visa.
If you don’t have license on motorcycle from home, you’ll need to do this separately from scratch in Thailand with theoretical and practical test as well, as I did.
Bruce *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jan *****************
Thanks Jan and everyone. That's helpful info. I've got a full motorcycle license here and always get the international drivers permit before I leave Australia when I'm travelling.Jan ******************
@Bruce ********
Bruce Gardner Good, then it should be quite straightforward with residence certificate and just a simple statement from any doctor/clinic. (They will know what you need and normally 200 baht). You’ll also need to do some simple test regarding sight and reaction at the DLT.Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
Stew *********
I would highly recommend getting a International Drivers Permit before you arrive in Thailand.
Rick *********
@Stew ********
good advice! When I got mine the International permit seemed to hold more weight than my countries DL.Stew *********
@Rick ********
yes, it's something I wish I would have done before I left CaliforniaRick *********
@Stew ********
I couldn’t believe how they didn’t want my state DL! Ha haReply to
Rick *********
Reply
Bob **********
@Stew ********
yes stamped for car and bikeReply to
Bob **********
Reply
Brandon ************
To do both of these you need a residence certificate. In Chiang Mai you can get a residence certificate next day for 500 baht. Open the bank account first because I don't think they'll keep the residence certificate, but I'm not completely sure about that so you might need 2.
It's easier to open a bank account with a non-O visa which you could apply for before you went to Thailand and then just let it expire when you leave without any issues.
It's easier to open a bank account with a non-O visa which you could apply for before you went to Thailand and then just let it expire when you leave without any issues.
John ********
@Brandon ***********
doesn’t the residence certificate indicate if it’s for a bank account, drivers license ,etc?Graham ******
@John *******
Yes, there are various tick boxes on the application form, I don't know if you can tick more than oneStuart ***********
@Graham *****
I am pretty certain it is one certificate for each situation (a little bit of extra cash for the government). The form has several tick boxes, but it's only to identify your purpose, so they get it correct on the certificate. If not you could tick every box and use it multiple times.Graham ******
@Stuart **********
Mine was free in Sa Kaeo Immigration Office when I got one for my driving licenceStuart ***********
@Graham *****
must be another one of those many things that varies then Graham. I've got one now for my 5 year driving licence in Hua Hin and they insisted I said what the purpose was and the wording is included in the certificate. I also checked and a previous one in Sriracha was specifically for buying a car.
Graham ******
@Stuart **********
yes, nothing is standard in ThailandReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Brandon ************
@John *******
you might be rightReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
40 comments
2 years ago
21 comments
2 years ago
60 comments
2 years ago
35 comments
2 years ago
27 comments
2 years ago
21 comments
2 years ago
57 comments
2 years ago
1 comments
3 years ago
10 comments
3 years ago
83 comments
3 years ago
14 comments
3 years ago
25 comments
3 years ago
10 comments
4 years ago
11 comments
4 years ago
26 comments
4 years ago
5 comments
4 years ago
48 comments
4 years ago
32 comments
5 years ago
61 comments
5 years ago
50 comments
6 years ago
57 comments
6 years ago
12 comments
7 years ago
3 comments
8 years ago
46 comments
8 years ago
19 comments
9 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask: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.