So I am exploring the idea of coming to Thailand on a DTV (soft) visa via Muay Thai training. Undecided on where to live, thinking either Bangkok or Pattaya. I have been to Thailand several times and will be coming next year to scout out gyms and neighborhoods. Plan is to come in 2028 as I have obligations for tge next 2 years.

Have one question that I haven't found much info on from searching previous posts.

On a DTV visa will I be able to get a Thai drivers license or will I be able to use my international drivers permit with my US DL? I plan on leasing either a car or motorcycle when I come on my DTV.

Worth while actually getting a motorbike licence for my time there as I know they fine you regardless on the spot iv been told 🙄

Hi everyone

I’m currently applying for the DTV and trying to clarify driving regulations in Thailand.

As I don’t have the possibility to obtain an International Driving Permit from my home country in the short term, I started researching legal alternatives and found online references (including Wikipedia) about possible recognition of ASEAN driving licenses, specifically the Indonesian SIM.

I’m looking for real, first-hand experiences only:

– has anyone actually driven in Thailand with an Indonesian SIM?

– was it accepted during police checks or in case of an accident?

– from an insurance perspective, was it considered valid?

My goal is to stay fully legal and insured, not to rely on “it usually works”.

If you have concrete cases or official confirmations, I’d really appreciate your input 🙏

Thanks!

Visited 8 times. Just purchased land with national Thai wife.

Now , to figure out the next things to do regarding visa, driving, building house and so much more I don’t even know about. I would like to spend part of the year in Thailand ,during the best months , and part of the year in USA.

Thai driving license updated process.

- First thing is to book appointment from DLS Smart Queue app. In tourist cities, you get it for months after. Your documents are valid just for 30 days so make sure you book appointment first. It's free.

- Having an IDP is good but apparently, your home license is enough if it's clear. Mine had "M Cycle" instead of motorcycle. The in-charge told, we don't entertain your home country abbreviations. Make a letter from your embassy to confirm it's motorcycle.

- Get residence certificate from immigration where you live. It's valid for 30 days and is very simple. It should be free but is charged 300-600 Baht.

- Visit any government, private hospital or a decent clinic to get your health certificate. They charge 100-300 Baht and just do a basic checkup. Make sure, it has physician sign, stamp, name, license number. It should have 5 diseases boxes checked.

- Watch 1 hour video on DLS eLearning app. At the end, they ask very basic 5 questions and gives you a QR code. It's must to pass this test within 180 days of applying. If not, they will sit you in license branch and make you watch those videos. There's no 2x 😄

- You can visit any transport office in Thailand irrespective of your residence since license is from "Kingdom of Thailand" and not specific to a province. I made mine 150 km away from my home because appointments are difficult. Less touristy provinces still entertain walk-in.

- On the day of application, you will bring the following documents. Separate copies for car and bike: Passport BioData page, latest visa stamp page, evisa, residence certificate, health certificate, TM30 (not written but they took mine), your license copy (front back printed on same page, IDP copy, online 1 hour lesson from DLS eLearning app confirmation page.

- Original: passport, license, IDP

- You take token and wait for your turn. Then you head to counter and staff checks + arrange your documents. They handover to data entry staff and you sit. Data entry person completes and calls a few applicants to collect their documents.

- Having home license exempts you from written test. In physical exam:

1. You place chin on a machine. The display gives you a color and you see it either on right or left side (close to your ears so you shift your head). Whichever side that color comes, you press button on that side (mostly it's white color).

2. Two vertical bars are in a box at a distance. One is fixed, another can be moved front/ back with a joystick 🕹️ in your hand. You arrange them side by side and click confirm.

3. Reaction time test: You sit on a chair and press race. Green light appears in the display ahead. It suddenly changes to red light. You switch the paddles and hit brakes right away. A machine notes your reaction time.

4. The officer points at several colors (arranged closely in a circle), you name the color. Mostly it's red, green, orange, yellow.

- The officer signs your exam sheet and you proceed to make payment. 205 Baht for car and 105 for bike. Once payment is made, she gives a receipt and you proceed for picture.

- The officer takes complete bundle of your documents here. Enters your data for printing. Takes nice picture (there were male and female formal coats as well, free). The machine prints a card every 2-3 mins. Depending on backlog, you get your license in 5-10 mins after picture capture.

That's it.

I'm visiting Thailand for holidays(5-7days).I want to know Valid Myanmar Driving License can use in Thailand for self driving or do I need to get IDP?I want to drive Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Morning, Anyone know where/how to apply for international drivers license before arriving in Thailand?

* EDIT *

- Drivers PERMITTTT

“Can’t believe how ppl like this survive”

Well my friend i don’t know how ppl around you survive.

GEEEEEEZ to those of jumping on my axxx perhaps a hobbie… passion project… arts n craft …..

My situation isn’t as simple as do it in ur home country …

define home, I haven’t lived in Australia for 3.5 years have been living Spain for the last year point whatever and hold a long term visa to live here in Spain with Spanish IDs, am a Spanish tax resident, AND APPLYING FOR MY DTV from Spain, but passport still Australian.

I can’t get any answers in Spain nor through my Thai agent …

and geez didn’t think a damn war would break out l.

To those of you actually giving me suggestions much appreciated. 🙏

To the rest of u…

Hope to never meet u in Thailand

I have zero interest in ppl who’s first choice is hate sooooo GR8 M8 (if ur Australian u know)

I’m Soooooo saving this post to cross reference ppl I meet 😂🤦‍♀️ and in the famous worlds of a great man “ Swasdi Never”

Hello everyone I’m planning on visiting Thailand for the first time next year in July and I will be there for possibly 2 months! Is there anything I should know as someone that’s never traveled outside of the United States before? I appreciate it 🙂

Not a visa question but I hope some can help. I got my International Drivers license from AAA (the only verified U.S. source). It’s stamped and legit. Is there anything I should do when I arrive to help avoid paying fines when stopped at checkpoints? When I previously lived in TH, 20 years ago, that was my biggest frustration-constantly getting stopped. Should I go into a Government office and get the DL verified?

Thank you!

Border run #2 22.8.25

Drove to vientiane border from pattaya, drank 1 drink and came back to Thailand. When I left Thailand the IO lady was looking at the computer quite a few moments, I didnt ask why but I was thinking because I did my TDAC 5minutes before going to her 🤔

When I got back, the IO wanted to tell me that my visa is DTV and I will get 180days, that was quite funny, that was all the conversation we had 😆 never experienced explaining before, for 4years

Why I post is the budget;

Car 700thb

Gas 2500thb (honda city)

Laos visa 1700thb(+100thb because i forgot to take passport picture) thats $52 if you pay with dollars its $40

Leave your car next the 711 parking lot, 50thb. Tuktuk to bus station 50thb (i offered he accepted), bus 30thb each way

Thats a total of 5160thb for another 180days. And about 24h of time (had 2 of us, each driving one way)

I also got a speeding ticket of 1000thb, they set a trap at the mountain speedlimit lowered to 40 (altho same time says cars 60, who knows) when we were rolling down only using break 😅, a lot of fog so cant see much, i was following car ahead of me because i could see the lights, for "some reason" they looked at him and let him go and picked me 🤣

Also got picket at 1 of the 6 big stops we encountered...

"ooh.... silence.... you speak thai? -mai"

"what you name? -Toni"

"where you go? -pai Chon Buri"

"Ok pa"