DTV and 5-year driver's license

[moana]

I renewed my 5-year license today on a DTV visa, and got another 5 (well, almost 6) years. I saw a few people here wondering whether the DLT will issue 5-year licenses for DTV visa holders, so thought it's worth reporting.

 

Of course, since this is Thailand, YMMV.

[Pattaya57]

DTV really is a magic visa.  I thought even the Elite visa couldn't get a 5 year licence 😆 

 

[DrJack54]

OP, thanks for report.

Can you post detail of what docs you supplied.

In particular did you obtain certificate of residence. 

[gargamon]

It makes sense. You get a 5 year multi entry visa so it's only logical to be able to drive. Hard to believe in Thailand.

[moana]

29 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Can you post detail of what docs you supplied.

Supplied copies of my pink ID, yellow tabien baan, passport info page, visa page, and stamp page. Showed the QR code from their elearning course, and handed in the original doctor's approval that says I do indeed have a pulse.

 

I then played the silly colors and sticks games, took a photo, paid the fee, and was finally provided with a shiny new DL that will expire in Sep 2030.

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, moana said:

Supplied copies of my pink ID, yellow tabien baan, passport info page, visa page, and stamp page. Showed the QR code from their elearning course, and handed in the original doctor's approval that says I do indeed have a pulse.

 

I then played the silly colors and sticks games, took a photo, paid the fee, and was finally provided with a shiny new DL that will expire in Sep 2030.

Which transport office? 

[Pattaya57]

39 minutes ago, moana said:

Supplied copies of my pink ID, yellow tabien baan, passport info page, visa page, and stamp page. Showed the QR code from their elearning course, and handed in the original doctor's approval that says I do indeed have a pulse.

 

I then played the silly colors and sticks games, took a photo, paid the fee, and was finally provided with a shiny new DL that will expire in Sep 2030.

Don't you think maybe the fact you already had a 5 year licence, a pink ID card and a yellow book were the main reasons you got a 5 year re-newal?

 

I don't think we'll know if you can get a 5 year licence on DTV until someone gets it for the first time without a current 5 year licence,  pink ID card and yellow book gained from previous visa's. Just my opinion

 

[moana]

21 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Which transport office?

Nan provincial office.

 

12 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

Don't you think maybe the fact you already had a 5 year licemce, a pink ID card and a yellow book were the main reasons you got a 5 year re-newal?

I certainly do know that if I were to renew the license while on a VE or TR visa it would've been a 2 year license, regardless of any other paperwork I may have possessed.

 

I agree that a newbie without any additional paperwork is likely to incur more scrutiny.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, moana said:

Nan provincial office.

The yellow book etc would not cut in other places eg  Bangkok.

However you got your 5 yr license congratulations 

[Tim K]

Nice!!! Renewed mine just before the DTV visa run (VE got 2 years)
daaaamn)
Should've waited a bit.
I'm planning to go ask at DLT next week

[atpeace]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, thanks for report.

Can you post detail of what docs you supplied.

In particular did you obtain certificate of residence. 

The certificate of residence is my worry also since I want to buy a new car in the next few months.  The OP used his pink card which most of us don't have. Happy for him but wish he had a certificate of residence 🙂

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, atpeace said:

The certificate of residence is my worry also since I want to buy a new car in the next few months.  The OP used his pink card which most of us don't have. Happy for him but wish he had a certificate of residence 🙂

First up ..

Q1 what is your status in Thailand.

.meaning tourist visa or ....? 

Q2 where are you located? 

 

[atpeace]

13 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

First up ..

Q1 what is your status in Thailand.

.meaning tourist visa or ....? 

Q2 where are you located? 

 

Have a non-o based on retirement and live in Ubon.  I used up my last re-entry stamp last week and am leaving for America next month.  Debating going to Vientiane next week without a re-entry stamp which will cancel my Non-O.  Then apply for a DTV.  I go to sporting events (Marathons) around Thailand throughout the year and I'm guessing this will meet the requirements.  If not I can always re-apply for a Non-O.  The 500k savings is not an issue.

[CFCol]

15 hours ago, moana said:

Nan provincial office.

 

I certainly do know that if I were to renew the license while on a VE or TR visa it would've been a 2 year license, regardless of any other paperwork I may have possessed.

 

I agree that a newbie without any additional paperwork is likely to incur more scrutiny.

Did you have a 2 year license before and just renewed it for 5?

If so then it is normal.

[farang51]

8 minutes ago, CFCol said:

Did you have a 2 year license before and just renewed it for 5?

If so then it is normal.

He had a five year license. What you get depends on your visa, if you renew a five year license on a tourist visa you only get two years. The DTV is new and technically it is a tourist visa; thus, there have been some debate whether it gives you two or five years.

[RonJr]

On 9/13/2024 at 7:34 PM, DrJack54 said:

OP, thanks for report.

Can you post detail of what docs you supplied.

In particular did you obtain certificate of residence. 

Think it's 500,000 baht bank account last six months tied to a foreign western company heard a employment letter from your company to employ you helps 

W passport and need to do at embassy in Vietnam Cambodia or Laos Thai Embassy 

Cro everything I see it's awesome visa just had friend get last week in Vietnam 12k baht

[erodygin]

On 9/13/2024 at 6:58 PM, moana said:

I renewed my 5-year license today on a DTV visa, and got another 5 (well, almost 6) years. I saw a few people here wondering whether the DLT will issue 5-year licenses for DTV visa holders, so thought it's worth reporting.

Congrats! I just got my 5-year (almost 6) license yesterday too. I'm on a DTV. I had to sit the test and pass driving exam again since my old temporary 2-year license had been expired over 2 years ago. I didn’t expect to get a full license at all, was a big surprise!

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, erodygin said:

I had to sit the test and pass driving exam again since my old temporary 2-year license had been expired over 2 years ago

What exactly was required "driving exam"

At a guess just color test with reaction test etc..perhaps watch a video 

Surely you did not need actuality driving test. 

 

 

[Upnotover]

16 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

What exactly was required "driving exam"

At a guess just color test with reaction test etc..perhaps watch a video 

Surely you did not need actuality driving test. 

 

 

I just had to do the same as my 5 year license was over 3 years expired.  Theory test and actual driving test.  Rented the DLT car for the test, 100 baht.  Absolutely nothing to be concerned about, some, me for one, would even call it a fun day out.  

[DrJack54]

14 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Theory test and actual driving test.  Rented the DLT car for the test, 100 baht. 

Wonder if you had option to "start over" with new 2 yr license.

In any event you worked out best option for yourself 

[Upnotover]

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Wonder if you had option to "start over" with new 2 yr license.

In any event you worked out best option for yourself 

Apparently if you already did the conversion of a foreign license you cannot do it again.  And I originally did it in 2008.  So basically had to start from scratch.  One "agent" claimed that my still valid UK license would avoid the need for the testing, but the DLT folks didn't agree.  But as said, all worked out fine and the tests are fun.

[erodygin]

13 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

What exactly was required "driving exam"

A theory exam with 50 questions first, then a practical driving test, like when you get your driver's license for the first time in Thailand (not when converting an overseas one)

[RonJr]

Just took my 2 - 2yr Thai driving licenses to LTO and they said even though I have completed the two years that the renewal is only five year for non tourist visa, and my new DTV is not sufficient order from big boss, Im going to another office and speaking w Attorney to verify this isn't some pushy desk clerk which happened w my DTV visa glad I had a lawyer write me a letter to which they promptly issued my five year DTV and stopped playing games w paperwork, I detailed the bribes I paid prior and said I don't want to publish these offices in the Pattaya news as it might make the kingdom look bad, Bam! After four days of fooling around she issued it finally 😆 maybe this method will work for my five year DL 

[BrandonJT]

12 hours ago, RonJr said:

Just took my 2 - 2yr Thai driving licenses to LTO and they said even though I have completed the two years that the renewal is only five year for non tourist visa, and my new DTV is not sufficient order from big boss, Im going to another office and speaking w Attorney to verify this isn't some pushy desk clerk which happened w my DTV visa glad I had a lawyer write me a letter to which they promptly issued my five year DTV and stopped playing games w paperwork, I detailed the bribes I paid prior and said I don't want to publish these offices in the Pattaya news as it might make the kingdom look bad, Bam! After four days of fooling around she issued it finally 😆 maybe this method will work for my five year DL 

The DTV is a tourist visa, and this is the policy at most DLT offices in regards to tourist entries (visa exempt or tourist visa).  Going to a different DLT may turn up different results, as is the same across Thailand for various agencies.

[bbi1]

On 10/17/2024 at 11:25 PM, erodygin said:

Congrats! I just got my 5-year (almost 6) license yesterday too. I'm on a DTV. I had to sit the test and pass driving exam again since my old temporary 2-year license had been expired over 2 years ago. I didn’t expect to get a full license at all, was a big surprise!

Awesome, so the DTV is considered a long-stay visa and we can all convert out 2 year licences to 5 year licences on renewal. Great news! Which motor registry department did you use? BKK or Pattaya by any chance?

[bbi1]

On 10/25/2024 at 11:56 AM, RonJr said:

Just took my 2 - 2yr Thai driving licenses to LTO and they said even though I have completed the two years that the renewal is only five year for non tourist visa, and my new DTV is not sufficient order from big boss, Im going to another office and speaking w Attorney to verify this isn't some pushy desk clerk which happened w my DTV visa glad I had a lawyer write me a letter to which they promptly issued my five year DTV and stopped playing games w paperwork, I detailed the bribes I paid prior and said I don't want to publish these offices in the Pattaya news as it might make the kingdom look bad, Bam! After four days of fooling around she issued it finally 😆 maybe this method will work for my five year DL 

WTF??? Many people above have said they got 5 year licences with a DTV but the office you went to said no. So it was the Pattaya office that rejected this?

[bbi1]

Ok, so I went to the Pattaya office, it's true. You will only get a 2 year renewal of your old 2 year licence on a DTV. You WILL NOT get a 5 year licence. DO NOT believe the OP if you have a DTV and are using Banglamung office for your renewal.

[IAMTitan]

I can confirm as of today December 3, 2024 that at the Bang Lamung driver license office you CANNOT upgrade to a 5 year driver license from a 2 year driver license. I went there today with all my paperwork, my DTV and my 2 year license and she told me that my new license will be another 2 year license. I kept saying this is a 5 year visa and they sent me to several people who kept confirming that here it's still considered a tourist visa and I can only get a new 2 year license with a tourist visa 🤦🏾‍♂️

[richard_smith237]

Mileage on how the DLT interprets each Visa varies... 

Some insist in on a Non-Immigrant Visa to secure a 5 Year Full Thai Drivers License and for any other visa not considered a 'resident visa' they will only issue a 2 Year Temporary Driving License. 

 

However.....   At the very same DLT (Area 3 Bangkok), I have used my Thai Elite Visa....  once, when renewing a 5 Year Driving Licence, and they would only renew to a 2 Year Temporary License. 

Then two years later with exactly the same Thai Elite Visa they issued me a 5 Year Visa. 

 

That was pretty much when I gave up trying to figure out rhyme or reason when dealing with Thai bureaucracy. 

 

Its not a major issue - BUT... If someone wants an International Driving License, based on their Thai 2 Year licence, then it becomes an issue as (if I'm not mistaken) we can only get a Full IDP to drive in other countries (such as Japan etc) when on a full 5 Year Driving License (slightly off topic - but that has caused me issue in the past - but not not a major issue as the Wife drove and I could just chill with a beer !!!).

 

 

 

 

 

[pres.yota41]

Hey folks! 👋

 

I might be a bit late to the party, but I wanted to share my experience getting a 5-year driver's license on a DTV visa. I went through the process a few months ago (back in November), so I'm not entirely sure how relevant it is now, I hope it is. Everything went extremely smoothly, me and my wife managed to upgrade my 2-year license to a 5-year one almost effortlessly. I hope my experience can help others.

Required Documents

1. Residence Certificate
   Original plus 2 copies
   Obtained in the Immigration Office (input docs are the application form and update TM.30 which must be updated after your current visa arrival date).
   Costs 500 baht.
2. Medical Certificate
   Obtained at the nearest hospital.
   Costs 300 baht
3. Queue registration in DLT Smart Queue App
   A printed ticket with the QR code.
   We chose the DLT Office in Phang Nga as it had the most available time slots back then.
4. Passport Scans
   3 copies of the passport’s face page and current visa page.
5. Cash
   700 baht in cash for fees.

Initial Conditions

• We reside in Phuket and each of us had a 2-year driver license.
• I had a DLT visa, and my driver license was expiring in about 1.5 months.
• My wife held a NON-O 90-day visa (without a 1-year extension yet), and her license had expired 3.5 months prior to the day of our visit to the DLT office.

At DLT Office

When we arrived, the QR-code machine that was supposed to print our queue ticket wasn’t working. (Note: Foreigners must use the DLT Smart Queue App; walk-ins are only accepted for Thais). The receptionist directed us to a counter, where they scanned our QR code and checked our documents.

 

Initially, they informed us that only one person is allowed per QR code. I explained our situation—highlighting my wife’s pregnancy—and they made an exception for both of us. They then asked us to make two extra copies of our passport pages (so having 3 copies of every document is a good idea).

 

After about an hour of waiting, a staff member invited us to take a brief test covering:

• Recognizing red, yellow, and green signals
• Using the brake pedal on a red light
• Estimating distances between objects

After the test, we waited again. My wife was called first; she paid the fee (~700 baht). When I was called, they initially said I was only eligible for a 2-year license because of my visa. However, I explained that a DLT-visa is valid for 5 years and quickly referenced a website confirming this. After a brief discussion with another staff member, they agreed to issue a 5-year license for me. I then paid the fee (~700 baht).

 

We were then photographed, and within 15–20 minutes, we received our new 5-year driver’s licenses. Interestingly, the expiration date isn’t exactly 5 years from the application date—it’s 5 years from the next birthday. For example, my partner’s license is actually valid for about 5.5 years.

 

Including the trip from Phuket and back, the entire process took about half a day.