Can I change a 2 year motorcycle license into a 5 year license without a long-term visa?

 

And can I use that 5 year license to get an International Drivers Permit, immediately after getting that 5 year license?

32 minutes ago, berro said:

Can I change a 2 year motorcycle license into a 5 year license without a long-term visa?

 

And can I use that 5 year license to get an International Drivers Permit, immediately after getting that 5 year license?

1) You must have a long-term visa or extension in order to get a 5-year license.  Without that you will receive another 2-year renewal. This may vary from DLT office to office, but I've never heard of this particular item varying.

 

2) You are correct that you must have the 5-year license in order to get an IDP.  You should be able to get it immediately after receipt of your 5-year license.

35 minutes ago, 1Baht said:

Don't talk such bull<deleted>, I got my driver's license a month ago and renewed it for another 5 years with a 60 day visa.

What is status in Thailand.

On extensions or....? 

Your account does not make sense. 

Read attached thread.

You require a Non O to obtain a 5 yr TDL.

With visa exempt (tourist) status you would receive a 2 yr licience.

 

Also you can apply for a 5 yr TDL up to 2 months early.

 

OP disregard this posters account. 

 

 

7 minutes ago, berro said:

How did you manage to do that? Did you use an agent?

Agents don't do anything to obtain TDL. 

More a hand holding exercise..

10 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Agents don't do anything to obtain TDL. 

More a hand holding exercise..

Agents could be used to smoothen the process of changing the 2 year license into a 5 year license, for a fee of course.

Nothing new under the sun.

1 minute ago, berro said:

Agents could be used to smoothen the process of changing the 2 year license into a 5 year license, for a fee of course.

There's nothing new to that.

New in my book. Name an agent in Bangkok that can do that..

If it's as you state then why ask.

Just trot off to agent and obtain the 5 yr TDL..

33 minutes ago, 1Baht said:

Don't talk such bull<deleted>, I got my driver's license a month ago and renewed it for another 5 years with a 60 day visa.

If you did then you were lucky.  Officially you need a non-O.  However there will always be exceptions but it is not something to be relied upon.

Just now, DrJack54 said:

New in my book. Name an agent in Bangkok that can do that..

If it's as you state then why ask.

Just trot off to agent and obtain the 5 yr TDL..

I'm just asking if it can be done in this case, ok? 

7 minutes ago, berro said:

I'm just asking if it can be done in this case, ok? 

The correct process is to obtain a 2 yr TDL. 

Within 2 months prior to expiry the window opens for renewal.

To obtain a 5 yr TDL you need a Non O.

With a tourist status you would receive a 2 yr TDL.

Be aware that expired licenses can still be renewed up to one year after expiry. 

 

BTW do you have a driving license from home country? 

 

Regarding IDP here is a thread.

Why the interest. You wishing to drive in another country?

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1327170-international-driving-license-with-thailand-driving-license/

28 minutes ago, berro said:

I'm just asking if it can be done in this case, ok? 

If you are located in Bangkok contact FatBoys or BSR Bikes.

BSR has USA guy manager so easy conversation for any questions 

1 hour ago, berro said:

Can I change a 2 year motorcycle license into a 5 year license without a long-term visa?

 

And can I use that 5 year license to get an International Drivers Permit, immediately after getting that 5 year license?

I had to downgrade from using many 5 year licenses to a 2 year. Since after they destroyed the O-A visa I don't have long term visa any more.

3 minutes ago, bokningar said:

Since after they destroyed the O-A visa I don't have long term visa any more.

You could consider a Non O retirement as that does not have the insurance requirement. 

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Agents don't do anything to obtain TDL. 

More a hand holding exercise..

of course they do
going price to avoid the lines and backlog and test for new license on getting a new or renewal license is apx 6,000 baht here in Phuket

31 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

of course they do
going price to avoid the lines and backlog and test for new license on getting a new or renewal license is apx 6,000 baht here in Phuket

I was not referring to obtaining que #

In fact I used BSR bikes after covid to do exactly that.

At that time there was a quota on number of tickets for non Thai per day.

I attended Transport office (chatuchak) Bangkok at 7.30am and sure enough the agent employee greeted me and when slots were starting to be issued I was given #1.

That's not what the thread is about.

 

 

My last two renewals were for 5 years.   This renewal, I could only get a two year license.  Not more than 90 days on my Visa.  Also, why is Immigration involved in getting a license renewal?  Why are no receipts issued for the 500 Baht for the letter Immigration?  Is the 500 Baht split between Immigration and the Driver's License department heads?  If no receipt how is the flow of money accounted for?

11 minutes ago, thaipo7 said:

Also, why is Immigration involved in getting a license renewal?

Some things require a "certificate of residence" such as obtaining a TDL or purchase/sale of motor vehicle or opening a bank account etc 

There are some immigration offices that do this for free.

Some eg CW charge 200b which includes mailing out the COR EMS.

 

You state...."If no receipt how is the flow of money accounted for?" 

Answer: It's not. 

 

 

7 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Agents don't do anything to obtain TDL. 

More a hand holding exercise..

A girl I know got her license without appearing at land transport, said it was expensive

19 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

A girl I know got her license without appearing at land transport, said it was expensive

No offense but without details I just disregard those accounts.

Perhaps she obtain it in Khao San Road.

4 hours ago, thaipo7 said:

My last two renewals were for 5 years.   This renewal, I could only get a two year license.  Not more than 90 days on my Visa.  Also, why is Immigration involved in getting a license renewal?  Why are no receipts issued for the 500 Baht for the letter Immigration?  Is the 500 Baht split between Immigration and the Driver's License department heads?  If no receipt how is the flow of money accounted for?

 

As @DrJack54 said immigration have nothing to do with the license, only issuing a proof of resistance. Thai citizens and foreigners holding a PR use a copy of the blue house book.

 

46 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

A girl I know got her license without appearing at land transport, said it was expensive

 

There are many certified driving schools that offer lessons and both written exams and driving tests as part of the driving course. You can do bike\car and in some such schools even trucks and semi trailers. Cost around 4-6k BAHT. Once you complete the course and exams they issue a letter with which you go to the DLT to get the license.

Just a question. Why do you need a 5year licence if you don’t intend to be here long term?

1 hour ago, kiwikeith said:

A girl I know got her license without appearing at land transport, said it was expensive

whose photo is on the license??

21 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Just a question. Why do you need a 5year licence if you don’t intend to be here long term?

Many folk plan to be visiting long term in Thailand.

Some spending many months per year in Thailand without a Non O .

Complicated even further now with 5yr DTV which is a "special class" tourist visa. 

A 5 yr TDL would suit those groups. 

I am about to renew my first license. I am here on a METV. If they only give me 2 years based on tourist status, they can not be expecting a residence certificate, can they?

1 minute ago, 7euner said:

I am about to renew my first license. I am here on a METV. If they only give me 2 years based on tourist status, they can not be expecting a residence certificate, can they?

You have tourist status and that will provide 2 yr licience.

You are misunderstanding "residence certificate" 

You can obtain a "certificate of residence" from immigration even with tourist status. That does not mean you have Permanent Resident status.

To renew your TDL you will need to obtain a COR from immigration.

 

 

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You have tourist status and that will provide 2 yr licience.

You are misunderstanding "residence certificate" 

You can obtain a "certificate of residence" from immigration even with tourist status. That does not mean you have Permanent Resident status.

To renew your TDL you will need to obtain a COR from immigration.

 

 

What I meant was that it would be strange if they expect a COR if I was staying in a hotel - or many hotels.

4 minutes ago, 7euner said:

What I meant was that it would be strange if they expect a COR if I was staying in a hotel - or many hotels.

 

They will definitely expect a Certificate of Residence. Where do you plan to renew your DL?

24 minutes ago, 7euner said:

What I meant was that it would be strange if they expect a COR if I was staying in a hotel - or many hotels.

Bottom line is that COR is required to obtain TDL (including renewal) 

At the time of applying for COR you require address confirmation.

A TM30 should be sufficient.

Ask hotel to supply. 

 

43 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

They will definitely expect a Certificate of Residence. Where do you plan to renew your DL?

At Chatuchak.

59 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You have tourist status and that will provide 2 yr licience.

You are misunderstanding "residence certificate" 

You can obtain a "certificate of residence" from immigration even with tourist status. That does not mean you have Permanent Resident status.

To renew your TDL you will need to obtain a COR from immigration.

 

 

Nice, I never knew you could get a 2-year license on a tourist visa. Is that a new thing ?

When I was last there it seemed I coould not get it on METV in Chiang Mai...or maybe I was mis-informed.

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

You could consider a Non O retirement as that does not have the insurance requirement. 

Thanks for your kind advice, but I didn’t keep renting a house here anymore. And now I only spend 3 months a year here. 

After 3 months I’m quite happy to move on. If I change my mind I will probably do as you suggest. 

But the hot part before rainy season and rainy season was never much fun anyway. So, I’m happily spending my money on more places now.
But again thanks for your advice.