Non-O E-Visa for driver's licence

[SABloke]

Last year when I headed back to Thailand my 5 year licence was only renewed for 2 years since I entered on visa-exempt (I had hoped that after doing the initial 2 year then 5 year licence, all subsequent licences would be 5 years 🤔) However, the traffic officer told me to come back next time with a visa and she'd give me 5.

 

So I now learn that one can apply for an E-visa and receive the visa via email. However, I assume that at immigration they check the E-visa validity and then stamp the correct number of days. So how will traffic department verify the visa? Do they just check the email and believe that, or is it the fact that the IO at arrival in BKK gives you a special "Non-O" stamp?

 

Thanks in advance for any info.

[DrJack54]

You mention "visa"

What category of eVisa would obtain.

If tourist you will only receive 2 yr TDL.

A Non O category you would receive 5 yr. 

 

[SABloke]

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You mention "visa"

What category of eVisa would obtain.

If tourist you will only receive 2 yr TDL.

A Non O category you would receive 5 yr. 

 

 

Non-O (mentioned in the title 🙂)

 

Do you mind elaborating on the stamping process at arrivals please - Does it say "Non-O" in my passport or do I need to take the email confirmation/proof with me to the DLT?

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, SABloke said:

 

Non-O (mentioned in the title 🙂)

 

Do you mind elaborating on the stamping process at arrivals please - Does it say "Non-O" in my passport or do I need to take the email confirmation/proof with me to the DLT?

Stamp will have Non O .

However bit irrelevant.

When you actually attend Transport office you would have pp and print out eVisa with you.

More importantly you would have a "certificate of residence" from immigration office. 

That is essential 

 

 

[SABloke]

17 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Stamp will have Non O .

However bit irrelevant.

When you actually attend Transport office you would have pp and print out eVisa with you.

More importantly you would have a "certificate of residence" from immigration office. 

That is essential 

 

 

Great to hear - appreciate the info. Thanks Dr.Jack!

 

COR was easy enough last time so looks like plain sailing dor the 5 year. Final question then: my 2 year expires next year 2026 - would I be able to renew it for the 5 year this year (around 14 months before expiry)?

 

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, SABloke said:

my 2 year expires next year 2026 - would I be able to renew it for the 5 year this year (around 14 months before expiry

No.

You can renew TDL up to 6 months prior.

Note: you can also renew license up till one year after expiry.

Note: Renewal starts from your birth date so as eg ...in my case I let my TDL expire then after following birthday applied for license renewal.

As a result received 6 years.

 

[SABloke]

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

No.

You can renew TDL up to 6 months prior.

Note: you can also renew license up till one year after expiry.

Note: Renewal starts from your birth date so as eg ...in my case I let my TDL expire then after following birthday applied for license renewal.

As a result received 6 years.

 

 

Got it - in hindsight, I should've just let my TDL expire then last year (I renewed early on the visa-exempt) and done the 5 year licence this year) 🤣. Anyway - much appreciated again. Cheers 🫡

[DrJack54]

7 hours ago, SABloke said:

Got it - in hindsight, I should've just let my TDL expire then last year (I renewed early on the visa-exempt) and done the 5 year licence this year

Here is link to thread re DTL .

It's concerning Bangkok however the requirements are pretty much same everywhere. I posted links to other threads. 

 

 

[The Old Bull]

15 hours ago, SABloke said:

Last year when I headed back to Thailand my 5 year licence was only renewed for 2 years since I entered on visa-exempt (I had hoped that after doing the initial 2 year then 5 year licence, all subsequent licences would be 5 years 🤔) However, the traffic officer told me to come back next time with a visa and she'd give me 5.

 

So I now learn that one can apply for an E-visa and receive the visa via email. However, I assume that at immigration they check the E-visa validity and then stamp the correct number of days. So how will traffic department verify the visa? Do they just check the email and believe that, or is it the fact that the IO at arrival in BKK gives you a special "Non-O" stamp?

 

Thanks in advance for any info.

When you enter on an E-visa they put a stamp in your passport that the motor vehicles people check. If you have a new passport they will want to see the old one that has the number the same as on your old drivers license. I had to have a neighbor break into my house in Canada and send me a scan of my old passport.

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, The Old Bull said:

If you have a new passport they will want to see the old one that has the number the same as on your old drivers license. I had to have a neighbor break into my house in Canada and send me a scan of my old passport.

Why was that required.

When passports are renewed and transfer of information/stamps is done ...The very first notation in new passport is reference (pp#) of old pp

[The Old Bull]

59 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Why was that required.

When passports are renewed and transfer of information/stamps is done ...The very first notation in new passport is reference (pp#) of old pp

My old passport was a UK passport . I switched to Canada when they came out with a ten year passport.

[SABloke]

7 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Why was that required.

When passports are renewed and transfer of information/stamps is done ...The very first notation in new passport is reference (pp#) of old pp

My passport does not have that, so I do tend to take my old passport along when updating things (Don't remember them (DLT) asking for it last time, but then again it was a small provincial DLT sonthey don't deal with many foreigners)

[sandyf]

On 2/18/2025 at 8:45 PM, SABloke said:

 

Non-O (mentioned in the title 🙂)

 

Do you mind elaborating on the stamping process at arrivals please - Does it say "Non-O" in my passport or do I need to take the email confirmation/proof with me to the DLT?

The IO will annotate the stamp on arrival as Non O and E-visa.

It would be a bit presumptious to think that you would be sure to get a 5 year licence on a 90 day stamp.

There was  a report recently of someone only getting 2 years on the new DTV which is 180 days.

Like other things there can be different outcomes and you may need a 12 month extension to get the 5 years.

[sandyf]

19 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Why was that required.

When passports are renewed and transfer of information/stamps is done ...The very first notation in new passport is reference (pp#) of old pp

When passports are renewed it is up to you what you do.

There is no requirement for any previous information to be included in a new passport.

Assumptions shouldn't be posted as if a fact.

[DrJack54]

3 hours ago, sandyf said:

Like other things there can be different outcomes and you may need a 12 month extension to get the 5 years.

OP has a Non O category.

He will receive a 5 yr TDL upon renewal 

 

[songhklasid]

Interesting, I usually get a 2 mth tourist visa , & have been issued a 2 year licence in the past,it expires in Jan next year , so next trip after upcoming, I’ll get a non O 90 day visa , hopefully get a 5 year licence , I will be doing it all in Chiang Mai , let you know how I went , cheers .

rgds SS.