Thai Driving License by Visa Type: What You Need
Your visa decides two things: which papers you bring, and whether you can later upgrade to the 5-year license. The first license is always the 2-year one, whatever visa you hold.
Overview by Visa
| Visa | First license (2 years) | Upgrade to 5 years |
|---|---|---|
| Visa exemption or tourist visa (TR) | Yes, with a Certificate of Residence | No, but you can get another 2-year license |
| DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) | Yes | No, but you can get another 2-year license |
| Non-Immigrant O or O-A (retirement, family) | Yes | Yes |
| Non-Immigrant B with work permit | Yes, the work permit can replace the residence certificate | Yes |
| Non-Immigrant ED (education) | Yes | No, but you can get another 2-year license |
| LTR (Long-Term Resident) | Yes | Yes |
| Thailand Privilege (formerly Elite) | Yes | Yes |
The upgrade to the 5-year license is possible when your 2-year license is within 3 months of expiring. See the renewal guide.
Documents for Every Visa
- Passport with your current visa or entry stamp
- Certificate of Residence from Phuket Immigration, or a valid work permit with your address. See the residence certificate guide.
- Medical certificate not older than 30 days. See the medical certificate guide.
- Your foreign license, plus an International Driving Permit or certified translation where needed. See the conversion guide.
Notes for Each Visa
Visa Exemption and Tourist Visa
Tourists can get the 2-year license as long as they have a Certificate of Residence for their hotel, condo or villa address. The 5-year license is not available on a tourist entry.
DTV
DTV holders stay up to 180 days per entry. They get the 2-year license and can renew it for another 2 years, but the 5-year license is not available on the DTV. Details in our DTV guide.
Retirement and Family Visas (Non-O, O-A)
Retirees and people married to a Thai citizen use the standard documents and can upgrade to the 5-year license later.
Work Visa (Non-B)
A valid work permit that shows your address is accepted as proof of address, so you do not need a separate Certificate of Residence.
Education Visa (Non-ED)
Students use the standard documents, with the Certificate of Residence for their address in Phuket. The 5-year license is not available on the ED visa; you renew for another 2 years instead.
LTR and Thailand Privilege
Both are long-stay visas with the standard documents, and both allow the later upgrade to the 5-year license.
Questions About Visas and the Thai License
Yes. On a visa exemption or tourist visa you can get the 2-year Thai license if you have a Certificate of Residence from Immigration. You cannot upgrade to the 5-year license on a tourist entry, but you can get another 2-year license.
Non-Immigrant B, O and O-A visas, the LTR visa and Thailand Privilege. Tourists, DTV and ED visa holders get another 2-year license instead. The upgrade is possible when your 2-year license is within 3 months of expiring.
Yes. A valid Thai work permit that shows your address is accepted as proof of address instead of the Certificate of Residence.
Yes. Every first-time applicant gets a 2-year temporary license, whatever the nationality or visa.
Not Sure About Your Visa?
Send us a photo of your passport and visa stamp on WhatsApp. We tell you which papers you need and reserve your appointment for the trip to DLT Krabi.