Int. driving licence for a thai

[Peterplay]

A Thai driving licence is not accepted in (this case) Holland . Does any of you have an idea where an International driving licence can be made/issued made in Thailand ?
Is there a sort of AA or RAC in Thailand ?

Thanks for your help, P.

[The man from Ketchup]

The TW and I will be there in August and i hope to get an International License for her then.

I have been told you can only get them in Bangkok. Where? I am not too sure. Perhaps some one more learned than I can tell as more.

Cheers

[Prenders88]

The TW and I will be there in August and i hope to get an International License for her then.

I have been told you can only get them in Bangkok. Where? I am not too sure. Perhaps some one more learned than I can tell as more.

Cheers

Your nearest Land Transport Office , the place that issues Driving Licenses. They are issued from Bangkok so you have to wait for it to be sent up from there. If your based in Bangkok you can get it over the counter if you have all your paperwork in order.

[Techland]

IMHO a Thai internatonal driving license is just the thai driving license translated to english. It does not mean that this paper will be accepted and has any meaning outside Thailand. IMHO.

[Prenders88]

IMHO a Thai internatonal driving license is just the thai driving license translated to english. It does not mean that this paper will be accepted and has any meaning outside Thailand. IMHO.

Convention 1949

The Geneva Convention on Road Traffic is accepted in a majority of the nations; major non-signatory countries include Germany, which did not have a government yet at that time. The main regulation about international driving licence is in Annexe 9. Switzerland signed but did not ratify the Convention.

There is a European Agreement supplementing the 1949 Convention on road traffic and the 1949 Protocol on road signs and signals, concluded in Geneva, on 1950-09-16.

Thai IDP's are issued under the Convention of 1949 and are accepted anywhere, it looks the same as my old UK IDP, but with a white cover.

[beer monkey]

Hi all...

Excellent work prenders.....in UK someone can use their own countrys license for 12 months(sure thats the limit)....then they have to take a UK test and more than likely driving lessons/intense courses to get a UK license.

You all drive safely out there....speed kills and belt up even on short journeys.
Thanks.

[JimboPSM]

For further info, copies of the front and inside front pages of a Thailand IDP:

Thai-IDP-front.jpg (82.27 KiB) Viewed 3667 times

Thai-IDP-valid_countries.jpg (68.22 KiB) Viewed 3667 times

[BobHelm]

I have seen adverts for Thai companies offering to supply International Driving Licenses.
These always seemed a little on the "iffy" side to me as they offer 5 year & 10 year licenses. My understanding was that the maximum life of an International License was 1 year. I also believe that in many countries there is a legal limit on how long you can actually drive in a country on one. I am pretty certain that I have heard about 6 month limits in some countries....

[douglas]

Hi,
It is not a driving licence but a driving permit to be used in conjunction with your own countries Driving L. In U.K. and most countries they are only issued for 12 months. They are only allowed to be issued by the goverment.
Bob you are right, not worth the paper they are printed on, those 5 and 10 year ones.
Cheers Doug.

[pompui]

Judging Thai driving here right now in Udon ,how the heck will they drive in the UK - no teamoney payments,no left turn at a red light etc....... [-o<

[Techland]

Ok, I researched this topic for my home country. The thai international driving permit is accepted for 6 months for the first time a thai moves to Germany. That is quite shocking news. I really don't want to see any of these killers on our roads.

The good news is: after the 6 months they have to apply for the german driver license, with a test in theory and practise. They will never pass that one...

[beer monkey]

Hi.

Plenty of 'killers' on uk roads, every nation comes with their driving license, just jump in a car and they are off, some are terrible drivers too, they stand out like a sore thumb the traffic police are kept busy.

Thanks bm.

[Peterplay]

Well, getting an International Driving Permit turned out to be a non event. Go to the 'Konsong'- place where they do drivers licences and road tax - in Udon and ask for an IDP.
They finish it while you're waiting.
No going to Bangkok or producing many forms.

As for safety and Thai driving style : I would be very worried to let a Thai drive in overcrowded Holland, unless he/she had proven to really be a very sensible and alert driver in Thailand.
Of course, some guidance is necessary, eg driving (or driving back) on a hard shoulder wouldn't be appreciated here...

Thanks for your thoughts and info
p.

[tutone]

Here's some info for anyone wanting to get an international driving permit for a Thai citizen. Went to the transportation office this morning hoping to get one for my TGF as we are going to USA next month. She was denied because her Thai driver's license is new, a 1 year first issue. Thai person has to have the 5 year license before they will issue an IDP. Also the fee is 505 Baht and you are required to have 2 passport size photos. They do not do the photos there. We had to go up the road to a recommended photo shop, spend 80 Baht for the pics only to be told, sorry have to have 5 year license. I guess they view the 1 year license as some sort of learning permit. Who knows? TIT.

[Chriss]

I have just got a UK IDP to go with my UK licence, a Thai friend has told me I have to go to the Thai driving licence dept to get the IDP officially stamped for them to recognise it, anyone heard of this before and if it's right where do I go, what do I need to take.
My understanding was if I am stopped and asked for my licence I show my UK card licence and the IDP and all is rosy in the garden, don't want to get involved with the corrupt roadside BIB's if I get stopped without an official stamp on the IDP.

[papaguido]

I have just got a UK IDP to go with my UK licence, a Thai friend has told me I have to go to the Thai driving licence dept to get the IDP officially stamped for them to recognise it, anyone heard of this before and if it's right where do I go, what do I need to take.
My understanding was if I am stopped and asked for my licence I show my UK card licence and the IDP and all is rosy in the garden, don't want to get involved with the corrupt roadside BIB's if I get stopped without an official stamp on the IDP.

New one on me. Never had any problems showing my US DL and even though I carried an IDP it was never asked for. As far as corrupt BIB's I don't really think it matters what type of license you got.

[Shado]

Same here. Drove on US license (licence) and also had IDP. This was about 3 years ago, but never had a problem showing the license and never had anything stamped, offical or otherwise.

[crazydrummerpauly]

Hi - thanks for the good news Peterplay. Is the 'Konsong' office only the place for a Thai citizen to easily get an IDP, or is it also the place for an ex-pat to get one without much hassle ? Thanks in advance.

[doo]

Hi,
Went to D.L. center in Udon, well 25K south towards KK, Got my Thai D.L. for bike and car, had to be 2 lic. Took PP photos and they would not accept them. They took there own photos and camera was linked to their computer. Which printed out the Lics.
Need a med. certificate and a letter from Immag. confirming your address. Plus your own countries DL's.
I asked boss man at the end wither my British Lic. is valid here and for how long, he said 12 months sir, and if you do not leave Los in that time you have to get a Los D.L. If you leave Los in this time you can use it for a further 12 months when you return.
IDP only lasts for 12 months but when I did have one was never asked for it by BIB. So waste of money. From my country a IDP is 15 GBP's with photos.
Was also informed that you can drive on a Thai DL for six months in the U.K. and then you have to take a test.

[Khun Paul]

Ok,
1 You do NOT need a stamp for an IDP
2, You may certainly drive on your own countries driving licence for a period NOT exceeding 12 months.
3 Local DL is obtainable as spoken the first time for 1 year then renewed fora furthr 5 years and so on ad infinitum.
4. Thais CAN get an IDP BUT and it is a BIG But their driving skills will probably NOT be up to European or American driving so be careful.
5 Local Police do know to ask for passport when checking DL so if over 12 months be warned, do not assume they will NOT ask.
6. Ins Coys are tighening up so be warned do not attempt to circumnavigate the system.
here endeth the lesson.