Getting ready to make the permanent move to Udon Thani, Thailand

[maaka]

wouldnt worry about that when myself, you can get an International licence for one year before you leave UK, and while hear, get a Thai licence..

Its good doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, that one needs from time to time..

I have not fully cut ties with the motherland, so I have a place to stay when back there..

[Galee]

My UK driving license expired years ago. I rent when visiting. Use an International Driving permit and my Thai license.

[tamada]

If relocating permanently to Thailand, retaining and using a UKDL in the UK while not residing in the UK is illegal. Using the address of a property you still own in the UK on your UKDL while not living there is illegal. The fine, if discovered, is £1000.

Getting a Thai DL is a two-step procedure where the first issued licence is considered 'temporary' and is only valid for one year. It won't be recognised for car rental in the UK. Renewal after one year earns a five year Thai DL which will be recognised in the UK for car rental. The Thai DL is in Thai and English.

An international driving permit (IDP) issued in Thailand may be needed in addition to the 5-year Thai DL if renting in some other countries. A Thai IDP isn't required to rent a car in the UK.

[edited to correct the amount of the fine]

[Galee]

A Thai IDP isn't required to rent a car in the UK.

Wrong. Depends on the company. Need to read Terms and Conditions.

[tamada]

A Thai IDP isn't required to rent a car in the UK.

Wrong. Depends on the company. Need to read Terms and Conditions.

Agreed, but it's not a legal requirement.

[BillaRickaDickay]

Just got my first Thai driving licences and valid for two years.

[Khun Paul]

A Thai IDP isn't required to rent a car in the UK.

Wrong. Depends on the company. Need to read Terms and Conditions.

Agreed, but it's not a legal requirement.

Yes agree, however if your UK licence have expired as I would suggest most over UK citizens over 70 may have been. Then acquiring a THAI IDP would be beneficial

[Pikolim]

I faced the same concern about my UK driver's license address. I contacted the DVLA and updated my address to a friend's or family member's address in the UK. This allowed me to maintain a valid UK driver's license while living overseas. Sometimes it' super important to consult moving reliable resources. Luckily, when I moved I found a lot of useful tips on https://threemovers.com/moving-companies-austria-to-thailand/, but about my driving licence nobody taught me how to do it...

[deankham]

If relocating permanently to Thailand, retaining and using a UKDL in the UK while not residing in the UK is illegal. Using the address of a property you still own in the UK on your UKDL while not living there is illegal. The fine, if discovered, is £1200.

Getting a Thai DL is a two-step procedure where the first issued licence is considered 'temporary' and is only valid for one year. It won't be recognised for car rental in the UK. Renewal after one year earns a five year Thai DL which will be recognised in the UK for car rental. The Thai DL is in Thai and English.

An international driving permit (IDP) issued in Thailand may be needed in addition to the 5-year Thai DL if renting in some other countries. A Thai IDP isn't required to rent a car in the UK.

I've done just that for the past 15 years, initially using my flat I rent out then later changing to a family member address. Has come in useful, wonder what the chances of having been found out would have been?

[tamada]

^ Me too since 1978. First my parent's address, then my sister's and now my mate's place. The only way I see a possibility of being "found out" is if you have an at-fault accident?

I was stopped by a Lancashire plod and he asked me why I gave him my Thai DL when his tablet gizmo showed that I had a valid UK license. When I told him I would be breaking the law if I used the UK one, he said he didn't know that. It is the law but the chances of being spot checked may not even raise a flag.

[Pikolim]

I faced the same concern about my UK driver's license address. I contacted the DVLA and updated my address to a friend's or family member's address in the UK. This allowed me to maintain a valid UK driver's license while living overseas.

[tamada]

Many Brits, including myself, do this, but if living permanently overseas, the license is illegal for use in the UK. The UK authorities won't accept any UK DL if it doesn't have the current UK residential address. It becomes invalid. This law applies to both UK residents and those that live overseas and who are no longer resident in the UK, and it's the same £1000 fine.

Legally, the DL of any country must have the holder's actual residential address so if you are living in Thailand, using your UK DL to drive in the US or any other country is still breaking the law. Since the address on the UK DL is also used for the UK-issued International Driving Permit, these become invalid also.

I keep my UK DL just in case I relocate back to the UK, but I don't use it anywhere.

[Khun Paul]

NOTE, if my memory serves me correctly, driving here on a UK driving licence is I believe illegal if here permanently after 6 months. The THAI driving licence requirements are so easy that failure to get one is illogical. PLUS getting a THAI IDP is not difficult either, I believe it lasts on year.
Considering that the UK is stamping down on drving licences for those over 70 putting in more restrictions and availability , those over 70 if livng here would be better served using a Thai DL and or Thai IDP to drive in the UK. just a thought if using Thai licence or IDP ensure you have paperwork that shows your address in Thailand NOT an address the UK as if you are using an UK address you WILL need a UK driving licence. Point made by my friends in Traffic TVP .
So those who go back enjoy visiting but be careful laws are changing and always go prepared at least one thing you will be allowed POLICE THAT LISTEN AND THEY ARE NOT OUT TO IMPROVE THEIR INCOME !!!!

[sometimewoodworker]

Getting a Thai DL is a two-step procedure where the first issued licence is considered 'temporary' and is only valid for one year. It won't be recognised for car rental in the UK. Renewal after one year earns a five year Thai DL which will be recognised in the UK for car rental. The Thai DL is in Thai and English.

The original Temporary license was for 1 year, however this changed about 6 years ago and the Temporary license is now for 2 years. At renewal you only get a 5 year license if you have a Non-Immigrant visa or 1 year extension of stay from a Non-immigrant visa. If you have any other visa such as a tourist or visa exempt entry you will only get another 2 year Temporary license, and it doesn’t matter if you had a 5 year license before, this includes the the 5,10, 20 year Privilege Visa as it is just an expensive special Tourist visa

[tamada]

Getting a Thai DL is a two-step procedure where the first issued licence is considered 'temporary' and is only valid for one year. It won't be recognised for car rental in the UK. Renewal after one year earns a five year Thai DL which will be recognised in the UK for car rental. The Thai DL is in Thai and English.

The original Temporary license was for 1 year, however this changed about 6 years ago and the Temporary license is now for 2 years. At renewal you only get a 5 year license if you have a Non-Immigrant visa or 1 year extension of stay from a Non-immigrant visa. If you have any other visa such as a tourist or visa exempt entry you will only get another 2 year Temporary license, and it doesn’t matter if you had a 5 year license before, this includes the the 5,10, 20 year Privilege Visa as it is just an expensive special Tourist visa

Good, comprehensive update there stww, thanks. It's getting harder to keep up with changes.

Or, maybe it's just getting harder for me to remember them all.