Thai driving license.

[Doodoo]

Sorry but my understanding is that one must obtain an International license (if required) in their home country prior to leaving

BUT you didnt mention which State you are going to. As an example, we can use Texas, and it says the following

https://texasview.org/driving-in-texas- ... n-license/


Good luck

[Stantheman]

Sorry but my understanding is that one must obtain an International license (if required) in their home country prior to leaving

BUT you didnt mention which State you are going to. As an example, we can use Texas, and it says the following

https://texasview.org/driving-in-texas- ... n-license/


Good luck

Same applies in Kansas, just google State you are planning to visit to find out their requirements/laws. Also if getting rental car their requirements might be different based on location.

[deankham]

Thanks for the info guys. We will be going to Florida.

Looking at the Florida FLHSMV website it says;

Visitors to Florida who wish to drive while here are required to have in their immediate possession a valid driver license issued in his or her name from their country of residence.

If renting a car while visiting Florida, we suggest you check with the rental car company prior to your visit to see what they require. However, it’s our understanding that rental car companies have not changed their procedures or requirements for having a valid driver license from any state, U.S. territory or foreign country.

No mention of needing a IDP for Florida but will check a few of the car rental companies to see what the say also.

Also need to check the requirements for buying and insuring a car as longer term we will do that.

[sometimewoodworker]

Does anyone know how a thai person with a thai driving licence gets an international driving permit (IDP) from outside of thailand.

My wife needs an IDP so she can drive in the US when we go in early 2025. She has had an IDP several years ago but she got that in person from the Transportation office on the KK road.

She wants the same type of IDP but we are currently in the UK with no plan to return to thailand before we will be moving to USA.

Any advice appreciated. I did notice some websites offering to do an IDP but it was not clear if these are genuine or not.

Thanks

If she only has a Thai 5 year driving licence then she can only get an IDP from a Thai DLT office. There is no way to get one outside Thailand.

However many countries allow you to drive without an IDP if your license has all the relevant information in English, the U.K. certainly does so as long as you haven’t been in the country for more than a year, no IDP is required.

Contact the USA AAA and ask for information.

Alternatively she may be able to get a U.K. license with minimal to no test using her Thai license, though that may require an IDP, ask te RAC OR AA for information

TLDR she cannot get an IDP using a Thai license outside Thailand.

No website that offers IDPs or “international driving licenses” gives a genuine IDP and no “international driving license” is legal.

NB you cannot drive outside Thailand, legally, using a 2 year license

[Potamoi]

From ChatGPT 4o (for what its worth):

Here are some states that do not require an IDP if you have a valid foreign driver's license in English:

California: Does not require an IDP for short visits; however, if you become a resident, you must obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.

Florida: Allows you to drive with a valid foreign driver's license; an IDP is recommended but not mandatory.

New York: Permits driving with a valid foreign driver's license for up to 12 months; if the license is not in English, an IDP is recommended.

Texas: Allows the use of a valid foreign driver's license for up to 90 days; after this period, you must obtain a Texas driver's license if you become a resident.

I recall two friends in the past used their Thai drivers license to rent cars in Texas and California without IDP if that helps.

[deankham]

If she only has a Thai 5 year driving licence then she can only get an IDP from a Thai DLT office. There is no way to get one outside Thailand.
Dean - Wife was chasing some leads down yesterday but all appeared dead ends from the mis-informed so I'm in agreement with this comment

However many countries allow you to drive without an IDP if your license has all the relevant information in English, the U.K. certainly does so as long as you haven’t been in the country for more than a year, no IDP is required.

Contact the USA AAA and ask for information.

Alternatively she may be able to get a U.K. license with minimal to no test using her Thai license, though that may require an IDP, ask te RAC OR AA for information
Dean - using the gov.uk help tool it appears a thai licence requires a full uk therory and practical test to gain UK driving licence. Wife also has a Qatar issued driving licence but also the same issue (UAE, Singapore and several others do qualify for a UK licence without the tests.)

TLDR she cannot get an IDP using a Thai license outside Thailand.

No website that offers IDPs or “international driving licenses” gives a genuine IDP and no “international driving license” is legal.
Dean - Good info as I and wife independently found several sites offering to give an IDP on-line but I could not find any info stating if they are actually legal or accepted

NB you cannot drive outside Thailand, legally, using a 2 year license
Dean - Interestingly me wifes thai driving licence is valid for 11 years, and expires late 2025. Never noticed this before. I foresee the next issue being she will need to renew her thai DL and guessing this can only be done from within Thailand also. Unless someone like Smart drive are able to do this for a fee if we post the licence to them?

Thanks for that STWW. Very useful. Some responses in case it helps anyone or generates more thoughts

[sometimewoodworker]

To repeat myself

No website that offers IDPs or “international driving licenses” gives a genuine IDP and no “international driving license” is legal.

Dean - Interestingly me wifes thai driving licence is valid for 11 years, and expires late 2025. Never noticed this before. I foresee the next issue being she will need to renew her thai DL and guessing this can only be done from within Thailand also. Unless someone like Smart drive are able to do this for a fee if we post the licence to them?

It is likely that the 11 year license period is in error AFIK they are only 2 or 5 years. Renewal is only available in Thailand. It is unlikely that it can be done by post even with brown envelopes.

[Stantheman]

It is likely that the 11 year license period is in error AFIK they are only 2 or 5 years. Renewal is only available in Thailand. It is unlikely that it can be done by post even with brown envelopes.

Just and FYI, my wife's Thai drivers license has no expiration date. When many years ago while working as a teacher in Udon they offered this type to government employees. Even when she had to get the new style with the chip in it, she received an indefinite license.

[tamada]

Through a clerical error while doing a 5-year renewal at the license office under AEK Udon, there was no expiration date on my new TDL. It caused grief with car rentals both here and in the UK and also at some out of province traffic stops, with a few of the latter suggesting it was a fake license. After a year of this nonsense, I got it replaced at AEK with one that had an expiration date.

I recall years ago that there was a "lifetime" TDL and if memory serves, the personal data panel was red.

[sometimewoodworker]

It is likely that the 11 year license period is in error AFIK they are only 2 or 5 years. Renewal is only available in Thailand. It is unlikely that it can be done by post even with brown envelopes.

Just and FYI, my wife's Thai drivers license has no expiration date. When many years ago while working as a teacher in Udon they offered this type to government employees. Even when she had to get the new style with the chip in it, she received an indefinite license.

Useful to know, thanks.

Through a clerical error while doing a 5-year renewal at the license office under AEK Udon, there was no expiration date on my new TDL. It caused grief with car rentals both here and in the UK and also at some out of province traffic stops, with a few of the latter suggesting it was a fake license. After a year of this nonsense, I got it replaced at AEK with one that had an expiration date.

I recall years ago that there was a "lifetime" TDL and if memory serves, the personal data panel was red.

Another useful datum point