IDP vs IDL to drive in Thailand

[riclag]

Anybody know what the difference is between a International Driver's Permit and International Driver's License .I just obtained a IDP from the states.I was told by the Transportation head in Sakon last year  when I inquired about applying for a Thai license that my US license wasn't sufficient because it lacked a description of what I was allowed to drive and that I needed a International one.In most states they have coded letter's for each driving class and the details are only in the Driver manuals and DMV sites.I actually had a manual with picture's of vehicles next to the letters that corresponded to the different qualification. He was adamant that they weren't clear evidence of what I was allowed to drive. The IDP isn't much better it only gives the vehicle weight maximum,no more than 8 seats and that you  can attache a light trailer in back

[giddyup]

Not sure there is such a thing as a IDL, only an IDP.

[Smokin Joe]

The International Drivers Permit (IDP) you have is what you need. There is no legitimate document called an International Drivers License or IDL.

 

It is very common to incorrectly refer to the IDP as an International Driver's License even on government websites (US Embassy for example) 

[Kwasaki]

Done to death, revived and killed again do a search. 

[KhunBENQ]

This is a sample from the net (cropped):

(the 1949 version is official for Thailand, some countries issue one based on a 1968 convention which is declined at some offices)

 

[KhunBENQ]

5 hours ago, riclag said:

He was adamant that they weren't clear evidence of what I was allowed to drive. The IDP isn't much better it only gives the vehicle weight maximum,no more than 8 seats and that you  can attache a light trailer in back

That's completely OK.

The IDP is meant to "map" the often manyfold national categories to a small set.

Categories are "stamped".

If you apply for a standard private car license the IDP should be fully sufficient.

Quote

no more than 8 seats

As far as I remember this is exactly the limit for a private car license in Thailand.

[dotpoom]

In order to obtain an IDP you would have had to have a regular driving licence for your country.....would that not have been sufficient to obtain your Thai licence ( along with a small test, if I remember correctly).

[KhunBENQ]

27 minutes ago, dotpoom said:

would that not have been sufficient to obtain your Thai licence ( along with a small test, if I remember correctly).

Not sure for which countries the national licenses are acknowledged.

Some wrote that all DLs with English language would be acknowledged?

Sure not for all countries.

[Belzybob]

Most European, Australian, New Zealand and North American licences meet the requirements for recognition in Thailand. Many car hire companies are finally dropping this IDP nonsense. Unfortunately the BiB are mainly clueless about this and often expect to see one. The really worrying thing is that Thai licences are recognised by the same countries on a reciprocal basis!

 

Note that driving on an overseas licence in Thailand is only permitted for genuine tourists. Once you take up any form of residency you are required to obtain a Thai licence.

[Andrew Dwyer]

I had a Uk DL but obtained an IDP in the Uk for driving in Thailand( valid for 3 months).

Upon acquiring my Thai DL I presented the IDP ( along with Uk DL ) the lady raised her eyebrows and pushed it to one side.

 

I think that the IDP is required along with your home country DL for driving in Thailand but maybe that's only if your home country DL is not in English language ?

[riclag]

2 hours ago, dotpoom said:

In order to obtain an IDP you would have had to have a regular driving licence for your country.....would that not have been sufficient to obtain your Thai licence ( along with a small test, if I remember correctly).

If the transportation officer acknowledges my IDP, then off to the DR. then bypass the 100 question test and the road test.. 

[Global Guy]

I've been pulled over with just my US DL, IDP, and my Thai license. I never got a a ticket with my Thai license but always did with the other two.

 

I hate going to Thai govt offices and when I went by myself to get the Thai DL, my docs were rejected. When I went with my Thai wife, it took maybe 30-45 minutes and boom, I got my Thai driver's license. It was well worth it. I also show it to exchange currency so I don't have to carry my passport. Additionally, anywhere there is foreigner pricing, I show my Thai DL and get Thai prices. 

 

I say get the IDP, but also get the Thai DL, it's worth it if you're going to live here. 

[soisanuk]

The International Driving Permit (IDP) is based on a United Nations Convention - it is not a license - it is a translation of your government issued driving license into several languages - it also notes the type of vehicle(s) your government license allows you to drive.  The IDP is valid in countries that have agreed to the UN convention.  Several Governments, such as USA, UK, Australia) have delegated the issuance to automobile organizations, e.g., American Automobile Association.

 

The US Federal Trade Commission explains the IDP and cautions against scams selling International Driving Licenses (which are not a legally recognized document).  Here is a link to the FTC web page: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0050-international-drivers-license-scams#idp scams

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Most European, Australian, New Zealand and North American licences meet the requirements for recognition in Thailand. Many car hire companies are finally dropping this IDP nonsense. Unfortunately the BiB are mainly clueless about this and often expect to see one. The really worrying thing is that Thai licences are recognised by the same countries on a reciprocal basis!

 

Note that driving on an overseas licence in Thailand is only permitted for genuine tourists. Once you take up any form of residency you are required to obtain a Thai licence.

It is not the cops are clueless. In Chiang Mai for example they don't give a fig obaout any international conventions. IDP "no have must pay".

 

[jackdd]

13 minutes ago, Global Guy said:

I've been pulled over with just my US DL, IDP, and my Thai license. I never got a a ticket with my Thai license but always did with the other two.

Where do you live? I've been to many places in Thailand and have been stopped many times, but never had a problem with the IDP

Could it be that in the US you just have a car license, but no motorbike license and thus with the IDP you also don't have a license when driving motorbike in Thailand and get fined?

[hkt83100]

14 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

As far as I remember this is exactly the limit for a private car license in Thailand.

I am driving our Family People Mover (11 seats) fully legally with my Thai license. It's one of those with blue letters/numbers on white background on the license plate. As far as know the limit is 12 seats, which makes the Hyundai H1 still drivable with your normal Thai license. Nota Bene: No commercial driving allowed!

[LivinLOS]

The IDP is a legal document, applying to the correct Geneva convention. Its issued by approved authorities (the AA etc). It backs up your home country license with formal legalized translations which are accepted and approved by law in all the signatory countries. 

 

The IDL is a legalized translation, its merely you home country license translated, made by shady companies who upsell it as a legal document. Its not illegal per se, its just kind of worthless. 

 

To make matters even more confusing, Thailand has signed the most recent geneva convention on motoring which states that as long as a license is in english, the IDP isnt required. So by law within Thailand, if you have an english language license, the IDP isnt legally needed either. Good luck explaining the nuances of different geneva conventions to a roadside Somchai cop hunting a fine. 

 

I have home country licenses, Thai licenses, IDPs on both.. But even with all that legality in place, I still buy multi packs of IDLs dirt cheap online. Why ??? Because they are cheap and easy to hand out to 3rd world cops in sticky situations and have no value. These are my 'burner' licenses for Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Laos, etc... When I am riding around there I know I can hand it over and still leg it if being given unfair corrupt treatment. 

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, ChiangMaiLightning2143 said:

It is not the cops are clueless. In Chiang Mai for example they don't give a fig obaout any international conventions. IDP "no have must pay".

 

So it is the cops that are clueless.

[Ulic]

3 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I had a Uk DL but obtained an IDP in the Uk for driving in Thailand( valid for 3 months).

Upon acquiring my Thai DL I presented the IDP ( along with Uk DL ) the lady raised her eyebrows and pushed it to one side.

 

I think that the IDP is required along with your home country DL for driving in Thailand but maybe that's only if your home country DL is not in English language ?

While you are correct it does not stop the BIB from requesting to see

your IDP. The funny thing is the IDP does not have a Thai translation

of your licence but the BIB know where the IDP stamps are supposed

to be to make your licence valid.

[tryasimight]

I had both my aussie license and an IDP...still got fined in Lamduan, Surin. Cop said same price as Thai people and fine good for one week of driving...go figure. Cost me whole eight bucks but worth it just for the piece of paper I keep as a souvenir.

[KhunBENQ]

I just ordered a rental car in Phuket via a western company (internet).

Requirement list clearly states: IDP.

 

Will they deny when I show my Thai driving license?

[giddyup]

2 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

I had both my aussie license and an IDP...still got fined in Lamduan, Surin. Cop said same price as Thai people and fine good for one week of driving...go figure. Cost me whole eight bucks but worth it just for the piece of paper I keep as a souvenir.

Fined for what?

[KhunBENQ]

7 minutes ago, Ulic said:

The funny thing is the IDP does not have a Thai translation

of your licence but the BIB know where the IDP stamps are supposed

to be to make your licence valid

Exactly that's what is for.

Simple A/B/C/D fields stamped or not.

No dedicated translation necessary.

A=Motorbike

B=Private car

[tryasimight]

Just now, giddyup said:

Fined for what?

For driving without a license. I don't have a Thai license.

[giddyup]

Just now, tryasimight said:

For driving without a license. I don't have a Thai license.

Depending on how long you've lived here. If it's more than 90 days you're required to get a Thai licence, if under that you were within your rights driving on a home country, plus a IDP, and I would have disputed it.

[tryasimight]

3 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Depending on how long you've lived here. If it's more than 90 days you're required to get a Thai licence, if under that you were within your rights driving on a home country, plus a IDP, and I would have disputed it.

Travelling back and forth every month on 30 day visa exempt entries for the last two years. Not worth the hassle to dispute it in my opinion, and as said, I have a souvenir. Got stopped in Chong Chom as well, cop actually took a photo of the IDP - I don't think he had seen one before.

[giddyup]

Just now, tryasimight said:

Travelling back and forth every month on visa exempt entries. Not worth the hassle to dispute it in my opinion, and as said, I have a souvenir. Got stopped in Chong Chom as well, cop actually took a photo of the IDP - I don't think he had seen one before.

If you were given a receipt, what was the supposed offence?

[tryasimight]

Just now, giddyup said:

If you were given a receipt, what was the supposed offence?

As said previously......driving without a license.

[giddyup]

Just now, tryasimight said:

As said previously......driving without a license.

People keep paying for illegal fines, they'll keep on giving them.

[tryasimight]

Just now, giddyup said:

People keep paying for illegal fines, they'll keep on giving them.

Quite....doesn't bother me.