samran Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Has anyone had any luck renting a car in Europe (Spain in particular) using only a Thai DL? I won’t have time to get an international drivers license unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroveHillWanderer Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Since car hire companies are used to dealing with tourists from various countries around the world, I don't know why you would have a problem. I don't have any direct experience of hiring a car in Spain but I was able to hire a car in the UK with a Thai driver's license with no problem whatsoever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tebee Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 When my wife did it ( they wouldn't accept my EU visa card, but would accept her Thai one, so we needed to rent in her name) they insisted on an IDP. Problem is, no one there is going to be able to read a Thai driving licence, so how will they know if it is valid ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 6 minutes ago, tebee said: When my wife did it ( they wouldn't accept my EU visa card, but would accept her Thai one, so we needed to rent in her name) they insisted on an IDP. Problem is, no one there is going to be able to read a Thai driving licence, so how will they know if it is valid ? Since a Thai DL is in English they would be able to read it. Mostly a Thai DL will be accepted, but only the rental company can confirm their requirements. It will have to be a 5-year or permanent license though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GroveHillWanderer Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 12 hours ago, tebee said: Problem is, no one there is going to be able to read a Thai driving licence, so how will they know if it is valid ? Err, because it's in English? (Or at least, all the relevant parts are). As I said, in the UK I had no problem. When I asked if I could use a foreign licence they said sure, so long as the information we need (name, validity etc) is in English - which it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibry Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 A IDP is quite easy and can be obtained in a single visit to your local land transport office here in Thailand.Sent from my ASUS_X00HD using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotssing Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 The Avis website in UK says that people with Licences from outside the EU need an international Licence. I read on one review site of a customer being turned away as they did not have an IDP so I got myself an International Licence before going to the UK earlier this year. Most people will tell you that they just use their five year licence and it is usually OK I guess you can call the rental company to check up to check Getting a IDP in Thailand is not so difficult. You just have to be patient as there can be long queues at the land transport offices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexilis Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 What about the US. Does anyone know if a 5-year Thai DL would be sufficient there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 2 hours ago, lexilis said: What about the US. Does anyone know if a 5-year Thai DL would be sufficient there? Different states, different DL requirements. But in general yes, 5 year Thai DL will be accepted and legal. But to be sure, check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwonitoy Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 I have rented cars with my Thai 5 year license in UK, USA, and Canada without any problems. The main requirement by all of them was that if it's in English it's ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samran Posted July 12, 2018 Author Share Posted July 12, 2018 Thanks everyone for the feedback. Last. Minute work trip and was caught out so had no time to get to the DLT (which I am very familiar with). Hertz have told me verbally on the phone that they are happy with it, but let’s see what happens when I get to the front desk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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