Can you drive in Thailand on a UK license?

[Grundy1927]

I purchased IDP in post office uk last week just took my driving licence card and photo done there and then 5 min to my surprise even covered me for motorbike .

  Saves all the hassle 

[Salerno]

25 minutes ago, wobblyjohn said:

IDPs are £5-50 if issued at a post office on production of a valid UK licence 

 

Half your luck, robbing bastards charge us AU$42. Although I do it online and get it in 3-5 working days.

 

[transam]

I would rather take notice of the UK Gov. than what folk some are saying here...

 

Stay safe rather than sorry..........Read down this comprehensive list....

 

https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit

[crazykopite]

I believe that if your stay is longer than 90 days you must apply for a Thai drivers license when I took out my original Thai drivers license out some 13 years ago I had to show my U.K. drivers license plus an international drivers license which I got from a UK post office I think the cost was £5 now when I renew the Thai License I just take my yellow house book and passport and wait in the queue and that I will be doing in the next couple of weeks as my current license expired 12 days ago but they won’t allow you to renew until after it expires and I believe you have up to 12 months to renew it 

[Salerno]

Just now, crazykopite said:

they won’t allow you to renew until after it expires and I believe you have up to 12 months to renew it 

3 months before it expires, 3 years after.

[transam]

1 minute ago, Salerno said:

3 months before it expires, 3 years after.

If it lapses for more than 1 year you start again..

[Salerno]

8 minutes ago, transam said:

If it lapses for more than 1 year you start again..

Is that a recent change? As far as I'm aware from the last I looked into it for a friend you had to start from scratch after 3 years.

 

Edit:

 

REMARK :

1. 1
   IN CASE OF DRIVING LICENCE EXPIRED MORE THAN 1 YEAR
   - TAKE A THEORY TEST
2. 2
   IN CASE OF DRIVING LICENCE EXPIRED MORE THAN 3 YEARS
   - TAKE A THEORY TEST AND PRACTICAL TEST

 

https://www.dlt.go.th/en/two-year-license/

Edited February 29, 2020 by Salerno

[007 RED]

7 hours ago, ChipButty said:

According to Using a Foreign Driving Licence in Thailand

To drive or lease a car in Thailand as a tourist or visitor it is necessary to have either a Thai driving licence or a valid foreign driving licence with a photograph. The foreign licence must either be in English, or be accompanied by an official translation into English or Thai. The licence needs to have been issued by a country that has a treaty with the Thai government allowing the mutual acceptance of driving licences.  Most countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA have this agreement with Thailand under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.  Those in doubt should contact their embassy for advice: Click here

Quote from the British Embassy (Bangkok) website - Advice on driving in Thailand...

 

"To drive a car or ride a motorcycle in Thailand, under Thai law you must have the correct licence and appropriate insurance for the category of vehicle you’re using. You will need to apply for a Thai driving licence or, if you already hold a UK licence, an International Driving Permit. If you drive a car or ride a motorcycle in Thailand without a valid licence, your travel insurance may be invalidated in the event of accident or injury".

 

[transam]

5 minutes ago, Salerno said:

Is that a recent change? As far as I'm aware from the last I looked into it for a friend you had to start from scratch after 3 years.

Can't remember, but it is  over 1 year, you start afresh.....

[Salerno]

1 minute ago, transam said:

Can't remember, but it is  over 1 year, you start afresh.....

Check post above, edited a minute or two ago.

 

[wotsdermatter]

8 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Do you need a International Driving Permit or is a UK license sufficient?

Why bother to ask the question then answer it yourself at your next posting?

'nuf sed.

[transam]

1 minute ago, Salerno said:

Check post above, edited a minute or two ago.

 

If your license is over 1 year out of date, you must take the test again, the new test....

[johng]

Does the IDP (obtained from UK) now include a translation into Thai ? if not ( and I think not) what's the point,  your licence is already in the international language of English and has a photo of you the the holder and is for the category of vehicle you are driving then it should be enough for a tourist visit..just like its perfectly acceptable (though quite a shock) to use a Thai licence in the UK for up to a year !

[Salerno]

18 minutes ago, transam said:

If your license is over 1 year out of date, you must take the test again, the new test....

Agreed, my edit was to clarify.

[Dominion]

Go on the land transport office. It tells you exactly what you need. I believe it's only 90 days grace on a foreign licence.

[Tropposurfer]

IDP AND solid travel insurance making sure that the policy covers every aspect of driving in Thailand.

If you live here for more than 2 months its mandatory you get a Thai license (well that I was what in was told by a few 'helpers' here when I first came to reside anyways, was confirmed by Thai licensing in Phuket ... nicely and helpfully I might add).

[stevenl]

2 hours ago, 007 RED said:

Quote from the British Embassy (Bangkok) website - Advice on driving in Thailand...

 

"To drive a car or ride a motorcycle in Thailand, under Thai law you must have the correct licence and appropriate insurance for the category of vehicle you’re using. You will need to apply for a Thai driving licence or, if you already hold a UK licence, an International Driving Permit. If you drive a car or ride a motorcycle in Thailand without a valid licence, your travel insurance may be invalidated in the event of accident or injury".

 

Yes, many embassies copy information from aa's, who offer the idp's.

[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, pdtokyo said:

but also words to effect that i must hold a motorbike licence in the country of use i.e a Thai bike licence. Which would make the policy useless to me of course. This company call centre also said ''oh don't worry about that" when i questioned it ... so to point (3) ...

 

(3) The policy wording defines the cover provided. Read it before signing and riding. 

I would be letting consumer affairs know about that one, because it makes the policy pointless, I mean it's supposed to be travel insurance and we know unless one resides in Thailand, they wouldn't otherwise have a Thai riders license like myself and I couldn't get travellers insurance to cover me here from Australia because I reside here.

 

Like you said, read the policy thoroughly and if it don't sound right, F it, next !

[phuketcouple]

4 hours ago, stevenl said:

Scare mongering. Unless you can give an example where someone had a valid foreign license with photo and in English, but was denied coverage by a Thai insurance company?

 

Legally see one of the first posts, number 3. No IDP required, but bib might still fine without idp.

 

Please read #44 (1)

 

(1) the IDP (or International Driving License) is not any form of legal or insurance document ... it is simply a widely-accepted translation document for your home license. If you do NOT have one, chances are your home insurer or local rental insurer will use that fact to weasel out of a claim or as posted above, police may use it's absence against you in the event of an accident.

[windas]

Ok I'm in Thailand for  around 6 months of the year on and off. Have been through endless checkpoints and as long as you have a copy of your passport and UK driving licence there's been no problem.

The car hire companies just want a copy of the driving licence and have never mentioned the IDP.

I make an assumption the checkpoint police don't even know about a IDP, let alone being able to understand it as most can't read English.

Never been fined except by the camera where the speed sign showed 120, but fined 500 baht for doing over 90kph.

[dayo202]

Can you drive in the UK with Thailand license ? Planning to hire a car from Heathrow 

[ifmu]

no you can not ... idl or get a thai license ...  idl with a motorbike addition 

[emptypockets]

It's been hit and miss for me. I usually have the Idp with me but not always. Most times my Aussie license is good enough but I have been fined 200 baht for no license. 

I never stay longer than 90 days.

Edited February 29, 2020 by emptypockets

[ChipButty]

The short answer is, Ive told her to get one and how to get it, Thanks for all your answers guys what it says on the internet is not always as it is on the ground,

Mods you can close this thread now, Cheers CB

[stevenl]

10 hours ago, phuketcouple said:

 

Please read #44 (1)

 

(1) the IDP (or International Driving License) is not any form of legal or insurance document ... it is simply a widely-accepted translation document for your home license. If you do NOT have one, chances are your home insurer or local rental insurer will use that fact to weasel out of a claim or as posted above, police may use it's absence against you in the event of an accident.

As per my post, no examples.

9 hours ago, dayo202 said:

Can you drive in the UK with Thailand license ? Planning to hire a car from Heathrow 

Yes, for a set period of time, officially provided it is a 5 year or longer license.

[LeungKen]

Thread closed as per the OP's request.