International Thai Driving License

[jphasia]

I have an International Thai Driving License which unfortunately already expired.

I live in Phuket which is my main residence for years now and where I made all my Thai Driving License including my International Thai Driving License.

I am at the moment in Bangkok where I am working and will be relocated in Vietnam soon.

I would like to renew my international Thai Driving license before leaving to Vietnam.

Can it be done in Bangkok as I originally got my driving licenses in Phuket and if yes, where in Bangkok? 

[Kwasaki]

There are only (IDP) international driving permits

Just get a Thai driving license, I may get corrected but Vietnam will allow you to drive on a Thai DL. 

[jphasia]

2 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

There are only (IDP) international driving permits

Just get a Thai driving license, I may get corrected but Vietnam will allow you to drive on a Thai DL. 

Thanks but that's not really answer my question...

As I said, I already have 5 years Thai driving license and Thai International driving license (or whatever you call it). Unfortunately, the Thai international is valid only 1 year and the last one already expired.

I probably can drive in Vietnam without license but my concern is that I will try to get a Vietnamese Driving license as I will be there for long term and the requirements to apply for Vietnamese license for foreigners is to present an international license.

[Kwasaki]

Can't be bother with you, google search 30 secs

Drivers holding a valid driver's license of the 10 ASEAN member countries can use their national driver's license in the nine other countries without the need to obtain an IDP. These countries are Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.

[jphasia]

24 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Can't be bother with you, google search 30 secs

Drivers holding a valid driver's license of the 10 ASEAN member countries can use their national driver's license in the nine other countries without the need to obtain an IDP. These countries are Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Don't bother them...

The question was: Can you apply for an international driving license in Bangkok when your national DL was issued in Phuket?

If you don't know, leave it

Thanks

[stouricks]

1 hour ago, jphasia said:

and Thai International driving license (or whatever you call it).

No mate, that's what YOU call it.

[stouricks]

6 minutes ago, jphasia said:

Don't bother them...

The question was: Can you apply for an international driving license in Bangkok when your national DL was issued in Phuket?

If you don't know, leave it

Thanks

NO, because there is no such thing.

[KhunBENQ]

6 hours ago, jphasia said:

Can it be done in Bangkok as I originally got my driving licenses in Phuket and if yes, where in Bangkok? 

You live in Bangkok and can show a proof of residence for the Bangkok address?

In this case I would in first step apply for address change on the driving license.

You will be issued a new plastic with same expiry.

From there I don't see an obstacle to apply for the international driving permit (IDP) in Bangkok.

 

See also this very recent thread:

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1181294-international-driver-license

 

I am not familiar with Bangkok.

But the DLT head office ("Chatuchak office") can't be wrong:

https://goo.gl/maps/4iQ3kzGkUYK3Jvp26

Edited September 13, 2020 by KhunBENQ

[jphasia]

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

You live in Bangkok and can show a proof of residence for the Bangkok address?

In this case I would in first step apply for address change on the driving license.

You will be issued a new plastic with same expiry.

From there I don't see an obstacle to apply for the international driving permit (IDP) in Bangkok.

 

See also this very recent thread:

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1181294-international-driver-license

 

I am not familiar with Bangkok.

But the DLT head office ("Chatuchak office") can't be wrong:

https://goo.gl/maps/4iQ3kzGkUYK3Jvp26

Thanks. Yes I can get a proof of residence in Bangkok. I will try that then.

[KhunBENQ]

13 hours ago, jphasia said:

Thanks. Yes I can get a proof of residence in Bangkok. I will try that then.

The meager rules in English are of little help.

But anyway proof of residence is need in all cases.

Of course you can ask whether the address change on the Thai DL is necessary or can be skipped.

In contrast to normal DL issues PHOTOS are needed!

 

https://www.dlt.go.th/en/international-driving-licence/

Edited September 14, 2020 by KhunBENQ

[richard_smith237]

Do you want to:

a) apply for your IDP first with your existing 5 year Thai DL? 

b) renew your Thai DL first (within a month of expiry) and then apply for your IDP? 

 

IF (a) you may be able to get your IDP from any DLT nationwide (unsure).

IF (b) then you simply need to go through the Driving Licence renewal process, first obtaining an 'Affirmation of Residence’ letter from your Embassy (or immigration / or show a Yellow housebook & Pink ID card).

 

The DLT’s are currently requiring ‘bookings’ for Driving Licence renewals, however, one poster recently posted experience of just rocking up and being processed. 

 

 

 

 

Two main Department of Land Transport in Bangkok - depending on where you are located in Bangkok, one may be more convenient than the other. 

- DLT Chatuchak 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Department+of+Land+Transport+(DLT)/@13.7980633,100.5534255,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x12f570aae12c9266!8m2!3d13.7980633!4d100.5534255

 

 

- DLT Area 3 (Sukhumvit 99/1) 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Department+of+Land+Transportation+(Area+3),+Sukhumvit/@13.6966943,100.6070564,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x30e29ff0890601e9:0x3bb1f0c5a8bb037c!8m2!3d13.6966891!4d100.6092451

 

 

 

 

[jphasia]

20 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Do you want to:

a) apply for your IDP first with your existing 5 year Thai DL? 

b) renew your Thai DL first (within a month of expiry) and then apply for your IDP? 

 

IF (a) you may be able to get your IDP from any DLT nationwide (unsure).

IF (b) then you simply need to go through the Driving Licence renewal process, first obtaining an 'Affirmation of Residence’ letter from your Embassy (or immigration / or show a Yellow housebook & Pink ID card).

 

The DLT’s are currently requiring ‘bookings’ for Driving Licence renewals, however, one poster recently posted experience of just rocking up and being processed. 

 

 

 

 

Two main Department of Land Transport in Bangkok - depending on where you are located in Bangkok, one may be more convenient than the other. 

- DLT Chatuchak 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Department+of+Land+Transport+(DLT)/@13.7980633,100.5534255,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x12f570aae12c9266!8m2!3d13.7980633!4d100.5534255

 

 

- DLT Area 3 (Sukhumvit 99/1) 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Department+of+Land+Transportation+(Area+3),+Sukhumvit/@13.6966943,100.6070564,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x30e29ff0890601e9:0x3bb1f0c5a8bb037c!8m2!3d13.6966891!4d100.6092451

 

 

 

 

Thanks for that.

My 5 years Thai DL is valid for few years. 

My Thai IDP was issued about 2 years ago and now expired as it's only 1 year validity.

When I was still in Phuket, I asked the DLT how can I renew my IDP. There answer was only a certificate of residence from immigration and photos (same as when you apply the first time) but I didn't do it that time as i had no plan to travel that time.

Now I am in Bangkok, awaiting to leave Thailand and realized that I forgot to renew my IDP while I was still in Phuket.

It is not a big deal because I am going to Vietnam for work but the thing is that I have not use the DL from my own country for years, I always rely on my Thai DL and Thai IDP. I don't even carry the DL from my own country with me.

So while I have time in bkk, I will check if i can get my IDP renew here. Otherwise, no problem 

[richard_smith237]

 

With a Thai Licence you are covered to drive in Thailand under the ASEAN treaty. 

 

On 9th July, 1989 a Protocol to Amend ASEAN agreements was signed - The Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries was reached. 

 

However, Thailand and Vietnam are signatories of the 1949 Geneva convention. This was superseded in 1968 with the Vienna convention to which Vientam is a signatory, but Thailand is not (but honours in country).

 

It is not clear if those in countries signatory to 1968 convention the 1949 is void. 

 

Thus: The International Driving Permit issued in Thailand may refer to regulations of the 1949 Geneva convention and may not in fact allow driving in Vietnam.  

 

Thus, with a degree of irony, the Thai IDP may not be valid in Vietnam (the waters are somewhat muddied from a legal perspective), yet the Domestic 5 year Thai Licence is Valid for driving in Vietnam. 

 

 

All of that said: In your shoes I too would want an International Driving Permit for additional piece of mind. Just like Thailand I imagine the Vietnam Police may not be privy to the specific details of the law and trying to teach the Police the law at a roadside stop is a futile exercise.  

Police are far more likely to respond positively to an IDP than to an Thai driving licence from another ASEAN nation - thats just the nature of police in South East Asian nations. 

 

Thus: eradicating potential ’speed bumps’ by thinking ahead and getting an IDP makes sense. 

 

Therefore OP: Head down to DLT with your passport and Thai Driving Licence and try and get your IDP. 

You will need to obtain an affirmation of residence. As your affirmation of residence letter will refer to a Bangkok Address this ‘could’ confuse things a little. 

Try for the IDP first. However, due to the different address (affirmation of residence) you may need to update the address on your Thai Driving Licence to your ’new’ Bangkok address and get a replacement licence - in which case, expect a little more jumping around (its also possible you may need two originals of your Affirmation of Residence letter). 

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Convention_on_Road_Traffic

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Convention_on_Road_Traffic

http://agreement.asean.org/media/download/20140119111112.pdf

 

 

 

 

Edited September 15, 2020 by richard_smith237

[jphasia]

20 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

With a Thai Licence you are covered to drive in Thailand under the ASEAN treaty. 

 

On 9th July, 1989 a Protocol to Amend ASEAN agreements was signed - The Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries was reached. 

 

However, Thailand and Vietnam are signatories of the 1949 Geneva convention. This was superseded in 1968 with the Vienna convention to which Vientam is a signatory, but Thailand is not (but honours in country).

 

It is not clear if those in countries signatory to 1968 convention the 1949 is void. 

 

Thus: The International Driving Permit issued in Thailand may refer to regulations of the 1949 Geneva convention and may not in fact allow driving in Vietnam.  

 

Thus, with a degree of irony, the Thai IDP may not be valid in Vietnam (the waters are somewhat muddied from a legal perspective), yet the Domestic 5 year Thai Licence is Valid for driving in Vietnam. 

 

 

All of that said: In your shoes I too would want an International Driving Permit for additional piece of mind. Just like Thailand I imagine the Vietnam Police may not be privy to the specific details of the law and trying to teach the Police the law at a roadside stop is a futile exercise.  

Police are far more likely to respond positively to an IDP than to an Thai driving licence from another ASEAN nation - thats just the nature of police in South East Asian nations. 

 

Thus: eradicating potential ’speed bumps’ by thinking ahead and getting an IDP makes sense. 

 

Therefore OP: Head down to DLT with your passport and Thai Driving Licence and try and get your IDP. 

You will need to obtain an affirmation of residence. As your affirmation of residence letter will refer to a Bangkok Address this ‘could’ confuse things a little. 

Try for the IDP first. However, due to the different address (affirmation of residence) you may need to update the address on your Thai Driving Licence to your ’new’ Bangkok address and get a replacement licence - in which case, expect a little more jumping around (its also possible you may need two originals of your Affirmation of Residence letter). 

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Convention_on_Road_Traffic

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Convention_on_Road_Traffic

http://agreement.asean.org/media/download/20140119111112.pdf

 

 

 

 

Thanks. That's very interesting. I understand now about the Thai IDP. Also understand why the IDP was not accepted when i was in Japan.

Also, I had the same idea in my mind. Even if the law accept to drive with a Thai DL, some officers might recognize it as the way it happen regularly in Asian country.

Anyway, I will try in Bangkok for the IDP while I have some time and it doesn't cost much.

Fortunately, my wife who currently in Phuket found finally my original DP from my own country which is valid for life.

As I said before, one of the reason why I am looking to have with me those documents (IDP, DL from my own country) is that I am not if I want to apply for a Vietnamese DL what they will required.

I used to get some local DL in other countries where they required for the application to provide IDP or original DP.

Appreciated your explanation.

Regards 

[Yellowtail]

On 9/13/2020 at 7:23 PM, stouricks said:

No mate, that's what YOU call it.

 

Indeed

 

[stouricks]

11 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

 

Indeed

 

Probably fake, but show me the link and I shall take it from there.

[Don Mega]

9 minutes ago, stouricks said:

Probably fake, but show me the link and I shall take it from there.

https://www.dlt.go.th/en/international-driving-licence/

[metisdead]

Some troll posts have been removed.