HappyFalang Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 Hello everyone! Does anyone have any experience using their Thai drivers license when travelling outside of Thailand? For either renting a car or motorbike or having been stopped by the police.... It's been surprisingly difficult to find accurate information on it. Has anyone ever used it in the U.S, Canada, or Mexico? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dumbastheycome Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 I asked that question a long time back and the answer is that a driving licence or international driving permit is required to be issued from the country of nationality in your passport if and where it is accepted as valid for short term use, and not from a country other than your original nationality. Unless you have dual and Thai passport to match Thai diving licence. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyFalang Posted December 2, 2020 Author Share Posted December 2, 2020 Okay, that makes a lot of sense. So easy to get a drivers license here ???? Thank you for the information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NanLaew Posted December 2, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 2, 2020 If the OP doesn't have a Thai driving license yet, the first one he will qualify for will have 1-year validity. This is considered as a 'provisonal' license and is not accepted as a full-license by car rental agencies in the UK or US. After this 1-year license is renewed, it will have 5-year validity, is considered a full license and will be accepted by car rental agencies in the UK and US. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MajorTom Posted December 2, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 2, 2020 I have rented cars in Europe on a Thai license. (5yr). I did some research into this a few years ago since im unable to get a license from passport country due to non-residence. Most countries in the west at least will accept a Thai licence as long as its in English. No IDP needed. Also note: there is no 1 year license anymore, its 2 and 5. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post johng Posted December 2, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 2, 2020 13 minutes ago, NanLaew said: first one he will qualify for will have 1-year validity. The "provisional" licence is 2 years now 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noise Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 If going to the U.S., go on line and check each state's laws. Many states allow tourists to drive for 30 days on a foreign license. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Yellowtail Posted December 2, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 2, 2020 I have booked rental cars in the US using my Thai license, and used it to pick them up. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MajorTom Posted December 2, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 2, 2020 Also, as far as i could research at the time even a 2yr license will work in Europe. I know you can not get a Thai IDP on it, but I could not find any info it would not be valid in the EU. As long as its in english translation, which all Thai licenses issued within the last 10-15 years have. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TheFreqFlyer Posted December 2, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 2, 2020 58 minutes ago, Dumbastheycome said: I asked that question a long time back and the answer is that a driving licence or international driving permit is required to be issued from the country of nationality in your passport if and where it is accepted as valid for short term use, and not from a country other than your original nationality. Unless you have dual and Thai passport to match Thai diving licence. Your handle perfectly describes your comment, which is absolute nonsense. The truth is, any foreign license in English is acceptable for driving in North America. It helps if it's accompanied by an international driving permit (IDP) but isn't absolutely necessary. There are millions of people around the world who possess a license issued by a state they are resident in, but not necessarily a citizen of. It is absurd to suggest that you have to possess a license from a particular country to match your nationality. Complete misinformation. No country in the world demands that. 15 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFreqFlyer Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 33 minutes ago, noise said: If going to the U.S., go on line and check each state's laws. Many states allow tourists to drive for 30 days on a foreign license. All states do. And it's generally 90-180 days not just 30 days. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dumbastheycome Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 7 minutes ago, TheFreqFlyer said: Your handle perfectly describes your comment, which is absolute nonsense. The truth is, any foreign license in English is acceptable for driving in North America. It helps if it's accompanied by an international driving permit (IDP) but isn't absolutely necessary. There are millions of people around the world who possess a license issued by a state they are resident in, but not necessarily a citizen of. It is absurd to suggest that you have to possess a license from a particular country to match your nationality. Complete misinformation. No country in the world demands that. Really? https://www.usa.gov/visitors-driving 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmysjo Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 As long it have English text it will be uable for half a year. In Sweden. About other countries I dont know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brightonman Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 Has anyone used a Thai licence and been able to use a debit card rather than a credit card? Last time in the UK I could use my UK licence /debit card but they wanted proof of address /bills which will be impossible next time. Does anyone know how to rent a car without credit card? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MajorTom Posted December 2, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 2, 2020 43 minutes ago, Dumbastheycome said: Really? https://www.usa.gov/visitors-driving Nowhere in that link does it say passport and license has to be from the same country. It has the terms "your own country" and "country that issued your license" It would not make any sense for an expat who has a valid license in country of residence, and then not be allowed to use that in a third country? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 2 hours ago, HappyFalang said: Has anyone ever used it in the U.S, Canada, or Mexico? Thank you I have used an Indonesian one in Canada. Same, same but different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dumbastheycome Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 2 minutes ago, MajorTom said: Nowhere in that link does it say passport and license has to be from the same country. It has the terms "your own country" and "country that issued your license" It would not make any sense for an expat who has a valid license in country of residence, and then not be allowed to use that in a third country? "International Driving Permit (IDP) and a valid license from your own country. " The way that reads is (to me ) is country of national origin, provable by passport. But up to whoever wants to think otherwise. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actonion Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 I hold a U.K Licence and a Thai Licence, when i holidayed in U.K. last year i hired a car with Enterprise using my U.K Licence, out of interest i did ask, if in future they would accept a Thai Licence, the guy obviously knows about Thailand because he saId with the high road traffic accidents in Thailand we are thinking of putting a surcharge on the hire rates if a Thai Licence is produced...but yes i could have hired a car with a Thai Licence ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actonion Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 22 minutes ago, Brightonman said: Has anyone used a Thai licence and been able to use a debit card rather than a credit card? Last time in the UK I could use my UK licence /debit card but they wanted proof of address /bills which will be impossible next time. Does anyone know how to rent a car without credit card? As of 2019 " if" you hire a car from any" Uk airport" you do not need proof of address, you do need your licence, passport & air ticket showing date you will be leaving the country, and you can pay with a Debit card...i did all the above, and confirmed it with several hire car companies before chosing Enterprise, but i used Enterprise at Heathrow & they will accpet a Thai licence, maybe by now they have introduced the surcharge on Thai licences due to Thailands road traffic accident record... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsiaCheese Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 3 hours ago, Dumbastheycome said: I asked that question a long time back and the answer is that a driving licence or international driving permit is required to be issued from the country of nationality in your passport if and where it is accepted as valid for short term use, and not from a country other than your original nationality. Unless you have dual and Thai passport to match Thai diving licence. That sounds weird. In my country (Switzerland, and I believe pretty much across Europe), once you move to another country, your drivers license isn't valid anymore, and you need to apply (with DL as proof, plus an IDL = International Drivers License = translation) for a local drivers license in the country of your new residence (Thailand). For holidays - and half a year doesn't count as a holiday - foreign DLs are accepted, but you should always have a IDL with you too. Anyone with a different experience? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevenhills Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 No problems in Australia or car hire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffr2 Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 I've used it in at least 25 different countries all over the world. Never a problem. Haven't had an IDL/IDP for over 10 years. One of the few places that requires an IDL/IDP is Italy. If you get into an accident there, you'll need it. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BKKBike09 Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 17 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said: I've used it in at least 25 different countries all over the world. Never a problem. Haven't had an IDL/IDP for over 10 years. One of the few places that requires an IDL/IDP is Italy. If you get into an accident there, you'll need it. I've used Thai DL to rent cars in UK uneventfully for last 10 years + from mostly Hertz/Avis/Budget/Enterprise. One benefit of using it is that it may mean traffic tickets get written off [I got one for speeding; when I followed up on it I was told it had been cancelled because my license was foreign]. I've also used Thai DL to rent in US and Italy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macahoom Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 (edited) I've used a Thai licence, many times, to hire and drive in several European countries, the UK, the USA and Canada. No IDP. No problems. Edited December 2, 2020 by macahoom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukKrueng Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 2 hours ago, Dumbastheycome said: Really? https://www.usa.gov/visitors-driving I guess that paragraph got you think that: some states require you to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) and a valid license from your own country. The way I understand it, in some states the IDP alone is not enough and you need to show the actual license from the country that issued your IDP 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janne1949 Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 I rented a car in Florida a few years ago and it was through a Website and when I showed my Florida Drivinglicens I was told that the rate was discounted and could not use a US D/L so I showed my Thai D/L and had the car without any problem. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arick Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 4 hours ago, HappyFalang said: Hello everyone! Does anyone have any experience using their Thai drivers license when travelling outside of Thailand? For either renting a car or motorbike or having been stopped by the police.... It's been surprisingly difficult to find accurate information on it. Has anyone ever used it in the U.S, Canada, or Mexico? Thank you Works perfectly fine in the US and Canada they actually prefer it over the UK license because the number is shorter then the UKs. There is also an international treaty signed between Canada Australia UK and New Zealand and possible the US and Thailand to be able to use the license in those countries for upto 6 months no need for and international permit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arick Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 4 hours ago, Dumbastheycome said: I asked that question a long time back and the answer is that a driving licence or international driving permit is required to be issued from the country of nationality in your passport if and where it is accepted as valid for short term use, and not from a country other than your original nationality. Unless you have dual and Thai passport to match Thai diving licence. Creditcard and Thai license is all you need for car rental in Canada and the UK no passport or international permit is required sane with Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Led Lolly Yellow Lolly Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 I don't really understand all the fuss about IDP. If you live in Thailand, and travel outside Thailand, you use your Thai Driver's Licence, as others have stated. My British Driver's Licence still sits in a drawer, I keep it for sentimental reasons, not sure why, but I believe Swansea expect it to be returned if it is invalidated by the fact you no longer reside in the UK, not that that is enforceable in any way. If, in the unlikely event I were to visit the UK in the future, I would use my Thai DL if I got pulled over by the police, and indeed, I believe this is the way it's supposed to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldie Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 1 hour ago, AsiaCheese said: That sounds weird. In my country (Switzerland, and I believe pretty much across Europe), once you move to another country, your drivers license isn't valid anymore, and you need to apply (with DL as proof, plus an IDL = International Drivers License = translation) for a local drivers license in the country of your new residence (Thailand). For holidays - and half a year doesn't count as a holiday - foreign DLs are accepted, but you should always have a IDL with you too. Anyone with a different experience? Correct. After a certain time you need the local license. Since I moved a lot I have some driving licenses. But some of them expire after a while like the one of the US and Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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