Why have a Thai driving license?

[pedro01]

I've been here 22 years. Had a few fender-benders - mostly people driving into me, one time my fault.

One time the police got involved as an Ikea truck hit a 70 year old on a bike, 70 year old was on the bonnet of the Ikea van and his bike was under the front wheels. They all crashed into me - and amazingly - the 70 year old was fine. We had many trips to Thong Lor police station.

I've been stopped a lot and in all this time - I've always shown my UK license. Police fined me for no license just one time and insurance have paid out regardless. Even Thong Lor police on the 70 year old incident took the UK license as if it was Thai.

So why is it people get Thai licenses?

[flexomike]

3 hours ago, pedro01 said:

I've been here 22 years. Had a few fender-benders - mostly people driving into me, one time my fault.

One time the police got involved as an Ikea truck hit a 70 year old on a bike, 70 year old was on the bonnet of the Ikea van and his bike was under the front wheels. They all crashed into me - and amazingly - the 70 year old was fine. We had many trips to Thong Lor police station.

I've been stopped a lot and in all this time - I've always shown my UK license. Police fined me for no license just one time and insurance have paid out regardless. Even Thong Lor police on the 70 year old incident took the UK license as if it was Thai.

So why is it people get Thai licenses?

My guess would to stay legal, you have been lucky

[Curt1591]

29 minutes ago, flexomike said:

My guess would to stay legal, you have been lucky

Why give the BIB more ammunition? 

Why renew that UK license?

 

Edited March 10, 2021 by Curt1591

[mogandave]

I can rent cars in the US cheaper using my Thai license than with my California license..

Also use the Thai DL to sometimes get local price at dual price places. 

Driving a company car it was required.

[4MyEgo]

5 hours ago, pedro01 said:

I've been stopped a lot and in all this time - I've always shown my UK license. Police fined me for no license just one time and insurance have paid out regardless. Even Thong Lor police on the 70 year old incident took the UK license as if it was Thai.

So why is it people get Thai licenses?

I believe that you have been very lucky as motor vehicle insurers won't pay out once you have exceed a period in the country, I can't remember the exact months, but if you are driving here once over that period or become a resident on a marriage or retirement extension, then you are required to have a Thai drivers licence.

Sooner or later if you are without one, it will catch up with you and you will find out what it was like thinking you were insured, but missed the fine print and that is going to hurt.

For the sake of a simple task to get a Thai driving license, I wouldn't risk it because when you weigh up the risks vs the cover, you don't have to be a rocket scientist.

 

[Yellowtail]

41 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

I believe that you have been very lucky as motor vehicle insurers won't pay out once you have exceed a period in the country, I can't remember the exact months, but if you are driving here once over that period or become a resident on a marriage or retirement extension, then you are required to have a Thai drivers licence.

Sooner or later if you are without one, it will catch up with you and you will find out what it was like thinking you were insured, but missed the fine print and that is going to hurt.

For the sake of a simple task to get a Thai driving license, I wouldn't risk it because when you weigh up the risks vs the cover, you don't have to be a rocket scientist.

If an insurance company accepts your money and issues a policy they pretty much have to pay out. If you did not have a license when they sold you the policy, how would they use your not having a license as an excuse to not pay?

[steve187]

7 hours ago, pedro01 said:

I've been here 22 years. Had a few fender-benders - mostly people driving into me, one time my fault.

One time the police got involved as an Ikea truck hit a 70 year old on a bike, 70 year old was on the bonnet of the Ikea van and his bike was under the front wheels. They all crashed into me - and amazingly - the 70 year old was fine. We had many trips to Thong Lor police station.

I've been stopped a lot and in all this time - I've always shown my UK license. Police fined me for no license just one time and insurance have paid out regardless. Even Thong Lor police on the 70 year old incident took the UK license as if it was Thai.

So why is it people get Thai licenses?

try renewing your UK licence with a Thai address, what about renewing photo in UK licence

[IvorBiggun2]

7 hours ago, pedro01 said:

So why is it people get Thai licenses?

Because the law here says you have to get a Thai license within 3 months of driving/living here. I believe it can negate your vehicle insurance also. 

[Peterw42]

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

If an insurance company accepts your money and issues a policy they pretty much have to pay out. If you did not have a license when they sold you the policy, how would they use your not having a license as an excuse to not pay?

i think you would find a valid license is mentioned as a requirement in the terms and conditions of any insurance policy. They also would mention that anything illegal (driving without a license) is not covered etc.

If you obtained a policy without a valid license, it's fraud.

[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

If an insurance company accepts your money and issues a policy they pretty much have to pay out. If you did not have a license when they sold you the policy, how would they use your not having a license as an excuse to not pay?

That's were most people get caught out, in other words the majority of people don't read the insurers disclosure statement or as otherwise known as "the fine print", meaning you have a duty to disclose to the insurer any thing that will might affect your cover, e.g. not having a valid drivers license in Thailand, fail to disclose that, and you will quickly find that you are not insured when asked for your Thai drivers license.

Here is a really interesting link that covers who is covered and who is not covered when driving in Thailand.

https://www.angloinfo.com/how-to/thailand/transport/driving-licences

EDIT: Also this for those who don't have insurance.

Foreigners involved in traffic accidents in Thailand

In case of an accident in which both foreigners and Thais are involved, it has long been reported that the Thai police will often side with their countrymen regardless of who at fault. These reports are not entirely accurate. It is more appropriate to say that the Thai police would expect any foreigner on Thailand’s roads to be fully compliant with the law.

In most cases, the Thai police will act to ensure that matters between the parties are resolved amicably. Yes, there is a perception foreigners are more likely to have the financial resources to pay fines and penalties but this perception is also changing and is also not unreasonable.

Edited March 11, 2021 by 4MyEgo

[Kwasaki]

Many points missed here. 

1. If a person has CTPL it covers the vehicle, not having a DL is a separate offence. 

2. If OP travels back and forth to UK his UK DL could still be valid. 

3. If OP has extra voluntary insurance taken out as well his UK DL may OK with insurance company it is if you hire a car here. 

4. The accident the OP refers to I assume was not his fault so the the insurance will pay out. 

5. You have to have CTPL to enable you're voluntary insurance valid. 

 

Edited March 11, 2021 by Kwasaki

[Maliproto]

5 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

 motor vehicle insurers won't pay out once you have exceed a period in the country

That is not true.   I have have had three claims settled using my UK licence after years of being here.

[Yellowtail]

5 hours ago, steve187 said:

try renewing your UK licence with a Thai address, what about renewing photo in UK licence

 

I still have my California license and I still had dark hair in the the picture. Been renewing online twenty years. 

[4MyEgo]

2 hours ago, Maliproto said:

That is not true.   I have have had three claims settled using my UK licence after years of being here.

Lucky you, it appears someone wasn't doing their job properly, i.e. did they ask for a photocopy of your drivers license and passport stamped pages ?

The below maybe of interest to you.

It has been said many times on previous posts that:

Once you have been in Thailand for a period extending 3 months, you will need an Thai driving licence, even though international drivers licenses are legally accepted for up to 12 months. Several insurance companies have a fine print stating that the driver should hold a valid Thai driving licence to be fully covered. 

 

MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT (Thai Law)

Section 42

• Anyone who wishes to drive a motor vehicle on public roads must possess an appropriate driver licence.
• The driver must carry the driver licence and a photocopy of the registration book and show them to competent officers upon request.
• This does not apply to those who are learning to drive a motor vehicle according to the provision of Section 57.
• If the driver is an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa, he may drive a motor vehicle with a driver licence specified in the Section 42-2.
• In such a case, he must carry documents specified by the treaty between the Thai government and the government which issued such driver licence, and show them to competent officers upon request.

Section 42-2
 

• In case there is a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver licence, an alien who does not have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver licence issued by such a foreign government, or an automobile association authorised by such a foreign government.

Once you obtain a non-immigrant visa or establish you are a resident (such as enrolling kids in school, buy a car etc,) and are no longer a toursit, you need a Thai drivers licence as your national license and international driving permit is only legally accepted if you are a tourist. Several insurance companies have  fine print stating that the driver should hold a valid Thai driving licence to be fully covered after a certain amount of time in Thailand.

[86Tiger]

7 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

If an insurance company accepts your money and issues a policy they pretty much have to pay out. If you did not have a license when they sold you the policy, how would they use your not having a license as an excuse to not pay?

 

 

It has been my experience an insurance company any where will look for any excuse they can find to not pay out.

 

Easy to give them money, but they don't make profit by paying out.

[Yellowtail]

7 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

Lucky you, it appears someone wasn't doing their job properly, i.e. did they ask for a photocopy of your drivers license and passport stamped pages ?

The below maybe of interest to you.

It has been said many times on previous posts that:

Once you have been in Thailand for a period extending 3 months, you will need an Thai driving licence, even though international drivers licenses are legally accepted for up to 12 months. Several insurance companies have a fine print stating that the driver should hold a valid Thai driving licence to be fully covered. 

 

MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT (Thai Law)

Section 42

• Anyone who wishes to drive a motor vehicle on public roads must possess an appropriate driver licence.
• The driver must carry the driver licence and a photocopy of the registration book and show them to competent officers upon request.
• This does not apply to those who are learning to drive a motor vehicle according to the provision of Section 57.
• If the driver is an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa, he may drive a motor vehicle with a driver licence specified in the Section 42-2.
• In such a case, he must carry documents specified by the treaty between the Thai government and the government which issued such driver licence, and show them to competent officers upon request.

Section 42-2
 

• In case there is a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver licence, an alien who does not have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver licence issued by such a foreign government, or an automobile association authorised by such a foreign government.

Once you obtain a non-immigrant visa or establish you are a resident (such as enrolling kids in school, buy a car etc,) and are no longer a toursit, you need a Thai drivers licence as your national license and international driving permit is only legally accepted if you are a tourist. Several insurance companies have  fine print stating that the driver should hold a valid Thai driving licence to be fully covered after a certain amount of time in Thailand.

No one is arguing the law does not require you to have a Thai driver license. The issue is whether or not your are covered by your insurance if you do not. Is that not clear?

 

If your insurance did not have to pay if you're braking the law, than they would almost never have to pay, as in virtually every accident, at least one party has broken a law,  yes? 

[Yellowtail]

3 minutes ago, 86Tiger said:

 

 

It has been my experience an insurance company any where will look for any excuse they can find to not pay out.

 

Easy to give them money, but they don't make profit by paying out.

 

While I agree they are in the business of collecting premiums, not paying out claims, it has not been my experience that they look for any excuse to not pay out. That said, things that aren't covered, aren't covered.

I've had claims with a number of different insurance companies over here and I think I have always been treated fairly. If you feel you have been cheated, please provide the circumstances. 

[JAS21]

You are unwise not to have a Thai Driving License. As previously said the law says 3 month max on a non Thai license.

Lets hope your luck does not run out

 

[4MyEgo]

8 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

The issue is whether or not your are covered by your insurance if you do not. Is that not clear?

Several insurance companies have fine print stating that the driver should hold a valid Thai driving licence to be fully covered after a certain amount of time in Thailand.

One way to find out is to read the product disclosure statement, that will sort it for once and for all. Is that not clear ?

[richard_smith237]

Anyone can drive without a licence and get away with it some of the time, have an accident and have the insurance pay out some of the time. 

 

Does anyone who doesn’t have a licence believe they can get away with it all of the time ?

 

Stay legal, avoid unnecessary issues, no need to overcomplicate the issue. Its that simple. 

[4MyEgo]

21 minutes ago, 86Tiger said:

 

 

It has been my experience an insurance company any where will look for any excuse they can find to not pay out.

 

Easy to give them money, but they don't make profit by paying out.

I on the other hand have had no such bad experience, I always go through a reputable insurer, not necessarily the cheapest one, that said I ALWAYS look at their disclosure statements in particular and take my time reading the full policy as boring as they are, however that is a contract, so best read it and highlight points that may effect you and if you don't like the contract, try another insurer, but it is up to you to know what you are covered for as you are paying for it, and generally speaking the insurer won't pay out if you haven't full disclosed something, which is their way out.

If you feel an insurer has deliberately not paid you for no fault of your own, there are avenues you can take to hold them accountable, might be a little pain, but usually a couple of forms lodged and then the person at the other end takes over and more than likely if they feel if you have a case will make them cough up pretty quick smart.

[2 is 1]

21 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Does anyone who doesn’t have a licence believe they can get away with it all of the time ?Stay legal, avoid unnecessary issues, no need to overcomplicate the issue. Its that simple. 

I know many guys who dont  have Thai licence and they still drive! Better to get one, coz if somebody be injured or dead in accident where you are involved you have huge problem! Main is that you have to pay and relatives ask much more money from you if dont have licence! If you have valid licence maybe you can haddle things whitout court! Most of time you need pay even not your fault! Even Thai's pay!

Edited March 11, 2021 by 2 is 1

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

It is quite possible that with some insurers routine, small claims get processed without much scrutiny or care with respect to whether the insured has a valid Thai license. The insurer may also not wish to upset the insured's broker if that broker has a large book of business with that insurer. 

I would not count on that being the case if the claim were for a large amount. Above certain thresholds, claims draw the attention of supervisors and management. That's when problems are most likely to arise if the driver does not have a Thai DL and is resident.

In some countries, courts may rule that it is against public policy for an insurer not to pay out on third party liability insurance when the insured is liable for bodily injury or property damage. But since real third party liability insurance is not compulsory here, I would not rely on that.

It isn't that difficult to get a Thai DL and in my opinion it is not worth jeopardizing insurance cover by not getting one.

[Pilotman]

14 hours ago, pedro01 said:

I've been here 22 years. Had a few fender-benders - mostly people driving into me, one time my fault.

One time the police got involved as an Ikea truck hit a 70 year old on a bike, 70 year old was on the bonnet of the Ikea van and his bike was under the front wheels. They all crashed into me - and amazingly - the 70 year old was fine. We had many trips to Thong Lor police station.

I've been stopped a lot and in all this time - I've always shown my UK license. Police fined me for no license just one time and insurance have paid out regardless. Even Thong Lor police on the 70 year old incident took the UK license as if it was Thai.

So why is it people get Thai licenses?

How very public spirited of you, and irresponsible.   Repeat after me, 'because its not legal'.  Shall I repeat that? Perhaps I can put it another way, 'you are breaking Thai law'.  

[CharlieH]

This topic is CLOSED.

 

Having a valid current driving license for operating a vehicle is a legal requirement.

The suggestion or discussion of deliberately operating a vehicle without one is discussion of an illegal act and is therefore not appropriate nor permissible on this forum.

3) You will not post about activities or links to websites containing such material that are illegal in Thailand. This includes but is not limited to: gambling, betting, pornography, illegal drugs, fake goods/clothing, file sharing of pirated material, pyramid schemes, etc. Discussion of the above is permitted only as news items, but never as a "how to" topic.