IDL in Thailand

[Michelle whitehurst]

Can anyone tell us if you have to go to local police and show them our International Drivers License when we arrive at our destination?

 

We went through the mushroom ???? police check in Trat and they asked to see Daren license when we tried to show his IDL they weren't interested and that we had to show local police and fined us 500 BHT ???? I have searched online but can not find any such ruling, were they just making money or is there such a law?

[mlkik]

No such requirement ,I used to get stopped and would show my UK licence and my IDL and it was always fine.

Now I have a Thai 5 year licence.

[Kwasaki]

54 minutes ago, Michelle whitehurst said:

police check in Trat and they asked to see Daren license when we tried to show his IDL they weren't interested and that we had to show local police and fined us 500 BHT

If the driver showed his countries DL with a IDP ( not IDL ) that is legal in Thailand.

If the driver shows a UK DL that is legal without an IDP but because of police corruption the consensus is having a IDP as well is better.

If you paid the police at the road side check your free to go and saves hassle.

If you don't want to pay then tell them you want to go to the police to check whether the fine is payable.

Depending how long you are staying always best to get a Thai DL.

[polpott]

1 hour ago, Michelle whitehurst said:

We went through the mushroom ???? police check in Trat and they asked to see Daren license when we tried to show his IDL they weren't interested and that we had to show local police and fined us 500 BHT

If you had been nice to them and offered 200 baht cash they would have accepted. I once got a 400 baht fine for speeding reduced to 100 baht by making them laugh.

 

Welcome to Thailand, love it or leave it.

[Yellowtail]

7 minutes ago, polpott said:

If you had been nice to them and offered 200 baht cash they would have accepted. I once got a 400 baht fine for speeding reduced to 100 baht by making them laugh.

 

Welcome to Thailand, love it or leave it.

 

Indeed. Always better to end it with the cop, it's always faster and typically cheaper.

 

I had an office manager that would always fight with them and only give them 20...but that was in Prachinburi. Bangkok is higher. 

[Lancashirelad]

A point of clarification: Its an IDP (International Driving Permit) it is NOT a licence to drive.

[jackdd]

From which country is your driving license?

Did you present the regular driving license together with the IDP?

Is the IDP based on the 1949 or the 1968 convention?

Driving license and IDP still valid?

Were you traveling by car or motorbike? In case by motorbike, do you have a full motorbike license?

[Yellowtail]

1 hour ago, Lancashirelad said:

A point of clarification: Its an IDP (International Driving Permit) it is NOT a licence to drive.

 

Yeah, it's just a translation of your existing license. But the DLT calls it a International Driving License, not permit.