Overseas car licence to operate a rental car, tourist visa

[Dan123]

There seems to be confusion as to whether a overseas licence (Aust) is sufficient to legally drive a car, shorter stay 30 thru 90 days.

Thailand and Australia are both signatories to the 1949 UN Geneva Treaty 'Road Traffic' 

Putting to the panel here , thoughts?

 

 

 

[Kwasaki]

If you have an IDP with your Oz DL then your OK. 

[Dan123]

20 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

If you have an IDP with your Oz DL then your OK. 

That's the rub, it's considered that rental car Cos. may want the IDP, and the traffic cops may want a donation if you don't have an IDP, but .... the law and Int. Agreement say you don't. ???

 

I agree for over 90 days , eg O retirement visas and any other long stay you need the IDP, mmmmm

Edited June 8, 2022 by Dan123

[FriendlyFarang]

The law isn't 100% clear if an IDP is required or not, I guess if a cop fines you you could force him to take the matter to court, then a judge might clarify it.

 

8 minutes ago, Dan123 said:

the law and Int. Agreement say you don't. ???

That's not what it says

 

9 minutes ago, Dan123 said:

I agree for over 90 days , eg O retirement visas and any other long stay you need the IDP, mmmmm

The length of stay doesn't matter

[GrandPapillon]

that sounds like looking for a lot of trouble for nothing,

[martin81]

Easy to get IDP in most countries. Valid 1 year. Thai police like to look at it.

Also some rental companies require IDP for tourists.

[Dan123]

18 minutes ago, FriendlyFarang said:

 

.....

That's not what it says

 

The length of stay doesn't matter

Friendly, do you have an excerpt of the wording?

 

Is it the International 1949 agreement or local leglisation

Edited June 8, 2022 by Dan123

[Kwasaki]

34 minutes ago, Dan123 said:

That's the rub, it's considered that rental car Cos. may want the IDP, and the traffic cops may want a donation if you don't have an IDP, but .... the law and Int. Agreement say you don't. ???

 

I agree for over 90 days , eg O retirement visas and any other long stay you need the IDP, mmmmm

Lots people don't know what's needed it sometimes depends on the DLT office. 

Oz DL I believe needs an IDP if it does not have details of what you drive English. 

 

For example a UK DL does not need an IDP in Thailand the reason many get one is just to make easier with ignorant police. 

 

After 90 days the concessus is get a Thai DL. 

[Orinoco]

Your problem is not the cops. ( small money if needed )

it's if your insurance is valid at the time of any accident.

that's the bit that could cost you big time.

 

[Dan123]

Aussie licence states in English that class C licence is for vehicles up to 12 passenger and to 4.5 tons

[Kwasaki]

4 minutes ago, Orinoco said:

Your problem is not the cops. ( small money if needed )

it's if your insurance is valid at the time of any accident.

that's the bit that could cost you big time.

 

Rental insurered cars come with 1st class cover and if the DL is accepted then your OK. 

[Dan123]

Orinoco

 

That's what I'm trying to figure, what is required to be legal

 

 

Edited June 8, 2022 by Dan123

[Kwasaki]

2 minutes ago, Dan123 said:

Aussie licence states in English that class C licence is for vehicles up to 12 passenger and to 4.5 tons

Maybe it will be ok but you should still get an IDP,  my Oz mate could not get a Thai DL for a motorcycle in Sukhothai DLT with his OZ DL because it didn't state Motorcycle on his OZ DL and he didn't have an IDP so he had to pass his test.

[Orinoco]

3 minutes ago, Dan123 said:

Orinoco

 

That is why I'm asking, what is required to be legal

 

 

Easy then

Full license form your home country.

and international driving permit

end of 

Now close the thread.

 

[Dan123]

O

The question of the thread is not answered

 

Why close?

 

 

[mrfill]

41 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

For example a UK DL does not need an IDP in Thailand the reason many get one is just to make easier with ignorant police. 

That is contrary to what the UK government states.

"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, this may invalidate your travel insurance if you have an accident or injury."

from https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/safety-and-security

 

A list of countries and IDP requirements can be found here

[Dan123]

From Wikipedia This Article is part of the Thai Motor Vehicle Act

 

Australia does have a treaty with Thailand - Geneva Traffic act 1949

 

 

 

Section 42

 

 

 

Anyone who wishes to drive a motor vehicle on public roads must possess an appropriate driver's license. The driver must carry the driver's license and a photocopy of the registration book and show them to competent officers upon request. This does not apply for 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's license 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's license, and show them to competent officers upon request.

 

Section 42-2

 

 

 

In case there's a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver's license, an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver's license issued by such a foreign government, or an automobile association authorized by such a foreign government.

 

_---------------------------------

 

 

So this comes down to the "fine print" in the 1949 Treaty, it appears.

 

I'll try to figure whether that's just your licence, or accompanied by an IDP

Edited June 8, 2022 by Dan123

[Hummin]

1 hour ago, Dan123 said:

That's the rub, it's considered that rental car Cos. may want the IDP, and the traffic cops may want a donation if you don't have an IDP, but .... the law and Int. Agreement say you don't. ???

 

I agree for over 90 days , eg O retirement visas and any other long stay you need the IDP, mmmmm

Good luck you know best! 
 

You need an IDL to rent a car at an international rental service, if use a local one, do what you want, and hope for the best. 
 

If you have an accident, insurance company might say something about not having IDL. 
 

A local company may not even be registered a rental service, and your personal insurance ( if smart enough to have one) may not pay up because of no IDL

 

Up to you

Edited June 8, 2022 by Hummin

[Orinoco]

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Good luck you know best! 
 

You need an IDL to rent a car at an international rental service, if use a local one, do what want, and hope for the best. 
 

If you have an accident, insurance company might say something about not having IDL. 
 

A local company may not even be a registered rental service, and your personal insurance if you have might not pay out, 

 

Up to you

Think his a troll.

Why would someone coming on holiday

be going on like he is.

People would just get what's needed.

but he still wants an argument.

 

 

 

Edited June 8, 2022 by Orinoco

[Hummin]

5 minutes ago, Orinoco said:

Think his a troll.

Why would someone coming on holiday

be going on like he is.

People would just get what's needed.

but he still wants an argument.

 

 

 

It is not first time I hear someone believe the same, so the thread have its purpose for those who is willing to understand and learn. However no purpose for anyone alike op, they always know best. 

[Dan123]

11 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Good luck you know best! 
 

You need an IDL to rent a car at an international rental service, if use a local one, do what you want, and hope for the best. 
 

If you have an accident, insurance company might say something about not having IDL. 
 

A local company may not even be registered a rental service, and your personal insurance ( if smart enough to have one) may not pay up because of no IDL

 

Up to you

You need personal insurance to enter the country currently, regardless of any personal attributes.

 

This is the best point, the rental Cos. will be the issue in spite of the law.

[Hummin]

2 minutes ago, Dan123 said:

You need personal insurance to enter the country currently, regardless of any personal attributes.

 

This is the best point, the rental Cos. will be the issue in spite of the law.

If you choose one of the mandatory local approved cheap  covid provided insurances, you might be surprised to when deleted happens. 
 

 

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, Orinoco said:

Easy then

Full license form your home country.

and international driving permit

end of 

Now close the thread.

 

What the duck's it got to do with you how long the thread stays open?

Edited June 8, 2022 by Liverpool Lou

[Dan123]

3 minutes ago, Hummin said:

If you choose one of the mandatory local approved cheap  covid provided insurances, you might be surprised to when deleted happens. 
 

 

I do not have one of those , what personal attack on me now? That I'm lucky and not smart?

 

I've stayed long term here prior to covid if that means anything.

 

How surprising in forum world, one opens a discussion over something that's CLEARLY not cut and dried, and the forum Heavies appear in no time casting judgement.

 

So I may as well cast mine, get a life keyboard warriors, get outside.

I wish you doom and unmitigated failure, mo'<deleted>

[Liverpool Lou]

If the rental company accepts you with just your DL, you don't need an IDP, if it doesn't, you do.

[Hummin]

7 minutes ago, Dan123 said:

I do not have one of those , what personal attack on me now? That I'm lucky and not smart?

 

I've stayed long term here prior to covid if that means anything.

 

How surprising in forum world, one opens a discussion over something that's CLEARLY not cut and dried, and the forum Heavies appear in no time casting judgement.

 

So I may as well cast mine, get a life keyboard warriors, get outside.

I wish you doom and unmitigated failure, mo'<deleted>

It is quite obvious what you should do to make sure to stay out of trouble, and save you and others for any future trouble. 
 

Not so complicated if you dont want to make it complicated. It all comes down to what if

[Crossy]

An IDP is cheap insurance to be totally legal, it may (or may not) be needed by the hire company anyway.

 

That said, on the rare occasions that I've been pulled by the plod I hand over my UK licence (I have a perfectly good Thai licence), invariably it's met with bafflement and a wave-on.

 

The one time the cop actually spoke English to me I was the all apologetic "stupid farang" and handed over my Thai document, all smiles "ah you have Thai licence, have a nice day" (IIRC I was speeding, "a little" over the limit).

[Crossy]

A flame / troll post has been removed.

 

It's probably a good idea to check the status of the viewing members before posting

[Moonlover]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

Maybe it will be ok but you should still get an IDP,  my Oz mate could not get a Thai DL for a motorcycle in Sukhothai DLT with his OZ DL because it didn't state Motorcycle on his OZ DL and he didn't have an IDP so he had to pass his test.

Of course they wouldn't give your mate an M/C license. If the home license doesn't cover a M/C then there is no choice other than take the test.

 

And an IDP wouldn't make any difference at all because neither would that cover a M/C. IDPs only cover the same vehicles that your home license does.

[Orinoco]

1 hour ago, Dan123 said:

I do not have one of those , what personal attack on me now? That I'm lucky and not smart?

 

I've stayed long term here prior to covid if that means anything.

 

How surprising in forum world, one opens a discussion over something that's CLEARLY not cut and dried, and the forum Heavies appear in no time casting judgement.

 

So I may as well cast mine, get a life keyboard warriors, get outside.

I wish you doom and unmitigated failure, mo'<deleted>