International License

[ladybird5151]

Hi there

Just got a really akward question to ask. Let me just explain my situation, I currenntly resides in the UK, wishing to rent a car cus my family is coming. The stupid policy regarding car rental is that you must hold the license for at least a year in the UK. How mush is pain in the ass is that!!! I have an expired (2 years ago) temporary Thai license, are there any chance that I can get a permanent one without being there and convert it to International license. I am out of solution, if anyone can help will be really great. Thanx lots.

[Crossy]

Hmmm, it's not really a stupid policy, the rental companies and, more importantly their insurers, want to know that you can drive and have at least a basic road sense before letting you loose on their expensive machinery.

As to getting a permanent (actually 5 year) Thai licence without being here, I think it's a non-starter because of the visa requirements unless you are Thai with a Thai ID card. If you are then I suspect that someone else can put in the application for you, you'll need to get an acceptable health certificate somehow (a few reds to the local quack will probably suffice).

If you are a Brit. I doubt the rental company will let you use a Thai licence even with an IDP to rent anyway although it's perfectly legal to drive in the UK with this arrangement.

EDIT Dumb thought, I assume you have a full UK licence (passed your test) but you just don't meet the 2 year requirement. Have you tried the option of presenting your UK licence AND your Thai licence explaining that you have held a licence for the required period just not all in the UK (they're probably never going to know the Thai licence is expired coz of the Buddhist dates).

Edited June 23, 2007 by Crossy