Getting an International Driving License in Thailand

[ezzra]

I have local DL and i'm on a long time user of a  retirement permit, how and where do i apply for International Driving License 

to be able to drive overseas?...

[ubonjoe]

Moved to the Thailand Motor Discussion forum.

[FriendlyFarang]

At your local DLT

[ezzra]

5 minutes ago, FriendlyFarang said:

At your local DLT

what do you need to bring with you? i'm told a letter from immigration is being asked for..

[FriendlyFarang]

1 minute ago, ezzra said:

what do you need to bring with you? i'm told a letter from immigration is being asked for..

https://www.dlt.go.th/en/international-driving-licence/

[Gaccha]

Be aware: some countries will not recognise the IDL because you are not Thai. For example, Vietnam does not recognise foreign holders of Thai licences with an IDL.

[userabcd]

No such thing as an international driving licence. It is an International Driving Permit (IDP) 1949 and 1968 convention.

 

One applies for an IDP from a dlt office issuing IDP and to obtain one a residence certificate is required, passport and current 5 year driving license and a pp size photo.

[farang51]

Shouldn't the Thai license be valid in Vietnam - that is, without an IDP?

[userabcd]

2 hours ago, Gaccha said:

Be aware: some countries will not recognise the IDL because you are not Thai. For example, Vietnam does not recognise foreign holders of Thai licences with an IDL.

Vietnam is signatory to the vienna convention 1968 and so recognises IDP and driving licences issued by signatory countries.

 

Countries who have not ratified the 1968 convention are USA, Australia, Canada and Ireland and so IDP issued by those countries are not allowed to be used in Vietnam.

 

An IDP should always be presented to  law enforcement official together with the driving license.

 

Vietnam Traffic Police Clarification:

 

The Traffic Police Department of RD-Rural also informed the public about the following parts of Circular No. 29/2015/TT-BGTVT about the use of international driving permits:

 

Article 10: Using a license from Vietnam to drive in another country

1. Individuals with an IDP from Vietnam who drives in a Contracting State to the Vienna Convention must carry both their IDP and their national driving license; Must follow the traffic laws of the host country.

2. The IDP that Vietnam gave you can't be used anywhere in Vietnam.

Article 11: Driving licenses from countries that are part of the Vienna Convention can be used in Vietnam

1. Individuals with an IDP from a country that is part of the Vienna Convention and who drives a road vehicle in Vietnam must have both an IDP and a national driving license for the type of vehicle they are driving; Must also follow Vietnam's road traffic laws.

2. If an IDP holder breaks Vietnam's road traffic laws and loses the right to use an IDP for a certain amount of time, that time can't be longer than how long the driver is allowed to stay in Vietnam.

So, when road users are checked by the authorities, they must show both a national driving license and an international driver's license (IDP) from a country that is part of the Vienna Convention. If the vehicle is issued according to the driver's vehicle class attached, it can be used in Vietnam.

[userabcd]

Just now, farang51 said:

Shouldn't the Thai license be valid in Vietnam - that is, without an IDP?

No, it needs an IDP together with the driving license.

[richard_smith237]

Can you get an IDP from the Thai DLT if you are holding a 2 year temp Thai Driving license ? 
 

If I’m not mistaken you need the 5 yr license. Just something to check & be aware of. 

[topt]

2 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Can you get an IDP from the Thai DLT if you are holding a 2 year temp Thai Driving license ? 

Not supposed to be able to do.

 

2 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

If I’m not mistaken you need the 5 yr license.

Correct as @userabcd mentioned in an earlier post.

[Tropicalevo]

I had to go to the DLT office at the provincial capital (Suratthani) for my IDP.

Very quick and professional service.

[userabcd]

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Can you get an IDP from the Thai DLT if you are holding a 2 year temp Thai Driving license ? 
 

If I’m not mistaken you need the 5 yr license. Just something to check & be aware of. 

No. They will not issue an IDP on a 2 yr driving license and one is not allowed to drive abroad using a temp 2 yr Thai driving license.

 

5 yr license is required.

[Gaccha]

6 minutes ago, userabcd said:

Article 10: Using a license from Vietnam to drive in another country

Everything you wrote after this is completely irrelevant.

 

And although it is nice for you to point out the obligations of Vietnam to international treaty conventions, in practice, to quote the US Embassy:

 

"Foreign driver licenses, even when accompanied by an international driving permit, are not valid in Vietnam.  Even though a driver’s license from an ASEAN country may be recognized in certain circumstances as valid in Vietnam, it is still advised to obtain a local Vietnamese driver’s license if you wish to drive legally in Vietnam."

 

As a matter of practice, Vietnam does not allow non- Thais to use Thai licences even with an IDP/IDL. 

[topt]

7 hours ago, FriendlyFarang said:

At your local DLT

 

7 hours ago, ezzra said:

where do i apply for International Driving License 

Note not all DLT's are able to provide the service. For example if you reside in Pattaya the one near Regents does not and you have to go to the main Chonburi city DLT.

[Gaccha]

31 minutes ago, userabcd said:

No such thing as an international driving licence

I know. Of course. But as you can see from the link, that is the terminology of the Thai government agency. 

[MajorTom]

10 minutes ago, userabcd said:

No. They will not isdue an IDP on a 2 yr driving license

True. I did try when i lost my 5 year license and IDP due to visa issues. Not a chance.

10 minutes ago, userabcd said:

and one is not allowed to drive abroad using a temp 2 yr Thai driving license. 5 yr license is required.

Source? I researched this quite extensively when i was stuck with the 2 year one. I could not find any support for this claim, and i did use it in other countries. Including car rentals as far as i can remember.

[skatewash]

9 hours ago, ezzra said:

what do you need to bring with you? i'm told a letter from immigration is being asked for..

Depending on the Land Transport Office some will accept a yellow house registration book (tabian bahn) in lieu of the residence certificate from immigration.

[DiDiChok]

While noting that the OP didn't mention using an IDP in Vietnam, I'd observe that:

 

If Jeremy Clarkson (see Top Gear - Vietnam episode) could get a Vietnamese Driving Licence (maybe only at the upmteenth try) then you should be able to as well?