I was applying for IDP for car only.

 

Documents required:

Original Passport

Photocopy Passport ID page and visa stamp

Certificate of Residence 

Copy of Driving licence (front and back)

Was also asked to write down which country, or countries I wanted the IDP for.

 

 

 

I left early yesterday morning. I bought a one way ticket for SeaTran ferry and bus to Surat Thani (THB320) as I didn't know how long it would take.

 

Depart Nathon 07:00.

Arrive Donsak 08:30

Depart on bus 09:00

Arrive Surat Thani around 10:00. I asked to be dropped off near the Land Transport Office.

 

4th Floor...Reception checked documents and given a ticket number.

Was seen, documents checked, charged THB505, and given a receipt by 10:20.  

I was thinking to myself, "This is gonna be quick." Then the lady told me to come back at 13:00.

 

With time to kill I went off to buy a bus and ferry ticket back to Donsak. Phantip Travel is about a kilometer up the road, but I flagged down a tuk tuk. I took a chance and booked the !3:30 bus.  

 

13:00 was sent straight to the window, picked up my IDP. Took another tuk tuk to Phantip's shop and waited for the bus. It stops right outside the shop. Back to Donsak, 15:00 ferry and back home by just after 17:00.

 

i also noticed that there is a Department of Motor Vehicles in Surat. I don't know if they would also issue IDP's. The one in Samui certainly doesn't.

 

HTH

 

8 minutes ago, phetphet said:

i also noticed that there is a Department of Motor Vehicles in Surat. I don't know if they would also issue IDP's. The one in Samui certainly doesn't.

 

I was told that Suratthani was the only place. Not sure who by.

My experience was similar to yours except I went by motorbike. Never had to book a ferry for that.

Certainly very quick service.

3 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

I was told that Suratthani was the only place. Not sure who by.

My experience was similar to yours except I went by motorbike. Never had to book a ferry for that.

Certainly very quick service.

I would take my bike if I did it again. Would save quite a bit of time, and more convenient. This being wet season, and the rain we have had recently, I didn't want to chance it.

Note also that you don't need an IDP for use in another ASEAN member country, your local license suffices under an agreement they all signed. I have used my Philippine license in Thailand for many years. 

I could be wrong, but I remember being told a few years ago that one can only obtain an IDP at the LTD office in provincial capitals, not district offices, using only a valid Thai driver's license.

That scares the heeby jeebies out of me that other countries accept an IDP from Thailand.

On 10/11/2024 at 9:30 AM, biggles45 said:

Note also that you don't need an IDP for use in another ASEAN member country, your local license suffices under an agreement they all signed. I have used my Philippine license in Thailand for many years. 

You don't need an IDP for UK, in fact you can drive on your Thai DL for a period of 12 months

On 10/10/2024 at 4:15 PM, phetphet said:

I was applying for IDP for car only.

 

Documents required:

Original Passport

Photocopy Passport ID page and visa stamp

Certificate of Residence 

Copy of Driving licence (front and back)

Was also asked to write down which country, or countries I wanted the IDP for.

 

 

 

I left early yesterday morning. I bought a one way ticket for SeaTran ferry and bus to Surat Thani (THB320) as I didn't know how long it would take.

 

Depart Nathon 07:00.

Arrive Donsak 08:30

Depart on bus 09:00

Arrive Surat Thani around 10:00. I asked to be dropped off near the Land Transport Office.

 

4th Floor...Reception checked documents and given a ticket number.

Was seen, documents checked, charged THB505, and given a receipt by 10:20.  

I was thinking to myself, "This is gonna be quick." Then the lady told me to come back at 13:00.

 

With time to kill I went off to buy a bus and ferry ticket back to Donsak. Phantip Travel is about a kilometer up the road, but I flagged down a tuk tuk. I took a chance and booked the !3:30 bus.  

 

13:00 was sent straight to the window, picked up my IDP. Took another tuk tuk to Phantip's shop and waited for the bus. It stops right outside the shop. Back to Donsak, 15:00 ferry and back home by just after 17:00.

 

i also noticed that there is a Department of Motor Vehicles in Surat. I don't know if they would also issue IDP's. The one in Samui certainly doesn't.

 

HTH

 

No medical certificate required?

i just renewed my Thai drivers license, here in NST. officer was very helpful. they had their own list of docs required.  one unfortunate aspect is, I had to got to IO, way south of where i live, to get a residency cert. which required 1-2 passport type photos.ok that is normal procedure,  now that i am applying for a IDP,  i will need to repeat the exercise, go get a 2nd Residency Cert. then go back to the Licensing office with the docs you listed.  one unknown there are 2 different websites i researched. one said you need a Residency Cert. the other website said you did not need one. makes a huge difference for me at from home to IO is 170 km .

On 10/14/2024 at 5:45 PM, baansgr said:

You don't need an IDP for UK, in fact you can drive on your Thai DL for a period of 12 months

I just got an update on that. a friend visiting the UK (well, England to be specific, and it's out in the countryside,) at the moment. Was advised that they do not recognize an IDP. so he is 84 years old and is forced to get around by train, bus/taxi  and walking. Nice people, pity about the country. 

22 hours ago, paddypower said:

I just got an update on that. a friend visiting the UK (well, England to be specific, and it's out in the countryside,) at the moment. Was advised that they do not recognize an IDP. so he is 84 years old and is forced to get around by train, bus/taxi  and walking. Nice people, pity about the country. 

Does he have a Thai licence

On 6/24/2025 at 1:57 PM, paddypower said:

I just got an update on that. a friend visiting the UK (well, England to be specific, and it's out in the countryside,) at the moment. Was advised that they do not recognize an IDP. so he is 84 years old and is forced to get around by train, bus/taxi  and walking. Nice people, pity about the country. 

You still need to have a valid driving licence along with the IDP.

I got my IDP to drive in France when I was on holiday there.. I didn't want to get there with just my Thai DL and get a knock back. In the end I didn't use it as a friend drove on his UK licence.

On 6/24/2025 at 1:57 PM, paddypower said:

Was advised that they do not recognize an IDP

Who's "they"?  I have rented cars in the UK many times using ,my Thai license (no IDP).  Never had any problem.

10 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Who's "they"?  I have rented cars in the UK many times using ,my Thai license (no IDP).  Never had any problem.

Same.

A few years ago I rented a car, turned up, gave them my UK license which is an old fold out paper one - they had no idea what to do with it so asked if I had any other type of license. I gave them my Thai license and they said that is fine. My friend also rented in the UK about three months ago using his regular Thai license. 

On 6/25/2025 at 6:00 PM, josephbloggs said:

Same.

A few years ago I rented a car, turned up, gave them my UK license which is an old fold out paper one - they had no idea what to do with it so asked if I had any other type of license. I gave them my Thai license and they said that is fine. My friend also rented in the UK about three months ago using his regular Thai license. 

To all. I will check with my buddy when he gets back this month. what i quoted was hearsay.