I was told to report back on this forum, what are the requirements for one to get a Thai IDP.

Let me say, I know of a fact,  that Canada & UAE vehicle rental companies will not accept a Thai driver's license to rent a vehicle unless it is accompanied with an IDP. My wife tries and could not drive the car I rented. I would think the same would be asked, if driving a private vehicle and stopped by the cops.

How to get one here in Thailand. You would need a:  valid Thai driver's license: letter from Immigration of your resident : Doctor's certificate, valid for less that (1) month : Original Passport with long term visa, (2) passport size Photos. Copies of all, and sign all copies.

Speaking of Bangkok, not sure the requirements in other provinces.

No appointments required, take the above papers to your Department of Land Transportation (DLT). The section that deals with Driver's license and have your documents check, they will hand you a chit to pay ฿505. Then go back to them and hand them the receipt, and just wait. Best to get the 1949 version, validity (1) year, as the the 1968 validity (3) years does not cover various countries to drive. I believe it goes with your passport but you can tell them you need it to drive in blah blah country / countries.

 

Good info.

 

A couple of additional points:

Your Thai license must be a 5 year license.

Not all DLT offices issue the IDP. The one that serves the Pattaya area does not.

Canada only ratified the 1949 Treaty

UAE ratified both the 1949 and 1968 treaties.

3 hours ago, Smokin Joe said:

Good info.

 

A couple of additional points:

Your Thai license must be a 5 year license.

Not all DLT offices issue the IDP. The one that serves the Pattaya area does not.

Canada only ratified the 1949 Treaty

UAE ratified both the 1949 and 1968 treaties.

Great points.

I hope others from the community, will post their experience here from different Provinces that will be a huge help to all.

Anyone any experience of renting a car in the uk with a 5 year Thai licence? Ta

44 minutes ago, Pappap said:

Anyone any experience of renting a car in the uk with a 5 year Thai licence? Ta

7 Years ago with Enterprise. Thai 5 yr Licence, but not asked for IDP. 

1 hour ago, Pappap said:

Anyone any experience of renting a car in the uk with a 5 year Thai licence? Ta

Yes, in April this year.  I rented a car from Alamo at Gatwick Airport with my Thai DL.

I have rented cars in the UK using my Thai drivers license on multiple occasions with many different companies. Never had a problem. No IDP was asked for.

4 hours ago, Pappap said:

Anyone any experience of renting a car in the uk with a 5 year Thai licence? Ta

I did about 3 years ago at Europcar but they also wanted to see a return flight ticket to Thailand. 

So it was rented under the guise of a Thai 'resident' ie somebody living in Thailand for many years with only a Thai drivers licence. 

On 6/13/2025 at 2:41 PM, node said:

I was told to report back on this forum, what are the requirements for one to get a Thai IDP.

Let me say, I know of a fact,  that Canada & UAE vehicle rental companies will not accept a Thai driver's license to rent a vehicle unless it is accompanied with an IDP. My wife tries and could not drive the car I rented. I would think the same would be asked, if driving a private vehicle and stopped by the cops.

How to get one here in Thailand. You would need a:  valid Thai driver's license: letter from Immigration of your resident : Doctor's certificate, valid for less that (1) month : Original Passport with long term visa, (2) passport size Photos. Copies of all, and sign all copies.

Speaking of Bangkok, not sure the requirements in other provinces.

No appointments required, take the above papers to your Department of Land Transportation (DLT). The section that deals with Driver's license and have your documents check, they will hand you a chit to pay ฿505. Then go back to them and hand them the receipt, and just wait. Best to get the 1949 version, validity (1) year, as the the 1968 validity (3) years does not cover various countries to drive. I believe it goes with your passport but you can tell them you need it to drive in blah blah country / countries.

 

I'm going to Canada in 2 weeks and need a Thai IDP. I have all the qualifications to get it but do you really need a Medical Certificate? I have a pink card and yellow book will that work for confirming my address? Also I've renewed my passport so my passport info has changed on my pink card and yellow book. Will that be an issue? Maybe I better go to immigration to get the house registration form to be safe?

On 6/13/2025 at 3:02 PM, Smokin Joe said:

Not all DLT offices issue the IDP. The one that serves the Pattaya area does not.

Might have to go to the main provincial DLT which would be in Chonburi in this case,

 

18 hours ago, rhino533 said:

I'm going to Canada in 2 weeks and need a Thai IDP. I have all the qualifications to get it but do you really need a Medical Certificate? I have a pink card and yellow book will that work for confirming my address? Also I've renewed my passport so my passport info has changed on my pink card and yellow book. Will that be an issue? Maybe I better go to immigration to get the house registration form to be safe?

Not sure where you are, but if in Bangkok, the process to get a Certificate Of Resident, they put it in the post. It took Thursday - Tuesday to get it. 

I went to DLT in Nonthaburi / Pathum Thani / finally Bangkok province to get it. None, I mean none of the DLT took my Yellow book as proof of resident here, they all give me a requirement paper, and they all required a COR from Immigration department. 

I came from Toronto a few days ago, and Thrifty / Hertz / there would not take a Thai DL unless you have a Thai IDL. They told me it is the law in Canada. For me, I have (3) other valid DLs, but my spouse had only Thai, and she was not able to go on the rental application. 

At the DLT, you would see a sign stating "Walk-In", but honestly that line is for Thais, because I tried and was sent out the line.

My wife and I have learnt our lesson, to always have a valid Thai IDL if traveling with a Thai drivers license.