I believe that I can obtain IDP from the DLT with my full 5 year Thai Licence, my Tabien Baan, my passport and 2 photos, all original docs with signed copies. I thought I needed a Certificate of Residence, but I think Yellow Book with my name and address covers that. Any contradictory observations welcomed.

1 minute ago, samtam said:

I believe that I can obtain IDP from the DLT with my full 5 year Thai Licence, my Tabien Baan, my passport and 2 photos, all original docs with signed copies. I thought I needed a Certificate of Residence, but I think Yellow Book with my name and address covers that. Any contradictory observations welcomed.

I am not sure, but I think all I needed was my license, the photos and the money. Did you check the website?

Yes. I checked the website, but it's vague, or doesn't react, or doesn't specify exact docs. AI tells me a Yellow Book is fine in place of a Certificate of Residence. I have someone checking through his contact at DLT, but thought AN might provide an answer from someone's recent experience.

I hope I wont need an IDP, as I'm going to UK, and have a UK DL, but need to complete the "check code" for car rental, and can't do that until 21 days before use.

Edited yesterday at 11:10 AM1 day by samtam

https://share.google/aimode/dtha9L47GsJH73l16

3 minutes ago, samtam said:

Yes. I checked the website, but it's vague, or doesn't react, or doesn't specify exact docs. AI tells me a Yellow Book is fine in place of a Certificate of Residence. I have someone checking through his contact at DLT, but thought AN might provide an answer from someone's recent experience.

I hope I wont need an IDP, as I'm going to UK, and have a UK DL, but need to complete the "check code" for car rental, and can't do that until 21 days before use.

My experience renting cars in the US, is that they require you have an IDL when you book the car and read the terms, but I've only had to show it to pick up the rental car once in about ten times.

The ICL is cheap and easy

14 hours ago, samtam said:

I hope I wont need an IDP, as I'm going to UK, and have a UK DL, but need to complete the "check code" for car rental, and can't do that until 21 days before use.

I have never needed an IDP in the UK, Thai 5y licence has been sufficient on it's own. Of course not all suppliers will behave the same way, I normally use Avis.

15 hours ago, samtam said:

Yes. I checked the website, but it's vague, or doesn't react, or doesn't specify exact docs. AI tells me a Yellow Book is fine in place of a Certificate of Residence. I have someone checking through his contact at DLT, but thought AN might provide an answer from someone's recent experience.

I hope I wont need an IDP, as I'm going to UK, and have a UK DL, but need to complete the "check code" for car rental, and can't do that until 21 days before use.

An IDP is not required for renting a car in the UK. Your 5-year Thai licence is fine.

Hertz's website suggests otherwise.

18 hours ago, samtam said:

https://share.google/aimode/dtha9L47GsJH73l16

Despite this claim that a Tabien Baan is enough the contact said DLT advised best to get a Cert of Residence in case the officer at DLT had his own interpretation. Surprised. Not.

1 minute ago, samtam said:

Hertz's website suggests otherwise.

Every booking site I have used to book cars in the US using my Thai DL lists having an IDL as a requirement.

I believe that If you book the car with your Thai DL, you are going to have to pick the car up with your Thai DL. It is unlikely they will ask to see the IDL, but they might.

Booking cars in the US is always cheaper for me using my Thai Dl than using my California DL.

"in case the officer at DLT had his own interpretation" - just got my IDP at Phuket Land Transport and the guy at the front desk made me go an photo copy my passport pages again because my copies were "not the same size" as the original pages! If I were you I would go armed with everything and still expect issues. 🍻

1 hour ago, samtam said:

Hertz's website suggests otherwise.

I rented a car last year from Alamo at Gatwick Airport with my Thai licence (no IDP). Maybe Hertz are an exception?

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I rented a car last year from Alamo at Gatwick Airport with my Thai licence (no IDP). Maybe Hertz are an exception?

I think they all require it, but almost never check for it. In the bookings I have made, you confirm you have the IDL in the "fine print" when you complete the booking.

Again, I have only had to show it once.

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

I think they all require it, but almost never check for it. In the bookings I have made, you confirm you have the IDL in the "fine print" when you complete the booking.

Again, I have only had to show it once.

I checked with them first. Here is what they confirmed:

Dear ***,

 

Thank you for contacting National Car Rental. My name is Melissa and I am happy to assist you today.

 

 Yes, we can accept a Thai license written in English. Please note that international visitors are required to present their passport and return flight details at the rental desk.

 

Please let me know if there is anything else I can help with.

 

Kind Regards,

Melissa

 

Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK Limited

Customer Support Representative 

 

2 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I checked with them first. Here is what they confirmed:

Dear ***,

 

Thank you for contacting National Car Rental. My name is Melissa and I am happy to assist you today.

 

 Yes, we can accept a Thai license written in English. Please note that international visitors are required to present their passport and return flight details at the rental desk.

 

Please let me know if there is anything else I can help with.

 

Kind Regards,

Melissa

 

Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK Limited

Customer Support Representative 

 

Great, if I ever rent a car in the UK, I'll leave my IDL home.

7 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Great, if I ever rent a car in the UK, I'll leave my IDL home.

Good idea, unless you rent from Hertz. That said, I don't think Hertz have updated their records to show that Thai licences are now printed in English.