Thai Drivign Licence

[cloudhopper]

This topic has been discussed in the motor forum but with no definitive answer that I could find. I am a long term resident staying on a retirement-extended O visa, and have a current CA and Int DL. If I have an auto insurance claim, can it be legitimately denied because I do not have a Thai DL? Mrs. Hopper can't find any wording to that effect in our policy.

[samran]

I'd suspect it is more the case that International DL are not designed as a replacement for a proper DL for people who are living in another country permanently. As such, there would be wording on the validity of an International DL in another country. Best to check out the wording of IDL agreements, rather than looking through Thai law.

eg. While the Intl DL might be valid for a year in total, it might only be valid for 30, 60, 90, 180 days in another juristiction, before you are required to get a local DL.

In any case, as you'd be aware, it is simple enough with a Intl DL and a valid foreign one to get a local Thai DL issued with minimal fuss and testing.

[cloudhopper]

In any case, as you'd be aware, it is simple enough with a Intl DL and a valid foreign one to get a local Thai DL issued with minimal fuss and testing.

Actually, as I just posted in the motor forum, I was just told Friday at the Mae Hong Son vehicle dept. that I had to go thru the entire program of tests regardless of any foreign or int'l DLs I may have...

[ThaivisaInsurance]

Cloudhopper

You are covered with a genuine International license – more usually one from your home country – with the better insurance companies in Thailand (all you have to do is to ask your Broker).

Note, the problems may occur if you are stopped by a policeman who may not read English.

[cloudhopper]

Thanks for that welcome bit of intel, TVI

[stevemiddie]

Cloudhopper

You are covered with a genuine International license – more usually one from your home country – with the better insurance companies in Thailand (all you have to do is to ask your Broker).

Note, the problems may occur if you are stopped by a policeman who may not read English.

Your post seems to confirm that an International Drivers License is valid even though he is now residing in this country?

I find that hard to believe...........personally. My own stated it was only valid for a 90 day period in any other country other than my home country ( where it was obtained from )

If everyone here takes your advice as a given................i think some people will have problems if they are involved in an accident...............lets say 9 months after first moving to Thailand?

[ThaivisaInsurance]

Your post seems to confirm that an International Drivers License is valid even though he is now residing in this country?

- correct with the provisos we mentioned before.

If everyone here takes your advice as a given................i think some people will have problems if they are involved in an accident...............lets say 9 months after first moving to Thailand?

- time does not matter, 1 day or 9 months if your Thai insurance company accepts it but, as we said, do ask.

Note, the sensible thing is to get a Thai license which (apart from the red tape) is very easy to get and will make life with the local police much easier when you are stopped.

[samran]

Cloudhopper

You are covered with a genuine International license – more usually one from your home country – with the better insurance companies in Thailand (all you have to do is to ask your Broker).

Note, the problems may occur if you are stopped by a policeman who may not read English.

Your post seems to confirm that an International Drivers License is valid even though he is now residing in this country?

I find that hard to believe...........personally. My own stated it was only valid for a 90 day period in any other country other than my home country ( where it was obtained from )

These were exactly my thoughts to be honest. IDP's aren't designed as substitutes, only temporary documents. Though it very well may be the case that the insurance company covers you, they are probably well within their rights to question the validity of your driving permit.

Given this, and the understandable difficulty that the OP is facing in getting a local license, perhaps the text he is looking for is whether the insurance company will cover someone for driving unlicensed??

[ThaivisaInsurance]

Cloudhopper

You are covered with a genuine International license – more usually one from your home country – with the better insurance companies in Thailand (all you have to do is to ask your Broker).

Note, the problems may occur if you are stopped by a policeman who may not read English.

Your post seems to confirm that an International Drivers License is valid even though he is now residing in this country?

I find that hard to believe...........personally. My own stated it was only valid for a 90 day period in any other country other than my home country ( where it was obtained from )

These were exactly my thoughts to be honest. IDP's aren't designed as substitutes, only temporary documents. Though it very well may be the case that the insurance company covers you, they are probably well within their rights to question the validity of your driving permit.

Given this, and the understandable difficulty that the OP is facing in getting a local license, perhaps the text he is looking for is whether the insurance company will cover someone for driving unlicensed??

The simple answer is NO - he/she is breaking the law by driving, therefore not insured.

[cloudhopper]

Even I knew that much. However my IDP issued by AAA in the States specifically says it's good for one year. The only listed conditions are that I must have a valid US DL and that I must obey all local traffic laws. (Which COULD state that IDPs are only good for 90 days I guess but no one has said as much).

[torrenova]

One often overlooked fact is that as people on non imm or tourist visas have to leave the country at least every 90 days, the IDP is revalidated upon their return.

[ballbreaker]

In any case, as you'd be aware, it is simple enough with a Intl DL and a valid foreign one to get a local Thai DL issued with minimal fuss and testing.

Actually, as I just posted in the motor forum, I was just told Friday at the Mae Hong Son vehicle dept. that I had to go thru the entire program of tests regardless of any foreign or int'l DLs I may have...

In Korat I showed my California license and they only required the eye test to get Thai license. My Thai wife who also had California license was also only required to take eye test.

[ZZZ]

Your post seems to confirm that an International Drivers License is valid even though he is now residing in this country?

- correct with the provisos we mentioned before.

If everyone here takes your advice as a given................i think some people will have problems if they are involved in an accident...............lets say 9 months after first moving to Thailand?

- time does not matter, 1 day or 9 months if your Thai insurance company accepts it but, as we said, do ask.

Note, the sensible thing is to get a Thai license which (apart from the red tape) is very easy to get and will make life with the local police much easier when you are stopped.

According to Thai law you can only drive for 90 days from entry in Thailand using an international driving license. Also, only the one year international drivers license is valid here, the three year version is not accepted.

Edited November 9, 2007 by ZZZ

[bubba]

Like everything else, it depends on your broker and your policy. In my case, my policy specifically states that the driver is covered if he/she carries a "valid drivers licence". To clarify, the broker gave me a written statement saying that this includes any drivers licence that is still valid and from your home country. Unfortunately, I was able to test that several months ago when I was involved in a minor accident, and yes, my insurance company accepted the claim and paid it.

But that's only for insurance. As noted above, you are required by Thai law to have a Thai drivers is you are living here.

[TerryLH]

"Given this, and the understandable difficulty that the OP is facing in getting a local license, perhaps the text he is looking for is whether the insurance company will cover someone for driving unlicensed??"

Nothing very difficult about any of the tests. When I got my first Thai DL, many years ago, they had the test and study material in English. That was in Petchabun Province where there were not a lot of foreigners living, so would guess they'd be available all over.