Licence Requirements For Hiring And Driving In Thailand

[aliwright]

Hi

I am coming on holiday to Koh Samui soon and want to hire a Jeep, as I have done before.

Last time I did so with only a UK driving licence.

Is this Ok and will I be covered by insurance should I have a prang?

Do I need an International Permit?

[ajahnlau]

Hi

I am coming on holiday to Koh Samui soon and want to hire a Jeep, as I have done before.

Last time I did so with only a UK driving licence.

Is this Ok and will I be covered by insurance should I have a prang?

Do I need an International Permit?

Your UK license is legal as you're a tourist.

[think_too_mut]

Hi

I am coming on holiday to Koh Samui soon and want to hire a Jeep, as I have done before.

Last time I did so with only a UK driving licence.

Is this Ok and will I be covered by insurance should I have a prang?

Do I need an International Permit?

License in English is good, I have never had any other than Oz national license.

International one is just a certiified copy of the national license, in English. Makes a difference if the national one is Japanese, Russian, Serbian, Chinese...

Another thing to think is - those small 850B per day Suzuki jeeps are totally uninsured.

If you want insurance, add 400-500B per day.

Edited January 12, 2008 by think_too_mut

[Crossy]

Your UK license is legal as you're a tourist.

Actually it's not, you need an IDP to be fully legal, as do US citizens (guess from the spelling of 'license').

BUT

If you're hiring from a big name company (Hertz rather than Somchai Rentals) they will have cover that pays even if you're not totally legal, the hire companies only ever seem to look at your national licence when you take the vehicle.

As think_too_mut suggests, the smaller hires come with zero insurance, all at your own risk.

The police almost never ask for an IDP, to be honest most wouldn't know what one looked like, your UK licence will work just fine at normal traffic stops/checkpoints.

For the 5.50 that an IDP costs, it really is a wise investment, just to be sure.

Edited January 12, 2008 by Crossy

[torrenova]

Crossy is right but the big boys and even some of the bigger players (like Q-Cars in Pattaya and bangers) give you coverage on your UK license. IDP is worth it, no hassle and no cash really.

On a side note, I still have a valid IDP and I give them that sometimes when getting pulled over for a contribution and they can't read it or nothing so often just get waived on. Give them my license and they know what it is.