Getting An International Driving Permit In Thailand.

[OlRedEyes]

Anyone know if and where my wife can obtain an international driving permit, preferably on Samui?

[Crossy]

She will need a full (5 year) Thai driving licence.

Not all licensing offices issue IDPs, the main office at Chatuchak definately do (a long way I know), best if she gives them a call to find the nearest issuing office

The Department of Land Transport, located at 1032 Phaholyothin Road (opposite Jatujak Market) Lardyao sub-district, Jatujak district (tel: 272-5322, 272-5493).

[whynot?]

What about an American getting an international license in Thailand? I mean a real one not a Khao San Road one-thanks

[dingdongrb]

Why not just get a Thai DL?

[Crossy]

What about an American getting an international license in Thailand? I mean a real one not a Khao San Road one-thanks

If you have a 5 year Thai licence no problem

If not, no chance

[Kerryd]

What about an American getting an international license in Thailand? I mean a real one not a Khao San Road one-thanks

If you have a 5 year Thai licence no problem

If not, no chance

But if you have a US license, your best bet is to go to the American Automobile Association website (or the Auto Association of your home state) and see if you can apply online.

In my case, I can go to the provincial Automobile Association in BC, download the application, fill it in,, add photocopies of my license (both sides), 2 passport type photos, the regular fee and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Once it is processed the mail it back to me. No problem (as long as it doesn't get lost in the mail of course).

[marcher]

I have been told that you have to apply back to your 'home' country for an International licence, but my problem is that my UK licence has expired and they will not renew it in the UK unless I am a resident. Stuck with expired International and UK driving licences unless I can renew the former with my 5 year Thai licence

[zen0]

I've always thought about getting one before I travel abroad but then I read that any tickets/accidents you get/cause in foreign soil and you show your IDL the incidents will go on your record back home. Not that I think about driving recklessly but being in different places with different "common sense" in driving habits I wouldn't want to risk my insurance go up when I return from my trip. I'm not sure what the apps require for a IDL in other countries but for the US it requires the drivers license which would mean any tickets/accidents will go on the DMV record.

[KamnanT]

I've always thought about getting one before I travel abroad but then I read that any tickets/accidents you get/cause in foreign soil and you show your IDL the incidents will go on your record back home. Not that I think about driving recklessly but being in different places with different "common sense" in driving habits I wouldn't want to risk my insurance go up when I return from my trip. I'm not sure what the apps require for a IDL in other countries but for the US it requires the drivers license which would mean any tickets/accidents will go on the DMV record.

I seriously doubt that offences committed whilst driving on an IDL will be reflected on your license back in your home country. There simply isn't a system in place to do this - your IDL doesn't even show your home country driver's license number (only your passport number). Indeed, in most countries, the police won't even bother giving you a ticket for a minor offence on an IDL because they know there is no way to pursue you if you don't pay the fine. In Thailand, the worst they are likely to do is take your IDL and tell you it will be returned when you come to the police station and pay up.

[Soutpeel]

Just to clarify some of the mis-information posted here regarding IDPs/IDL's

IDP or IDL's are just a "legal" endorsed translation of your home countries drivers license....no more...no less....The UN, NATO etc licenses are not technically legal.

A legitimate IDL are tied up with the AA/RAC (UK) or AAA or similar in the US and are generally valid for 12 months only.

In Thailand the only IDP/IDL that can be issued is against a 5 year THAI license.

Offense committed on an IDP/IDL do not end up on your record in your home country and an IDP/IDL is not valid without your own countries valid DL being presented to the BiB as well.

A IDL/IDP is not a replacement for your own countries DL

Usually a IDP/IDL needs to be renewed in your own country, although saying this you may be able to do this by post, but generally you need to send your orignal D/L in the post or get a family member to do it for you.

Therefore...someone with a UK or US drivers license will not be able to get an IDP/IDL in Thailand based on their US/UK license....if you have a 5 year Thai license you can get one issued based on this.

[Bobm1]

Is it possible to rent a car in the US showing a Thai driver license? I need to go back to the states for a couple of weeks this year and need to rent a car but my US issued licence expired years ago, I wonder if the car rental company will accept a Thai licence?

[Soutpeel]

Is it possible to rent a car in the US showing a Thai driver license? I need to go back to the states for a couple of weeks this year and need to rent a car but my US issued licence expired years ago, I wonder if the car rental company will accept a Thai licence?

Dont see why not...provided you have a IDL as well to cover your Thai DL. With the old type Thai license, you could understand if car hire companies and the BiB where suspect of this license, simply because it was all in Thai and lets face it, it looks fake or home made....think if you have one of the new "credit card" one's and a IDL, you should not have any problems.

[stingray]

Is it possible to rent a car in the US showing a Thai driver license? I need to go back to the states for a couple of weeks this year and need to rent a car but my US issued licence expired years ago, I wonder if the car rental company will accept a Thai licence?

I was in LA and rented a car from Alamo. I forgot my IDL, even i had one in the Hotelroom. I showed them only the 5 year Thai DL, which i had in my wallet and got the car wihout any problems.

[Digitalbanana]

Why not just get a Thai DL?

Afaik one needs an IDL not a Thai DL to drive in countries other than one's own home country or Thailand? Thats why I always have an IDL and not just a Thai DL for when I travel abroad.

[Soutpeel]

Why not just get a Thai DL?

Afaik one needs an IDL not a Thai DL to drive in countries other than one's own home country or Thailand? Thats why I always have an IDL and not just a Thai DL for when I travel abroad.

Although your sentiments are correct, this is not strictly true, I have driven in many countries just on my countries DL and have been stopped by the BiB and never had a problem. As pointed out an IDL is just a legalised translation of your countries DL, it still needs to be accompanied by a valid DL from your own country, you will not/should not be able to drive in another country just on IDL.

Generally traffic laws say to be in control of a car a valid DL is required....therefore your home DL is the document not the IDL

The issue can come if there is an accident and have to deal with the insurance company, some companies require you have both IDL and own countries DL for driving in another country..

Think in the past with the old Thai DL, an IDL attached to your DL was a must, simply because the DL was in Thai, think with the new one being in both English and Thai, think this consideration is maybe not so important now