International Driving Permit (idp)

[elliss]

using IDP in your native country is not allowed i guess, i dont know for sure.

in the UK, you can drive for a limited time on a IDP.

i think it is for one year . :jap:

[Tokay]

Don't the new drivers license come in both Thai and English?

I also need to return to the USA but will only have a 1 year. Anyone know if it is in English and Thai if it's accepted to drive in USA?

Otherwise, I have to wait 1 YEAR to go home to see the family. My current license from USA just expired and they would not renew by mail.

The Thai 5-year is in English and Thai - it's NOT valid in the USA unless you have the accompanying IDP. The Thai 5-year license is valid in all 10 ASEAN countries.

I just picked up a new one in BKK before I came to the US for a visit (I had lost my previous Thai license - actually, no I didn't, I just gave it to the cop when he gave me a ticket some time ago - had another cop pick it up later so I have 2 just in case I need to do the same thing again). Cost = 120 baht (or 140, I can't remember but it's cheap).

IDP you just get after you have your Thai license (I think you have to have the 5-year but I'm not sure). Cost for the IDP is 505 Baht. Took me 10 minutes to get both at the Thai-DMV which is near Saphan Kwai, Bangkok. You can access it from Vipawadee at the after the Suttisan intersection (back entrance) or from Pahonyothin right after the Mor Chit BTS stop going toward Sapan Kwai. IDP is valid for 1 year from date of issue and must be accompanied with the Thai license for it to be valid. It's valid in around 120 countries (but not the UAE, for some reason - you can drive in Somalia, but not the UAE!!!)

If they only give them for 5 year licenses, I am literally screwed and will have to wait a YEAR before I can go see my family. I just happened to live in a state that doesn't allow renewal online or via postal.

Maybe a couple hundred baht (or even a few thousand) will work a miracle. I really do not want to wait a year.

[neilrob]

Don't the new drivers license come in both Thai and English?

I also need to return to the USA but will only have a 1 year. Anyone know if it is in English and Thai if it's accepted to drive in USA?

Otherwise, I have to wait 1 YEAR to go home to see the family. My current license from USA just expired and they would not renew by mail.

The Thai 5-year is in English and Thai - it's NOT valid in the USA unless you have the accompanying IDP. The Thai 5-year license is valid in all 10 ASEAN countries.

I just picked up a new one in BKK before I came to the US for a visit (I had lost my previous Thai license - actually, no I didn't, I just gave it to the cop when he gave me a ticket some time ago - had another cop pick it up later so I have 2 just in case I need to do the same thing again). Cost = 120 baht (or 140, I can't remember but it's cheap).

IDP you just get after you have your Thai license (I think you have to have the 5-year but I'm not sure). Cost for the IDP is 505 Baht. Took me 10 minutes to get both at the Thai-DMV which is near Saphan Kwai, Bangkok. You can access it from Vipawadee at the after the Suttisan intersection (back entrance) or from Pahonyothin right after the Mor Chit BTS stop going toward Sapan Kwai. IDP is valid for 1 year from date of issue and must be accompanied with the Thai license for it to be valid. It's valid in around 120 countries (but not the UAE, for some reason - you can drive in Somalia, but not the UAE!!!)

It is amazing the misleading information that gets posted---not just posted but emphatically, as though the poster knew the answer. I was just in California and rented a car using a Thai driver's license. If you go to the California DMV web site you will find that they accept drivers licenses issued by your country of residence (whatever country that is---Thailand included). California DMV specifically states that California DOES NOT accept IDPs, so far from being necessary, an IDP is useless.

[neilrob]

If they only give them for 5 year licenses, I am literally screwed and will have to wait a YEAR before I can go see my family. I just happened to live in a state that doesn't allow renewal online or via postal.

Maybe a couple hundred baht (or even a few thousand) will work a miracle. I really do not want to wait a year.

The place to find the answer to your question is the web site for the DMV of whatever state you plan to drive in in the US. You will probably find they accept your Thai license and do not require an IDP. I have driven in many countries and have never found an IDP of any value---maybe there are some countries somewhere that require them, but I've never found one.

[up-country_sinclair]

Don't the new drivers license come in both Thai and English?

I also need to return to the USA but will only have a 1 year. Anyone know if it is in English and Thai if it's accepted to drive in USA?

Otherwise, I have to wait 1 YEAR to go home to see the family. My current license from USA just expired and they would not renew by mail.

The Thai 5-year is in English and Thai - it's NOT valid in the USA unless you have the accompanying IDP. The Thai 5-year license is valid in all 10 ASEAN countries.

I just picked up a new one in BKK before I came to the US for a visit (I had lost my previous Thai license - actually, no I didn't, I just gave it to the cop when he gave me a ticket some time ago - had another cop pick it up later so I have 2 just in case I need to do the same thing again). Cost = 120 baht (or 140, I can't remember but it's cheap).

IDP you just get after you have your Thai license (I think you have to have the 5-year but I'm not sure). Cost for the IDP is 505 Baht. Took me 10 minutes to get both at the Thai-DMV which is near Saphan Kwai, Bangkok. You can access it from Vipawadee at the after the Suttisan intersection (back entrance) or from Pahonyothin right after the Mor Chit BTS stop going toward Sapan Kwai. IDP is valid for 1 year from date of issue and must be accompanied with the Thai license for it to be valid. It's valid in around 120 countries (but not the UAE, for some reason - you can drive in Somalia, but not the UAE!!!)

It is amazing the misleading information that gets posted---not just posted but emphatically, as though the poster knew the answer. I was just in California and rented a car using a Thai driver's license. If you go to the California DMV web site you will find that they accept drivers licenses issued by your country of residence (whatever country that is---Thailand included). California DMV specifically states that California DOES NOT accept IDPs, so far from being necessary, an IDP is useless.

I agree about the misleading information that has been posted on this subject.

Earlier this year I rented a car in Massachusetts from Hertz with a 5 year Thai driver's license which was printed in English and Thai. However, posters should check the DMV websites of the states they intend to drive in to determine whether or not it is legal to drive with a Thai license. My guess is that it is legal in all 50 states, but DYODD.