les Dennis Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Is a Thai driving license valid overseas? In particular Europe and Australia! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mallyrd Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 No. You can obtain a Thai International Driving License but not sure in which countries it would be valid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiang mai Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Yes, it can be used in the UK as long as it's the new type that describes the driver in English also, valid for one year if returning to the UK. On that basis I would imagine it is also valid in the EU also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les Dennis Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 Now i'm really confused. One yes and one no. The one I have Chaing Mai has the details in English too so I'm kinda hoping your right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiang mai Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Now i'm really confused. One yes and one no. The one I have Chaing Mai has the details in English too so I'm kinda hoping your right. If it helps you at all I rented a car in the UK last year using my Thai drivers license (I'm a Brit), hopefully others will post knowledge rather than thought to confirm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stjohnm Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 My wife's licence is valid in the EU & the US, for short visits, as its a domestic licence, if she stays there longer than 30 days then she can only drive if she has an international licence or one issued by that country/state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tfcpattaya Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 It's easy to get an International Driving Licence at the main licensing office in BKK. Not sure about Chiang Mai. Int licence is valid for 1yr. Ask at the Chiang Mai office if you can do it there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les Dennis Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 Thanks everyone, it looks like it is valid then. Good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave2 Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 les dennis i aggree with chiang mai as i also hired a car in england with a thai 5 year licence last year with no problem the same as chiang mai re ... australia .... ive no idea . dave2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldgit Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Yes, I have also used mine in the UK and France without question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumbles Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Copper in OZ would not accept my Thai license without an IDP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldgit Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 Copper in OZ would not accept my Thai license without an IDP. He was of course wrong, though there is no point in arguing the point. Visitors can drive using an overseas licence providing the details are in English, which a Thai licence is. This is from one State, though I understand all the Sates have the same rules http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Assis...tional_drivers/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les Dennis Posted May 4, 2010 Author Share Posted May 4, 2010 Thanks everyone, very helpful. One more question though. When It needs to be renewed, will I need all the same paperwork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundman Posted May 4, 2010 Share Posted May 4, 2010 Moved to Motor forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew55 Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Copper in OZ would not accept my Thai license without an IDP. Same same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmyd Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 Does anyone else have knowledge about the US? I have a new driver's license, it's in both English and Thai, so it would seem that an international driver's license, which is just basically a translation of the license, would be unnecessary. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoonman Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 (edited) Copper in OZ would not accept my Thai license without an IDP. He was of course wrong, though there is no point in arguing the point. Visitors can drive using an overseas licence providing the details are in English, which a Thai licence is. This is from one State, though I understand all the Sates have the same rules http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Assis...tional_drivers/ So when old mate pulls you for breaking the law and you produce your Thai license and he says meh, need an IDP as well, what exactly would you do ???? FWIW, this has happened to me as well, in both QLD and NSW. Coming back to the IDP (which is an English translation of your license) Why do I need one as well as my Aussie (English language) license when applying for a Thai license or alternatively using my Aussie license in Thailand ??? Edited May 7, 2010 by Spoonman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnLeech Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 (edited) Now i'm really confused. One yes and one no. The one I have Chaing Mai has the details in English too so I'm kinda hoping your right. Hope on ... while it may be valid in Australia, as it is in the UK, you may well be told you need either a valid (full) UK licence or an International Licence, as you do in some European countries - you will also find that some insurance companies will not insure you and some companies may not rent you a car. Why not keep it simple and get an International Licence? Edited May 7, 2010 by JohnLeech Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuketrichard Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 (edited) have had new 5 year cc style license for the past 4 years and have used it to rent cars in Europe and the states. Never any problem. Was once stopped in the us for speeding and i showed him the thai license and he asked for my us one and i told him i dont live in us. He looked at it and told me to slow down. Edited May 9, 2010 by phuketrichard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utley Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 I used my Thai drivers license in the U.S. two years ago to rent a car with no problem. If you want a definitive answer, why don't you email the Aussie and Brit embassies in BKK and ask them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoonman Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 What ever the embassy tells you does not mean this is how the police operate, as said above, In Australia its supposed to be ok to drive with just the Thai license, this was not the case with 2 different policeman that pulled me over though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khaowong1 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Copper in OZ would not accept my Thai license without an IDP. He was of course wrong, though there is no point in arguing the point. Visitors can drive using an overseas licence providing the details are in English, which a Thai licence is. This is from one State, though I understand all the Sates have the same rules http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Assis...tional_drivers/ this is correct. I used mine in the U.S. before renewing my Arizona drivers license. It has to be in English. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisaketmike Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Now i'm really confused. One yes and one no. The one I have Chaing Mai has the details in English too so I'm kinda hoping your right. You need to apply for an International drivers license in Bangkok, or in Chonburi. You can drive with the International permit everywhere in Europe, America, Australia, even in Mongolia. Good for one year. I'll make mine next week, let you know how it was. Had one five years ago, took only a few hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisaketmike Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Now i'm really confused. One yes and one no. The one I have Chaing Mai has the details in English too so I'm kinda hoping your right. You need to apply for an International drivers license in Bangkok, or in Chonburi. You can drive with the International permit everywhere in Europe, America, Australia, even in Mongolia. Good for one year. I'll make mine next week, let you know how it was. Had one five years ago, took only a few hours. I've read that it would be possible to receive an International drivers' license in Chonburi, at the Transportation office. Could anybody confirm that this is still possible? I'm planning to go there in two days, because I'd like to avoid Bangkok, with all the reds. Should anybody go there, I'd be very thankful for the needed information. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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