Expats, Do You Have A Valid Thai Driver'S License?

[Jingthing]

Expats, do you have a valid THAI driver's license?

A poster on anther thread said he didn't know of even one expat who doesn't hold a THAI driver's license. Well, now, let's get a rough gauge of the ACTUAL percentages here.

[robblok]

I even got 2 drivers licenses. (bike and car). What i have heard is that if you have an accident with your car and you don't have a valid Thai license they wont pay out any money.

[Jingthing]

I even got 2 drivers licenses. (bike and car). What i have heard is that if you have an accident with your car and you don't have a valid Thai license they wont pay out any money.

Obviously, most people with cars or motorcycles have a license. This isn't about that. It's about ALL expats, even those who don't run a vehicle.

I probably should have done this poll differentiating between those who actual DRIVE here and those who don't.

Edited September 18, 2010 by Jingthing

[gotlost]

I never leave home with out it.

[robblok]

I even got 2 drivers licenses. (bike and car). What i have heard is that if you have an accident with your car and you don't have a valid Thai license they wont pay out any money.

Obviously, most people with cars or motorcycles have a license. This isn't about that. It's about ALL expats, even those who don't run a vehicle.

I probably should have done this poll differentiating between those who actual DRIVE here and those who don't.

Jingthing,

Why would you have a license if you don't drive ? only thing i can think of it sometimes helps you get into stuff for Thai prices.

[Kwasaki]

I got one for motorbikes and one for a car.

I know of a few that live here that don't have motorcycle licences because they don't bother or they have failed the test.

[metisdead]

Yep, got a license.

[JUDAS]

Yes

Just tried voting to be told I've already voted and can do so only once, though I most definitely have not. No vote possible for me then.

Edited September 18, 2010 by JUDAS

[Jingthing]

I even got 2 drivers licenses. (bike and car). What i have heard is that if you have an accident with your car and you don't have a valid Thai license they wont pay out any money.

Obviously, most people with cars or motorcycles have a license. This isn't about that. It's about ALL expats, even those who don't run a vehicle.

I probably should have done this poll differentiating between those who actual DRIVE here and those who don't.

Jingthing,

Why would you have a license if you don't drive ? only thing i can think of it sometimes helps you get into stuff for Thai prices.

Yes, for ID purposes.

[PoorSucker]

Even use one for boarding domestic flights.

[Thules]

I have to renew by Thai (car) driving license next week having previously had a Thai one year and then five year license.

Having had national driving licenses in many countries over the past 38 years, retaking license tests becomes just one of life's little nuisances.

With Thailand's road track record, I wouldn't dare not have a Thai driving license for fear of my insurance possibly being invalidated.

[gotlost]

The cost of acquiring the Thai Diver License has been paid back ten fold on receiving Thai prices about 90% of the time.

[Kwasaki]

I even got 2 drivers licenses. (bike and car). What i have heard is that if you have an accident with your car and you don't have a valid Thai license they wont pay out any money.

Obviously, most people with cars or motorcycles have a license. This isn't about that. It's about ALL expats, even those who don't run a vehicle.

I probably should have done this poll differentiating between those who actual DRIVE here and those who don't.

Jingthing,

Why would you have a license if you don't drive ? only thing i can think of it sometimes helps you get into stuff for Thai prices.

That's what I also wanted to say that I use my for getting into places at Thai prices e.g. 20 bht instead of 200.

It also serves very well as I.D.

[onnut]

I have one, if you drive over here I think you are mad not to have one. even if you only rent a car once a year.

[mca]

Round Khon Kaen I always carry mine as ID because there's not a chance I'm going to carry my passport. When I drive out of province then I'll have my passport in the car too.

[dominique355]

I do drive a car in Thailand and Bangkok and I have a valid Thai driver license.

Not only for legally driving but also for ID purposes. Check-in at hotels, admission to dual priced places, even domestic flights.

The procedure to get one is simple and easy and cheap. Donno why I didn't do it much earlier.

[MTH]

Have two licenses one for car and one for motorcycle.

Apart from driving, they are also good for getting the Thai price at some dual pricing places.

I also use it for checking in at hotels, (however have been refused once as they wanted to see my TM card).

[mca]

It's a stroke of luck being able to check in at a hotel with simply a Thai driver's license because the regs are that a record must be kept of foreigners passports and visa status for immigration. Although of course TIT.

[Kwasaki]

Round Khon Kaen I always carry mine as ID because there's not a chance I'm going to carry my passport. When I drive out of province then I'll have my passport in the car too.

Some little advice it is a requirement to carry a copy of your passport which I do but having said that I have only been asked once to see it and that was in Bangkok.

You should also carry copy papers of your car/truck book and your Insurance or a copy of it, again in five years only asked for these once in Sukhothai.

Edited September 18, 2010 by Kwasaki

[Fookhaht]

I would be quite safe in saying that 60-70% of the Thai drivers in my neck of the woods drive without any sort of license at all. For sure, all the 10-year-olds whizzing by on motorbikes don't have them! I used an expired USA license for 5 years here, because the local BIB told me that's all they cared to see (expired or not!). That's central Isaan for you.

However, I agree with other posters, the Thai-rate discounts you get for other products or services, using your Thai license, makes economic sense, even if no one else cares if you have one or not.

Edited September 18, 2010 by Fookhaht

[Fookhaht]

It's a stroke of luck being able to check in at a hotel with simply a Thai driver's license because the regs are that a record must be kept of foreigners passports and visa status for immigration. Although of course TIT.

Your Thai drivers license bears your passport number (at least mine does). Therefore, it has always worked fine for me for hotel check-ins in upcountry locations.

[Tonto21]

My Thai D/L came in real handy 2 months back, I returned to the UK for a visit, (not the foggiest where my UK D/L is) Had no problem hiring a car for 3 weeks with it, In LOS it gets used for ….Driving, ID, ID flights and (not to proud to do this) get in at Thai rates. I’d go as far as saying it’s one of the most useful bits of kit I’ve picked up in Thailand.

[Lite Beer]

Yes. I have one for car and one for motorbike.

Why would anyone not have one?

[Jingthing]

Yes. I have one for car and one for motorbike.

Why would anyone not have one?

Easy. If you don't drive in Thailand. Duh.

[balo]

Not yet but I will soon , I'm thinking about buying a car.

[Spoonman]

Car, yes.

Bike, no.

[kevjohn]

Yes. Have both

[Patronus]

Both.

What conclusions will you draw Sherlock ?

[Jingthing]

Both.

What conclusions will you draw Sherlock ?

That most expats have a vehicle.

[Patronus]

Both.

What conclusions will you draw Sherlock ?

That most expats have a vehicle.

.... but surely you would need to invite the non-driving expats to vote as well ??