Getting A Thai Licence

[chmiroau]

I may have a small problem. My International driving permit has now expired and I need to get a Thai drivers licence.

My Australian licence is still valid for another two years, so there is no problem there. I am currently living in Bangkhae Bangkok, and will be living here for the foreseeable future.

I need to drive regularly, mainly for shopping and holiday travels. I am here on a NON O visa. I have read the information available on the web site below, but am unsure if this is the whole story. I have found that it is more often than not that there is more to a story than the straight forward.

Can anyone offer any suggestions of how to go about getting a Thai drivers licence.

http://driving.information.in.th/driving-licence.html

Thanks for your help.

Chris

[gotlost]

You have never needed an International Driving Permit to get a Thai driver license. All you need is your home country license, your passport (O visa) letter of residency from Immigration or your embassy/consulate and a medical.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

I think you can renew your IDP by mail, at least that's what I've been doing for the last 20+ years with AAA in Oregon.

Here's the Ozzie master www site:

http://www.aaa.asn.au/touring/idp.htm

You'll need to check your state's wite, here's NSW, for example:

http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/international_drivers_permits.htm

BTW, if you're driving in Thailand for a longish period, you really should have a Thai license. I do, but I also have the IDP to show the BiBs if I get stopped. I forget how to speak Thai, smile a lot, and usually get off without haveing to make a donation.

Mac

[garyh]

I think you can renew your IDP by mail, at least that's what I've been doing for the last 20+ years with AAA in Oregon.

Here's the Ozzie master www site:

http://www.aaa.asn.au/touring/idp.htm

You'll need to check your state's wite, here's NSW, for example:

http://www.mynrma.co...ers_permits.htm

BTW, if you're driving in Thailand for a longish period, you really should have a Thai license. I do, but I also have the IDP to show the BiBs if I get stopped. I forget how to speak Thai, smile a lot, and usually get off without haveing to make a donation.

Mac

RACQ (QLD) told me a month ago I can renew IDP by mail, I will get Thai liscense anyway as you can get into National Parks etc at Thai prices.

A friend would speak a made up European language to confuse the police as some can speak English after all I have heard many times from Thais oh your from Austria!

[Deeral]

Your IDP is only valid for a year - you should have one anyway

Your Oz (QLD) licence is not enough on its own.

There is also a limit to the time you can drive on a foreign licence - a few months.

driving without a laegal licence may not be a big problm in Thailand unless you have some claims on insurance then you could really be in a mess

Getting a Thai licence is easy enough - as always I'd recommend getting it anywhere but the Pattaya office.

try Au Udom or Chonburi

Edited November 21, 2010 by Deeral

[chmiroau]

Thanks for all the help. I am now a fully licensed Thai driver. The extraction of common sense when negotiating traffic hasn't caused any problems yet.

Thanks again.