International Driving Permit Not Valid

[Firefan]

I think most tourist believe that there international driving permit (combined with their national drivers license) makes them a legal driver here - but it actually says in writing on their homepage that it needs to be validated with a stamp (at a fee) to be valid here.

Wonder how many tourists are aware of THAT...

Cheers!

[lopburi3]

On what homepage where? Don't leave us hanging.

[TizMe]

100 baht note makes me a legal driver.

[Firefan]

Argh... Can't find the d... link! Embarrising, but I recall it was from an official gov site - and I must have gotten the link from previous posts here. Somebody else out there can help with some links? Cheers!

[BambinA]

http://driving.information.in.th/thai-dmv.html

http://www.dlt.go.th/

[lopburi3]

http://driving.information.in.th/thai-dmv.html

http://www.dlt.go.th/

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I do not see anything on site one about IDP not being valid - in fact it says it is valid (even after the normal 3 months that many countries allow).

I don't read Thai so can not comment on site two; but that would be the official site.

[Firefan]

Found it: http://www.phuketdir.com/pkttransport/ Yes it is from Phuket but sounds to me like an official requirement. Also mentioned as such in the "bible" of AUS/NZ Womens book(pg 41 03/04 version): "International driving permits are recognized and legal to use for 12 months once validated by stamp at the Department of Land Transport".

International Driving Permit (from above Phuket link)

Foreigners who temporarily have the permission to stay in Thailand and have the international driving permit (convention on international road traffic of 19 September 1949) which is not expired and would like to use it in Thailand, please hand the application form and needed documents as following to

Phuket Provincial Land Transport Office

The paper for apply

Passport (original) & photo copy

Visa & photo copy

International Driving Permit (Original) and photo copy.

Implementation Process

Document inspection

25 baht for payment

Permission seal at the back of the blank page.

[lopburi3]

And I read that it not effecting a tourist in any why, shape or form.

The operative word is "permission to stay" which you do not have on a visa entry. Only those on extensions of stay would thus be allowed this provision.

I believe you are supposed to have a Thai licence if you are here on an extension of stay so this is allowing those with a current IDP to use it until it expires at a cost of only 25 baht. It has nothing to do with legality of an IDP.

[Firefan]

My reply bring up another interesting point.... The tourist arriving on stamp-in at airport does not have the required visa requested to get their international driving permit validated.... hmm...

Cheers!

[Firefan]

We do not read it the same way Lopburi - but hey it is anyway a translation from Thai to English so I am sure that a lot is "lost in translation" .

The way I read it is that I can use my IDP for up to 12 months but I need to get it validated. I read it as ANY foreigner who are let into the country have "permission to stay" - that includes tourists on stamp-in as well as tourist visas, non-em visas Etc.

Maybe some of the legal heads here can help with a phone call?

The requirements are NOT written by emmigration people so one should suspect that they will not use the exact correct terminology - especially when translated to English.

Cheers!

And I read that it not effecting a tourist in any why, shape or form.

The operative word is "permission to stay" which you do not have on a visa entry.  Only those on extensions of stay would thus be allowed this provision.

I believe you are supposed to have a Thai licence if you are here on an extension of stay so this is allowing those with a current IDP to use it until it expires at a cost of only 25 baht.  It has nothing to do with legality of an IDP.

[lopburi3]

My reply bring up another interesting point.... The tourist arriving on stamp-in at airport does not have the required visa requested to get their international driving permit validated.... hmm...

Cheers!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Because he does not need it validated. It is legal as it is (as long as he has the source licence with him).

The Phuket site does not say anything about an IDP not being legal. It is just a provision for those on extension of stay to get the full year use of any IDP they might have, as they are supposed to have a Thai license if living here the way I read it.

[Firefan]

It says: "and would like to use it in Thailand please hand the application form and needed documents......" That sounds to me like it only be valid (in Thailand) after validated.

As to "permission to stay" we read that differently. You could certainly be right.

Bambina? If you call them I buy you (another!) drink at Larry's on Sat!

Head office: 02 272-5416

Cheers!