International Driving Permit Valid Only 3 Months A Year?

[PoorSucker]

from " katabeachbum " a Highway police volunteer, now you would think he would be a pretty good source.

There is no law requiring uk lisence to be backed by IDP in LOS. uk lisence is good as long as you are not here for more than 90 days.

After 90 days a thai lisence is required to drive legally.

No, not a good source.

They guy kept his dead girlfriend in a trash-bin for three years.

[harrry]

Since officially they do not hand them out for tourist visa holders. Or do you think they need tourists visiting the national parks for the Thai price?

one year licences are available on a tourist visa. 5 year licences are not.

The Royal Thai Consulate General in Chicago disagrees

http://www.thaiconsu...te/driving.html

as does the NZ Embassy Bangkok

http://www.nzembassy...drivers-licence

And the Royal Thai Consulate in Hull

http://www.thaiconsu...nload.aspx?id=4

and a couple of other places for good measure.

http://driving.infor...ng-licence.html

http://www.thai-blog...riving-license/

None of thowse are original sources for driving information.

[Kwasaki]

Since officially they do not hand them out for tourist visa holders. Or do you think they need tourists visiting the national parks for the Thai price?

one year licences are available on a tourist visa. 5 year licences are not.

The Royal Thai Consulate General in Chicago disagrees

http://www.thaiconsu...te/driving.html

as does the NZ Embassy Bangkok

http://www.nzembassy...drivers-licence

And the Royal Thai Consulate in Hull

http://www.thaiconsu...nload.aspx?id=4

and a couple of other places for good measure.

http://driving.infor...ng-licence.html

http://www.thai-blog...riving-license/

I not sure if you are right there are many topic in the past that have said you can, maybe it has been changed.

[Kwasaki]

I'll stick with quote from " Scubabuddha " then, blimey that's shock news.

[PattayaParent]

Since officially they do not hand them out for tourist visa holders. Or do you think they need tourists visiting the national parks for the Thai price?

one year licences are available on a tourist visa. 5 year licences are not.

The Royal Thai Consulate General in Chicago disagrees

http://www.thaiconsu...te/driving.html

as does the NZ Embassy Bangkok

http://www.nzembassy...drivers-licence

And the Royal Thai Consulate in Hull

http://www.thaiconsu...nload.aspx?id=4

and a couple of other places for good measure.

http://driving.infor...ng-licence.html

http://www.thai-blog...riving-license/

None of thowse are original sources for driving information.

No doubt you'll be posting an official Thai DLT source that says tourists can apply for a driving license then?

[MESmith]

Maybe it's one of those things that varies depending where you apply. Same with visa extensions, not uniform around the country.

[falang07]

Yes, it might be true, but in case of an accident only the law would rule. And the law says tourist visa=no Thai driving license.

[Kwasaki]

Yes, it might be true, but in case of an accident only the law would rule. And the law says tourist visa=no Thai driving license.

[Soutpeel]

Is there an official document stating that I might have a problem if I would get involved in an accident with the IDP? I did not find anything on this on Internet but me friend keeps convincing me that I need a Thai driving license which is officially not possible on a tourist visa.

An IDP is recognised as a legal license so you should not have a problem with the insurance company.

I am being pedantic I know , but an IDP is not a legal license..an IDP is a legalised "translation" of a legal/valid drivers license.

My understanding in Thailand is that you should not be driving for more than 3 months on an IDP/Valid license combination, with that being said, the murky area is that if you leave the country and come back in does the clock start again ?

If you are living here as a "resident" whatever the visa means...get a Thai DL....its easy

[PattayaParent]

Is there an official document stating that I might have a problem if I would get involved in an accident with the IDP? I did not find anything on this on Internet but me friend keeps convincing me that I need a Thai driving license which is officially not possible on a tourist visa.

An IDP is recognised as a legal license so you should not have a problem with the insurance company.

I am being pedantic I know , but an IDP is not a legal license..an IDP is a legalised "translation" of a legal/valid drivers license.

My understanding in Thailand is that you should not be driving for more than 3 months on an IDP/Valid license combination, with that being said, the murky area is that if you leave the country and come back in does the clock start again ?

If you are living here as a "resident" whatever the visa means...get a Thai DL....its easy

I agree

you are being pedantic

I always understood it was 3 months also, it was when I first came here 18 years ago and it made sense that it fitted into the validity of a tourist visa (2 months + 1 month extension) as you can't get a Thai license on a tourist visa. Apparently now it has been changed to 6 months.

[PattayaParent]

Yes, it might be true, but in case of an accident only the law would rule. And the law says tourist visa=no Thai driving license.

Indeed, having an 'illegal' license would invalidate your insurance.