Thai Dl

[doctormann]

Hi

A question about hiring a car in the UK.

I am resident in Thailand and have a 5-year Thai driving licence, renewed very recently. I also have a UK driving licence, valid for another ten years but the address shown on this licence is no longer correct as I no longer have a domicile in the UK. The UK DVLA tells me that I should just retain my UK licence and get the address changed should I ever return permanently to the UK.

When I visit UK next Spring I shall need to hire a car. Can I do this on my Thai licence, bearing in mind that this is a new licence and car hire companies seem to require that a licence has been held for at least 12 months? I did, of course, have a 1-year Thai licence prior to my current one but this is not apparent.

Maybe the car hire companies will just accept my UK licence but I'm not sure. Anyone have experience of this situation? Also, if I rely on my Thai licence, do I need to get this translated into English? I can do this myself but would it need to be certified by someone?

Any help much appreciated.

DM

[astral]

You can still use your UK licence.

The hire company will ask if the address is OK for contact and you can always give an

alternative one.

The Thai licence will not be accepted.

If you want to use the Thai one, you will have to apply for the International version

and I am not sure you will get it, as a foreigner.

[Smokin Joe]

Your Thai license should be OK but you'll need to get the IDP to go with it. The IDP is not a license, it's just considered a translation, and is supposed to verify to the other treaty countries that your Thai license is valid.

Being a farang should not affect whether you can get an IDP here but I think I saw another thread where someone stated that you had to go to the Bangkok office to get it.

[Rinrada]

And its only good for 12 months.

Also you might find that the local Avisis/budgets /Herzes rent a wrecks might want to charge you a bit "extra" for insurance.Try some of the specialised Expats type providers who will leave the car at Heathrow for you to pick up and drop off.

When I worked in the middle I did this on most of my home leaves and found it Ok/cheaper.