Restrictions For Driving Thai Car In Laos

[vibration]

I have recently been offered a job together with my Thai Wife to run a Clinic in Vientiane Laos for a Thai Company.

Does anybody know if there are any time limits on how long you can use a Thai registered Car in Laos or would we

have to lease or rent a vehicle in Laos.

I have read on another thread the procedure for taking a Thai Car into Laos and returning to Thailand but I am unsure

if you can use the Thai Car for example 2-3 years. I have Thai, British and Norwegian Driving Licences.

I am a British Citizen.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[gamini]

You better get an international driving license before you arrive. Or obtain a Thai one here, they are valid in Laos. I don't know how long they would allow you to drive a Thai car in Laos . I think it would be one month but certainly not more than three months.

[harrry]

You better get an international driving license before you arrive. Or obtain a Thai one here, they are valid in Laos. I don't know how long they would allow you to drive a Thai car in Laos . I think it would be one month but certainly not more than three months.

Officially only a 5 year thai licence is valid in Laos. The one year Thai licence is counted as a probationary one and is not valid outside Thailand.

[challenger99]

I am a little bit different informed about Thai driver license. If you have the new onw as "PLASTIC CARD" she is valid 5 years and in all Asean countries except Vietname because in Vietnam no foreigner is allowed to drive if he haven't Vietnames driver license (but easy to reach it). I am sure because some times I rent cars in neighbour countries and in the office for land and transport they say same.

[beano2274]

I am a little bit different informed about Thai driver license. If you have the new onw as "PLASTIC CARD" she is valid 5 years and in all Asean countries except Vietname because in Vietnam no foreigner is allowed to drive if he haven't Vietnames driver license (but easy to reach it). I am sure because some times I rent cars in neighbour countries and in the office for land and transport they say same.

A one year license can also be a plastic card.

[vibration]

I am a little bit different informed about Thai driver license. If you have the new onw as "PLASTIC CARD" she is valid 5 years and in all Asean countries except Vietname because in Vietnam no foreigner is allowed to drive if he haven't Vietnames driver license (but easy to reach it). I am sure because some times I rent cars in neighbour countries and in the office for land and transport they say same.

A one year license can also be a plastic card.

Many thanks to you all for your help. I will ask the Company to provide a Laos Car with the steering wheel on the correct side.

[Tomtomtom69]

OP, you can use your Thai vehicle in Laos for 30 days at a time. Extensions may be possible, but since you are in Vientiane, you could always drive your car back across to Thailand (Nong Khai) every 30 days and then back to Laos for a new stay. Better still, get a Lao car if possible, which you can also use in Thailand for up to 30 days at a time.

Another reason to have a Lao car is that you can drive across to Vietnam too without any restrictions that you would face taking a Thai car across. Also, no one will ask you to produce a Vietnamese driver license to cross in a foreign registered car.

Don't worry about the license. Laos is very easy going when it comes to licenses and chances are you won't ever be asked for one. A 1-year Thai license will be accepted too, but get an international one just in case. Better yet, if you are going to be based in Laos, why not just apply for a Lao license?

[vibration]

OP, you can use your Thai vehicle in Laos for 30 days at a time. Extensions may be possible, but since you are in Vientiane, you could always drive your car back across to Thailand (Nong Khai) every 30 days and then back to Laos for a new stay. Better still, get a Lao car if possible, which you can also use in Thailand for up to 30 days at a time.

Another reason to have a Lao car is that you can drive across to Vietnam too without any restrictions that you would face taking a Thai car across. Also, no one will ask you to produce a Vietnamese driver license to cross in a foreign registered car.

Don't worry about the license. Laos is very easy going when it comes to licenses and chances are you won't ever be asked for one. A 1-year Thai license will be accepted too, but get an international one just in case. Better yet, if you are going to be based in Laos, why not just apply for a Lao license?

Many thanks for your very good advice.

[Tomtomtom69]

OP, you can use your Thai vehicle in Laos for 30 days at a time. Extensions may be possible, but since you are in Vientiane, you could always drive your car back across to Thailand (Nong Khai) every 30 days and then back to Laos for a new stay. Better still, get a Lao car if possible, which you can also use in Thailand for up to 30 days at a time.

Another reason to have a Lao car is that you can drive across to Vietnam too without any restrictions that you would face taking a Thai car across. Also, no one will ask you to produce a Vietnamese driver license to cross in a foreign registered car.

Don't worry about the license. Laos is very easy going when it comes to licenses and chances are you won't ever be asked for one. A 1-year Thai license will be accepted too, but get an international one just in case. Better yet, if you are going to be based in Laos, why not just apply for a Lao license?

Many thanks for your very good advice.

My pleasure.

Another recommendation I have is if it suits you and your budget, you could also hire (essentially lease) a Lao vehicle from Europcar Lao (previously known as AVR) for the duration of your stay. Their rates are a bit high, but that's because there's not much competition and the poor quality roads in Laos are known to wear out cars more quickly than the much smoother Thai highways.

They have an office on Samsenthai road in central Vientiane and will accept an international or Thai driver license to hire a vehicle. The Australian owner, Joe Rumble is married to a Thai lady and is a real character. He's been in Laos for something like 25 years so he knows all the ropes. Another good thing about hiring from them is that you are allowed to drive their cars across to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and even southern China (Sipsongbanna)! They have all the documents required to enable you to do that.

Go to www.europcar.com and then search under Laos for more information. If you would like their email address, PM me and I'll send it to you.