Sorry if this already covered, but I couldn't find it.

Can I drive my wife's car/ m'bike if my wife is with me- she has a licence?

Alternatively, is a British licence valid in Thailand if resident?

I intend getting Thai licence, but procrastinating.

In order to drive legally, your british licence accompanied by an IDP, and make sure that what ever you drive is insured for any driver

If your resident of Thailand you should have a Thai DL, typically you can only drive on your UK license for 3 months, as to the "Monkeypant's" comment about the IDP not strictly true on a UK license.

If you live here get a Thai DL, its not hard to get, however dependent on which traffic office, they may or may not want to see a IDP along with your DL. It will literally take up a morning of your time to get one, there really is no excuse for not getting one

get a Thai DL!!! You can even use it to enter National Parks, Zoo's, Museum's etc. for the price of Thai Nationals, and of course it makes you legal driving a vehicle in LOS.

That should persuade you finally to get one, right?

You think your wife can drive in the UK without license but with you present?

You need a Thai if resident here, UK license (IDP not required BTW) is only temporary valid.

You think your wife can drive in the UK without license but with you present?

You need a Thai if resident here, UK license (IDP not required BTW) is only temporary valid.

I don't know about the UK- never driven there, but in New Zealand ( at least when I was learning ) a non licence holder could drive, so long as a licenced person was present in the car.

Thanks for all the replies.

No, you can not.

You think your wife can drive in the UK without license but with you present?

You need a Thai if resident here, UK license (IDP not required BTW) is only temporary valid.

I don't know about the UK- never driven there, but in New Zealand ( at least when I was learning ) a non licence holder could drive, so long as a licenced person was present in the car.

Thanks for all the replies.

In Aus you needed a learners permit before you could drive, and you needed a licenced driver with you.

I think that you can drive here for up to one year on a foreign license. I have seen people talking about periods of 3 to 12 months validity, nobody seems to know, but most countries give you 12 months. If you get involved in an accident without a valid license you will not only be a Farang involved in an accident, you will be a Farang involved in an accident without a license.

I think that you can drive here for up to one year on a foreign license. I have seen people talking about periods of 3 to 12 months validity, nobody seems to know, but most countries give you 12 months. If you get involved in an accident without a valid license you will not only be a Farang involved in an accident, you will be a Farang involved in an accident without a license.

And dont forget to check that insurance policy, probably end up being, a farang involved in an accident with no license and no insurance.

Wonder how much it would cost to make that little problem go away should anyone be killed or injured?

Yes you can .... you may not .... and the fine is about 100 bht

No, you can not.

In the UK or NZ? If you are talking about NZ, I got my licence a long time ago, and bureaucracy has run amok since those days.

No, you can not.

In the UK or NZ? If you are talking about NZ, I got my licence a long time ago, and bureaucracy has run amok since those days.

Probably he is answering your question, so in Thailand you can not.

No, you can not.

In the UK or NZ? If you are talking about NZ, I got my licence a long time ago, and bureaucracy has run amok since those days.

Probably he is answering your question, so in Thailand you can not.

Hi,

That's correct, I was answering the original OP's question. That you cannot drive in Thailand without a license.Can you physically, Yes I am sure you can. But, theoretically no, as it is against the law.

Easy enough to go get legit, just apply for a license, and take the tests. Plenty of threads regarding this in the Auto section on Thaivisa.

IF you are on something other than a tourist visa and / or have been in Thailand longer than 3 months it is illegal to drive without a Thai Licence.

Additionally - if you are on a Tourist visa and staying in Thailand less than 3 months an overseas licence is valid if accompanied with an International Driving Permit.

Also - Check that the car insurance is not for Named Drivers only...

As many have said, getting a Thai licence is a very simple process which brings with it a number of advantages.

IF you are on something other than a tourist visa and / or have been in Thailand longer than 3 months it is illegal to drive without a Thai Licence.

Additionally - if you are on a Tourist visa and staying in Thailand less than 3 months an overseas licence is valid if accompanied with an International Driving Permit.

And that IDP is only valid for those 90 days. You must leave the country and come back to reinstate the IDP. Otherwise, you are illegally driving in Thailand. It's something a knowledgeable friend told me, saying many people don't know the IDP, while valid as an IDP for 1 year, is invalidated if you stay more than 90 days straight. That's when you need the Thai licence.

IF you are on something other than a tourist visa and / or have been in Thailand longer than 3 months it is illegal to drive without a Thai Licence.

Additionally - if you are on a Tourist visa and staying in Thailand less than 3 months an overseas licence is valid if accompanied with an International Driving Permit.

And that IDP is only valid for those 90 days. You must leave the country and come back to reinstate the IDP. Otherwise, you are illegally driving in Thailand. It's something a knowledgeable friend told me, saying many people don't know the IDP, while valid as an IDP for 1 year, is invalidated if you stay more than 90 days straight. That's when you need the Thai licence.

IDP is NOT required, overseas license is enough, provided it is in English. If not in English IDP is required.

IF you are on something other than a tourist visa and / or have been in Thailand longer than 3 months it is illegal to drive without a Thai Licence.

Additionally - if you are on a Tourist visa and staying in Thailand less than 3 months an overseas licence is valid if accompanied with an International Driving Permit.

Also - Check that the car insurance is not for Named Drivers only...

As many have said, getting a Thai licence is a very simple process which brings with it a number of advantages.

Hmmmm The thought of having to go to CM immigration for anything saps my will to live, but no way I'm going to my embassy for proof of adress in Thailand ( and how would they know anyway? ).

However, I'll give it a go and see what happens.

In the meantime, I won't be driving the car- I checked, and not insured unless I have a Thai licence.

IF you are on something other than a tourist visa and / or have been in Thailand longer than 3 months it is illegal to drive without a Thai Licence.

Additionally - if you are on a Tourist visa and staying in Thailand less than 3 months an overseas licence is valid if accompanied with an International Driving Permit.

Also - Check that the car insurance is not for Named Drivers only...

As many have said, getting a Thai licence is a very simple process which brings with it a number of advantages.

Hmmmm The thought of having to go to CM immigration for anything saps my will to live, but no way I'm going to my embassy for proof of adress in Thailand ( and how would they know anyway? ).

However, I'll give it a go and see what happens.

In the meantime, I won't be driving the car- I checked, and not insured unless I have a Thai licence.

The Brit consulate charged me 2750 Baht just to put a stamp on a hand written form with my address. They needed to see utility bills for the address, it didn't matter whose name was on the bill.

Go to immigration, they do the same but lots cheaper.

Oh yes, and remember that in Thailand you may need two DL's.

One for a car and another for a scooter/Mc.

The first time you get them they will be valid for a year but next time, assuming you have two retirement visas in your passport, then they will be for 5 years.

IF you are on something other than a tourist visa and / or have been in Thailand longer than 3 months it is illegal to drive without a Thai Licence.

Additionally - if you are on a Tourist visa and staying in Thailand less than 3 months an overseas licence is valid if accompanied with an International Driving Permit.

And that IDP is only valid for those 90 days. You must leave the country and come back to reinstate the IDP. Otherwise, you are illegally driving in Thailand. It's something a knowledgeable friend told me, saying many people don't know the IDP, while valid as an IDP for 1 year, is invalidated if you stay more than 90 days straight. That's when you need the Thai licence.

IDP is NOT required, overseas license is enough, provided it is in English. If not in English IDP is required.

yes it is...you can drive on an OS license for three months only, if you are a tourist. if you are a more "permanent resident" then a Thai license is mandatory and rightly so. . I was stopped at a checkpoint recently and showed my IDP. The cop asked if he could take photo's of it so he could show other Farangs what they ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE.

I had no issue with this and let him snap merrily away. Please remember that just because what you see seems acceptable it is not neccesarily the LAW and act accordingly (you would "back home" wouldn't you?)... a lot less hassles this way. Wear a helmet, buckle up and get license....life is so much easier and cheaper... and stops a lot of the whining about BIB and tea money.....never ever happened to me and always treated courtously...try it you may be suprised!!!

If your wife has a thai licence you can indeed drive with her if you are learning. Your insurance however will not be valid andshe is considered the driver in charge in case of accident. I cannot find it now but it was in the Thai Motor Laws.

If your wife has a thai licence you can indeed drive with her if you are learning. Your insurance however will not be valid andshe is considered the driver in charge in case of accident. I cannot find it now but it was in the Thai Motor Laws.

Is there a limit how long this "learning period" can be? Can he claim that he's a slow learner? In that case, a dl would be superfluous.

IDP is NOT required, overseas license is enough, provided it is in English. If not in English IDP is required.

yes it is

No, it is not. There have bene many discussions here, and the end result is that it says nowhere in the law that an IDP is required.

IF you are on something other than a tourist visa and / or have been in Thailand longer than 3 months it is illegal to drive without a Thai Licence.

Additionally - if you are on a Tourist visa and staying in Thailand less than 3 months an overseas licence is valid if accompanied with an International Driving Permit.

Also - Check that the car insurance is not for Named Drivers only...

As many have said, getting a Thai licence is a very simple process which brings with it a number of advantages.

Hmmmm The thought of having to go to CM immigration for anything saps my will to live, but no way I'm going to my embassy for proof of adress in Thailand ( and how would they know anyway? ).

However, I'll give it a go and see what happens.

In the meantime, I won't be driving the car- I checked, and not insured unless I have a Thai licence.

The Brit consulate charged me 2750 Baht just to put a stamp on a hand written form with my address. They needed to see utility bills for the address, it didn't matter whose name was on the bill.

Go to immigration, they do the same but lots cheaper.

Thanks, You just confirmed why I won't go to the embassy.

IF you are on something other than a tourist visa and / or have been in Thailand longer than 3 months it is illegal to drive without a Thai Licence.

Additionally - if you are on a Tourist visa and staying in Thailand less than 3 months an overseas licence is valid if accompanied with an International Driving Permit.

And that IDP is only valid for those 90 days. You must leave the country and come back to reinstate the IDP. Otherwise, you are illegally driving in Thailand. It's something a knowledgeable friend told me, saying many people don't know the IDP, while valid as an IDP for 1 year, is invalidated if you stay more than 90 days straight. That's when you need the Thai licence.

IDP is NOT required, overseas license is enough, provided it is in English. If not in English IDP is required.

yes it is...you can drive on an OS license for three months only, if you are a tourist. if you are a more "permanent resident" then a Thai license is mandatory and rightly so. . I was stopped at a checkpoint recently and showed my IDP. The cop asked if he could take photo's of it so he could show other Farangs what they ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE.

I had no issue with this and let him snap merrily away. Please remember that just because what you see seems acceptable it is not neccesarily the LAW and act accordingly (you would "back home" wouldn't you?)... a lot less hassles this way. Wear a helmet, buckle up and get license....life is so much easier and cheaper... and stops a lot of the whining about BIB and tea money.....never ever happened to me and always treated courtously...try it you may be suprised!!!

When the cops stopped us, even though the cop asked her if I had a licence, he didn't do anything about it. I guess they aren't all just out to get tea money.

If your wife has a thai licence you can indeed drive with her if you are learning. Your insurance however will not be valid andshe is considered the driver in charge in case of accident. I cannot find it now but it was in the Thai Motor Laws.

Is there a limit how long this "learning period" can be? Can he claim that he's a slow learner? In that case, a dl would be superfluous.

I am a very slow learner. Can I quote you next time we get stopped?

Just to put it in perspective, if your Thai wife is a Doctor, can you write prescriptions?

Just to put it in perspective, if your Thai wife is a Doctor, can you write prescriptions?