My Canadian Drivers license is up for renewal within the next year, and I am thinking of just staying in Asia and getting a local one.

I have a G2 (G is the full license) and ideally I want to get both this license (which is for cars, small trucks, etc) equivalent here, and a motorcycle license.

I don't have a IDP, but could get one mailed to me as they can be submitted on my behalf in Canada.

I'm looking for the easiest place ie. to get both kinds of licenses using the documentation I have with as little references or bureaucracy as possible, which is most widely accepted/respected around in Asia (most important) and around the rest of the world (less important), ideally with as fast a processing time as possible.

I can travel pretty much anywhere in Asia to get it (wherever I'm allowed as a Canadian), but I have been changing locations pretty much month to month and don't have more than tourist visas or a permanent address in Asia (though I have a friends in Thailand whose addresses I could use).

What's my best option?

I was thinking about it, should I have to go back to Europe. Thailand's license is not accepted in many European countries as equivalent to the local license. Nevertheless, I think that a workaround would be to get a Thai license (super easy to get)...

Then get it transformed into a Malaysian license. The latter one is transferred to a local license without issues in France at least.

In some ways, this is almost as good as the "Double Irish with a Dutch Sandwich"!

Who said a Thai license is not accepted in Europe?

I have used mine in Germany and France and also in the UK.

Also if you are from Europe changing your license to a Malaysian one can take upto one month.

Don't confuse the license you get here initially (one year provisional license) with the license that you get one year later (full license). Of course car hiring companies and other authorities shouldn't accept your provisional license. If you have an accident or other concern, things will go seriously pear shaped.

Apparently the corruption in Malaysia is so bad that you can pay an agent I think 1000 ringgit and they will deliver the licence to you. No hassles of attending the relevant department.

I did not say the Thai license was not usable in Europe. It is usable for a limited period. After that limited period, you will have either to convert your foreign license into a local license, or pass the exam to obtain a local license.

Thai licenses are not recognized as warranting the direct conversion and you must undertake the full license examination in France (what is more, you have to pass it on a manual car!). Malaysian licenses, instead are directly converted.

Who said a Thai license is not accepted in Europe?

I have used mine in Germany and France and also in the UK.

Also if you are from Europe changing your license to a Malaysian one can take upto one month.

You are a Ferang who passed a U.K Test. Big Difference

Who said a Thai license is not accepted in Europe?

I have used mine in Germany and France and also in the UK.

Also if you are from Europe changing your license to a Malaysian one can take upto one month.

You are a Ferang who passed a U.K Test. Big Difference

Sorry but I passed my car driving test in Germany, and my HGV in Leconsfield in the UK.

Also how does the Car rental company know that I have passed my test in another country, or in your example the UK, they don't all they see is a Thai license (My Thai license).

I did not say the Thai license was not usable in Europe. It is usable for a limited period. After that limited period, you will have either to convert your foreign license into a local license, or pass the exam to obtain a local license.

Thai licenses are not recognized as warranting the direct conversion and you must undertake the full license examination in France (what is more, you have to pass it on a manual car!). Malaysian licenses, instead are directly converted.

And the same can be said for someone here who is using their European or whatever license, it is only valid for a limited period of time, after that they must get a Thai license.

I did not say the Thai license was not usable in Europe. It is usable for a limited period. After that limited period, you will have either to convert your foreign license into a local license, or pass the exam to obtain a local license.

Thai licenses are not recognized as warranting the direct conversion and you must undertake the full license examination in France (what is more, you have to pass it on a manual car!). Malaysian licenses, instead are directly converted.

And the same can be said for someone here who is using their European or whatever license, it is only valid for a limited period of time, after that they must get a Thai license.

But the difference is a Dutch license can be exchanged for a French license, and apparently a Malaysian can as well and a Thai can't.

Who said a Thai license is not accepted in Europe?

I have used mine in Germany and France and also in the UK.

Also if you are from Europe changing your license to a Malaysian one can take upto one month.

You are a Ferang who passed a U.K Test. Big Difference

Sorry but I passed my car driving test in Germany, and my HGV in Leconsfield in the UK.

Also how does the Car rental company know that I have passed my test in another country, or in your example the UK, they don't all they see is a Thai license (My Thai license).

Dont see what your getting at. My Thai Licence shows a Ferang Face, im 66, been here 24 years, they aint stupid. Ive told you before my Thai Half Breed Son does not find a Beaming Welcomb at Hertz Heathrow. Im only giving my findings.

I did not say the Thai license was not usable in Europe. It is usable for a limited period. After that limited period, you will have either to convert your foreign license into a local license, or pass the exam to obtain a local license.

Thai licenses are not recognized as warranting the direct conversion and you must undertake the full license examination in France (what is more, you have to pass it on a manual car!). Malaysian licenses, instead are directly converted.

And the same can be said for someone here who is using their European or whatever license, it is only valid for a limited period of time, after that they must get a Thai license.

But the difference is a Dutch license can be exchanged for a French license, and apparently a Malaysian can as well and a Thai can't.

Furthermore, a French license can be exchanged for a Thai license, but the reverse is not true.

Yo Ho, this is getting out of hand..So the West dont know the Thai Driving Test Standard.! !. 1. Can walk to the Truck without Falling over. 2.Be Partly Sober.3. Can reverse through a few Cones.4. Can Afford a 2k Bht Bribe if failed. 5. CanAfford 7K to obtain a genuine one with No Test. I give up on you defenders of Crap.

Who said a Thai license is not accepted in Europe?

I have used mine in Germany and France and also in the UK.

Also if you are from Europe changing your license to a Malaysian one can take upto one month.

You are a Ferang who passed a U.K Test. Big Difference

Sorry but I passed my car driving test in Germany, and my HGV in Leconsfield in the UK.

Also how does the Car rental company know that I have passed my test in another country, or in your example the UK, they don't all they see is a Thai license (My Thai license).

Dont see what your getting at. My Thai Licence shows a Ferang Face, im 66, been here 24 years, they aint stupid. Ive told you before my Thai Half Breed Son does not find a Beaming Welcomb at Hertz Heathrow. Im only giving my findings.

What I was getting at was that the Thai Driving License does not show where you passed your test, so your comment about "your a ferang who passed a UK test" is not appropriate, and how does the Car Rental see that I passed in Germany and not Thailand, they don't.

As for your son, I am surprised as my friends went to the UK and hired a car no problems.

I did not say the Thai license was not usable in Europe. It is usable for a limited period. After that limited period, you will have either to convert your foreign license into a local license, or pass the exam to obtain a local license.

Thai licenses are not recognized as warranting the direct conversion and you must undertake the full license examination in France (what is more, you have to pass it on a manual car!). Malaysian licenses, instead are directly converted.

And the same can be said for someone here who is using their European or whatever license, it is only valid for a limited period of time, after that they must get a Thai license.

But the difference is a Dutch license can be exchanged for a French license, and apparently a Malaysian can as well and a Thai can't.

Furthermore, a French license can be exchanged for a Thai license, but the reverse is not true.

You do not exchange your license, I kept my German one.

I did not say the Thai license was not usable in Europe. It is usable for a limited period. After that limited period, you will have either to convert your foreign license into a local license, or pass the exam to obtain a local license.

Thai licenses are not recognized as warranting the direct conversion and you must undertake the full license examination in France (what is more, you have to pass it on a manual car!). Malaysian licenses, instead are directly converted.

And the same can be said for someone here who is using their European or whatever license, it is only valid for a limited period of time, after that they must get a Thai license.

But the difference is a Dutch license can be exchanged for a French license, and apparently a Malaysian can as well and a Thai can't.

Furthermore, a French license can be exchanged for a Thai license, but the reverse is not true.

You do not exchange your license, I kept my German one.

Yes, thanks for the addition, could not find the correct English word.

Id get one from that Backpacker Street in BKK. About as much use regarding road safety as a Real one .Why dont they send a Novice Driver here out with an Examiner for a 30Min Test .