Does an international driving licence work for driving motorbikes?

[Neeeko]

Title says it all really..
I've got an international driving license which I made back in the UK, Just wondering if it works for driving a motorbike?

[NomadJoe]

If you mean an IDP, international drivers permit, a passport sized paper document issued by an auto club in the UK as an addendum to your UK license, and it is for a motorbike, and you will be here as a tourist not a resident, then yes, it will work. So will your home license by itself. (If for motorbikes, is in English, and has a photo). Lots of people rent with car licenses from home and don't have a problem. The renters don't check, but you might get a ticket if stopped, and you might be in trouble if you have an accident.

[Neeeko]

It looks like this: http://www.driverabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/idp-453x640.jpg

I'm not sure what's inside it, I will check when I'm at home. I'm living in Thailand as a resident not a tourist, but back in England my driving license is for a car not a bike.

[robblok]

It looks like this: http://www.driverabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/idp-453x640.jpg

I'm not sure what's inside it, I will check when I'm at home. I'm living in Thailand as a resident not a tourist, but back in England my driving license is for a car not a bike.

Then it wont work for a bike as it is just a translation of your original license. But getting a bike license is easy so get it.

[NomadJoe]

It looks like this: http://www.driverabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/idp-453x640.jpg

I'm not sure what's inside it, I will check when I'm at home. I'm living in Thailand as a resident not a tourist, but back in England my driving license is for a car not a bike.

Yeah that is an IDP.

It looks like this: http://www.driverabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/idp-453x640.jpg

I'm not sure what's inside it, I will check when I'm at home. I'm living in Thailand as a resident not a tourist, but back in England my driving license is for a car not a bike.

Then it wont work for a bike as it is just a translation of your original license. But getting a bike license is easy so get it.

Correct. It also "won't work" because you are a resident. IDP's are for tourists/visitors. Actually in most cases it probably will "work", but to strictly be legal you will need a Thai motorbike license. Having foreigners be properly licensed has been in the news a lot lately.

[Phil Conners]

Rental companies usually don't check very careful but there are many roadblocks around Pattaya where the police check everybody for things like drivers license and insurance. Whenever they stop me and I show them my Thai drivers license I get a big smile and a nice comment, so I think they're not happy about all the foreigners showing drivers licenses from home.

A much bigger problem is if you have an accident, in which case the insurance company usually do what they can to avoid paying, including using the lack of a valid Thai drivers license as reason. This means you will have to pay yourself, that could get very expensive.

And while we talk about insurance, you should know that a standard insurance does not cover rentals - it says so in clear English on the policy - you need a special insurance covering for rentals. Again, not something that is normally a problem, but if you have an accident it could get very expensive. One day in intensive care in an International hospital can be tens, if not hundreds of thousand baht.

Get yourself a Thai drivers license. It's a little time consuming, count on spending a day, mostly queueing and waiting, but otherwise it's easy and inexpensive, a few hundred baht only.

[NomadJoe]

, so I think they're not happy about all the foreigners showing drivers licenses from home.

If your home license is in English, has a photo, is for the class you are driving, you are a tourist, and your country has a treaty with Thailand on reciprocal recognition of licenses (most do via the UN Traffic Act of 1949) then you are legal. That is an "international license." in Thailand. You don't need an IDP, but of course it doesn't hurt.

Edited June 26, 2013 by NomadJoe

[MrRealDeal]

The Traffic act of 1949 was Replaced by the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968 under Article 48 of the convention , the 1949 Act has no standing today.

Which for the most part is just trivia for you since the 1968 Act say essentially the same thing not that your statements are wrong.

The Act does say in Article 41 : driver's licenses issued by a Contracting Party shall be recognized in the territory of another Contracting Party until this territory becomes the place of normal residence of their holder;

Edited June 26, 2013 by MrRealDeal

[Neeeko]

I live in Hua Hin and recently there has been a lot of police stopping and checking for licenses, I know this is valid for a car but do you reckon sometimes the police won't have a proper read through the permit and let me get away with it?

Edited June 26, 2013 by Neeeko

[robblok]

If that is what it says then it is valid (except your not a tourist and that invalidates it but i doubt the cops would know)

[MrRealDeal]

If you were drunk with no license at all not wearing a helmet with 2 hookers on the back and you were polite and respectful it would only cost 100 bht ...... I wouldn't worry about it very much ! lol

[Phil Conners]

And if you cause an accident and someone end up in intensive care and sue you for the cost, and your insurance won't cover, you could be down millions of baht. So I definitely would worry.

As for international conventions and articles, do you really want to stand on the street and argue that with constable Somchai? Isn't it easier just to get the right papers and be waved right through?

[Neeeko]

If I get caught it's just a 200 fine here normally, unless the officers having a bad day of course

I reckon I would get away with it if the officer couldn't speak/write English too well, but I know its worth getting a Thai licensee and cheap so I'm going to look into it more

[robblok]

Only problem is getting all he papers and then half a day there and your done.. its worth it. I get in parks and other stuff by just showing that license.

[Scottythai]

I have been riding around Thailand for the last few years on my bike with using a Canadian licence. It has the international endorsement. When I get pulled over by the police they just look at the licence and smile then send me on my way. Depending if it was me breaking a law sometimes 200 - 500 bt lighter. But no one has ever said boo about the licence and though I have valid insurance it has never been checked.

[joepattaya1961]

I've been driving around for 30,000-40,000 km per year with my regular driving license.

Did have some minor accidents, no problem.

Was stopped several times, no problem.

Did rent a car a few times, no problem.

My insurance accepts my driving license.

It's not said that an IDL or IDP is for tourists only.

AFAIK an IDP has a validity of one year and is valid in Thailand for 90 days at a time.

If you are a "resident" of Thailand; leave the country every 90 days and get an IDP every year you're covered.

Of course it's easier to obtain a Thai DL.

[NomadJoe]

I live in Hua Hin and recently there has been a lot of police stopping and checking for licenses, I know this is valid for a car but do you reckon sometimes the police won't have a proper read through the permit and let me get away with it?

Yes, happens very often, but also you might not. In the tourist areas they are now employing foreign volunteers to read the licenses to tell if it is correct.

[Neeeko]

I live in Hua Hin and recently there has been a lot of police stopping and checking for licenses, I know this is valid for a car but do you reckon sometimes the police won't have a proper read through the permit and let me get away with it?

Yes, happens very often, but also you might not. In the tourist areas they are now employing foreign volunteers to read the licenses to tell if it is correct.

Have the volunteers really got nothing better to do?

[GreenSnapper]

And if you cause an accident and someone end up in intensive care and sue you for the cost, and your insurance won't cover, you could be down millions of baht. So I definitely would worry.

As for international conventions and articles, do you really want to stand on the street and argue that with constable Somchai? Isn't it easier just to get the right papers and be waved right through?

The Thai driving license also serves as a sort of "ID-card". It is very practical as such, you almost never need to carry your passport. And you often don't pay ripoff farang entry fees.

[NomadJoe]

I've been driving around for 30,000-40,000 km per year with my regular driving license.

Did have some minor accidents, no problem.

Was stopped several times, no problem.

Did rent a car a few times, no problem.

My insurance accepts my driving license.

It's not said that an IDL or IDP is for tourists only.

AFAIK an IDP has a validity of one year and is valid in Thailand for 90 days at a time.

If you are a "resident" of Thailand; leave the country every 90 days and get an IDP every year you're covered.

Of course it's easier to obtain a Thai DL.

Your actually right, it's not "said" that an IDP is for tourists only. But it is said that if you are a resident you must have a Thai DL, which then makes IDP's for tourists only because legally every foreigner here falls into one of two categories, tourists/visitor or resident.

Yes, legitimate IDP's are valid for 1 year. But here is no hard and fast time limit. This "90 days" number gets thrown around a lot because for most foreigners that is as long as they can stay without having to leave. In reality it only matters if you are a resident, but police, insurance investigators and such can use many criteria to determine if you are a resident or tourist. Furthermore, you can still be a resident and on a tourist visa if you, for example, enroll your kids in school, buy a condo, etc.

[NomadJoe]

The Traffic act of 1949 was Replaced by the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968 under Article 48 of the convention , the 1949 Act has no standing today.

Incorrect. Thailand has nothing to do with the 1968 convention. It in no way "replaced" the 1949 Vienna convention. The 68 convention was a mostly failed attempt to resolve some of the issues with the 1949 act. The vast majority of counties, including Thailand, still operate under the 1949 Geneva convention on this issue.

Which for the most part is just trivia for you since the 1968 Act say essentially the same thing not that your statements are wrong.

Agreed, it is trivia and unimportant to most people, but these threads go on in debate unless the original sources are cited.

The Act does say in Article 41 : driver's licenses issued by a Contracting Party shall be recognized in the territory of another Contracting Party until this territory becomes the place of normal residence of their holder;

The 49 version is similar. It gives the option to use IDP. (See below) But the law is set by Thailand statutes, (which are also below) not conventions.

------

Every now and then I post this, which I wrote over the span of a year since I always get asked these questions.

A few years ago I read in the paper a quote from a top BIB (which I really wish I could find) that made it all clear. He said that the official position of the BIB is that an English language license with a photo is considered an international license and thus does not require an IDP endorsement. This was probably due to the changes in technology, the fact that most licenses now have photos and are in English. In 1949 (The year of the Geneva Convention) most did not. What the big BIB said makes sense when you realize that none of the languages an IDP translates your license into are Thai. In fact many states in America no longer require them just as many other countries now don't. So that is how I believe the "IDP is required in Thailand for tourists" rumor got started. It may have once been the case, but no longer.

In terms of "supporting evidence", the first important piece to this is the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic act of 1949. This is where organizations like the Australian, Canadian, British, and U.S. auto clubs get their information simply by looking at who had signed and/or ratified the act and use that to determine whether an IDP is required or not without actually reading the act. This act, which isn't a law but a treaty, (agreement between counties) covers a great many things like road design, road markings, signage, license plate design, (which, btw, Thailand is in violation of because they use Thai script, not Roman letters) drivers license design and, of course, the mutual acceptance of drivers licenses. Ever wonder why DL's are so often pink? It comes from this act.

I recently sent an email to the Thai Highway Police to see if I could get clarification on the law. I received two documents in Thai. One was an Royal Thai Police document generally describing acceptable drivers license design, the other was a Thai language version of the 1949 Geneva convention on road traffic act. Thailand become a contracting state to the act in 1962 via accession. Here is a translation of the relevent section of that act. Notice in paragraph 2 the word "may" as well as the bit after "especially...". I added the *'s so people don't have to look them up. It's crystal clear that the treaty does not force contracting states to require an IDP, it is only an option.

CHAPTER V

DRIVERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC

Article 24

1. Each Contracting State* shall allow any driver admitted to its territory who fulfills the conditions which are set out in Annex 8** and who holds a valid driving permit issued to him, after he has given proof of his competence, by the competent authority of another Contracting State or subdivision thereof, or by an Association duly empowered by such authority, to drive on its roads without further examination motor vehicles of the category or categories defined in Annexes 9 and 10 for which the permit has been issued.

2. A Contracting State may however require that any driver admitted to its territory shall carry an international driving permit conforming to the model contained in Annex 10, especially in the case of a driver coming from a country where a domestic driving permit is not required or where the domestic permit issued to him does not conform to the model contained in Annex 9***.

* Thailand is a contracting state, as they became a party via accession on 15 Aug, 1962.

** Annex 8 references required age of drivers.

*** Annex 9 describes the size of domestic driving permit (driver’s license) colour, size, English language, photo size, etc.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1955/2.html

http://www.unece.org/trans/conventn/legalinst_07_RTRSS_RT1949.html

Then, the next and equally important piece of the puzzle is the Land Traffic Act of 1979, Title 3 Section 42. It clearly states that if there is mutual acceptance of licenses through treaty (like the treaty above) then "an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver's license issued by such a foreign government". Note that your home country and Thailand must have a treaty on mutual licenses. Most do so that shouldn't be a problem.

Land Traffic Act of 1979

Title 3: Driver's License

Section 42

Anyone who wishes to drive a motor vehicle on public roads must possess an appropriate driver's license. The driver must carry the driver's license and a photocopy of the registration book and show them to competent officers upon request. This does not apply for those who are learning to drive a motor vehicle according to the provision of Section 57.

If the driver is an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa, he may drive a motor vehicle with a driver's license specified in the Section 42-2. In such a case, he must carry documents specified by the treaty between the Thai government and the government which issued such driver's license, and show them to competent officers upon request.

Section 42-2

In case there's a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver's license, an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver's license issued by such a foreign government, or an automobile association authorized by such a foreign government.

http://www.bkkriders.com/law/motorvehicle.html

---

To address the many claims that "If you're in an accident you can't make a claim without an IDP." or "You can't rent a car without an IDP.".. I submit the following email responses from several car rental companies and insurance companies whom I asked for their policy on this issue. Not a single one came back saying I needed anIDP if a tourist in Thailand. The big companies clearly state it right in their website.

Pure Car Rent:

"Thank you for your email. Intenational drivers license is no need to translate because when it says International it should already in English and it is permited to use internationally.

About insurance coverage, for Pure Car Rent‘s insurance, Thai,

overseas or international driver’s license is acceptable for our

insurance companies. So if you drive Pure Car Rent‘s car with

driver’s license issued by your country, you and the car are covered

by insurance.”

HertzThailand.com:

"Rental Qualification :

Minimum renter age is 21 years.

Must hold a valid Thai driving license or a driving license from a

renter’s country of residence (with an English translation), or an

international driving license."

Budget.co.th:

Drivers License

All drivers must hold a current, non-probationary license.

The license may either be Thai, or from a renter's country of

residence (with an English translation) or an international drivers

permit. Licenses (and a valid passport) must be carried at all times

when driving.

Thai Rent A Car

In order to rent THAI RENT A CAR vehicle, a valid driver’s license from the customer’s country of residence

is required and must be presented at time of rental. International renters must present a valid license from

their country of residence, if the license is in a language rather than English, an International Driver’s

permit is required in conjunction with the country of residence driver’s license

http://www.thairentacar.com/RentalGuides/

AA Insurance Thailand:

"Your 'home' license is legal in Thailand - as long as it is legal in your own country i.e. not suspended !"

Viriyah Insurance:

“We acknowledge receipt of your e-mail and

very sorry for late reply. Regarding to your question, please be

inform that your legal drivers license issued by The United States of

America (date of license valid) is acceptable to use and drive the car

in Thailand and The Viriyah car insurance will be cover while have an

accident (Just in Thailand). Thank you for your kind interested.”

Bupa Insurance:

"For the international IDP is not a problem sir. As I have check with Bangkok. It’s not a problem for Bupa.

No problem with that and the insurance will be covered you for all.

-Prayurapong Pisanaka, Prayurapong Pisanaka, Executive Health & Financial Manager - Head Office

American International Assurance Company, Limited

----

And for those out there that are still doubting, here is a short collection of first hand accounts from various sources of the seemingly infinite reports of interactions between foriegners driving with no IDP and the Thai police. This reflects the actual reality of the situation on the ground in Thailand and should be the best measuring stick to the legality of diving on your home license with noIDP. It strikes me as very odd that the police who are so fond of finding any little thing to make some tea money seem to be ignoring this if an IDP is required. Anecdotal, yes, but evidence none the less. (No, I didn't write any of the Wiki Answers)

Lonely Planet entry:

"I've rented cars in Thailand many times. All the rental companies ask for is a driver's license (US state) and credit card -- just like everywhere else. I've been stopped by the police several times and the driver's license was fine."

Thaivisa member bob4you

I've been driving here for 5 years, stopped a couple of dozen times. Hawaii drivers license was accepted (never questioned once) each time.

ThaiVisa member bubba:

I have never had an International Driving License and I have driven in Thailand using both hired cars and my own car for about ten years now. I do have a valid licence from home. My insurance policy has a clause that states that only a "valid drivers license" is required for the class of vehicle insured. After inquiring, I got it in writing that this includes foreign licenses. I have been involved in three minor property damage accidents, two in a hire car and one in my own car. Whilst driving on a foreign license, my car was smashed by an uninsured pickup with my repair bill being 24,000 baht. My insurance company sent their adjuster out, he made out a report, and I was compensated fully. None of the police asked for a Thai or international licence, nor did the insurance companies and my own insurance company explicitly allows for coverage of drivers using a foreign licence, so long as that licence is valid for the class of vehicle driven. I have been stopped at police checkpoints and police invented traffic infractions dozens of times, and sometimes they ask for my licence. No problem. The police just want the money, not a big hassle. I have hired cars in Thailand dozens of times and no Thai or international licence is required by those companies either, including the majors such as Avis and Budget.

Here are the car rental companies in Thailand that I have used and none require an IDP or Thai licence so long as I had a recognisable and valid foreign licence:

Hertz

Avis

Budget

Master Car Rental

North Wheels (Chiang Mai)

ThaiVisa member tropa:

“I went through one of these road blocks on 3rd Road yesterday. I showed them my Australian drivers licence and they waved me through.”

landofsmiles from another forum:

"Your [home] licence is fine. Chances are in a few days you won't even go through any police checks and if you do it will still be ok. I don't have a bike endorsement on mine and I've been through dozens of checks. All they want to see is the word LICENCE and your photo."

ThaiVisa member fiddlehead:

"I always just used my state drivers licence from USA ... used the above for about 3 years ... Never got a fine for it. Except once because it had expired."

ThaiVisa member phuketrex:

"5 years in Thailand. Through 100's of police checks. Never a problem showing my British licence."

Commenter Robb at Pattaya One:

" I’ve been driving here for years only on my home country licence and never had a problem. Seem the police like the fact I have all my other documentation for my bike, nicely color photocopied and in a ziplok bag under the seat, they never question the fact I don’t have an international licence"

ThaiVisa member Deaw:

Cruising down 2nd road in Pattaya on my rented 'cycle, not far from the Central Mall; must've been about 30 cops there, with the orange cones and some barricades, flashing red lights, etc.....pulling over EVERY motorcycle, farang and Thai alike. This was at 5pm.

I got waved over by 2 guys .... helmet on; check. One says "license, please", and I hand him my N.Y. state drivers license. While he is looking it over, I say "I am a tourist here, I don't live in Thailand". Then I point to the "M.C." next to the Operator code and tell them "M.C., that means motorcycle".

The older of the 2 says "OK" and they stand aside and let me pass. Total time wasted; 30 seconds.

Total bribe and/or fine paid, and total number of laws broken; None.

ThaiVisa member collectsskulls:

"I have an international drivers permit but have never been asked for it only my Canadian one"

ThaiVisa member Kwasaki:

"I have never needed an IDP in Thailand having a UK valid driving license"

Wiki Answers

"All drivers must hold a current, non-probationary licence either Thai or from their own country but if it is not Thai or English they must carry an English translation or an international driving licence."

Wiki Answers

"I drove in Thailand for the first 12 months on a west Australian licence and was often checked but never a problem. Each time I was stopped at a police check point, the policeman seemed more intent on proving that he could read my name.

After that 12 months I got an International liicence whch was a waste of money as I still only showed my Australian licence.

So ,, short answer No you dont need one"

Wiki Answers

"International or US Driver's License and Passport is all you need."

Wiki Answers

"You don't have to have an international driver's license to rent a car, the rental agencies will rent you a car with a valid license from your home country. If you get stopped by the police make sure you show them your passport and the tourist visa stamp"

Wiki Answers

"If you are a farang and possess your home drivers license, that is enough. If a policeman (especially in Udon Thani) stops you, you simply show him your drivers license"

-----

Of course it doesn't hurt to have an IDP as long as it's not the bogus ones you see advertised online.

So bottom line, if a BIB does try one on and attempt to do you for no IDP as a tourist, all you need to do is point to your English license with a photo and repeat "International already." Show them your passport/copy of with your tourist visa/visa exempt stamp. Speaking Thai to him will only work against you. If he decides that you are a resident and not a tourist/visitor, he may try to cite you for not having a Thai DL, but that has nothing to do with IDP's.

Do the above and I guarantee the BIB will not cite you for diving on just your home license if:

1) You are a toursit/visitor.

2) It is in English.

3) It has a photo.

4) It is current

5) It is for the class of vehicle you are diving.

6) Your home country and Thailand have a mutual agreement on licenses.

http://www.unece.org/trans/conventn/legalinst_07_RTRSS_RT1949.html

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/dfat/treaties/1955/2.html

[NomadJoe]

And if you cause an accident and someone end up in intensive care and sue you for the cost, and your insurance won't cover, you could be down millions of baht. So I definitely would worry.

As for international conventions and articles, do you really want to stand on the street and argue that with constable Somchai? Isn't it easier just to get the right papers and be waved right through?

The Thai driving license also serves as a sort of "ID-card". It is very practical as such, you almost never need to carry your passport. And you often don't pay ripoff farang entry fees.

Agreed. I always fly domestically with it. No passport needed.

[NomadJoe]

I live in Hua Hin and recently there has been a lot of police stopping and checking for licenses, I know this is valid for a car but do you reckon sometimes the police won't have a proper read through the permit and let me get away with it?

Yes, happens very often, but also you might not. In the tourist areas they are now employing foreign volunteers to read the licenses to tell if it is correct.

Have the volunteers really got nothing better to do?

I find this a very useful thing for them to be doing. Cuts down on Somchai BIB randomly deciding you're not properly licensed here when you are, which happens a lot.

[Soutpeel]

I've been driving around for 30,000-40,000 km per year with my regular driving license.

Did have some minor accidents, no problem.

Was stopped several times, no problem.

Did rent a car a few times, no problem.

My insurance accepts my driving license.

It's not said that an IDL or IDP is for tourists only.

AFAIK an IDP has a validity of one year and is valid in Thailand for 90 days at a time.

If you are a "resident" of Thailand; leave the country every 90 days and get an IDP every year you're covered.

Of course it's easier to obtain a Thai DL.

Allow me to pose this question then...it obvious you are "resident" here irrepsective of the "legal loophole" you cite...but why havent you gone to get a Thai DL, with a current foreign license its easy and cheap to get..so what is it...too lazy or cant afford the THB 500 it costs to get one...?

[Bart123]

You are concentrating on the police allowing you to drive - that is not the problem, you could use just about any scrap of paper especially a pink one and you're fine.

The problem comes when you have an accident. That is when the BiB and especially the insurance will interpret everything to the strict letter of the law.

It is so easy to just get your Thai motorbike DL locally - just do that.

And if you don't have good insurance get that as well, but there is no point in paying for nothing - if you don't get legal first you won't be able to collect.

[Jerry Cornelius]

You are concentrating on the police allowing you to drive - that is not the problem, you could use just about any scrap of paper especially a pink one and you're fine.

The problem comes when you have an accident. That is when the BiB and especially the insurance will interpret everything to the strict letter of the law.

It is so easy to just get your Thai motorbike DL locally - just do that.

And if you don't have good insurance get that as well, but there is no point in paying for nothing - if you don't get legal first you won't be able to collect.

The best advice so far. It's a good idea to heed it.

If you ran in to me I would ensure checks were made to confirm that you had all the correct documentation. If you hadn't and tried to buy your way out. I'd just pay more to stop you.

I do this for any-one who has caused an accident with me. No exceptions.

Jerry

[Soutpeel]

You are concentrating on the police allowing you to drive - that is not the problem, you could use just about any scrap of paper especially a pink one and you're fine.

The problem comes when you have an accident. That is when the BiB and especially the insurance will interpret everything to the strict letter of the law.

It is so easy to just get your Thai motorbike DL locally - just do that.

And if you don't have good insurance get that as well, but there is no point in paying for nothing - if you don't get legal first you won't be able to collect.

The best advice so far. It's a good idea to heed it.

If you ran in to me I would ensure checks were made to confirm that you had all the correct documentation. If you hadn't and tried to buy your way out. I'd just pay more to stop you.

I do this for any-one who has caused an accident with me. No exceptions.

Jerry

and who decides who caused the accident then ? You... .....bit of the keyboard hard man coming through in this post I see...

[MrRealDeal]

x

Edited June 26, 2013 by MrRealDeal

[notmyself]

And if you cause an accident and someone end up in intensive care and sue you for the cost, and your insurance won't cover, you could be down millions of baht. So I definitely would worry.

As for international conventions and articles, do you really want to stand on the street and argue that with constable Somchai? Isn't it easier just to get the right papers and be waved right through?

Well said Sir.

[manarak]

If I get caught it's just a 200 fine here normally, unless the officers having a bad day of course

I reckon I would get away with it if the officer couldn't speak/write English too well, but I know its worth getting a Thai licensee and cheap so I'm going to look into it more

or when the mia noi wants some gold.

the point about the insurance is a very good one.

the best thing about getting a Thai DL - two actually - are the disappointed faces of the coppers when you flash it.

Edited June 26, 2013 by manarak