Driving licence expired.

[Torrens54]

Also take into account that to drive a scooter a motorbike license is required, car license with small bike endorsement if officially not sufficient.

I mist say I find the question a bit strange. Would you think that in your home country, where ever that may be, driving a car or bike with a passport is allowed? Or would they like to see a drivers license.

Glad you made the point Steven. For the life of me, I can't understand the cheek of some people who come to Thailand and just assume that they can get away with flouting the law because they happen to be form what they think is the "First World."

Their dress, their rude attitudes and frequently, loud mouths make all foreigners look bad. Basic rule of thumb: If you wouldn't say it or do it at home, then DON'T do it in Thailand!

[chicoelnino]

I meant to say that I've sent my old license home to get renewed, not my passport.

Really guys, some of you should try and get some fresh air every now and then.

You make me laugh. Anything said here that doesn't agree with ye then it's arms up in the air.

All I read about here is that rules don't apply here like they do elsewhere etc. So then I'm completely off my rocker for possibly thinking a passport might get me through a check point?

So do I also assume that because your allows 5 people on a bike over here with just the driver legally required to wear a helmet that the same rule applies back home?

NO!!

So really just have a little respect before you go throwing the doll out of the pram in future.

Such a useful forum ruined by those few muppets with no life.

[stoli]

This is like asking, "I lost my passport, can I just show my drivers license"? "If I can't pay for short time now, will you accept an IOU"? "I meant to bet on that horse in the race, but forgot. Will you pay me anyways"?

[nedkellylives]

All very confusing... I'll try and add my 3 sense here though.

A passport is a Government issued document to TRAVEL

A drivers license is a Government issued document to DRIVE

Now dealing with something that has elapsed or expired is different in every country and every individual will tell of a different experience. Though all the laws of most countries are the same, sometimes it comes down to whether or not the officer/clerk is having a good or bad day or your heartfelt apology to the officer as you hand them your license (that has an emergency fund tapes to it) and say "Could you please renew my license?".

Otherwise you speak of sending something back home to see if someone can renew it for you...?

You sent your old passport as ID for another person to renew your drivers license?

Back home?

So do you have a Thai drivers license or IDP (International Drivers License)?

Your (IDP) expired? Do they even issue IDP's for motorbikes?

What country are you from?

Check your options online. As an American, I can get an IDP from AAA in the USA through the mail. Perhaps your country offers the same.

As long as you have a motorbike license in you home country its included on your IDP

95% of people do not have a MB license in there home country so its not on there IDP

[stoli]

It's easy to get a Thai driver's license, and even someone with a tourist visa can do it. Licenses for cars and motorcycles are separate. You can get either or both. You have to provide a car or motorcycle for the driving portion of the test. Get a certificate of residence from Immigrations. You'll need a copy of your lease, the homeowner's Tambien Baan, and ID card. If you don't have a lease, just get a blank from a stationary store and fill it out. After you submit these documents, along with a copy of your passport, to Immigrations, you'll get a certificate of residence. It simply establishes an official record of your address. Take that, along with your passport, and a copy, to the Department of Land Transport. It's 180 baht, I think. Go early in the day, and plan to be there for hours. Bring a book. You'll get a vision test, a written test, a driving test, and so on. You'll get your license before you leave.

Do not forget to get a Medical Certificate from any clinic. 100-200 baht. Have now got my 5 year licenses, have never been asked for the homeowners Tambien Baan or ID card. This is in Pattaya. May be different elsewhere, but if you go to the Thai Drivers License website, is states nothing of these two items as being needed.

[LivinginKata]

No need for any insults - post starting it removed, plus the 2 replies.

[YeaBiGgiEs]

All very confusing... I'll try and add my 3 sense here though.

A passport is a Government issued document to TRAVEL

A drivers license is a Government issued document to DRIVE

Now dealing with something that has elapsed or expired is different in every country and every individual will tell of a different experience. Though all the laws of most countries are the same, sometimes it comes down to whether or not the officer/clerk is having a good or bad day or your heartfelt apology to the officer as you hand them your license (that has an emergency fund tapes to it) and say "Could you please renew my license?".

Otherwise you speak of sending something back home to see if someone can renew it for you...?

You sent your old passport as ID for another person to renew your drivers license?

Back home?

So do you have a Thai drivers license or IDP (International Drivers License)?

Your (IDP) expired? Do they even issue IDP's for motorbikes?

What country are you from?

Check your options online. As an American, I can get an IDP from AAA in the USA through the mail. Perhaps your country offers the same.

As long as you have a motorbike license in you home country its included on your IDP

95% of people do not have a MB license in there home country so its not on there IDP

Hey, thank you for clarifying that for me. I am from the USA and well you know it stands for the "Un-united States of America" as it is run like 50 different countries with different varying laws in each "State". In the States I'm from they break it down to the size of the engine which determines what it actually is. A moped, motorbike, electric-bike or any vehicle that is 49cc or under requires NO LICENSE. Anything over 49cc is considered a "motorcycle" and that requires an "m" endorsement which again each state has different means/methods to obtaining that.

Much to my surprise on my first visit to Thailand it was culture shock for me to see families of 5 and their pet riding around on what I had when I was 15 years old, a "moped". Further inquiry and I realized that the motorbikes here that look like "mopeds" are 149cc and higher. Back then my moped spent more time in the shop then it did on the road getting the piston "de-carbed" and mixing oil into the fuel was just a chore.

Thank you

[redcardave]

get a thai licence its easy problem sorted

[NomadJoe]

as well as you can pass the frontier showing your driving license.

I was allowed from Thailand into Myanmar on my driving licence!! It was an unplanned trip and I didn't have my passport with me. No problem said immigration...in you go!!

Re producing driving licence to police I was recently stopped at a routine check near Korat and was asked for my passport before they asked for driving licence. I carry a photocopy of my passport and visa but that causes the BiB to go ape. They left me in no doubt that my passport must be on my person at all times...not just when travelling. First time I have had that in 7 years here. I know that you are told to carry your passport but I prefer to keep it locked up for security reasons.

The "foreigners must always carry their passport in Thailand" myth actually comes from two laws which most foreigners don't understand. One is the Thai ID card act which requires all people whether Thai or foreign to be able to provide a "competent official" government issued identification when requested y such official. This can be in the form of the foreigners passport OR a Thai DL. The immigration law only states that you must be able to show the "competent official" that you have "entered the kingdom legally." Police have some discretion here. It is up the the official to decide if they consider a copy as proof you entered the Kingdom legally. Sometimes they will allow you to have someone fetch your PP, sometimes they will escort you to it.

Edited October 4, 2013 by NomadJoe

[NomadJoe]

<snip> Do they even issue IDP's for motorbikes? <snip>

Yes. Any DL, whether car or motorbike, can have an IDP issued off of it.

[Tomtomtom69]

For driving in Thailand with license from abroad IDP (not license) is not required (provided valid, in English and with photo). So no need at all to worry about obtaining the correct version of the IDP. Only use of the IDP is to hand over to the BIB in case stopped, and not having to worry about retrieving it.

What are you talking about? IDPs are expensive, so of course you should try to retrieve them if the police holds onto them.

[Tomtomtom69]

as well as you can pass the frontier showing your driving license.

I was allowed from Thailand into Myanmar on my driving licence!! It was an unplanned trip and I didn't have my passport with me. No problem said immigration...in you go!!

Re producing driving licence to police I was recently stopped at a routine check near Korat and was asked for my passport before they asked for driving licence. I carry a photocopy of my passport and visa but that causes the BiB to go ape. They left me in no doubt that my passport must be on my person at all times...not just when travelling. First time I have had that in 7 years here. I know that you are told to carry your passport but I prefer to keep it locked up for security reasons.

You might be allowed to enter Myanmar without a passport for a short trip like say 100m inside Myanmar for 1 hour, certainly not for overnight stays or any further travel inside the country though. For that, a passport and visa is required.

[stevenl]

For driving in Thailand with license from abroad IDP (not license) is not required (provided valid, in English and with photo). So no need at all to worry about obtaining the correct version of the IDP. Only use of the IDP is to hand over to the BIB in case stopped, and not having to worry about retrieving it.

What are you talking about? IDPs are expensive, so of course you should try to retrieve them if the police holds onto them.

Depends on where you're from. And even if expensive, it would save the hassle of having to go to the policestation and pay the fine.

[ableguy]

The correct answer is that cops will only accept a valid driving licence. A passport is not acceptable. You will be fined 500 baht. And don't forget that if you have an accident or incident then any insurance cover will be void if you are driving illegally.

True facts take note.

[stevenl]

Car, bike insurance covers the car, bike and any driver. If you are involved in an accident that the BIB consider is not your fault. Any lack of insurance, driving licence on your part is immaterial.

If no valid DL insurance can quite often and therefor will not pay. So if at fault lack of valid DL can cause problems, if not at fault will only lead to fine.

Edited October 7, 2013 by stevenl

[SDM0712]

My good friend (!!) has just got a new passport and recently moved. Consequently his 5yr driving licence now has details that are out of date.

Has anyone in the same boat bothered to get a new licence ? Are we obliged to get a new licence ? If anyone did what was required ?

SDM

[stevenl]

My good friend (!!) has just got a new passport and recently moved. Consequently his 5yr driving licence now has details that are out of date.

Has anyone in the same boat bothered to get a new licence ? Are we obliged to get a new licence ? If anyone did what was required ?

SDM

Don't bother, just update on renewal.

[jocko]

as well as you can pass the frontier showing your driving license.

I was allowed from Thailand into Myanmar on my driving licence!! It was an unplanned trip and I didn't have my passport with me. No problem said immigration...in you go!!

Re producing driving licence to police I was recently stopped at a routine check near Korat and was asked for my passport before they asked for driving licence. I carry a photocopy of my passport and visa but that causes the BiB to go ape. They left me in no doubt that my passport must be on my person at all times...not just when travelling. First time I have had that in 7 years here. I know that you are told to carry your passport but I prefer to keep it locked up for security reasons.

A few years ago I went to visit friends in Spain on my return journey he dropped me of at the Airport I go to check in no passport in my pocket I knew I had the passport in the car so I thought no problem will call my friend to return to Airport and check inside the car,unfortunately he didn't have his mobile phone with him and by the time I got in touch with him I could see it would be too late for him to get back in time for my flight so I went back to check in to see if they would accept my driving license as ID I also had other cards in my wallet with photo even one with national insurance number on it .

Missed flight buy a new ticket had one more night in Spain.