Need a thai driving license?

[BuffaloRescue]

Someone just told me i cant use an Australian drivers license any more? Is it true?

I drive my friends car

I own my motorbike

I have australian car license (but not bike license)

Am i basically uninsured then? Friend has full first class insurance

I dont speak thai do i need thai license?

[Rooo]

Moved to motoring.

[Trembly]

I don't claim to be an expert or a legal eagle but this is my experience :

The police have always accepted a UK license as sufficient and waived me on. I'm sure they talked about this when I went to get my Thai motorcycle license but can't remember what exactly was said.

I do know for a fact that a UK/US/NZ/AU/CA pilots license is accepted as fully equivalent (the CAA will issue a Thai pilots license upon presentation of aforementioned without the need for any exams or tests)... So perhaps there is a similar policy with land transport licenses.

Having said that, just get the Thai licenses mate. It's very easy and you can sit the theory tests in English.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[wym]

As above, there is usually no problem wrt police stops.

However as you know insurance companies will always refuse to honor their contracts if there is any way for them to get out of it.

The law in Thailand is once you've been here for X number of months you must get a local DL.

Obviously you've never been legal wrt motorcycles, and therefore wouldn't be covered in the event of an accident - very foolhardy IMO.

[Dellie]

To have a chance at a successful claim with an insurance company you will need atleast and International driving permit or even better a thai license. It is not hard to get either so I don't see the problem.

[speedtripler]

As above, there is usually no problem wrt police stops.

However as you know insurance companies will always refuse to honor their contracts if there is any way for them to get out of it.

The law in Thailand is once you've been here for X number of months you must get a local DL.

Obviously you've never been legal wrt motorcycles, and therefore wouldn't be covered in the event of an accident - very foolhardy IMO.

after the 3 months is up your expected to get a thai licence as your not 'on holiday "

[simple1]

OP: It may vary between insurance companies, but I have first class insurance & wanted it to cover another driver. Insurance company informed me I would have to name the driver and pay an additional fee, from memory about 1,500 baht a year. However, unless he has already done so, I assume your friend could upgrade his insurance cover for all licensed drivers.

Given the rampant corruption with the BIB you could no doubt pay a fee for not having the correct license for driving in Thailand, but if you were to have an accident it would be an expensive experience, especially if someone is injured or killed

[stevenl]

How long are you staying here? For short time stay home license is accepted and legally valid, for residents it is not, Thai license is required.

And your Australian car license is not valid for a motorbike in Thailand, not even short term.

[I knew this would happen]

How long are you staying here? For short time stay home license is accepted and legally valid, for residents it is not, Thai license is required.

And your Australian car license is not valid for a motorbike in Thailand, not even short term.

If you stay here for longer, do yourself a favour and get a Thai licencse. You are in Thailand so you should use a national licencese, simple as that. Yes many used their foreign ones for years and have had no problems with the police or their insurance, but why to take a risk? Getting one is usually very simple and done in half a day. Last time I was in and out from DLT Chatuchak BKK in 2 hours with my 5 year licencse. No Theory test, no movie, just the 3 basic tests. Same for the 1 first year licencse, just 3 basic tests.

Whatever happens then, noone can blame you on the legal side. Maybe it´s even your biggest advantage, there still many Thais without a licencse.....

[OMGImInPattaya]

OP: It may vary between insurance companies, but I have first class insurance & wanted it to cover another driver. Insurance company informed me I would have to name the driver and pay an additional fee, from memory about 1,500 baht a year. However, unless he has already done so, I assume your friend could upgrade his insurance cover for all licensed drivers.

Given the rampant corruption with the BIB you could no doubt pay a fee for not having the correct license for driving in Thailand, but if you were to have an accident it would be an expensive experience, especially if someone is injured or killed

The official fine for driving without a license is B2000, for an expired license it's B1000. These would be for Thai licenses.

[expatoz]

I have an Australian pilots license of which is not accepted in Thailand and must resit it again regardless of how many flying hours l have logged must do a minimum of 17 hrs again and pass all flying tests

[Dellie]

OP: It may vary between insurance companies, but I have first class insurance & wanted it to cover another driver. Insurance company informed me I would have to name the driver and pay an additional fee, from memory about 1,500 baht a year. However, unless he has already done so, I assume your friend could upgrade his insurance cover for all licensed drivers.

Given the rampant corruption with the BIB you could no doubt pay a fee for not having the correct license for driving in Thailand, but if you were to have an accident it would be an expensive experience, especially if someone is injured or killed

The official fine for driving without a license is B2000, for an expired license it's B1000. These would be for Thai licenses.

Well yes "official" fine. My sister in law is 46 and has never had a license. She pays 100 or 200baht when she get's stopped by police.

[Maestro]

Removed a spammer's off-topic post and the reply to it.

[Aldebaran1981]

Just checking with you guys.

If I am going to stay in Thailand for 1 year on ED visa, need I get a Thai Driver's licence?

My licence is from Malaysia.

How about if I purchase a used car.? How would the procedure and insurance coverage be like?