I can see that this question has been covered many times on this site but somehow i have not been able to get a clear answer.... So here goes.

My brother is visiting for a couple of months, he does not have an IDP (International Driving Permit) he just has a full clean UK licence. no issues with credit card or anything like that. Basically we are looking to hire a car for a couple of days to do some house hunting in Bangkok. My question was, on a tourist visa does he need an IDP to rent a car from the big companies... Hertz, Avis, Budget etc..

I am not asking what the deal is if pulled over by the police as we all know the laws can be a little grey.

Any help or advice much appreciated.

Edited July 17, 201411 yr by arnold40844

I have never been asked to provide an IDP by any of those agencies.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

None of the majors have ever asked me but if there's an accident and he needs to make a claim with his travel insurance there may well be issues if he does not have an IDP.

Best to check the policy for conditions, also some CC's provide complimentary insurance when using the card for the hire so wise to check out their terms as well.

By law IDP is not required (provided he has a modern UK license with photo which is valid for the vehicle used). None of the rental agencies will ask for an IDP as well.

His travel insurance may require an IDP, check the conditions.

When I first came to Thailand I hired a Jeep, no IDP required at all.

I unfortunately did have an accident in it, and the IDP was required by the Thai vehicle insurer at that point, I was informed it was lucky I had it.. something to bear in mind.

Edited July 18, 201411 yr by rwdrwdrwd

Thanks for the replies. he has no travel insurance like me he likes to live on the edge...

Will call up Mastercard and see if they need an IDP for Thailand, they didn't in Mexico or Miami when he wrote off a Dodge... in his defense it was not his fault someone went in to the back of him.

When I first came to Thailand I hired a Jeep, no IDP required at all.

I unfortunately did have an accident in it, and the IDP was required by the Thai vehicle insurer at that point, I was informed it was lucky I had it.. something to bear in mind.

An IDP is a translation of a license into English. So if your license is already in English why on earth would you need an IDP?

Would suggest in the above case the insurance co. were trying it on as a get out jail free card for them.

There must be lots of TV members who have had bumps with hired cars (given the way Thais drive!) so why are we not getting any first hand reports?

To travel to a third world country without adequate health/personal accident insurance is foolhardy.

Edited July 20, 201411 yr by Lancashirelad

To travel to a third world country without adequate health/personal accident insurance is foolhardy.

I have heard that some of those African countries barely have hospitals too.