is a AAA International Drivers License, issued in USA, valid for only 6 months from issue?

[chubby]

hello, did a search of TV a bit found this old post: "all good info, I have a IDL and a existing US drivers license however I was told by the AAA (american automobile association) that the IDL is valid in virtually all countries listed on the contents for 12 month, but for Thailand the validity was 6 month and not 12 month. " from 2010

and am curious if this is still true if so I should plan on getting the IDL close to the date of my next trip to Thailand, since the IDP expires?

[ukrules]

I believe you'll find that a Thai license is required if you're staying in Thailand on a long term visa for more than 90 days at a time. This is how it was explained to me by the traffic police.

More than a 90 day stay = Thai license required. If you're doing visa runs every 90 days then you will obviously never stay for more than 90 days.

If you bring your original US license you should be able to get a Thai license issued based on already passing a test back home but this depends on what type of visa you hold.

I did this process with my UK driving license about a year and a half ago. First they issued a 1 year license, once that expired I renewed it and got a 5 year license issued.

[Jay Sata]

So called international driving licences or permits are no more than a translation of your home countries licence details.

Most countries allow you to drive as a tourist on your home licence but not as a resident for any prolonged period of time.

[manarak]

So called international driving licences or permits are no more than a translation of your home countries licence details.

Most countries allow you to drive as a tourist on your home licence but not as a resident for any prolonged period of time.

Not only is the international DL only a translation, but also it is only valid if shown together with the original license, although Thai police are lax on that point.

[Jay Sata]

So called international driving licences or permits are no more than a translation of your home countries licence details.

Most countries allow you to drive as a tourist on your home licence but not as a resident for any prolonged period of time.

Not only is the international DL only a translation, but also it is only valid if shown together with the original license, although Thai police are lax on that point.

Part of the reason being many are unable to read English. I was stopped some years ago and offered my old green Welsh language driving licence. The guy nodded in approval and waved me on my way.

Driving licence are a bit of a joke in Thailand as around half the poulation or more do not hold one.

[Smokin Joe]

1. There is no such thing as an International Driver's License. What AAA issues (as chartered by the US Govt) is an International Driver's Permit (IDP) which is the document that the guarantees the acceptance of your home country license in other countries that signed the same agreement at the International Road Traffic Convention.

The IDP is not a license and is no good by itself. It is a supplement to your home country license.

Fake "International Driving Licenses" are readily available Any ad for an International Diving License would be for the fake ones. The IDP's are only issued by the goverments that signed the International Road Traffic Convention or their designated representatives. In Thailand the govt. issues IDP''s, in the US, UK, Can., and Aust. the IDP's are issued by auto clubs that were given that authority by the govt.

1. The statements that the International Driving Permit (IDP) is only a translation are not true. The translations are the least important part of the IDP and there is no requirement that it has to be translated into the language of the country it is being used in.

The IDP is the official document that will guarantee acceptance of your home license and it also shows what category of vehicles your home license is valid for.

However, the IDP may not actually be required to drive in a particular country. That is up to each individual countries discretion. For example an IDP is not required in California or Nevada if you have a foreign license, but if you have an IDP you would be assured that your license was valid in all 50 states.

There are also many other agreements between countries concerning acceptance of driving licenses such as the ASEAN agreement that the 10 countries will honor the license from the others. These agreements have nothing to do with the Road Traffic Convention's and IDP's wouldn't be needed.

Also as stated there are other rules such as time limits on how long you can uses one before getting a local license.

[rijb]

The police won't give you a hard time about an IDL. But, you need a Thai license to avoid any problems with auto insurance.

[ubonjoe]

Not visa related. Moved to the Thailand motor forum.