Driving with but apparently without driving license

[Ankel]

Hi all!

I will be in holidays in Phuket for 2 week next month, and one thing I'd love to do it is going around the island with a 4x4 or Motorbike.

Now,

I have already the International Driving License 1949 convention and European patent A-B, so in theory I could drive without any problem right?

My problem is, that the driving licenses are home! And I have no idea how to make them ship to Phuket once on the place (I m not able to retrieve these days...)

So, will be any problem circulating with copies of the driving license?

Thanks in advance!!

[stevenl]

You don't need IDP anyway. Homelicense, with photo and in English, is sufficient.

Wait, you mean your licenses are at home? Original licenses are a legal requirement.

[Ankel]

I mean that I woudnt have the original copy with me in Thailand at the moment ... (if they ask).

But in the worst case, they will be able to check that I m legally able to drive in the country (you know for legal reasons, like accidents etc.).

[Dancealot]

The police have to assume you really have a drivers licence at all. If you choose to drive without the original be sure to always carry the IDL, your passport and the copy of the original.

You can still be fined but along with your story, carrying all these documents is a sign of good intentions to the police. If you get into an accident you'll be in trouble. It's your choice.

[edit] I suggest you get a new one while you can, whatever it takes.

[Ankel]

The police have to assume you really have a drivers licence at all. If you choose to drive without the original be sure to always carry the IDL, your passport and the copy of the original.

You can still be fined but along with your story, carrying all these documents is a sign of good intentions to the police. If you get into an accident you'll be in trouble. It's your choice.

Hi,

why I would be in trouble? I have actually got an international driving license (differently from 90% of tourists). According to Thailand laws, is the only document they allow u to legally drive in the country, any other driving license should be rubbish (both for police and for insurance companies).

In most of other countries, you need to have obtained a valid driving license, if you cannot show it ...they just check, worst case you get a fee. How does it work in thailand?

[KhunBENQ]

You will be in Phuket next month for two weeks?

Your IDP is at home (UK or where?).

There is no one at home who could send it with registered mail to Phuket general delivery/poste restante?

[Ankel]

I'm thinking about make it send through DHL to the hotel .. it will be expensive but seems the correct way to do it.

Btw I am no Englishman... never said that.. Europe is made by many countries ahaha

[IMHO]

I'm thinking about make it send through DHL to the hotel .. it will be expensive but seems the correct way to do it.

Btw I am no Englishman... never said that.. Europe is made by many countries ahaha

Indeed It's made up of Germany and some outlying states it supports

[KhunBENQ]

I'm thinking about make it send through DHL to the hotel .. it will be expensive but seems the correct way to do it.

Btw I am no Englishman... never said that.. Europe is made by many countries ahaha

DHL or just registered mail.

And IDP is not such an irrecoverable document.

never said that.

Thats why I put a ?

Some would even dispute that UK belongs to Europe

Keep it as a secret.

Also you did not mention that you already have a hotel booked.

That's why I suggested last resort "general delivery/poste restante".

[stevenl]

The police have to assume you really have a drivers licence at all. If you choose to drive without the original be sure to always carry the IDL, your passport and the copy of the original.

You can still be fined but along with your story, carrying all these documents is a sign of good intentions to the police. If you get into an accident you'll be in trouble. It's your choice.

Hi,

why I would be in trouble? I have actually got an international driving license (differently from 90% of tourists). According to Thailand laws, is the only document they allow u to legally drive in the country, any other driving license should be rubbish (both for police and for insurance companies).

In most of other countries, you need to have obtained a valid driving license, if you cannot show it ...they just check, worst case you get a fee. How does it work in thailand?

On all fronts incorrect.

IDP is not legally required. With IDP home license is required. You can not show that, so you're driving illegally. License at home etc. is really of no effect.

To drive here legally you need to have your home license with you.

[jay1980]

Another way would be to get a thai licence.

When I got my Thai bike and car licence here they only wanted to see my IDP, not my home country licence.

You would need to get a certificate of residents (from a local immigration office) and a doctors certificate (from a local clinic). With the IDP you should only need to do a colour blindness and perception test and watch a short safety video, when I got mine in Pattaya I was all done within a couple of hours.

[ardokano]

1Thailand signed Vienna Convention on Road Traffic 1968.

And not ratification.

But Under Article 18 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, states that have signed or ratified a treaty are supposed to refrain from acts which might defeat the object and purpose of the treaty pending its entry into force.

Under Article 41 Coutry in Vienna Convention on Road Traffic 1968 must accept nationality drivers license if NDL have standart under Article 43 and Annex 6 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic 1968.

2.Thailand Ratification 15 Aug 1962 geneva convention on road traffic 1949

Under Article 24 states that have ratified it accept nationality driver permit and CAN request iternationa Driver Permits

International or national DL mast be under Annexes 9 and 10.

so only IDL not accept need have NDL with IDL together.

3. Copy IDL, NDL not accept becaouse it NOT ID so it not follow standarts.

And reality in Thailand its different

Any Police administration even distric have different follow and police officer also follow just what think cominng in his mind

I have see When accept copy NDL with out new standarts. Have see when accept expiry date NDL

When accept with out categories.

And also see when penalty with out International DL.

Showed a poster on the wall police stantion with the image of an international DL, and said that the need of this type and national DL another country are not valid in Thailand( this is happened in Pattaya with my friend)

So if do not want have trouble need:

1. NDL+ IDL

2. Thailand NDL

Cheers

[steve187]

its no problem,

if you get stopped give the Thai policeman the phone number of your local police station,once contacted by your bib, they will nip round to your house and check that you do in fact have a licence to cover you, happens all the time,