Other threads on this topic appear to have been archived.

Before leaving California, I was told at AAA that I would need to RETURN to the USA (arrrggh) when it came time to renew my IDP (International Driving Permit), the somewhat redundant document that makes my English-language California DL acceptable overseas by putting it into the world's language, English (!)

Wrong. It can be renewed from right here in Chiang Mai, 6 months in advance of the effective date I choose on the application form.

Here's the link:

http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html

edited

Moved to the Thailand Motor forum.

yes but only any use here for 90 days, after that must have thai licence.

yes but only any use here for 90 days, after that must have thai licence.

Yes, plus not required anyway. Home licence is sufficient.

yes but only any use here for 90 days, after that must have thai licence.

Yes, plus not required anyway. Home licence is sufficient.

Re "home licence is sufficient": that depends on the police officer checking your licence. Some will accept your home licence, others will tell you that this is Thailand and you need a Thai licence to drive here. I withnessed this about a year ago at a check point in Korat. The other foreigner was fined.

yes but only any use here for 90 days, after that must have thai licence.

Yes, plus not required anyway. Home licence is sufficient.

Re "home licence is sufficient": that depends on the police officer checking your licence. Some will accept your home licence, others will tell you that this is Thailand and you need a Thai licence to drive here. I withnessed this about a year ago at a check point in Korat. The other foreigner was fined.

Hope you never have an accident as your insurance will be invalid without the IDP and after 90 days must have Thai licence.

yes but only any use here for 90 days, after that must have thai licence.

Yes, plus not required anyway. Home licence is sufficient.

Re "home licence is sufficient": that depends on the police officer checking your licence. Some will accept your home licence, others will tell you that this is Thailand and you need a Thai licence to drive here. I withnessed this about a year ago at a check point in Korat. The other foreigner was fined.

Hope you never have an accident as your insurance will be invalid without the IDP and after 90 days must have Thai licence.

Correct regarding the 90 days, not correct regarding the IDP. There is no legal requirement for an IDP, home licence is sufficient provided in English and with photo.

Where I live, my statement is the law, maybe different where you live, just do not come to Loei with no IDP and have an accident, monkey house for you, of coarse Thai licence is fine is you have been here over 90 days.

stevenl is quite correct in what he says. However, some policemen are unaware you do not need and IDP and it may smooth your day if you can produce one (or Thai licence) upon request.

Why would the large multinational car rental co's allow you to take out a car without an IDP if it was legal requirement?

yes but only any use here for 90 days, after that must have thai licence.

Yes, plus not required anyway. Home licence is sufficient.

Re "home licence is sufficient": that depends on the police officer checking your licence. Some will accept your home licence, others will tell you that this is Thailand and you need a Thai licence to drive here. I withnessed this about a year ago at a check point in Korat. The other foreigner was fined.

Hope you never have an accident as your insurance will be invalid without the IDP and after 90 days must have Thai licence.

I seen that posted many times on Thai forums over the years but never once seen evidence for it to be fact, only seen the opposite to be the case.

yes but only any use here for 90 days, after that must have thai licence.

Confirm you are saying that IDL is only vailid for your first 90 day visa and that one needs a Thai licence after this. Does one have to do a learners and jump through hoops to get a Thai licence or is ones home licence enough?

yes but only any use here for 90 days, after that must have thai licence.

Confirm you are saying that IDL is only vailid for your first 90 day visa and that one needs a Thai licence after this. Does one have to do a learners and jump through hoops to get a Thai licence or is ones home licence enough?

Yes, after 90 days Thai DL is required.