Thai drivers license in UK

[Johnniey]

Can I use my Thai drivers license in the UK? My father wants to add me to his insurance policy. I have lost my UK one.

[stoneyboy]

Yes for only 1 year I believe.

[Johnniey]

His insurance said no as I am a non resident. Yes, it is one year.

[emilymat]

His insurance said no as I am a non resident. Yes, it is one year.

This is nuts. If you are a non-resident you are not entitled to hold a UK driving license. I've been through all of this with the DVLA.

However, they have assured me (as the above poster states) that a Thai driving licence is perfectly valid in the UK for up to one year of use. I've hired a car that way - no problem. (It is because the license is in English/Thai and can easily be read by cops, rental companies etc.

You pop should press the insurance company to study the actual law.

[sumrit]

I'd left my UK licence in Thailand when I returned to the UK for a three month holiday a few years ago. The sergeant at my local police station confirmed I could use my Thai licence for up to one year. But any driving offences I committed while using my Thai licence would have to be dealt with through the courts, and not with the usual fixed penalty plus points on licence system, and this would probably incur a higher fine and extra court costs etc.

She (the sergeant) suggested that I could declare my UK licence lost and apply for a new one while back in the UK, using the friends house I was staying at as my current address.

[steve187]

Do you have a copy, if so renew on line to a new address( dads) if photo is still valid, No charge for change of address, ( as long as old photo is used) they will tell you to return old one.

if a new photo is required your passport photo can be used if issued less than 5 years ago.

[Johnniey]

Do you have a copy, if so renew on line to a new address( dads) if photo is still valid, No charge for change of address, ( as long as old photo is used) they will tell you to return old one.

if a new photo is required your passport photo can be used if issued less than 5 years ago.

I have the original somewhere in my house but my wife can't find it. My uk license doesn't have a photo. I haven't used it in over 30 years as been in Thailand.

[emilymat]

Do you have a copy, if so renew on line to a new address( dads) if photo is still valid, No charge for change of address, ( as long as old photo is used) they will tell you to return old one.

if a new photo is required your passport photo can be used if issued less than 5 years ago.

I have the original somewhere in my house but my wife can't find it. My uk license doesn't have a photo. I haven't used it in over 30 years as been in Thailand.

Just a point. How old are you (no need to say). Just remember you have to renew a UK licence at 70 y.o. anyway. You obviously have the old paper type for 30 years. I think you will find that the need for the second part of the licence (i.e. endorsements) is no longer needed.

[steve187]

if the licence is an old one and can not be found then a new photo one will need to be obtained. as posted can be done using passport photo if issued in last 5 years, if not then can be done at post office. just change address at the same time, to your fathers

[laolover88]

I would get an International Driving Permit also. Easily done at your local Office. It shows your "Domicile" as Thailand. That's valid for a year. If you are driving in the UK on a Thai licence most insurance companies will apply a hefty surcharge!-though strangely not car hire companies. There appears no limit on how many times you can go and come and start the 1 year period again! The 1 year limit only seems to kick in if you again become a UK resident.

PS I think there are one or two companies that do short term insurance Alpha? but probably pricey too

Edited March 13, 2016 by laolover88

[NanLaew]

His insurance said no as I am a non resident. Yes, it is one year.

This is nuts. If you are a non-resident you are not entitled to hold a UK driving license. I've been through all of this with the DVLA.

However, they have assured me (as the above poster states) that a Thai driving licence is perfectly valid in the UK for up to one year of use. I've hired a car that way - no problem. (It is because the license is in English/Thai and can easily be read by cops, rental companies etc.

You pop should press the insurance company to study the actual law.

What's nuts? You don't live there so why do you need one?

A 1-year (first) Thai DL is considered a 'provisional' license by the licensing authorities in Thailand and as such, some UK rental companies will not recognize it. The 5-year Thai license however is pretty much universally accepted by rental companies and police.

The insurance company doesn't extend coverage to non-resident, regardless of their nationality or family relationship and especially to ones that don't have a UK driving license in the first place.

There's more than one way to 'lose' your UK DL by the way. If it's misplaced, then getting a replacement is relatively easy. I just did the change-of-address on mine half an hour ago online and I should get the new one in a couple of weeks (at my new UK address). However, if you have 'lost' it through penalties...

[laolover88]

Yes. Presume you have a 5 year Thai licence? All EU states require you to extend your licence when you become 70 years old. Thais consider this ridiculous of course as a Thai licence is "for life" (well more probably death). The basic other principle apart from residence seems to be that if you want to exchange a licence for an EU one you must have a licence from a country that is recognised as having a " proper" driving test. Can't blame them for Thailand not being on that list can you.? But there even problems with US driving licences in the UK. Check and double check!!.

PS Of course Quote" Not informing DVLA of a change of address is a serious offence" Unquote. Bet you've done that.

Edited March 13, 2016 by laolover88

[emilymat]

The OP asked if he could use his Thai driving licence in the UK. He then went on to indicate the insurance company said it was not valid.

I assume he had a 5 year license and I was referring to the validity of that license, not the insurance company's own policy toward it.

[khwaibah]

Sounds to me he has a new 2 year Dl which is only a TEMPORARY, The license says so at the top. The OP says he lost his UK DL. A TEMPORARY Thai DL is not accepted any where but Thailand.

[Johnniey]

The OP asked if he could use his Thai driving licence in the UK. He then went on to indicate the insurance company said it was not valid.

I assume he had a 5 year license and I was referring to the validity of that license, not the insurance company's own policy toward it.

Yes, I have a 5 year Thai license. y brother has a few contacts in the business and is looking into it today.

My father's insurance company said even if I had a valid UK license, they couldn't add me to his insurance as I am a non-resident.

[Johnniey]

His insurance said no as I am a non resident. Yes, it is one year.

This is nuts. If you are a non-resident you are not entitled to hold a UK driving license. I've been through all of this with the DVLA.

However, they have assured me (as the above poster states) that a Thai driving licence is perfectly valid in the UK for up to one year of use. I've hired a car that way - no problem. (It is because the license is in English/Thai and can easily be read by cops, rental companies etc.

You pop should press the insurance company to study the actual law.

What's nuts? You don't live there so why do you need one?

A 1-year (first) Thai DL is considered a 'provisional' license by the licensing authorities in Thailand and as such, some UK rental companies will not recognize it. The 5-year Thai license however is pretty much universally accepted by rental companies and police.

The insurance company doesn't extend coverage to non-resident, regardless of their nationality or family relationship and especially to ones that don't have a UK driving license in the first place.

There's more than one way to 'lose' your UK DL by the way. If it's misplaced, then getting a replacement is relatively easy. I just did the change-of-address on mine half an hour ago online and I should get the new one in a couple of weeks (at my new UK address). However, if you have 'lost' it through penalties...

Thanks for this information, I might get a new license for the future. Was it free?