Anyone with any experience or information about this?

Suppose you move back to the USA and you no longer have any state driver's license. Only your passport. It would clearly be a major hassle, at least for awhile.

Would having a THAI driver's license make the transition process any easier? Could you rent a car, at least, with that?

My situation is that I'm strongly considering repatriation, but it may be after my current state license expires, and I don't have a Thai license (no need). I couldn't get a new state license online and it would be problematical to do even in person as I understand the requirements are stricter now.

Cheers.

I have some specific information about this but only as it pertains to California and the year 2013 when this happened. I returned to the USA from the Philippines with an expired Oregon DL. I was visiting my mother in CA and decided to visit the DMV for kicks and grins. There were signs everywhere stating that obtaining a CA DL did NOT confer residency. So, on the spot, I applied for a licence, passed the test and walked out with a licence. I used my mothers CA address. No mail from DMV, no tax claims, no nothing... I still have the licence. I used my passport as ID.

Then again perhaps things have changed.

I provided my passport (I did have my birth certificate as a back-up) and I used my parent's address in CA when I applied for a DL. I had no problems.

Use your Thai Driver's License and/or your passport when renting a vehicle.

I've never heard of Hertz/Avis/Budget turning anyone down armed with those.