How to get an IDP in Thailand

[Ryder88]

I 'm here in Thailand have been over a year on ''retirement ''visa. During tht time my U.S license expired. Before it did I secured a Thai license , which is current. I need to get back to the states for an emergency. Two questions,

1.can I rent a car on a Thai license?

2. Or do I need an IDP ?

3. If so, how would I go about getting one?

 

My Thai license was issued in Chiang Mai, which is where I am at the moment.

Any info. appreciated,

Thanks

 

[Minnehaha]

I have rented a car in usa with Thai license and on one occasion used a fake IDP bought in khao sarn road. I would not do that again as I think the rental car insurance would be invalid if there were a claim

 

Best idea: call the rental car company and ask them what is required. Or look on website. I bet they legally must state requirements

[oxo1947]

I got an IDP last year because my Oz license was outdated...it was simple, 1 hour (2 photos) where you got your Thai licence from.....

[shady86]

You can rent with Thai license. In fact that is easier to rent compared to IDP. It shows you are familiar driving in Thailand.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[keeniau96]

Exactly where do you get an IDP? I have Thai driving license but my old USA state license expired long ago.

 

[skatewash]

I believe some Land Transport Offices will only issue the International Driver's Permit to holders of a full 5-year Thai Driver's License, not to holders of the 1-year driver's licence which has "temporary" status.  This issue is mentioned here:

 

[phuketrichard]

i  have a CA license but always rent a car with my thai license in the states,, also if ur ever stopped show them ur Thai license, Never got a ticket with it :-) but twice had a nice talk with the cop

[Belzybob]

In most cases IDPs are just peddled by the motoring organizations as a revenue stream. Very few developed countries require them as international treaties no longer require them. If you carry a driver's licence that isn't in English (with or without local language) then an IDP would be required.

[Ryder88]

4 hours ago, oxo1947 said:

I got an IDP last year because my Oz license was outdated...it was simple, 1 hour (2 photos) where you got your Thai licence from.....

i got it in CM

[Ryder88]

Thanks for feedback thing is the license is'nt in english ..of course..i'll try contacting a rental place ..

[bazza73]

4 hours ago, oxo1947 said:

I got an IDP last year because my Oz license was outdated...it was simple, 1 hour (2 photos) where you got your Thai licence from.....

That IDP was therefore based on the Thai licence, not the expired Oz licence, correct?

[soisanuk]

2 hours ago, skatewash said:

I believe some Land Transport Offices will only issue the International Driver's Permit to holders of a full 5-year Thai Driver's License, not to holders of the 1-year driver's licence which has "temporary" status.  This issue is mentioned here:

Not all Land Transport Offices will issue the IDP, e.g., the Banglamung LTO (serves Pattaya) does not issue them, but it can be obtained in Chonburi at the Provincial LTO.  The following is mentioned on an expat website:

Complete the Application Form and have with you the following:

1. Your passport andcopy of passport pages(copy of face page, Thai visa page, and last entrystamp)

2.The affidavit of the address from embassy or immigration.

4Two (2) photos (the size required for most passports)

5. Fee is505 Baht.

 

 

[oxo1947]

28 minutes ago, bazza73 said:

That IDP was therefore based on the Thai licence, not the expired Oz licence, correct?

Yes its in Thailand--so Thai licence ...it lists the countries that you can drive USA is one of them. Its all written in English with some pages especially for China and somewhere else. Lasts for just 1 year.

[Familyaffairs]

For Phuket for instance, go to the land transport office,they issue Int'l drivers licenses. Don't go for those scammers who offer int'l driver's  licenses, because they have no authority to issue them,  they are just a translation of yr license. Same as the erstwhile UN licenses issuer, who went to stay at the g'ment guest house.

[James2020]

From another forum: "Thai driver's license for drivng in USA?"  4/12/17

 

The problem is that the Thai DL office will not issue an IDP with the 2 yr "Temporary" Thai DL, only with the 5 yr Thai DL.  So the question of whether an IDP is needed becomes important if you only have the Thai 2 yr license, and cannot get an IDP in Thailand.  When I asked National Car Rental customer service about renting a car in the US, I was initially told that I needed a "Thai DL" and an IDP.  But after reading this forum, I asked again about the need for an IDP and sent them a copy of my 2 yr Thai DL.  The response I got this time, from the same person, was that since my Thai DL was written in both Thai and English, I did not need an IDP to accompany it.  Therefore, it seems that I can rent a car in the US with my 2 yr Thai DL from National Car Rental without an IDP.  The question of what each state requires, or the case of an accident with the rental car were not addressed.

[Ryder88]

19 hours ago, James2020 said:

From another forum: "Thai driver's license for drivng in USA?"  4/12/17

 

The problem is that the Thai DL office will not issue an IDP with the 2 yr "Temporary" Thai DL, only with the 5 yr Thai DL.  So the question of whether an IDP is needed becomes important if you only have the Thai 2 yr license, and cannot get an IDP in Thailand.  When I asked National Car Rental customer service about renting a car in the US, I was initially told that I needed a "Thai DL" and an IDP.  But after reading this forum, I asked again about the need for an IDP and sent them a copy of my 2 yr Thai DL.  The response I got this time, from the same person, was that since my Thai DL was written in both Thai and English, I did not need an IDP to accompany it.  Therefore, it seems that I can rent a car in the US with my 2 yr Thai DL from National Car Rental without an IDP.  The question of what each state requires, or the case of an accident with the rental car were not addressed.

 thanks James...interesting..yeah I have the two year license myself..so what they're  saying  is  I'd have to have a 5 yr. to get an international license...if so , then do you know if  can i apply for a 5 yr based on the current 2yr license?

[soisanuk]

Prior to expiration of the 2 year "temporary" license, you can apply for the 5 year license. - how long before?  As with immigration offices, the different Land Transport Offices (DLTO) seem to each have their own rules for when you can renew. So, it is best to check with your local DLTO Transport Office to see when they will do the renewal. If I recall correctly, the main DLTO website indicated 2 months before, but as mentioned, each DLTO has their own requirements.

[phuketrichard]

For PHUKET:
IF u apply for ur 5 year license and u have the 2 year license ( or a 5 year one) apply the DAY AFTER ur license expires,

than u end up getting 6 years out of it, :-)

 Thats what i did

The 5 year license,since its in english is valid for renting a car and driving in the states

[userabcd]

3 hours ago, soisanuk said:

Prior to expiration of the 2 year "temporary" license, you can apply for the 5 year license. - how long before?  As with immigration offices, the different Land Transport Offices (DLTO) seem to each have their own rules for when you can renew. So, it is best to check with your local DLTO Transport Office to see when they will do the renewal. If I recall correctly, the main DLTO website indicated 2 months before, but as mentioned, each DLTO has their own requirements.

I had my 2 year temporary driving licence for just over a year and was able to change it to a 5 year license. I would suggest a visit to the licensing authority and trying to apply for it, you may have some success. During my dealings with Thai authorities, I have have always experienced pleasant and efficient service.

 

At the same time I was able to apply for and obtain an IDP on the 5 year license (they told me they do not issue IDP on a 2 year temporary license)

[Ryder88]

want to thank everyone for their advice ad info. really.

i appreciate it..What I'm going to do is go to the CM office this week. I'll find out about the IDL and conversion from 2-5 yr. license..I'll get back and at least post what is going on here..so we have updated info...and as we know information is power!

[polyknikes]

Sorry for intruding, but can a tourist rent a car in Thailand without an IDP? I am getting an IDP since I will travel beyond Thailand, but I heard that in Thailand, you can rent a car with a foreign government DL if the DL is in English. Is this true?

[tonray]

Most state DMVs have a grace period of 2 or 3 years to renew your expired license without re-testing. I just did mine this year in NJ.

[stevenl]

10 hours ago, polyknikes said:

Sorry for intruding, but can a tourist rent a car in Thailand without an IDP? I am getting an IDP since I will travel beyond Thailand, but I heard that in Thailand, you can rent a car with a foreign government DL if the DL is in English. Is this true?

Legally yes, you can, but still police might see it as an opportunity for them.

[polyknikes]

On 12/28/2017 at 9:40 AM, stevenl said:

Legally yes, you can, but still police might see it as an opportunity for them.

Thank you, as long as it is legal, I am glad~