Reader's submission: International Driving License at ANWB too expensive and validity too short
The preparation of our annual trip to Thailand takes time and money. That is no different this year. Last week we applied for our visas (we are going longer than 30 days). Pick up after two days. Costs € 35, = each (was € 30, = an increase of approx. 17%).
Visit the ANWB today for the international driving license. As a member (since 1973) of this organization, a discount was given in the past for requesting this document. Unfortunately, the discount has expired and the costs are now € 18,95 (an increase of approximately 8%).
Until last year you got a stamp on A Motocycles in the document, that is no longer applicable. Only on the cover page is a comment including an ANWB stamp (for what it's worth) placed 'Also valid for a moped'.
When asked whether the document could take effect on the first day that we were going to rent a car (mid-December), the answer was negative. Unfortunately, a clear argument could not be given.
The document is only valid for 1 year. That is not new (I seem to remember that more has been written about it in this blog) but I still find this a strange situation. Driving licenses in the Netherlands are generally valid for 10 years. My question is therefore valid why the international driving license can only last for 1 year, other than I can imagine that this is a turnover-increasing business for the ANWB that benefits no one else. It's high time something was done about this.
I had to get this out.
Submitted by Jaap
Beats. This document can simply be issued with 3 years validity as internationally agreed, but unfortunately this is not done.
I know several people who have an IRB from another country and they are all valid for 3 years.
This is another example where government (and in this case ANWB) does not deliver to citizens. Probably not interesting enough.
This is a tip that I don't know if it also applies in Thailand!? I have my own Dutch driver's license for Australia with a "certificate of authenticity" complete in English from the RDW for less than 5 euros. Valid as long as the driver's license is valid! As far as I know they only do this in English!
Depending on the countries you pass through on the way, you may need two different international driver's licenses. So a real world traveler can buy 2 right away. Current prices: EUR 18,95 and EUR 24,95.
I agree with you: validity period too short. Especially in relation to the annually recurring price / prices.
Don't understand this. On October 27, I picked up an international driver's license at the ANWB, Rotterdam branch. To my surprise, I was asked whether I want a validity period of one year or 3 years.
Of course I went for three years, it was a few euros more expensive. I also just got stamps for category A, A1, B and E, just like before. Very strange that you have different experiences, I did ask for validity in Vietnam and India, so not for Thailand. I would contact the ANWB head office. I agree with you that the price for this piece of paper is much too high, but if you spread it over 3 years it will still work.
Very strange that an organization such as the ANWB is involved in issuing an international driving license! A private organization designated by the government for this job. Incomprehensible!
Recently obtained an international driving license from the ANWB (Euro 27). It is valid for three years, but unfortunately the information on the cover page that it concerns an international driving license is only written in Dutch. Of course there are several pages in different languages, including English, that indicate for which categories the "permit" is valid, but that is not really clearly indicated. Now that probably isn't a problem if you only need it to rent a car in Thailand (if at all), but if you need it to get a Thai driver's license (on presentation of your NL driver's license) there is a problem: the cover page states that it is the international treaty of 1968, while the Thai Ministry of Transport requires it to read “1946”. Don't ask me why, but the lady from the department made that clear with a list of requirements. So then we got a statement from the NL Embassy to prove that our NL driver's license is real, and then there was no problem. You usually get there, but it is a lot of work…..
I don't think an international driver's license is valid in Thailand.
I had to get both a Thai driving license for motorbike and car, despite my international ANWB driving license for both. Otherwise you are not insured. Despite the fact that the landlord in Thailand reports this to you. Bad for his sales.
Even if you are stopped often without a Thai motorcycle license, you will have to pay THB 1000. Of course, putting it under saddle, the officer can put it in his own pocket. If you still want a receipt, hand in the keys and continue walking, and the next day go to the police station to pay and return the keys. These are many personal experiences, if I did want a receipt. Unfortunately nothing has changed in 15 years.
Good luck Jack.
Validity of international driving license. The international driver's license is not a driver's license but only a statement that you have a valid driver's license. In many countries you are EXEMPTED if you have an international driver's license, but this exemption only applies for a certain period of time. I believe that in Thailand you are exempt for 3 months or 6 months with this international driving license. Then you have to show a Thai. The same applies in the Netherlands. See National Road Transport Agency.
3 months. After that, you must have a Thai driver's license.
Last August anwb 24,95, valid for 3 years.
In Belgium this document is valid for 2 years, are we then no longer Benelux?
@Raymond
Don't worry, we are no longer Benelux, as it has now become the EU, and the Int. Driving license is still valid for 3 years, mine is valid until 28/05/2021, obtained 29/05/2018 in Antwerp, and as far as I can count to 3, that is 3 years, lol
Dear,
I picked up my visa last week at the Thai embassy in Brussels. Price: €40 (last year €30).
Can you not pick up an international driving license in the Netherlands at the town hall like in Belgium? In Belgium it is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.
Safe journey!
Regards,
Daniel M.
For years I have been amazed at the fact that the ANWB issues an International driving license without any form of any test whatsoever !!
Often never participated in left-hand traffic, no knowledge and knowledge of the traffic signs along the Thai roads, for example, these motorists are still allowed to move freely in the very busy and
chaotic traffic !!
Not surprising that this often ends badly !!
I myself have obtained the driver's license in Thailand, for both car and motorcycle, after having failed 3 times !!
I recommend everyone to do the same before participating in Thai traffic!!
Test??? The International Driving Permit is nothing more than a translation document that indicates which driving licenses you have in the country of issue. How do you imagine a test to be administered?
That is not strange, but applies to every country you travel to. In the UK you also drive on the left and you do not know all the traffic signs. You have a valid driver's license and on that basis you will receive an international driver's license. Additional tests are then not necessary. There are more twists in the scheme. Many people also have the right to drive a caravan behind their car due to the possession of a car driver's license. You have to see them once in a while when they have to park it somewhere. Only surpassed by the people who rent a boat and then enter a lock without any knowledge, ignoring all the rules and lights. Great pleasure for the bystanders (sarcasm).
It may be valid for a year, but you can only use it for 3 months in Thailand.
A category A stamp on the International driving license was / will only be placed if you also have it on your Dutch driving licence. The addition on the cover page 'Also valid for a moped' has been translated 'Also valid for a moped'. In fact, it is of no use to you in Thailand because there are no mopeds there. Apart from that, most Thai agents cannot read English. The validity of the Int. row. starts from the day of issue. At the Int. row. defaults to 'Date of issue' and not 'Valid from'. Seems logical to me that the ANWB does not stamp a future date on the date of issue. If you want to take advantage of the validity period for as long as possible, you must collect that driving license one day before departure. But why should you worry about whether it is valid for one or two weeks longer and the costs of € 18,95 do not really matter at all on the total travel sum of your holiday to Thailand. Go enjoy the anticipation of your trip and don't let that take away from you by a few euros more or less for that Int.rijb.!
What surprises me every time is that this IRB, which is valid for Thailand, has no Thai translation. It is in almost every language for which it is valid, but not in Thai. My wife's cousin is a police officer. He comes from Kamphaeng Phet and, like so many others, does not speak English. I had him look at my IRB and regular driver's license. He didn't understand anything about that IRB. He understood my normal driver's license, but not the story about the motorcycles. He sees my A1 driver's license for mopeds for the scooters with them and said I can drive on this.
According to ADAC (Germany) there are 2 models of International Driving Permits, the old model valid for 1 year and the new model valid for 3 years. The new model does not appear to be valid in Thailand yet. In Germany, the intra-driving license costs 15 euros.
The international driver's license, in English an International Driving Permit (IDP), according to the '1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic', has an expiry date of 3 years from the date of issue, or until the end of the validity period of the national driver's license if earlier is. It is valid in a country affiliated to the Convention for a period of one year starting on arrival in that country. Thailand has signed that Convention but has not (yet) formally ratified it as required by law. The Netherlands does, and is therefore bound by it upon issue. The ANWB is not acting correctly, must be the conclusion.
You must distinguish between the validity of the international driving license and the period during which you can drive in the various countries with this certificate without a driving license from the country in question.
In the Netherlands, for example, you must have a valid Dutch (or other European EEC country) after 180 days or 6 months. Read the official Rijksdienst Nederland website.
It was explained to me that with an international driving license of 1 year, you can drive for 3 months after arrival in Thailand, after which the driving license is no longer valid (for 1 year).
Does anyone know if this is correct?
Kind regards, Jacqueline
For the ANWB this is a multi-million dollar business... the number on it has no value, only for their administration. Thai police can't do anything with it. For 3 years is new for me, they used to give a free stamp A on it, but that doesn't happen anymore. But have I read before that you can only use it for 3 months? Is this right?
Hanshu, Jacqueline, Edward, etc.,
The international driver's license (IRB) – simply a translation into various languages of the driver's license in your possession – is valid for as long as stated on that document (1 or 3 years).
How long you can drive in a certain country with the IRB, together with your actual driver's license, is determined by that country.
In Thailand you can drive with your driver's license together with the IRB for 3 months. If you stay longer in Thailand, you must have a Thai driver's license to drive.
If you do a border run (after 3 months), the month counter starts again at zero.
I hope I've explained it clearly enough.
PS: Most Westerners in Thailand only qualify for driving licenses A and B. The other categories are professionally related and are therefore prohibited for them.
We often rent a car abroad. There has never been asked for an international driver's license when picking up the rental car.
Twice (1 x Thailand and 1 x Tanzania) by agent who wanted money. Not given both times.
We put a sticker on the date.
Yes Yvonne, that's all quite possible and this will go well as long as you don't have an accident because then your 'sticker' on the date won't save you. As long as it remains with material damage, you can pay for it yourself, but if there are injuries or, in the worst case, a death, you will have to dig deep into your wallet. You are without a valid driver's license, you deliberately commit fraud and you are not insured. And…. no one is free from being involved in an accident.
Anyone familiar with applying for an international driver's license in Bangkok or Chiang Mai?
Cost and waiting time.
Here in Italy it costs 80 euros for my partner with an Italian driver's license. It is not possible for me here, I still have my Dutch driving license…
In Thailand, international driver's licenses are issued by the offices of the Department of Land Transport, but only on the basis of a Thai driver's license. With an Italian or Dutch driver's license that will not work, I'm afraid.
I think the ANWB is a commercial company, what do they have to do with government documents?
It is indeed now that there are two types of Int. driver's licenses are issued. The old one is valid for 1 year and the “new” one for 3 years. However, both are valid for a number of countries. For example, I needed a new one for the USA, while the old one is needed for Australia and Thailand. Both are, I think, a treaty for 1970, so that driving license is not that new. It is strange that only the old was always available.