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Home » Reader question » International driver's license in Thailand?
International driver's license in Thailand?
Dear readers,
What I would like to know if you are checked for an IRB driver's license or do they not look at it so closely? Or do you have to show an IRB when you rent a car?
Or is it wise to have it converted in the Netherlands for an IRB before going to Thailand?
thanks in advance!
Sincerely,
Herman
Editors: Do you have a question for the readers of Thailandblog? Use it contact form..
An IRB as you call it is not a conversion of your normal driver's license but an addition. In Thailand you must have both with you when you drive. And yes, they are checked.
If you don't have one or if they are no longer valid, this will have annoying consequences if damage occurs; then you can pay everything and you can even go to jail until payment is made.
If you live in Thailand, you must get a Thai driver's license. Also remember that what we call a moped in Thailand is always a motorcycle for which you must have a motorcycle license.
Hi Erik,
Thank you for the information,
But aren't there scooters for rent that don't require a motorcycle driver's license?
Regards Herman
Hello Herman,
Most scooters are 110 and 125 CC or higher. Very difficult if not impossible to find a rental scooter under 50CC. This means that you need a motorcycle license to drive it. This is often not a problem during police checks, but it certainly is if you get into a collision. And don't forget, if you end up in the hospital, the costs will usually be recovered from you by your insurance. So that can be quite expensive.
In Thailand, most "mopeds", almost all, are more than 50CC motorcycles. It won't be easy to find a <50CC for rental.
Herman, there are already two good responses to your question. It's true, you won't find 49cc mopeds for rental and 'electric' is still in its infancy in Thailand. So, if you don't have a motorcycle license, stay away from it! No correct driver's license (or alcohol consumption)? Then the insurance does not cover.
A valid driver's license is just something you must have, for yourself. If something happens, you're okay.
In Thailand I once had to show it to police who stopped me. That
rotated it a few times and looked at the picture and that was it. They also asked me something, but I don't speak Thai and couldn't answer and that was it.
But in Belgium, I have not been subject to any control in the last 10 years. Can you also ask the question? Do you need a driving license in Belgium?
That's how it went for me. 11 years ago I applied for an international driving license in Belgium. You can if you have a Belgian driver's license. Then I went to Thailand to get my driver's license. You need to refresh that every now and then. It's also practical. If you need a legal document anywhere, it's your passport. But I don't have that with me and then they accept my Thai driver's license
Never save on essentials. Just visit the ANWB and for less than € 25,00 you will have things in order for 12 months.
Dear Herman,
regarding driving licenses in Thailand has been covered many times on TB.
The chance of being checked is very limited, depending on where you are driving. However, this does not mean that you do not have to have a valid driver's license. In Thailand, as a tourist (max 3 months), what you call an IRB, together with the national driver's license, is mandatory. The problem arises if you are involved in an accident, something that can happen to anyone. If it turns out that you do not have a valid driver's license, no insurance will cover the damage, just like in your home country. If, even if you are not at fault, there is an injury or, in the worst case, a death, I do not want to be in the shoes of the person concerned.
If you live in Thailand, you must have a Thai driving license.
If you rent a car: depending on the rental company, they will ask for a valid driver's license or not. If he does not do so, the responsibility remains with you in the event of an inspection or accident. After all, you are the responsible driver. There is no difference in Thailand with your home country regarding this.
I have always understood that a national driver's license, including the English language, was also sufficient.
I've even had them ask for my passport during a traffic/speed check
Dear Jacob,
'YOU understood that', but according to Thai law that is NOT the case. Your national driver's license, even if it contains the English language, is of no value in Thailand. Whether you could continue with it during a check depends entirely on the agent who did the check.
The fact that your passport was asked for during a check is also not abnormal. It all depends on what the officers are instructed to check by their superior: today it could be wearing a helmet, tomorrow it could be the tax certificate and the day after tomorrow something else. That's how it is in Thailand: check only what they are told. Most people here on TB who live in Thailand know how it all works here.
That the national driver's license is of no value in Thailand is also not true, dear Eddy.
As you wrote on 1/8/2022 at 04:19 am, you must have a valid national and international driver's license (for Dutch people with translation into multiple languages of the ANWB) with you while driving a motor vehicle. If one of those two is missing, you are in violation.
@Herman
Read this reader's question and the responses.
https://www.thailandblog.nl/lezersvraag/scooter-huren-en-wat-betaald-de-verzekering-bij-een-ongeluk/
Jacob, you should always have a (copy) passport with you in Thailand; the Thai is also obliged to carry an identification.