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Home » Reader question » Is an International Driver's License required to drive a car in Thailand?
Dear readers,
Is an International Driving Permit really necessary or not to be allowed to drive a car in Thailand as a tourist (of course if you have a national driving licence/European driving licence)?
In the past I always went to get an international driver's license when I went to Thailand, but I always ask myself whether it is really necessary (especially when I read the text below that I found on the internet).
According to the UN Traffic Act of 1949 and the Thai Traffic Act of 1979, an IDP is not required if you are a tourist/visitor in Thailand as long as your license is in English, has a photo, and your country is a contracting state of the 1949 treaty, which most are.
But for safety's sake, I'll go get a new international driver's license (a matter of not having to argue with the corrupt police, which I'm sure I'll encounter again this time)!
Regards,
Willem
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Willem, according to this site it is mandatory in Thailand. https://www.expeditieaardbol.nl/internationaal-rijbewijs/
It is the recognized translation of your national driver's license, even if it is questionable whether every uncle agent in Thailand can read another language.
But if the national driver's license is not accepted, you drive around without it and that can have consequences for insurance coverage. You may not even be able to rent the vehicle, your uncle cop has to pay a fine and in case of a collision and claims you may sleep in the police hotel until the claims are resolved. I wouldn't take the risk.
Yes, I was stopped several times and really had to show him.
Once even had the agent borrow my inter driver's license to show another tourist what he needed.
Just to anwb with photo about 18 euros for a year.
Gr
For the price and effort, I wouldn't pass it up. If it turns out that you are illegally driving a car in Thailand without an international driver's license and you cause damage and/or injury, your insurance may not cover it.
About whether or not it is mandatory to have the int. driver's license you sometimes read the most contradictory messages on the internet. Of course, only 1 statement can be correct ... and that is the legally established statement. This is exactly what I would like to find out. It is not because the local corrupt police insist that you can show him the international driver's license that it is mandatory at all. After all, the local police officer is all about collecting some extra pocket money (and sees this as easy prey). I always make sure that I collect it myself. have a driver's license with me when I'm in Thailand (cost is negligible). No int. having a driver's license and arguing with the local police won't do anything, I know that, but that's not the point here either. That sometimes it is not possible to rent a car without int. driver's license is also valid. But not every tourist who drives a car in Thailand has this car through a recognized rental company. There are plenty of farangs who drive the car of someone from the Thai family (let's assume that that family member's car also meets the correct insurance standard - which unfortunately is almost never the case). What matters is: what could (according to the letter of the law) be the insurance-technical and legal consequence if a tourist (who is in Thailand with a tourist visa and less than 90 days) causes an accident and does not collect income. has a driver's license (so only the national/European driver's license), assuming that he drives a vehicle that is perfectly in order with all insurance and registration conditions! Perhaps there are readers who have knowledge of the legal and insurance aspects of this question. Of course everyone is allowed to give their personal vision and experience, but as said before … there can only be 1 correct statement … and trying to find out is the key question!
Dear Willem,
the answer to your question is dead simple: YES.
Driving in Thailand with an international driver's license is limited to a consecutive stay of 90 days. If longer you must have a Thai driver's license.
Keep in mind that in Thailand, depending on the vehicle, a car or a motorcycle, you need an international driver's license that mentions both categories.
Driving around without an international driver's license is taking serious risks. I'm not just talking about the chance of getting caught, but in case of an accident. Then you are the job.
I suspect this is not correct. I suspect that in Thailand, just like in European countries, you can drive for 90 days with your Dutch driver's license. After that it's over. But Willem maybe you can name an official source then I would like to learn what the right thing is.
Unfortunately the text is in English, but here's your answer:
To drive or lease a car in Thailand as a tourist or visitor it is necessary to have either a Thai driving license or a valid foreign driving license with a photograph. The foreign license must either be in English, or be accompanied by an official translation into English or Thai. The license needs to have been issued by a country that has a treaty with the Thai government allowing the mutual acceptance of driving licenses. Most countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA have this agreement with Thailand under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Those in doubt should contact their embassy for advice: Click here
An International Driver's License/Permit (IDL/IDP) is also valid in Thailand, and available from a government department or authorized auto club at a small expense. A foreign driving license valid under the 1949 or 1968 Conventions qualifies the license holder to apply for the IDL/IDP, and its holders may find that it is more often recognized and accepted by police and civil service officials. Beware of the many IDP/IDL websites that are not legitimate.
If the driver is not a tourist or visitor but is a resident with a non-immigrant visa, then it is necessary to have a Thai driver's license.
Source: https://www.angloinfo.com/
Henry, all clear, thanks. Since the NL driving license is not in English, you need the International Driving Permit.
We also got such an International driver's license, last time we didn't, were stopped and fined, which is cheaper than the driver's license
I think it is mandatory.
Only the international driver's license is in many languages, but not in Thai. Now the police in the tourist areas can speak English, but certainly not in Kampheng Phet. They really can't do anything with it. My wife's cousin is a police officer. I had this checked once whether ok with my BE driving license, with which I can also drive a moped in the Netherlands, was also valid for a 125 cc motorcycle in Thailand. I gave him both. After looking at the international driver's license for a few minutes and showing it to a few others, I got him back with the message that he didn't understand this and he continued with my regular driver's license. After looking at this for a while, he came to the conclusion that it was allowed.
An international driver's license is not required to legally drive a car (or motorcycle).
The problem is that all insurances require an international driver's license for foreigners (or a Thai driver's license of course)
If you drive a rental car without an international driver's license, you are therefore not insured. And that is why the police will fine you for not having an international driver's license…..
Arjen.
I have a European driver's license with photo and text 'drivers license' and furthermore the categories to which it applies. Is therefore sufficient to drive as a tourist.
I would like to add that the chance that you will be checked in Thailand is many times greater than in Belgium or the Netherlands. So make sure you're okay.
I have had my driver's license for 27 years now and have driven about 10.000 kilometers in Thailand by car. I have been checked more often in Thailand than here in Belgium / the Netherlands, so that says something.
According to my girlfriend, you can simply apply for an international driver's license in Hua hin, does anyone have experience with that?
In order to find an answer to my own question, I have done some research myself and I am still not convinced that an International Driving Permit (IDP) is legally and/or insurance-related an absolute necessity (to be in order if something goes wrong). to walk).
Which is “definitely” true: being in possession of the IDP will certainly save you a headache if you are stopped by the “dutiful” Thai police. The IDP in your pocket will certainly give you a better feeling (the price is really reasonable: in my municipality 25 Euro valid for 3 years).
Which is “probably” true: most rental companies require an IDP (but not all of them). And there are other ways to drive a car in Thailand as a tourist (eg car of a Thai family member / friend ... but then it must be in order with everything).
Which is “probably” true: most insurers require an IDP (but I'm not yet convinced that this is necessarily the case for all insurers).
Which “in my opinion” is true: in principle there is an exemption from an IDP for the countries covered by the 1949 Geneva and Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (most European countries are covered by this convention). But then the national driving license must be in English ….. in my humble opinion, the European driving license meets this standard (it states in 4 languages that it is a driving license and furthermore it only contains figures and codes that are not language-bound)!
What is true/false “according to Thai logic”: in the event of an accident, the farang will usually/always be at fault because he has good insurance and therefore has enough money.
Source: International Driving Permit Thailand | Apply now | IDA (internationaldriversassociation.com).
When searching how to get an International Driving Permit for Thailand, you will see that there are exemptions for the countries under the 1949 Geneva and Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. However, nationals of those countries may have a hard time transacting with some car rental companies. So it is better to have an international driver's license in Thailand. Also make sure your contact number is working on your IDP.
Source: International Driving Permit – Wikipedia
To be valid, the IDP must be accompanied by a valid driver's license issued in the applicant's country of residence. An IDP is not required if the driver's domestic driver's license meets the requirements of the 1949 or 1968 convention; the domestic license can be used directly in a foreign jurisdiction that is a party to that treaty. In addition, other regulations in some countries make an IDP superfluous, such as the European driving license that is valid within the European Economic Area. International Driving Permit – Wikipedia
I'm going to try again to get more clarity from some insurers and the driving license service ... they should know. The Thai Embassy conveniently says that an IDP is mandatory, but that's because they don't know for sure (because if you ask for more details, they suddenly run out of time).
But to be clear: I will always get the IDP myself, but I just want to know how it is legally/insurance wise!!