International driver's license
It's been a long time since I was stopped by a cop while riding my moped in Pattaya and had to show my driver's license.
After pulling it out I got the answer “Not international.” That was indeed true because I have never had an international driver's license. And to be honest, I also thought it was nonsense and no more than a welcome addition to the ANWB cash register.
Thought to be very inventive and promptly took out my discount card from the Dutch Railways to present it as an international driver's license to the agent in question. In short, my ruse worked.
Crook
Of course, a lot of comments follow on the blog in which one person called me a scammer. Frankly, I thought that was quite a derogatory statement. With a reaction on my part, I'm going to give that guy who is devoid of little humor a lick for good was my first impulse. What does he think who I am. Anything but a scammer. Fortunately, it is my habit to sleep on it for a night with these kinds of regurgitations and that works excellently. The funny thing is that we got to know each other through very different circumstances in the Netherlands. And at that meeting, of course, his reaction was discussed. Last week he even surprised me at a delicious dinner in Bangkok. Still, some comments on the blog have changed my mind. In the unlikely event that something will happen to you, then not having an international driving license can have dire consequences.
Life improved
So this time I bought an international driver's license. And my reward soon followed. Riding my Honda, I was stopped in Pattaya near Walking Street by a cop who asked me for my driver's license. Very proud I took out my newly acquired jewel. Could I also show my Dutch driver's license? And… I couldn't, because why would I take that with me now that I'm internationally certified on my vehicle with a note that I have both a car and motorcycle license. Uncle officer uses a sign with pictures of driver's licenses to make it clear to me that you must always be able to show both copies. So the international copy and the copy that applies in your own country. The man is extremely friendly and speaks good English. In short, I can continue my way, but I still get the good advice to take both driving licenses with me in the future. With an “Enjoy your trip” I can continue my way.
Please compliment him on his excellent command of the English language. “I'm not Thai Sir, but from Denmark.” With helmet, sunglasses and a sun-tanned face, I had mistaken Jesper Hansen for a real Thai.
I thought there was a rule that after six months of staying here, even as a tourist, you must have a Thai driver's license?
They stopped me after two years of living here (arresting is something else, arresting is handcuffed and taken to the police station.....) and they pointed out to me that as a resident I really had to get a Thai driver's license for my engine. Now I had a tiny moped on my NL driver's license and I had an expired international driver's license and then I got a Thai driver's license without any test or exam.
No, that is not true. Because for that you need a permanent home. So if you stay that time (or always) in a Hotel, which is not a home, you do not have to. Also, the Thai government cannot oblige you to get a yellow book.
If not, I'd like to hear about it.
Well, derogatory statements obviously don't have to be on a forum. But how will the policeman have felt at the first check when you tried, with a discount card from the railways, to claim this as an international driving license? I can imagine that the policeman felt treated like a fool. But I am pleased to read that it failed because often I hear stories of farangs as if they succeed in everything. Someone who dares to tell the truth.
No Lieven,
So it worked.
I am happy with this, as long as there is such a huge difference between Thai arrests (4 men on a motorbike without a helmet and allowed to continue driving) and the expat who is therefore being tested.
Not wanting to be more Catholic than the Pope.
If we are arrested for I don't know and I can make a choice between giving Uncle Agent tea-money or waiting at a desk for more than half a day, then that choice is quickly made for us.
LOUISE
Dear Eric,
I also want to exchange my Dutch driving license for a Thai driving licence.
Now it is said here in Ubon Ratchathani that the International driving license must be translated by the Dutch embassy. This is not allowed by a translation agency. The embassy will do that for 1350 Bath, but I have to travel to Bangkok for that, which is a distance of 600 Km.
If translated by the embassy, I can exchange the Dutch driving license for a Thai driving license.
If not translated, I have to take the exam again.
Is it indeed correct that the International driving license must be translated at the Dutch embassy in order to exchange the Dutch driving licence? I couldn't find that anywhere else on the internet.
It is indeed true that if you have the international driving license translated, it will be converted into Thai, which is only valid for 1 year. Then extend.
If you find it too much effort, you can also take the exam by following a course via video.
Then some tests and practice by completing a short course, for which you must have a vehicle, so it can happen that Thais arrive without a driver's license and, if they fail, go home again without a driver's license.
Don't forget to get a statement from a doctor.
Morning William,
8 years ago with rbw + international rbw, passport, passport photos, doctor's health statement (200 baht) with our thai girlfriend and husakee, a thai rbw.
Nothing no translations.
And 600 km is a long way, isn't it?
Doesn't that man/woman behind the counter drink tea???
LOUISE
Exchanging your Dutch driving license for a Thai one does not seem very smart to me.
It's better to take the exam here because driving here is a joke.
You can never exchange your Thai driving license for a Dutch one, so you have to take the exam again in the Netherlands.
Furthermore, I have never heard that you have to have your international driving license translated.
good luck with your thai exam, really nothing at all.
Ridiculous. The international driving license is a TRANSLATION of your Dutch driving licence. It's a pity that there isn't a word of Thai in it. Bad luck for those Thais.
TIP: make your driving license new in Thailand. That costs less, every farm boy succeeds here (sorry-I don't mean to offend you).
Please bear in mind that as long as you are registered in the Netherlands, you are NOT allowed to drive in the Netherlands with your Thai driving licence. If you do so, the car (foreign registration number?) can even be seized on the spot for evading excise duties and import duties. You're going to get quite a blow for driving without a license.
“As long as you are registered in NL, you cannot drive with a Thai driving license” or something like that
True, but with a rental car.
I think the international driver's license is a worthless thing you can buy at the anwb. The anwb boosts his bank balance. Many European countries are on the driver's license. So international or am I seeing that wrong.
It also says, for example, Chinese. Have they already become European? As far as Thailand is concerned, you may ask yourself what's the use (without 1 word of Thai in it?)
But it is required, it is also stated in Thai law. So just do it.
I've been driving through Pattaya for years with an ordinary NL driver's license and have been stopped several times by the police and never really had any problems with them.
Drove in the opposite direction last year, so entered the walking street via bal hai pier and got a 400 baht voucher, but could also pay in kind ha ha ha
This year for the first time inspected in Buriram after 5 years. This cost 200 baht. Was then able to continue driving. Previously, I always showed my Dutch driver's license and was then allowed to continue driving. Normally there is always an almost daily check in the same places. Perhaps next stay in Thailand, you should go and get the driver's license for the motorbike.
Wim de Visser, I still have my NL rbw. I didn't 'exchange' it, I got a Thai rbw for motorcycle on presentation of my NL rbw and an old NL int rbw, sorry for abbreviating the words.
Here people did not make a fuss about the EU languages that are on it; translation was not necessary and I did not have to sponsor the blood of children of that official. She did ask! Whispering and in Isan, the official asked my partner for 1.500 baht and she snapped back “Watch out, Erik understands Thai and Isan!”. Then suddenly it was over and I had my plastic card.
Are people really so lazy or so stingy that if they stay here for a long time, or even live there, they refuse to get a Thai driver's license. Rules are rules and as a guest you must respect them at all times. In NL you do that too, so why not here. Half a day's work and you have your driver's license without a fight, unless people are afraid of the color test. Then go on foot, after a few drinks you have to do it anyway.
I picked up my Thai provisional motorcycle and car license on April 30 in the Cha Am area. Procedure is simple. First to immigration Hua Hin (or of course the nearest one for you) for proof that you have a permanent residence in Thailand. In my case, my rental contract sufficed. Show passport with visa and entry and of course the necessary copies. Two forms, one for car and one for motorbike, total cost 800 THB. To a doctor for a medical statement, costs vary per doctor. Then to the Thai CBR in your area with two copies of your driver's license, passport and entry. After filling out the forms there three small tests, color test, reaction test and dexterity test. Do you get through this one well, two Thai provisional driving licenses arranged. Validity period 1 year. Next year, April 30, the same story for five-year driving licenses. Costs for these two driving licenses on the spot 370 THB. Don't hand in a Dutch driver's license and feel good even during police checks. No worries in the event of an accident, because you are insured.
Thailand has acceded to the Vienna Convention and is therefore obliged to accept international driving licenses WITHOUT additional tests. Europe and therefore also Belgium accept the Thai driving license and issue a European driving license for it. All other conditions are contrary to international agreements. Of course on location, the police are probably not aware of the Vienna Convention and can therefore make small rules as they please. Have also experienced this myself in Corat and Mukdahan and have always been able to talk myself out of it, although not a single police officer speaks 1 word of English spoke. Even had this in Ho Chi Minh City and ended up getting off with 2 euros while the original demand was 700 dollars.
Someone should be able to approach the competent authorities to ask the exact rules that the police apply and dare to discuss. My Thai wife in any case drives all over Europe on the basis of her international driving license that was issued to her on the basis of her Thai driver's license.
A long time ago I had a Thai girlfriend who was very assertive and she was pulled over for speeding and didn't have a driver's license. He suggested making a nightly date with her and that really didn't work out ... after paying 200 THB she was allowed to continue driving, but no document was drawn up as proof of payment, so you see that there are many weights and measures at the police in Thailand.
Where did you get the information from that Thailand has acceded to the Vienna Convention and that you can exchange an international driving license like this?
The info I can find is;
International driver's licenses are only legalized translations of a national driver's license. You cannot exchange this for a Dutch driving licence. (info CBR)
Furthermore, CBR indicates that it is only possible to exchange a driving license if you come from the EU or from the EVA (European Free Trade Association).
As a third possibility, there are a few countries with certain conditions, but Thailand is not listed there either.
An international driver's license - in addition to one from your own country - or a Thai driver's license can prevent a lot of trouble when an accident is involved, I have come to that conclusion. Have sometimes taken pleasure in misleading the police, but now I have put my mind to work. Don't want any further fuss if something unexpected happens to me. And as far as Eric is concerned: a taxi can also stop you and not stop you. Read the book “No dog that crows at it” once.
An international driver's license is a translation. You must always have the real driver's license with you. Having said this, I have had an international driving license from the ANWB for a year on the basis of an almost expired Dutch driving licence. Police officers in Thailand are stupid and bribe aware. I also had a situation not so long ago where my driver's license was requested. The agent may then see a Dutch travel certificate for the first time. My wife suddenly threw out the word United Nations, the result, quickly got my driver's license back, saluted and we were off 🙂
basically the following is the rule:
is your address in BVB, Belgium or NL?
then you need a European driving license in every country in the world. Suppose you are now in Thailand, on leave or for a long time, and even have a Thai driver's license, but your off address is still in the Netherlands or Belgium. then you must show your European driver's license. not your thai.
If your address is in Thailand, if you are in Thailand, you must show your Thai driver's license. If you go to Camb or somewhere else, you should not show your Thai, but always your European.
that way you are always in order under insurance terms, and that is also the case with international legislation.
I have lived in Thai, have a Thai driver's license (5 years). now living back for a while off in belgium.
if i am now on leave in oct-nov- in thai . should I not show my thai, but my European driver's license.
if you don't, you can be fined by the police. but what is even worse, that the insurance can refuse your intervention.
if you would think, how can the police know that I am registered in NL or Belgium?
just look at your travel passport. place of issue. a smart thai police,. know this for sure
bye
success
will
just an addition to the Thai driver's license; this is also valid for Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaisia, Singapore, Brunei and Myanmar. in short, the Asuan countries.
I didn't even need an international Thai driver's license in New Zealand, I did have one, {you can apply if you have had a Thai driver's license for at least one year,} but the Thai driver's license was valid when I committed a speeding violation... and For Europe I also just use my Thai driver's license.
I live in Thailand and am not registered in Europe.
In short, a Thai driving license is very useful in Southeast Asia, also as proof of identity.
Guyido
A few facts in a row:
If you live in Thailand for more than 3 months, so you are not staying as a tourist, you must have a Thai driver's license, otherwise your car or motorcycle insurance will not be valid.
The ANWB International driving license is valid for 1 year for someone who does not live in Thailand, so only for 3 months for someone who lives in Thailand, see the rule above regarding. the insurance.
Translating the International Driving Permit to obtain the Thai driving license is not necessary; The form and implementation of the Thai International Driving Permit is identical to that of the Anwb.
The Anwb International driving license is only valid together with the Dutch driving licence.
You will not lose a Dutch driving license if you do not renew it, your driving license is in a driving license register and if you want a Dutch driving license again, you can apply for it without any exam, e.g. if you are going to live in the Netherlands again.
Nico B