INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT
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. (See motoring law below) If you are a resident, however, you require a Thai drivers license. As a tourist, rental car companies, insurance companies and police will all accept your home license. Still, it not a bad idea to obtain a legitimately issued INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT (IDP) before you leave your home country.
International Driving Permit's are easily obtained from your local Automobile Association (RAC, RACQ, NRMA, AAA etc) for a nominal fee .
This permit acts as a transcription of your national drivers licence credentials. It has your current photo affixed, and should be carried together with your national drivers licence.
*INTERNATIONAL LICENCES SOLD OVER THE INTERNET ARE A SCAM!
BE AWARE - All "International Driving Licences" offered by online vendors are a SCAM.
Remember - it is a "permit", it is not ever referred to as a "licence".
These scam licences take the form of a credit card in shape and design, they are worthless.
Less frequently a scam "licence" may take the same shape and form of the genuine grey cardboard International Driving Permit. The difference is that the SCAM licence may say "valid for 5 years". Whereas a genuine International Driving Permit is only ever valid for 12 months.
Only purchase the genuine International Driving Permit from your local Automobile Club.
Australia: Can be purchased through your state RAC or NRMA. Cost from AU$30 - $40
Great Britain: Can be purchased through your RAC. Cost £5.50 plus £2 processing fee - Info Link
United States: Can be purchased through your local AAA or AATA. Cost US$15 - Info Link AAA - Info Link AATA
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT (Thai Law)
Section 42
- Anyone who wishes to drive a motor vehicle on public roads must possess an appropriate driver licence.
- The driver must carry the driver licence and a photocopy of the registration book and show them to competent officers upon request.
- This does not apply to those who are learning to drive a motor vehicle according to the provision of Section 57.
- If the driver is an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa, he may drive a motor vehicle with a driver licence specified in the Section 42-2.
- In such a case, he must carry documents specified by the treaty between the Thai government and the government which issued such driver licence, and show them to competent officers upon request.
Section 42-2
- In case there is a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver licence, an alien who does not have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver licence issued by such a foreign government, or an automobile association authorised by such a foreign government.
Once you obtain a non-immigrant visa or establish you are a resident (such as enrolling kids in school, buy a car etc,) and are no longer a toursit, you need a Thai drivers licence as your national license and international driving permit is only legally accepted if you are a tourist. Several insurance companies have fine print stating that the driver should hold a valid Thai driving licence to be fully covered after a certain amount of time in Thailand.
OBTAINING A THAI DRIVERS LICENSE
Once you become a resident it is possible to use your home license to obtain a Thai drivers license. In doing so, you are able to skip the written and practical portion of the testing process. If the class of vehicle you are licensed to drive isn't shown in pictures on the license, such as on a UK and EU license, you may need to submit an IDP or a copy of the webpage from your home DMV which describes the class(es) you are authorized for along with your home license. Check with your local land transport department for required documents.
TRAVEL and RENTAL INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS
Check the fine print of your travel insurance and of your rental insurance to see what (if any) conditions they place on car and motorcycle rental.
Your insurance may be declared null and void if you:
- Ride a motorcycle without a licence that is valid.
- Drive a car without a licence that is valid.
- Are a passenger in (or on) a vehicle that is being driven by an unlicenced person.
- Are under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
- Operate a rental vehicle in violation of the rental agreement.
- In any circumstance, admit that you are at fault, or offer to pay any money.