International drivers licence in thailand.

Post by **Norseman** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:12 pm

I'm a little confused by some of the questions AND answers here.
I understand a lot of you say you need a international drivers lisence. Maybe the police also say so. I went to Pranburi (our local office for registration of cars mb etc.). I told them I wanted to get a Thai certificate/lisence, to supplement my EU standard drivers lisence.
After a short meeting they told me I did not need to to change. because of my EU standard drivers license.
I still use this my EU license, been stopped by the men in brown several times, but nobody has ever told me that I need a Thai drivers lisence!!!

Where do we find the correct information about this?

Post by **Jaime** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:25 pm

prcscct wrote:There's been a guy (maybe a company) who has been advertising in the Bangkok Post classified (services) daily for at least 6 months or more. I think he gives a choice of a 5 or 10 year international license for a fee of 4-6 thousand Baht

Wow - he must be raking it in! You can get a one year international licence in the UK for only 5 pounds sterling - about 340 baht!

I have edited the price in baht - in the previous version of this post I had got my sums wrong!

Never mind - it makes it even cheaper to get your licence before you leave for Thailand!

Post by **tuktukmike** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 12:35 am

Hi Norseman

I was told by many people that to apply for a Thai license at Pranburi i would need an international license.

Myself and Mo went there and all was done in about half hour, they accepted our UK ones no problem.

But i did have to take the bike test, really difficult.

Once round the car park and motorcycle license issued.

Mike.

Post by **Norseman** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:55 am

Hi Mike.

Do you say that you can't change or convert your UK DL to a Thai DL?
If you do want to change/convert then you need to go to Pranburi with an international DL?

The people in Pranburi told me: "You don't need to change your DL because it is valid in Thailand".

I therefore only registered my car in my name and drove happily away.

Post by **buksida** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 9:30 am

I can verify what mike says, did mine a few years ago and they accepted my UK license and gave me the Thai one. No mention of International Licenses at all.

Renewed it last year and now have a six year Thai driving license. The people in Pran maybe correct in that an International license is valid in Thailand but that does not stop corrupt pigs robbing you for 500 baht when they want a bottle of Sangsom.

Post by **Morten** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:10 am

He he, the topic turned a bit the wrong way... but that is okay, now you talk about permenent thai DL, all I wanted to know was about if me who is a tourist for 6 weeks needs a international DL (think its just a translation of my danish DL) to drive car legally in thailand.... but you know, dont think its a problem, next week i go to my local police station with a picture and and my drivers license and 250 baht and get a international DL,

thanks for the answers..

Post by **MartinJ** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:04 pm

Hi

If i want to drive a bike in Thailand? can i

But i like a car better, What DL i need. A bit lost after reading the post here?

Can you tell what i need to do?

Thanks

Post by **Kraka's Dad** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:49 pm

I think the best approach is to have an Internation Driving Permit. It is cheap and easy to obtain. It is better to be safe than sorry. Not that having one will stop our friends in brown making up some excuse to extract some money from you if they want to.

Post by **PeteB** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:49 pm

Sensible Option

As Farang says http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/vi ... 7951#17951 Thailand officially requires an International Driving Licence.

For the very marginal cost of the thing and the peace of mind gained ( especially regarding the MIB's ability to find any excuse to make a few baht ) surely it makes sense to get one, if you are a tourist.

Peter

Post by **Morten** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:09 am

Okay, today i went to the license office in denmark, I filled the application form and turned in machine taken picture, she wanted 25 dkk (150 baht, ) and they send the internatiol DL by mail tomorrow so I have it in a few days.

simple easy and cheap..

Post by **MartinJ** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 2:34 am

Ok a International Driverâ€™s License i require

So where i get one from ?

Has any one for the Uk doen this if so where did you go ?

Thanks

Post by **PeteB** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:03 am

If you belong to the RAC or AA - start there.

Or

Google is always good!

Peter

Post by **Kraka's Dad** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 2:29 pm

You don't even have to be a member of the RAC or the AA just download the application from either site they give instructions on what to fill in,where to send it and the costs. With the AA you can even take the completed form etc to certain Post Offices (They provide a list of Post Offices you can take the form to) That will save you some money if there is one close to you.

Post by **Limey711** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:32 pm

So as far as I understand it, you need an International Licence to drive in Thailand, but a U.K. licence to apply for a Thai driving licence. Or will either suffice, to apply for a Thai licence. Confirmation please.

Post by **tuktukmike** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:40 pm

This subject just goes round and round.

You can rent a car with your standard British license.

You can rent a motorbike without any license in hua hin, pattaya or anywhere else in Thailand, but i am not saying i agree with that.

Just come and enjoy yourself and dont worry about such a small issue as a license.

Welcome to Thailand.

Mike.

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International drivers licence in thailand.

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