I have had a few people ask me what is needed to legally drive in Thailand. So, I decided to do a little research. I found so many different answers and opinions on this subject, I just had to get to the bottom of this. I dug a little deeper and this is what I found.

Do You Need an (IDP) International Driver’s Permit in Thailand?

This is the most debated question about this subject online. The answer is “it depends”. I will explain. 

If you want to drive a car in Thailand as a tourist, it is required that you have a valid foreign driver’s license with a photograph. Your driver’s license must be issued in a country that has a treaty with Thailand’s government. The 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and the Car Act (Issue #6) of 1987 cover this law.

Most countries have this agreement with Thailand but, if your driver’s license is not in English you must have “along with your driver’s license” either an IDP “International Driver’s Permit” or an official document translation to English. (You can translate it to Thai but it is not necessary).

That is the reason I said “it depends”.

This is a google translation of the act from Thai to English at law.longdo.com.

Section 4 The following shall  be added as Section 42 bis of the Automobile Act BE 2522.

” Section 42 bis, in the event that there is an agreement between the Thai government and foreign governments on the acceptance of a domestic driver’s license to each other An alien who is temporarily permitted to stay in the Kingdom according to the immigration law And having a driver’s license issued by the competent official or automotive association that has been authorized by the government of the country in which the agreement is made with the Thai government May use a driver’s license in that country to drive in the Kingdom according to the type and type of car specified in that driver’s license But must comply with the conventions and or agreements that exist between the Thai government and the governments of that country And according to all the provisions relating to the duties of the driver under this Act “

So, basically, if your driver’s license is in English and from a country in agreement with Thailand (which most are), you don’t “legally” need an IDP.

For more proof of this, I have rented cars from 6 different corporate agencies in Thailand and have never been asked for an IDP. I think these big corporations would know the laws in the counties with which they do business. Kind of obvious? Yeah, I think so.

Now, it is also known that some Thai police are still charging fines for not having an IDP. I’m not sure why this is happening. Either they can’t read English, are just trying to make a few bucks or they are ignorant about this particular law. That being said, it is entirely up to you if you still want an IDP or not. The fines by police are said to be anywhere from THB 200 to THB 1,000 or $6.50 to $32.50 and are paid up-front to the officer.

The 10 ASEAN Member Countries.

If you hold a valid driver’s license from one of the 10 ASEAN member countries, you do not need an IDP to drive in any of the other 9 countries. These counties are Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei and of course, Thailand.

What do UK Driver’s Need.

If you have the new style photo license, you will need the paper and photo card together. If you have just the paper license, you will need an official photo for identification.

How to Obtain an IDP “International Driver’s Permit”.

This is a pretty simple process in most countries. In the United States, there are only two organizations that issue IDPs. The American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Touring Alliance (AATA). Any other organizations offering IDPs is more than likely a scam.

You must be at least 18 years old and have a driver’s license that is valid for the next six months. The fee is $20 and the IDP is valid for one year, (unless your driver’s license expires before the year is up). An IDP is only valid if your driver’s license is valid.

On AAA’s site, you can download the application; complete it; bring your driver’s license; two passport sized photos and payment to your local office. You can also do this by mail with front and back photocopies of your driver’s license and a check or money order. Some offices offer photo services so check with your local AAA.

With the AATA, download and fill out the application; mail it to the address on the form along with two passport sized photos; photocopies of the front and back of your driver’s license; a check or money order for the fee and shipping and handling. The IDP fee is $20 and shipping is $10 for USPS mail or $35 for Express mail. If you are out of the country and need an IDP, AATA will mail it to you by DHL Express for $85.

What You Need to Drive a Motorcycle in Thailand.

If you don’t have a motorcycle driver’s license in your home country, you can not legally drive a motorcycle in Thailand. You must have a license that matches the class of vehicle you are driving.

This doesn’t mean the local Thai motorbike rental companies will care or not, it is up to you whether you drive illegally or not. Also, no insurance company will cover you or the other party in an accident if they see you don’t have the proper license.

Although it doesn’t matter in some states in the US, you must wear a helmet while driving a motorbike in Thailand and it is illegal to drive shirtless. Yes, you read that right. Don’t drive without a shirt on. The police can stop you and fine you.

Age Requirements to Drive in Thailand.

Although you must be 18 to drive in Thailand, most car rental companies age limit is 21. Furthermore, most rental companies will charge a young driver fee for ages 21 to 25 and a senior driver fee for ages 65 and up.

When do You Need to Get a Thai Driver’s License?

If you are not a tourist, but you are a resident with a non-immigrant visa, you need to get a Thai driver’s license to legally drive in Thailand. This includes any vehicle category that you will drive; car, motorbike, bus, etc….

How do You Get a Thai Driver’s License.

If you are a resident of Thailand and need a new or renewal license, go to your nearest Land Transport Office. Go here to locate the nearest office. If you can, use the Chrome browser so it can translate the site to English.

The first time you apply, you will need the following documents.

• A signed photocopy and a translation (if not in English) of your driver’s license along with the original license.
• A signed photocopy of the front page and visa page of your passport along with the original passport.
• A medical certificate ( 5 diseases form). You can get one for around THB 50-200 or $1.60-$6.50 at any hospital or clinic and they are valid for one month.
• You will also need proof of your residence in Thailand. A yellow book “Tabien Baan” can be used if you have one. It is a house registration book for foreigners living in Thailand. Or, get a letter certified from your embassy/ immigration bureau, a police station or a work permit stating your residence.
• Also, if you are applying for a motorbike license along with a car license, make two sets of photocopies. You will need one set of copies for each license.

This list is a general guideline of what you will need, but some offices may be different than others (like needing to bring a picture if they lack that service). Calling your local Land Transport Office before you go is advised.

What do you have to do when you get to the Land Transport Office?

• “Go to the office in the morning!” I can’t stress this enough. These offices are usually very busy. They are open from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Fill out the application, and turn it in along with your other documents.
• They will ask you for a fee of THB 105 (3.45) for motorbike or THB 305 ($10.00) for a regular driver’s license.
• Take any required tests. If you have a license from your home country, then typically you will only have to take a color blindness and reaction test. Otherwise you will need to take a written and driving test also.
• As they are making your license, you might have to watch a video about some basic traffic and safety laws.
• If you don’t speak Thai, it is a good idea to bring someone with you that does. You never know what little hiccup might come up.

Typically your first Thai license will be good for two years. After that you can renew for a five year license for THB 605 ($19.70).

Make sure you renew your two year license before it expires. If not, you will have to redo this entire procedure.

The five year license can be renewed up to three months before the expiry date.

What tests will you have to take?

As I wrote before, if you have a driver’s license from your home country, you should not have to take the written and drivers tests. These are some of the tests you might have to take depending on the office.

• Color Blindness Test. You will be asked to name the colors an official points to on a poster covered in colored dots. Pretty simple.
• Reaction Test. You will sit in a chair with a simulated brake and gas pedal. Push the gas pedal until the green lights light up. Hit the break before the lights go into the red zone.
• Peripheral View Test. An official will ask you to look forward and tell them the color shown on the left and right side in your peripheral views. You must keep your eyes forward.
• Depth Perception Test. Applicants will have to use forward and back buttons to line up a moving pin with a stationary pin in a box approximately 25-30 feet away (10 meters).

If you don’t have a driver’s license, you will have to take the written and driving tests. 

• Written test. There are 50 multiple choice questions on this test and you must get 45 correct or you will fail. Although you will need to take a 5 hour class (usually a video with English subtitles) about the traffic rules in Thailand, it is advised to study beforehand.

In most cases you will be able to make an appointment for the next day to retake the test. You will not have to do the other tests again.

• Driving test. This test is pretty easy compared to most countries. You will be asked to drive around a small course set up outside by the Department of Land Transport office. An official will watch you as you drive around the course, making sure you can reverse, park close to a curb, park between cones and so on.

If you don’t have a car, you can rent a car at the office for the test. And if you fail this test, you can retake it after three business days. Make sure you pass all your tests before 90 days as you will have to redo everything again, (including fees and paperwork).

• Motorbike Test. Basically, this is the same as getting a car driver’s license. The drive test will be slightly different, (of course) but essentially the same.

If you are applying for both at the same time, all the tests you take apply to both licenses except the driving test. So, you might as well go for it and do both at the same time. It just makes sense, effort and time wise.

What You Need to Know About Driving When Visiting Thailand.

The number one thing to know is you will be driving on the left side of the road. Therefore, the driver’s seat will be on the right side of the car so you will shift with your left hand and use the turn signal with your right. The only thing that is not changed is the accelerator and brake pedals are the same, (brake pedal is to the left of the accelerator).

These will be the main differences for people visiting from the United States and other countries that drive on the right side of the road. You will probably turn on the wipers instead of the turn signal and look up to the right for the rear view mirror several times at first. Don’t fret it, in the end we all do it and laugh about it.

Motorbikes.

The second thing is, you will have to get used to the number of motorbikes on the road (and sidewalks and going the wrong way etc, etc…). What I have learned from driving in Thailand’s cities is, (you are in a car and can’t control what the motorbikes do)!

Therefore, for the most part, I just ignore them as much as I can. You see, most Thai motorcyclists are very good at maneuvering in and out of every obstacle you can think of. While driving a car, you can’t get out of their way but they can you. Yes you still need to pay attention to them, but your main objective is to the bigger vehicles in traffic.

So, as I said, let them come half an inch from hitting your side mirrors, one inch from their foot peg scraping your front bumper as they squeeze in between you and the bus in front of you just to get to the front of the line. This is just what they are going to do. And in most cases, they will stop when they realize they can’t fit (yet).

Conclusion?

You do not legally need a IDP “International Driver’s Permit” to drive in Thailand. If your license is not in English, you need an English translation document. An IDP will do that for you. If you feel better having an IDP, then just get one. They are cheap and easy to get.

 

Happy driving in Thailand!