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Motoring in Thailand and Asia Car's and MotorBikes in Thailand and Asia, Where to Buy and where to get fixed, Insurance? What's that then, everything to do with motoring and Vehicles goes in this section. Do I really need a driving Licence in Thailand?

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Old 10-05-2007, 06:24 PM   #1 (permalink)
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International driver's license
I want to go back to the states for a visit and need an international driver's license.

In order to obtain an international driver's license legally here in Thailand you must have had your Thai driver's license for 1 year. I missed the deadline by one month. Incidentally, this service only costs B200.

So now the missus is okay but I ain't. And you can bet your bottom dollar she ain't foking driving in the states.

Yea, I know where to get a fake international license. However, what IF; I did have a wreck in the states with one of these fakes? Well, I could have problems...

Any suggestions?
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Old 10-05-2007, 06:41 PM   #2 (permalink)
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^ u never got a US licence?

I was under the impression that IDL's were issued in your own country?
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Old 10-05-2007, 06:56 PM   #3 (permalink)
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My US license expired a long time ago...
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Old 10-05-2007, 07:14 PM   #4 (permalink)
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HB,

I had the same problem before coming back to Australia in October last year. After a bit of online researching, I found this site:

http://www.asiatradingonline.com/thaidriving.htm

And the section you are interested in is down the bottom "Translate your Thai Licence"

You have to go to the Ministry of Land Transport in Bangkok. It's on Pahonyothin Road opposite Chatuchak Market. The easiest way to get there (from Chonburi) is get a bus to Bangkok and get on the BTS to Chatuchak. Cross the road and get a taxi back to the ministry. Taxi cost from memory was 40 baht. It's probably just as easy to walk. Dealing with the ministry took less than an hour. Just reverse the process to get home.

I can't actually guarantee the validity of the 'translation' if you get hauled over by the police or have a prang. I've driven every day since we've been here but I've yet to be stopped by the police so I don't actually know if it works or not!!

Now that we've decided to stay in Australia for the sake of our four-year-old son's education, I've got to get an Australian licence which is whole different ball game.

Good luck!!
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Old 10-05-2007, 07:33 PM   #5 (permalink)
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As a Brit i cant really help as i dont know the US system of renewals but i would be inclined to get the old licence renewed in the US.

I can imagine the behaviour of a UK cop if was stopped and presented him with a Thai licence and Thai IDL. There would be problems for sure.
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Old 10-05-2007, 08:06 PM   #6 (permalink)
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AAA can issue you one for $15.00 US
Don't know if you can apply while your still in Thailand.
Good luck, Billy...
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Old 10-05-2007, 08:24 PM   #7 (permalink)
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^ yeah but i think you have to have a valid US licence to get one..
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Old 10-05-2007, 08:26 PM   #8 (permalink)
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^ Please note
An international license is NOT valid for driving in the issuing country
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Old 10-05-2007, 10:05 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Helicopter
would be inclined to get the old licence renewed in the US.
Most states you can only renew til they expire then it is new tests and a new license, but you usually get to keep the origional number that you were issued at first.
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Old 10-05-2007, 11:43 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Helicopter View Post
^ yeah but i think you have to have a valid US licence to get one..
Don't think so.
I got mine thru the mail (post) - never even went into the AAA office.
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Old 11-05-2007, 07:28 AM   #11 (permalink)
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Whether or not you need or can use an IDP depends on the state in which you will be driving. For example, California does not accept an IDP but does recognize any foreign driver's license.

From the California DMV web site FAQ

Quote:
The State of California does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a valid driver license. California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident.

The IDP is only a translation of information contained on a person's foreign driver license and is not required to operate a motor vehicle in California. Citations issued to a person in California who has an IDP, but does not have a California driver license will be placed on the Department of Motor Vehicle database.

The IDP is also called an International Driver License, International License, etc.
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Old 11-05-2007, 07:50 AM   #12 (permalink)
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Is it possibly for somebody who could never be arsed to learn to drive properly in the UK, go to Thailand at the age of 33 and take an international driving test, obtail a licence if he passes and be able to legally drive upon his return to England?
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Old 11-05-2007, 09:00 AM   #13 (permalink)
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I like the idea of previous poster about getting translation of your Thai drivers license.

A few years ago on a visit to U.S. I tried renting car with Thai license and was turned down because it was not readable by U.S. authorities if stopped. A certified translation would be acceptable along with license.
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Old 11-05-2007, 09:58 AM   #14 (permalink)
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^This is correct, but an IDP would probably be better. Although California doesn't require an IDP to drive, you need one to rent a car. After all, the IDP is just an "official" and internationally recognized translation of your DL.
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Old 11-05-2007, 10:13 AM   #15 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by String Cheese
California does not accept an IDP but does recognize any foreign driver's license.
Now that's interesting because the US government signed the agreement to recognise them.
So which rule takes precedence ?
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Old 11-05-2007, 10:15 AM   #16 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by String Cheese
After all, the IDP is just an "official" and internationally recognized translation of your DL.
No it's not. I've had this argument before
The IDP contains stuff that doesn't appear on the DL
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Old 11-05-2007, 10:34 AM   #17 (permalink)
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United Nations Convention on Road Traffic:

Quote:
Chapter V DRIVERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC

ARTICLE 24 1. Each Contracting State shall allow any driver admitted to its territory who fulfills the conditions which are set out in annex 8 and who holds a valid driving permit issued to him, after he has given proof of his competence, by the competent authority of another Contracting State or subdivision thereof, or by an association duly empowered by such authority, to drive on its roads without further examination motor vehicles of the category or categories defined in annexes 9 and 10 for which the permit has been issued.
2. A Contracting State may however require that any driver admitted to its territory shall carry an international driving permit conforming to the model contained in annex 10, especially in the case of a driver coming from a country where a domestic driving permit is not required or where the domestic permit issued to him does not conform to the model contained in annex 9.
3. The international driving permit shall, after the driver has given proof of his competence, be delivered by the competent authority of a Contracting State or subdivision thereof, or by a duly authorized association, and sealed or stamped by such authority or association. The holder shall be entitled to drive in all Contracting States without further examination motor vehicles coming within the categories for which the permit has been issued.
4. The right to use the domestic as well as the international driving permit may be refused if it is evident that the conditions of issue are no longer fulfilled.
5. A Contracting State or a subdivision thereof may withdraw from the driver the right to use either of the above-mentioned permits only if the driver has committed a driving offense of such a nature as would entail the forfeiture of his driving permit under the legislation and regulations of the Contracting State. In such an event, the Contracting State or subdivision thereof withdrawing the use of the permit may withdraw and retain the permit until the period of the withdrawal of use expires or until the holder leaves the territory of the Contracting State, whichever is the earlier, and may record such a withdrawal of use on the permit and communicate the name and address of the driver to the authority which issued the permit.
6. During a period of five years beginning with the entry into force of this Convention, any driver admitted to international traffic under the provisions of the International Convention relative to Motor Traffic signed at Paris on 24 April 1926, or of the Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automotive Traffic opened for signature at Washington on 15 December 1943, and holding the documents required thereunder, shall be considered as fulfilling the requirements of this article.
Annex 10:

Quote:
Annex 10 MODEL INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT
DIMENSIONS: 105 x 148 mm
Colors: cover: gray
pages: white
Pages 1 and 2 shall be drawn up in the national language or languages.
The entire last page shall be drawn up in French.
Additional pages of the International Driving Permit shall repeat in other languages the text of part I of the last page. They shall be drawn up in the following languages:
(a) Language(s) prescribed by the legislation of the issuing State,
(b) The official languages of the United Nations,
(c) At the most six other languages, chosen at the discretion of the issuing State.
The authoritative translation of the text of the permit in the different languages shall be communicated to the Secretary-General of the United Nations by Governments, each one in the language which concerns it.
The written remarks shall be written in Latin characters or in so-called English script.
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Old 11-05-2007, 10:44 AM   #18 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boon Mee View Post
AAA can issue you one for $15.00 US
Don't know if you can apply while your still in Thailand.
Good luck, Billy...
Booner you must be a AAA member. Non members pay $25.00 and have to show a valid drivers license.
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Old 11-05-2007, 10:55 AM   #19 (permalink)
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I don't' know about the States,but I was under the impression that If I returned to Australia with a valid overseas license, ie Thai, that I could get it it transferred into an Aust license the same way I did here in Thailand (obviously with a translation).
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Old 11-05-2007, 12:50 PM   #20 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Earl View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boon Mee View Post
AAA can issue you one for $15.00 US
Don't know if you can apply while your still in Thailand.
Good luck, Billy...
Booner you must be a AAA member. Non members pay $25.00 and have to show a valid drivers license.
Yes I am - it's cheap insurance against having to change a flat or a dead battery. Plus, they give you free of charge all those maps etc so it's a good deal.
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