Thread: Driving in Australia on a Thai license

I can also confirm that in the last couple of years I have used my Thai drivers license to hire cars in NZ, Australia (Sydney), UK (London) and the USA (San Antonio) without any problems at all.

Originally Posted by Headworx

But there's no way in 5 hundred fucking years would I ever let her loose in a car like that (Caprice with a 6 liter V8).

Lovely car that one, I'd love to hook my van up to one of those and tour Australia.

A lot of confusion over driving in Australia with any foreign licence, it's state laws and federal laws.
States pass laws which are not enforceable, federal international treaties over ride them, it's about money.
Australia has signed off on the, I think it was the 1948 Geneva agreement on international driving permits.
This means if you get an international driving permit, it's good for 12 months in OZ.

States have different laws, mostly aimed at interstate licences, allowing only 3 months, this is to make you pay for that states licence.

Australia, though not a full member of ASEAN, is an associated member, or something and enters treaties with ASEAN, driving on an ASEAN member states licence is legal for 3 months.

Chances are you would never get booked driving on a Thai licence as there is no fixed penalty ticket for driving with the wrong licence, only no licence.
That means court and a petty fine, less than the costs, same as working in say Vic say on a contract for 6 months, but driving on a NSW licence, not worth the paper work.

Originally Posted by terry57

Lovely car that one, I'd love to hook my van up to one of those and tour Australia.

They'd be the ultimate car for that, they just eat the miles up effortlessly and in fantastic comfort out on the open road. If off-roading was planned on the trip, a Landcruiser Sahara (also V8 powered, but diesel) would be very hard to go past.





And yeah, like you I use my own Garmin even in cars that have GPS fitted as standard. Yet to find one that was as simple to operate as Garmin, and get the shits quickly trying to figure out how to set the fucking things up !.

visit this web site :rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/licence/visiting-nsw.html (i am not allowed to post links)
this is for nsw, i'm sure there are corresponding links for the other states and territories

^^

My mates got a 10 year old one he picked up at Auction. It's still a really fantastic car full of fruit.

I've been tempted to buy it of him but I do need a wagon.

Life is a compromise Eh.

^Maybe it changes from state to state, but about 12 months ago I landed in Brisbane and drove off in a car from Avis on a 1 month rent with only my Thai licence. No problems at all. My Thai Missus could have driven the car too, I asked for insurance policy reasons.

it certainly does, I landed in Darwin and Rented a Car. produced a Territory Licence and got extra paper work to fill in,
seems the Local's have run a muck a bit and I was deemed as one of them. haven't lived there in years!

Originally Posted by mingmong

I landed in Darwin and Rented a Car. produced a Territory Licence and got extra paper work to fill in,

Any explanation for this?

"the Local's have run a muck a bit and I was deemed as one of them"

Doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

Just asking....

^

You are No local JJ,

You are nothing but a blow in sponging off the Australian health system at the expense of the Australian tax payer yet living in Thailand.

Fuking so wrong.

Was told years ago that without a international permit,insurance companies may find it's a out for them if you have a prang,cheaper just to have one.
I always get one to go overseas but have never had to show it,but for $20 why risk it.

Originally Posted by terry57

You are No local JJ,

You are nothing but a blow in sponging off the Australian health system at the expense of the Australian tax payer yet living in Thailand.

Really?
Oh dear I'm so sorry Teewy. Please forgive me.

Originally Posted by reddog

Was told years ago that without a international permit,insurance companies may find it's a out for them if you have a prang,cheaper just to have one.

An International Licence is only allowed by a Thai Insurance company for 3 months, might be 4, thereafter a Thai license has to be obtained.

Although International Driving Licences are valid for up to one year after arrival in Thailand, after three months many comprehensive insurance policies are made void if still driving on a foreign licence.

https://www.angloinfo.com/thailand/h...iving-licences

I just had some luck with changing over to Australian licence.
I had Thai bike and Car, Oman car, Oman international, 23 year expired Victorian army licence, 20 expired Learners licence.
Was told l had to sit each test and would would be given a full licence made a booking to do my L, went to sit the test and they gave me a full Aussie licence fucking was wrapped in that as l live near on 3 hours from the nearest vic roads.
Wife is still on her Thai international, once her spouse visa is approved l believe she has 6 months to sit her Australian licence.

Working in the Philippines many years ago I got a flip driving license, and the nice lady behind the counter said that for a few extra pesos I could get a motorbike license as well, screaming bargain , went back to Australia (WA) and as I've never held a motorbike license in Australia it was automatically converted to a motorbike license, despite the fact that in WA you are supposed to drive nothing larger than a 250 for the first year of your license, which makes sense. Guess I got lucky and avoided a lot of buraucracy, Also managed to get a C class license allowing me to drive semi trailers, I can't drive semi trailers for for shit. What the fuck were they thinking of?

Yes, you have to wonder why a 6 year old thread gets bumped..


That said, the discussion has moved on from the OP to a general discussion on the legality of Thai Drivers licenses in Australia.

Firstly, what is 'legal' varies from State to State, because the State Governments have responsibility for licensing.


From the Federal Governments Website ...

Driving with an overseas licence

In Australia, laws and driving regulations differ from state to state. Some states require you to carry an International Licence with your current foreign licence.

Other states request you carry your current foreign driver's licence together with a formal translation of your licence into English.

In most Australian states and territories (the exception is the Northern Territory), you are able to drive on a overseas licence as long as it is current.

You can only drive vehicles which your overseas licence authorises you to drive and you must drive according to any conditions on your overseas licence.

The government website and links to the various state laws is here



But ... you have to really drill down into those various state laws.

For example, In Queensland, if you hold a Temporary Visa, you are allowed to drive on an overseas licence for an extended period.

If, however, you have a Permanent Visa, you are allowed to drive on that licence (without an International Permit) for 3 months. After that period, your right to drive is revoked and then you must immediately go to 'L' plates.

The silver lining is that, assuming that you pass the driving test, you go straight from 'L's to a full open licence.

I just assume that if you hold a full british license that you can drive anywhere in Australia without any extra paper work.

Originally Posted by trev

you can drive on your thai license untill it expires then you must obtain a aust licence ( only know about WA) but you will have to have a writen and practical test

Trev Mate, I think you just failed the writing test !!