Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 53
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
    koman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Last Online
    09-05-2023 @ 11:36 AM
    Location
    Issan
    Posts
    4,287

    International License

    I need to return to the UK for a short while after being away for a long time. My UK drivers license expired many years ago.

    Question1 Can I drive in the UK temporarily on a Thai license? doubt it but may as well ask.

    Question 2 Where does one go to get an international license...and are any documents
    required other than my Thai drivers license.

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Last Online
    Today @ 08:22 AM
    Location
    Roiet
    Posts
    34,901

  3. #3
    Member
    Barty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Last Online
    Today @ 08:57 AM
    Location
    Lamlukka
    Posts
    939
    I rented a car in London last year using only my Thai licence.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat
    jamescollister's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    29-06-2020 @ 09:33 PM
    Location
    Bunthrik Ubon
    Posts
    4,764
    Government office where they do passports etc, sure you can drive on a Thai license for 3 months.
    Did you have and old UK paper license, believe they are still valid, you just need to get the newer photo 10 year one, should be no test or anything.

    Things may have changed since last time I went back, but think you will be safe, car rentals may have different rules.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat
    aging one's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    22,636
    You can use the Thai DL, I first used it in the USA 3 years, ago and again 2 years ago when I rented cars. If it is the newer style license issued in the last say 4 or so years. It must have your name in English and indicate it is a DL, not a library card like the rental agencies thought with the old Thai license, nothing in English. Cheers.

    https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic...iving-licence/

    For insurance I bought coverage from a UK company, and it was much cheaper than US CDW.

    https://www.worldwideinsure.com/
    Last edited by aging one; 07-07-2017 at 02:50 PM.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Last but who gives a shit.
    Posts
    13,316
    You can drive in the UK for 12 months using a Thai driving licence. 100% guaranteed.

    No requirement to obtain an International Licence.

  7. #7
    R.I.P.
    DrB0b's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD
    Posts
    17,118
    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic View Post
    You can drive in the UK for 12 months using a Thai driving licence. 100% guaranteed.

    No requirement to obtain an International Licence.
    Absolutely correct. My wife did exactly that. Then, after she'd already been driving on British roads for a year on her Thai licence, they made here do the theory and practical driving tests so she could continue to drive on British roads. Go figure


    BTW, the International thingy mentioned earlier is not an International Driving Licence (they only exist on Khao San Road and similar dodgy places) it's an International Driving Permit.


    If you do really want an IDP you can apply at any Department of Land Transport Office in Thailand. The Thai IDP looks like this



    That pic is from a Teakdoor Thai Driving Licence Thread here https://teakdoor.com/doing-things-leg...g-licence.html (Thai Driving Licence)
    The Above Post May Contain Strong Language, Flashing Lights, or Violent Scenes.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Last but who gives a shit.
    Posts
    13,316
    Quote Originally Posted by DrB0b
    an International Driving Permit.
    I believe a genuine one can only be gotten in BKK.

  9. #9
    Banned

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last Online
    09-05-2021 @ 03:25 AM
    Posts
    33,644
    Put 2 fingers up to the system and hire a 1000cc super bike with the bike license you attained from riding a clapped out scooter around a few cones

  10. #10
    R.I.P.
    DrB0b's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD
    Posts
    17,118
    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by DrB0b
    an International Driving Permit.
    I believe a genuine one can only be gotten in BKK.
    If the local DLT can't do it they will forward the forms to BKK who will then post the IDP back.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    18,022
    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by DrB0b
    an International Driving Permit.
    I believe a genuine one can only be gotten in BKK.
    Nay...
    Most DLT branches at the larger provincial centres can oblige, though the process is probably transcribed through BKK.

    Genuine [whatever that is].

  12. #12
    I'm in Jail

    Join Date
    May 2011
    Last Online
    29-04-2023 @ 08:08 AM
    Location
    Not in jail
    Posts
    7,255
    Quote Originally Posted by DrB0b View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic View Post
    You can drive in the UK for 12 months using a Thai driving licence. 100% guaranteed.

    No requirement to obtain an International Licence.
    Absolutely correct. My wife did exactly that. Then, after she'd already been driving on British roads for a year on her Thai licence, they made here do the theory and practical driving tests so she could continue to drive on British roads. Go figure


    BTW, the International thingy mentioned earlier is not an International Driving Licence (they only exist on Khao San Road and similar dodgy places) it's an International Driving Permit.


    If you do really want an IDP you can apply at any Department of Land Transport Office in Thailand. The Thai IDP looks like this



    That pic is from a Teakdoor Thai Driving Licence Thread here and https://teakdoor.com/doing-things-leg...g-licence.html (Thai Driving Licence)
    so. You dont look like clint eastwood?

  13. #13
    R.I.P.
    DrB0b's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD
    Posts
    17,118
    Quote Originally Posted by beerlaodrinker View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by DrB0b View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic View Post
    You can drive in the UK for 12 months using a Thai driving licence. 100% guaranteed.

    No requirement to obtain an International Licence.
    Absolutely correct. My wife did exactly that. Then, after she'd already been driving on British roads for a year on her Thai licence, they made here do the theory and practical driving tests so she could continue to drive on British roads. Go figure


    BTW, the International thingy mentioned earlier is not an International Driving Licence (they only exist on Khao San Road and similar dodgy places) it's an International Driving Permit.


    If you do really want an IDP you can apply at any Department of Land Transport Office in Thailand. The Thai IDP looks like this



    That pic is from a Teakdoor Thai Driving Licence Thread here and https://teakdoor.com/doing-things-leg...g-licence.html (Thai Driving Licence)
    so. You dont look like clint eastwood?

    I'm more the Peter Lorre type.



  14. #14
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Last but who gives a shit.
    Posts
    13,316
    Gay???

  15. #15
    R.I.P.
    DrB0b's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD
    Posts
    17,118
    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic View Post
    Gay???
    Eh? What?

  16. #16
    splendid and tremendous
    somtamslap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last Online
    27-11-2023 @ 11:59 PM
    Location
    Down on the farm
    Posts
    13,805
    Quote Originally Posted by koman
    Question1 Can I drive in the UK temporarily on a Thai license?
    You can apply for an international license (in Thailand) and drive on it for up to a year.

    Good luck with the trip back.

  17. #17
    Banned

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last Online
    09-05-2021 @ 03:25 AM
    Posts
    33,644
    ^ whats the advantage over using his Thai license? And is that Uncle Fester

  18. #18
    splendid and tremendous
    somtamslap's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last Online
    27-11-2023 @ 11:59 PM
    Location
    Down on the farm
    Posts
    13,805
    Quote Originally Posted by Dillinger
    ^ whats the advantage over using his Thai license?
    Isn't a Thai license the equivalent of Monopoly money? You know, fucking useless?

    No, I'm sure you can do it on a Thai license then - if others here have had that experience - but my wife got an international license which did the job for a year.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Last but who gives a shit.
    Posts
    13,316
    Quote Originally Posted by somtamslap
    international license
    Before DrB0b comes on you can edit that to 'permit'. Hurry now.

  20. #20
    Banned

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last Online
    09-05-2021 @ 03:25 AM
    Posts
    33,644
    I really dont get why youd go through the palaver for the IDP.

    https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Last but who gives a shit.
    Posts
    13,316
    Quote Originally Posted by Dillinger
    I really dont get why youd go through the palaver for the IDP.
    Because when you have doubt in your mind you make sure you have a backup to ease your doubt.

  22. #22
    Banned

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last Online
    09-05-2021 @ 03:25 AM
    Posts
    33,644
    ^ No. The correct answer is some car hire companies wont accept a foreign license without IDP and you cant drive into Europe

    https://www.tripsavvy.com/internatio...the-uk-1662365

  23. #23
    R.I.P.
    DrB0b's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD
    Posts
    17,118
    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by somtamslap
    international license
    Before DrB0b comes on you can edit that to 'permit'. Hurry now.
    He's a cyclist. What would he know?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dillinger
    I really dont get why youd go through the palaver for the IDP.
    It's not that bad. Go to Transport Office with passport, two photos, residence letter, 500 Baht. fill form, pay money, wait 30 minutes, get IDP.

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat
    koman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Last Online
    09-05-2023 @ 11:36 AM
    Location
    Issan
    Posts
    4,287
    Thanks for all the replies guys. I know some car renal companies will allow you to rent with a Thai license...and some will not. I have a Canadian license as well but it's been expired for a year.....plus an old German one....I've got driver licenses up the ying-yang...but no copy of my old UK one. Think the ex-wife burned it or something....

    The real reason I brought this up is because I have been offered the use of a privately owned car. Just want to make sure the insurance company does not go ape-shit. If they do then I will just rent....its' only money after all.

    I have about a month to try getting through the hoops of getting an International driving permit.....so maybe I'll give that a go.

    Cheers

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat
    chassamui's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Bali
    Posts
    11,678
    Quote Originally Posted by beerlaodrinker
    so. You dont look like clint eastwood?
    No, but his other half does.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •