^ Exactly!
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^ Exactly!
When I got my first drivers license I was able to use a residence certificate issued by the immigration division of the police in Korat.
When I first arrived in Korat I reported there and had the householder report there. (At that time there was no Immigration office in Korat and I had yet to make a 90 day report.) The police were happy to type up a residence certificate which was acceptable to the drivers license people.
Nope.Quote:
Originally Posted by RDN
You can only use an IDP in Thailand for three months then you have to get a thai DL
Only if it is a Singapore, Malaysian, or Laos license.Quote:
Originally Posted by RDN
You cannot use a UK license legally
1. Driving License...
a valid International Driving License is compulsory for all visitors driving any motor vehicle in Thailand. When renting a vehicle only your passport will be requested to prove identity and is usually retained until return of the vehicle. Normally, no-one mentions anything about driving license legal requirements.
Articles: Driving and renting vehicles in Thailand
An international driver's license is accepted in Thailand as long as its valid normally 3 months. A foreign license holds no weight here.
Driving licenses in Thailand
You are required to either have an International Driver's License (IDL) or else get a Thai driver's license to drive in Thailand, rent a car, and/or purchase car insurance (depends on insurance company).
A driver's license from another country is not officially recognized.
http://www.thailandguru.com/transport-car-own.htm
Answer: Let us kindly inform you that an international driving license is required in Thailand.
Frequently Asked Question about Thailand
^ Although the reality is that a Euro licence IS accepted by the police.
I drove for about a year just using my Euro license and would point to the list of countries on the license and say "of course it's an international"Quote:
Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog
I got away with it until I got stopped by a copper in Phitsanalok who knew his stuff.
Well, I've got my new pushbike now, so no licence needed. :)
A few years ago, i guy got done for speeding on his pushbike down a hill in NZ. I think he gave a false name etc to the cop......:)
I don't think I'll manage to break the speed limit. It's a bloody heavy bike when I'm sitting on it. :(
Excellent thread with excellent (if sometimes confusing) information - Well done you good people.
The length of time one can drive on an International Driving Permit seems a bit cloudy, e.g. "normally 3 months" - I think I that will take my details into the insurance company and get them to confirm coverage. It's the insurance cover that worries me most.
When I first hired a bike in Samui there was no problem showing a UK License, but you are right: an IDP (or IDL) or Thai license is required by law. I got my Thai license for insurance purposes before I bought the pick-up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Thetyim
But I don't believe for a minute that everyone I see riding a moto-cy in Phuket has an IDP or Thai License. And I'm sure the police don't, either.
Bikes, pick-ups, Thai and farang - they're all targeted at the Patong-Karon check point:
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...1_IMG_4063.jpg
https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u...5_IMG_4084.jpg
...........^^ Looks like this guy's got a ticket.
I was wondering about international drivers license, Sounded like a scam done to get your cash. I figured that it was only axxeptable, if you didn't get in trouble. I rented a motorbike, in Pattaya, and was nefver asked for any license, just passport. It was in the back of my mind for 3 days.
Getting the insurance cover was my main reason for getting a Thai license, but being as "legal" as possible was certainly another.Quote:
Originally Posted by danbo
The IDP (P=Permit, L=License) I got from England was valid for one year, and I don't know where the "3 months" comes from - maybe some countries' licenses are valid for 3 months, or maybe the Thai authorities think that 3 months is plenty of time for a foreigner to get a proper Thai license.
The best thing is to take your IDP/IDL to the licensing office and get a Thai license. Should only be colour-blindness test required.
I never heard of an IDL until I came to Thailand. I always thought they were called an IDP - P=permit, L=license.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobk_nyc
There are places that sell 10 year IDLs - and they have been reported as scams, so I wouldn't waste my money on them.
Have a look at Thetyim's link in post #80 here - basically it's up to you to get a license, most hirer's don't care.
I hired cars from Avis in Bangkok (next door to the UK embassy in Wittayu Road) about 4 times and they just took a copy of my UK license. No mention whatsoever of IDP/IDL or Thai license. They simply didn't care. What would've happened if I'd had an accident, I do not know. I'd been living in Thailand much more than 3 months, too.
I was stopped once for speeding on the expressway in an Avis car, but no problem with the UK license. Still had to pay for speeding though. :(
What is a tabien baan?
It's a document that lists the people who are actually residing in a house.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobk_nyc
It is frequently a work of fiction because people can't be bothered to register changes, because people want their official residence to be other than where they actually live (to get kids in the right school, for example), or because people are away from "home" for extended periods of time working.
The bike renter is under no obligation to ensure that you are legal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobk_nyc
He wants your passport so that you cannot leave the country unless you give his bike back undamaged.
He doesn't care if you are driving illegally, it's not his problem
...or so that he can pick it apart just for something to do...:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Thetyim
The (Thai) wife recently went to renew her 5 year and a part from those tests it is now mandatory to watch a 1 hour movie on road courtesy before they renew.
Apparently, the falangs went into another room and saw the epic in English???
^ My missus said it was only 10 mins. Maybe we get an edited version in Udon because no one can stay awake in front of a telly for more than 10 mins?
Getting Thai license in Bangkok September 2014 - my experience, for what it's worth
Note - I planned on getting my Thai license (car and bike) before I came out here to live, so came armed with UK license (car and bike) and International Driving Permit (got it from Post Office next door to Birmingham Thai Consulate, took 15 minutes to get visa and 15 minutes to get IDP).
Documents Needed
1) Current passport, with valid visa
(I have a non-immigrant B, because my wife has a job here).
2) UK license - photo card and paper counterpart
3) Letter of residence
(Got this from UK embassy at 14 Wireless Rd, Ploen Chit - only open from 8-11am; needed some proof of residence; as I don't have a work permit, I got a letter from my wife's employer, which did the trick. Cost 3080 THB)
4) Medical certificate/s
(called and visited loads of medical-type places, cheapest I could get was 630 THB for two copies, yeah, I know)
Highly recommended
A thai speaker to help navigate from counter to counter - I paid someone 300 THB for the day
A book or fondle-slab of some sort to pass the time.
Look presentable - they will take your photo on the day and laminate your licenses with it
What I did
1) turned up with translator, all documents, plus all documents photocopied and countersigned, with phone number, money ( I paid 320 THB for both)
2) Went from counter to counter handing over forms, waiting for my name to be called, getting a plastic tag with my number on it to let me know which batch of hopefuls I was doing the 'tests' with
3) Watched educational videos, to show what the three tests involved; first in Thai, then in English
4) Took the three tests and got my paperwork stamped as I passed each one:
a) Colour-blindness - they show you a traffic light that flashes random Green, Red and Yellow lights, you shout out: Keeow (Green), Dang (Red) or Lellow (Yellow).
b) Depth perception - you sit in a chair with a red and green button to hand and use them to align two white sticks in a box at a range of about 10 foot, put your hand in the air when you think you've got it right - needs to be within an inch or so.
c) Reactions - you sit in a chair with an accelerator - brake pedal setup: when the green light shows you press the accelerator and when the red light shows, you press the brake - needs to be within 0.75 of a second
I think you are supposed to pass two out of three times, but they were rushing us through and once was enough.
Finally, I got a printed number and settled down for it to be shown on a queueing system. Handed over my documents for a final check, had my photo taken and paid my money (320 THB for both). 30 seconds later, I got two individual, laminated licenses and away I went, Happy!
Thai driving license shows your passport number and acts as ID and proof of residence, which should mean less hassle and paying local prices.
Your Mileage May Vary, as our merkin cousins say ;-):ourrules:
Chances are now that you live Thailand you no longer have a UK address. If the address on a UK license is incorrect on visiting the UK it's an automatic 1,000 Pound fine if caught. Whereas you can drive in the UK for up to 12 months using your Thai license so avoiding a possible fine. Hope that can help someone?Quote:
Originally Posted by bks
It isn't really "proof of residence" but it can come in handy for other purposes, such as getting into some places for the local price - and showing police officers you have a licence to drive.Quote:
Originally Posted by bks
Thanks for the report. Nothing seems to have changed. Good to hear. :)