Novice driver in Isaan

**Travelmate** · 29-11-2010, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Thetyim

It is not a requirement to rent but it is a requirement to drive legally.

I thought you were allowed to use a proper driving license for up to 90 days in Thailand?

Don't you have a Thai driving license?
Tis common knowledge, it unacceptable to drive on a foreign license.
I have a Thai license for my motorcycle and another Thai license for my motorcar.

**Marmite the Dog** · 29-11-2010, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Don't you have a Thai driving license?

No. I can drive.

**nigelandjan** · 29-11-2010, 12:57 PM

Well all I know is whenever I have been stopped I have given me passport / international licence / + 100 bt and been moved along merrily away .

There is a list somewhere and I cant think where at the mo ,, where it lists you need an international one for thai , however I thought this was for tourists for a set period ie holiday time ,, then I thought if you lived there full time you had to get a thai licence as well , mabe different provinces have diff interpretations

**superman** · 29-11-2010, 01:36 PM

It was stated, on my first insurance paper, that a Thai licence must be obtained within ........ of taking out the policy. The insurance I have now is in Thai and don't know if that on there. To be safe I took the test so as to make sure my cover is okay

**superman** · 29-11-2010, 01:55 PM

Moving Abroad and Your UK Licence

If you’re planning to stay in a foreign country for an extended period of time, or are moving there permanently, you will need to speak to local authorities about using your UK licence. Many countries will let you use your licence for a particular period of time and then after this time has elapsed will expect you to chance to a local licence.

Is Your Driving Licence Valid Abroad? - About Driving Abroad (UK)

**Travelmate** · 29-11-2010, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Don't you have a Thai driving license?

No. I can drive.

A relief, but clearly lacking the decency to be legit whilst driving/riding.

**Bob63** · 29-11-2010, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by nigelandjan

Originally Posted by Bob63

But of course be careful because the cross traffic is still going.

and the motorbikes to your left hand side in that same lane will be going straight on as you make the left turn ,, you will know when you hear a graunching sound

Agree. The motosais will flow around you like water, and you need to watch out.
BTW, apologies for my poor English. When I write cross-section, I of course mean intersection..

Regarding the International Driver's License, I guess it is prudent to get one.
There was a list posted about which countries accept UK licenses, and USA was not on there.
I have, however, rented many a car in the US on my Danish license without problems, so I guess the same goes for Thailand:
You are OK with your home country drive license, even if law requires you to have an IDL.
I checked how to get an IDL here in DK. It is easy and cheap. You just show up at the municipality office with a passport photo, your local driver license and pay eqv to 125 THB. Might as well get it, just in case.

**superman** · 29-11-2010, 03:55 PM

I don't see Thailand in there.

The list of countries who happily accept a UK driving licence without a problem are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden

Is Your Driving Licence Valid Abroad? - About Driving Abroad (UK)

**Thetyim** · 29-11-2010, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Bob63

You are OK with your home country drive license, even if law requires you to have an IDL.

Quote of the month

**Marmite the Dog** · 29-11-2010, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Don't you have a Thai driving license?

No. I can drive.

A relief, but clearly lacking the decency to be legit whilst driving/riding.

Indeed. I respect Thai law as much as any Thai.

**Bob63** · 29-11-2010, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by superman

I don't see Thailand in there.

The list of countries who happily accept a UK driving licence without a problem are:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden

Is Your Driving Licence Valid Abroad? - About Driving Abroad (UK)

Nope, and neither are many other countries, such as USA.
Hence my comment /quote of the month

.,

**nigelandjan** · 30-11-2010, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Bob63

BTW, apologies for my poor English.

No need to apologise Bob ,your English is a thousand times better than any Scandanavian language effort I could ever make,you do very well ,,, I am sure we all know what you mean,cheers

**Fabian** · 02-12-2010, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Bob63

So speedlimits are Motorway/expressways (only found around BKK): 120 km/h

Highways (like in Isaan): 90 km/h
Suburban street: 50-60 km/h. The link says there will be signs saying 50 or 60 km/h. Not so in my experience, but anyway I will want to slow to 50 km/h in towns because I for sure don't want to hit a child.

No. It depends on the vehicle you're driving as I said before.

As I said 90 for cars and 80 for trucks.
Where do you get the 110 from?

**Marmite the Dog** · 06-12-2010, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by Fabian

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Bob63

So speedlimits are Motorway/expressways (only found around BKK): 120 km/h

Highways (like in Isaan): 90 km/h
Suburban street: 50-60 km/h. The link says there will be signs saying 50 or 60 km/h. Not so in my experience, but anyway I will want to slow to 50 km/h in towns because I for sure don't want to hit a child.

No. It depends on the vehicle you're driving as I said before.

As I said 90 for cars and 80 for trucks.
Where do you get the 110 from?

A Thai policeman had it written down and showed it to Norton when he was doing a Stirling.

**rickschoppers** · 27-11-2011, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

"An international driving license is accepted as long as it is valid, but a foreign license is not accepted in Thailand. "

Source ; Driving in Thailand - U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand

Thetyim, it is interesting to read this regulation since I only paid a fine one time for not having an International Driver's License. I have been stopped at least 10 times in the past 15 years or so and have done fine on my US driver's license. I have rented countless vehicles and never been asked and do not think the rental companies really care if you have one or not. You are liable to pay for any damage to the vehcile and that is their main concern. When I paid the fine for no International Driver's License it was at a time when I was driving one of the pick-ups that had all the needed paperwork and I was not "zig-zagging", "speeding" or braking any of the other made up infractions we all pay tea money for. Tomorrow, I plan to go down and obtain a proper Thai driver's license so that I can elimiate that from the equation as well. This will not mean I will never have to pay a fine since the BIB's will just make something up to meet their quota.

There are a lot of laws on the books here in Thailand in regards to being on the roads, but very few are enforced. It is only those that the police spout out in their road blocks that matter when they want to extort funds.

Happy Motoring.

**spliff** · 27-11-2011, 01:04 PM

An actual drivers license isn't really necessary here. Neither are driving skills or etiquette.

**Bob63** · 28-11-2011, 01:59 PM

I will stick with my home license this time, and also bring the driving etiquette from the German autobahns

**Carrabow** · 28-11-2011, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by spliff

An actual drivers license isn't really necessary here. Neither are driving skills or etiquette.

All three do not exist in Isaan

**9999** · 28-11-2011, 03:30 PM

It's like a 200bt fine for no licence same for no rego. Never had a problem using Aussie DL numerous times the cops have taken it until I go pay the fine at the cop shop. This is in Chiang Mai. Been here 3 years but always on a tourist visa. Police never ask how long I been here in any case.

**terry57** · 28-11-2011, 03:36 PM

Ive done a heap of driving in North and Southern Thailand and found it not to bad as long as you adapt quickly to the Thais style of driving.

But then again I'm used to driving a 12 ton Red truck dodging Aussy fuk wits so I got a heads up in that department.

**gudtymchuk** · 28-11-2011, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by sabang

Don't be shy to use your horn, especially when theres motosai's about.

Indeed, but it's a bit embarrassing on the Wave as the horn is pathetic.

Pathetic to be on a scoot called "Wave"

Hey, I like my Wave. It even have a little basket on the front just like my first bicycle.

**Carrabow** · 29-11-2011, 01:23 AM

This is my Isaan D/L...If you loose it you just go get another one

**can123** · 29-11-2011, 02:03 AM

It's easy for me. My wife speaks to the cop in "lao" and tells them that I am Ryan Giggs' uncle. I usually mutter something about Princess Diana and the Prince of Wales and we are on our way without paying a bean.

**palexxxx** · 29-11-2011, 03:05 AM

^ Who is Ryan Giggs?

**can123** · 29-11-2011, 03:07 AM

Originally Posted by palexxxx

^ Who is Ryan Giggs?

My nephew.

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