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  1. #1
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    Thai Driver's Licence in Oz

    This month, my wife, kids and I are going to Oz for 3 weeks and I am wanting to rent a car to travel along the Great Ocean Road to Warnambool. Is Adelaide any good?

    Does anyone know if I can use my Thai driver's license? I don't have one of those new UK ones with the photo.

    We're renting a condo in Hampton, Melbourne for 1 week, then a beach house at Point Lonsdale for 1 week, and plan to hit the road for 1 week. Does anyone know that area? Anywhere else that is a must to see? We've been to Sydney and Surfer's Paradise before in August and it was bloody freezing. I hope it a reasonable temperature in the South but hear it can get cold.

  2. #2
    last farang standing
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    I dont think its the same in each state. An international license with your current license will probably be excepted in every state.

  3. #3
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Terminology has proven important on this topic in the past.

    What you need is an International Driving Permit or IDP.

    Used in combination with your Thai licence, of course.

    https://teakdoor.com/motoring-in-thai...i-license.html

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  5. #5
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    Maybe flick an email or call the company you'll be hiring a car off and ask them. Want you want to do is no problem in QLD but I have no idea about SA or VIC.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    Driving/Licence Laws are State based ... Chico's link above ^ supplies the relevant facts.


    Quote Originally Posted by David48atTD View Post

    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

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Instructions here on how to get a Thai International Driving License:

    How to get an international drivers license in Bangkok | Karn G. Bulsuk: Full Speed Ahead

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat
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    there's a reasonable chance you'll all be murdered in Adelaide/ surrounds.

    The Great Ocean Road is fantastic - so do that before you're murdered/ put in a barrel of acid.

  9. #9
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    I had no problems in the USA renting a car with just my Thai DL and USA based credit card.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Earl View Post
    I had no problems in the USA renting a car with just my Thai DL and USA based credit card.
    Do the same as you but with a Thai credit card. But Australia seems to be different state by state.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Earl View Post
    I had no problems in the USA renting a car with just my Thai DL and USA based credit card.
    Same goes for the UK. Can use a Thai DL for 12 months of entry.

  12. #12
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    You don't need an international driver permit, it's really just a translation into the language of the country you are driving in.
    Thai [ASEAN] licenses are in English already.

    This state crap, different laws doesn't apply, it's Federal government jurisdiction, overseas licenses come under treaties, not stupid state laws.

    No state cop is going, or court is going to try and overturn Federal international treaties, plus having no fixed address in OZ, Thai license means jail, not going to happen.

  13. #13
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    Thanks All, especially Chico for that link.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by jamescollister View Post
    You don't need an international driver permit, it's really just a translation into the language of the country you are driving in.
    Thai [ASEAN] licenses are in English already.

    This state crap, different laws doesn't apply, it's Federal government jurisdiction, overseas licenses come under treaties, not stupid state laws.

    No state cop is going, or court is going to try and overturn Federal international treaties, plus having no fixed address in OZ, Thai license means jail, not going to happen.
    I never saw the need for an international one. Luckily the Thai one is written in English, but 6 months overdue(better get a new one).

    If a translation is needed, I can do it myself, as there is no certification body for translators in Thailand, like many seem to think.

  15. #15
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    Chalky that's interesting so what is called a certified document is BS?

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chico View Post
    Chalky that's interesting so what is called a certified document is BS?
    To become a legal translation it has to have the stamp from Dep't Foreign Affairs on it confirming translation is correct I'd imagine.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chico View Post
    Chalky that's interesting so what is called a certified document is BS?
    That's right Chico. Some seem to think if they go to an expensive shop and get nice stamp, it makes it right. Some embassies even mistakenly give recommendations for certified translators. Anyone can get a stamp made and translate it. I've just signed my name and given my phone number before.
    Legalisation is a different matter, which needs to be done at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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