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Can I legally drive in Bangkok with an IDP on a DTV visa?
DTV VisaThai Driving LicenseInternational Driving PermitDriving Laws in ThailandVisa Regulations in Thailand
Nov 7, 2025
6 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERQuick question - I entered Thailand last week on DTV. Can I drive (legally) in Bangkok with a valid IDP or do I need to apply for Thai Drivers licence?
TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, if you are in Thailand on a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa), you can legally drive with a valid International Driving Permit (IDP). You can use your IDP for up to 90 days; after that, you will need to obtain a Thai driving license. Make sure to have an updated TM30 registration with immigration, and you may need to provide additional documents such as a certificate of residency, passport copies, and your entry stamp for the license application.
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- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Dany ********
yes its valid until the date that is printed on the IDP. for scooters you need a full motorcycle license so.
Jens ********
Idp for 90 days tgen Thai licence vor boarder run...
Paul *******
You're on a tourist visa so yes you can drive on your home country licence with an IDP. As a temporary visitor you can drive up to the expiry date of your entry stamp. You will get experts telling you it's 90 days maximum which is total BS. Enjoy your stay!
Ian **********
You are allowed to use your IDP for 90 days, but after this, you need to get a Thai driving licence. You will only get a 2-year licence as you are on a tourist visa. You need to make sure you have an upto date TM30 registered with immigration, and then you can obtain a certificate of residency, together with your IDP and passport, which you need to get your Thai license. You will need a photocopy of your bio page and entry stamp from your passport. If you have a valid motorbike licence, this can be issued at the same time. In Thailand, they have separate licences.
Dany ********
@Ian *********
post an official (!) source that states a 90 day limit. until then this is all anecdotal bar talkIan **********
@Dany *******
London Thai Embassy Driving in Thailand - Royal Thai Embassy, London
สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงลอนดอน
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› publicservice › *****
-...If you would like to drive, either vehicle or motorcycle, while visiting Thailand, you are required by law to hold an international driving license.
People also ask
How long can you use an IDP in Thailand?
90 days
Tourists can use their national driving licence with the IDP for up to 90 days if they hold a tourist visa. Expats staying longer need to apply for a Thai temporary permit at the Department of Land Transport.Aug 14, 2568 BE
Reply to
Ian **********
Reply
Andrew *********
@Ian *********
Medical certificate.Ian **********
@Andrew ********
Yes, correct but it is smple. I pay 80 bahtReply to
Ian **********
Reply
Pete *******
@Ian *********
the 90 day limit is an urban myth, it doesn’t exist in Thai law or the Convention. A IDP is valid until it expires.Andrew *********
@Pete ******
But insurance companies might not cover you.Paul *******
@Andrew ********
Why wouldn't an insurance company cover you if you're operating within the law?Anonymous ******************
@Paul ******
I was in a motorcycle accident and the other party paid. But they needed a Thai drivers license in order for the claim to be processed. An IDP wouldn’t have worked. At least that’s why the insurance man said.Paul *******
Anonymous participant 694 "What the insurance man told me" - sums it up
Pete *******
@Andrew ********
why?Andrew *********
@Pete ******
You'll have to ask them.Pete *******
@Andrew ********
your insurance comment doesn’t stand up, you can drive legally until the validity date of your IDP or of your home country license.Reply to
Pete *******
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Jef ********
You have a DTV you can legally do what you want just tell them abruptly that you have a DTV
Anonymous ******************
Exactly! As long as it’s not a violent crime, you’re good. Just wave that DTV-stamped passport around and enjoy your day.
Jef ********
💯
Reply to
Jef ********
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Dennis ************
Yes for 180days i believe. But you can convert it to a Thai license very easy
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dennis ***********
Thanks! Do you know the procedure to convert IDP to a valid Thai License?Dennis ************
Anonieme deelnemer i did it its very easy.. i think you need that license, pasport and healtproof that cost like 100 baht
Dennis ************
Department of Land Transport
กรมการขนส่งทางบก
กรมการขนส่งทางบก
Reply to
Dennis ************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Dennis ***********
Nope you can only drive 3 month every entry of Thailand.Pete *******
Anonymous participant 857 wrong, there is no 3 month limit. The IDP is valid until it’s expiry date.
Jens ********
@Pete ******
yes the idp is valid but in thailand only for 90 days , then you have to make a boarder run or get a Thai drivinig licenceDany ********
@Jens *******
you surely have an official thai source for your claims, right? please post itJens ********
@Dany *******
if you Google it u get directly this answer. It stay everywhere, if you feel better to drive illegal have fun if you have an accident... **********************************************************
Pete *******
@Jens *******
this is wrong. There is no 90 day limit under Thai law or in the Conventions. They are repeating an urban myth. You need to actually read the law, section 42 of the Motor Vehicle Act 1979 covers the legality of driving in Thailand, no mention of limits of an IDP.Reply to
Pete *******
Reply
Paul *******
Anonymous participant 857 Wrong. A tourist can drive up to the expiry of their entry stamp - for DTV it's 180 days
Dennis ************
Anonieme deelnemer 857 you could be right... i wpuld just convert it asap
Reply to
Dennis ************
Reply
Dom ********
IDP is good 👍
Anonymous ******************
@Dom *******
only valid for three months every entry to Thailand.Pete *******
Anonymous participant 857 incorrect, there is no three month limit, an IDP is valid until it expires.
Paul *******
Anonymous participant 857 For tourist it's up to expiry of entry stamp. So for DTV it's 180 days
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 857 Thanks! Do you know the procedure to convert IDP to a valid Thai License?
Toni *******
Anonymous participant go to the DLT office and get a thai one, about 200thb...
Andrew *********
@Toni ******
Motorbike. Car was 505 last time I did it.Toni *******
@Andrew ********
ah yes.. and medical cert 200 and cert of residence 400?Andrew *********
@Toni ******
depends on immigration office and clinic.Toni *******
@Andrew ********
i have used 3 clinics around pattaya, always 200, dont remember the res cert price tho, might have been 200 alsoAndrew *********
@Toni ******
I've done 5 licences and about 18 years of work permits. Med certificate I've paid 100 upto 500 in Chonburi.Reply to
Andrew *********
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