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Can I obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Thailand while on a tourist visa?

May 20, 2025
a day ago
Jonas ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I did my drinving license 2 years ago on a tourist visa (still have tourist) and wanted to get the renewal done for the 5 year one so i can get an IDP. They say with a tourist visa you can only extend for another 2 years, not 5 - therefore they wont give an IDP. Anz idea on how i can get an IDP from thailand with a tourist visa? And if not, any idea which visa would be fast to acquire so i can make an IDP? Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about the possibility of obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) while holding a tourist visa in Thailand. According to community responses, an IDP is only obtainable if one possesses a 5-year driving license, which is only accessible through a non-immigrant visa. Users suggest that an IDP obtained from the home country may be a viable alternative, and mention that being on a tourist visa limits the license to a maximum of 2 years. Some options for transitioning to a non-immigrant visa are discussed, but they emphasize the legal implications of holding an IDP obtained under incorrect circumstances.
Colin *********
Some country's have a resipecal exchange your licence valid for some country the same as the country your in
Colin *********
Which country are you from do you have a licence from your own country?
John ********
@Colin ********
I live in Germany I have German English and a 3 year international license
Colin *********
@John *******
do you have a uk licence?
John ********
Colin *********
Colin *********
Not shore if this helps pal 👍
Andy **********
Why can't you get a IDP with your home country driving licence, when you go home, since you are a tourist?
John ********
@Andy *********
I have a idp ..from my home country..I also have a thai license ..better safe than sorry....please quote me if I am wrong ..but is a idp only good for 1 month in a foreign country....my thai license cost me for 1.5 days in a driving school..1000 baht ..+500 baht for my license
David ********
@John *******
3 months at a time and valid for 1 year.
Leo *******
@David *******
my idp says it's valid for 3 years, 2 years later I'm still using it. Out of the handful of times I was stopped at a checkpoint I showed it to the police and they let me on my way. It's why I haven't bothered getting a Thai license yet.
Andy **********
@Leo ******
How long a IDP is valid for depends on which IDP, which country you are using it in and your own national driving licence. If your own licence expires or is canceled, your IDP had no validity. For the UK, that includes the photocard, do it dies with the photocard. 1949 IDP has 1 year on it. Thailand moved to 1968 IDP which is 3 years or whenever your own licence expires, which ever comes first. There is also a 1926 IDP which you need for Brazil. Thailand and Vietnam are both 1968 IDP but Cambodia and Laos are 1949 IDP. So travelling in all 4 needs 2 idps. It's an abuse to misuse multiple IDPs to "extend" driving in a country. The clock starts when you arrive nit when you start driving.
Brandon ************
@Leo ******
There's a big difference between what the police will accept, and what is legal. If you are in an accident and the insurance company is able to determine that you should not be driving on the IDP due to how long you've been in Thailand, you won't be covered.
Leo *******
@Brandon ***********
well it's the first time I've heard that lol
Brandon ************
@John *******
that depends on the driving regulations of that county. Many countries only accept an IDP for a certain amount of time with the expectation that you'll get a license there if you intend to stay long term
John ********
I call an agency ..how much to exstend my 2 year driving licence..and do I I get 2 or 5 year..agency say 3500 ..only get another 2 year..I call my school they say if you apply before licence finishes to must look 30 min video cost 200 baht ..you get 5 year visa..I am also on a tourist visa....not sure but maybe they miss quoted me from a 2 and 5 year visa
Jonas ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
you must look the 1 hour video anyway before renewal. Also an agent said i can get a 5 year driving license if i pay alooottt, but still he said I wont be able to get IDP with a tourist visa afterwards.
John ********
@Jonas **********
..you see your agent say you can get 5 year licence..my say no you cannot..up to you to make a that decision
Jonas ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
i dont want a 5 year without an IDP.
Alexei ****************
Non B visa only for the 5 years. If you renew now you gonna get a temporary 2 years again
Pui *****
@Alexei ***************
you also can get the 5 year licence on a PE elite visa, not just a non-immigrant visa
Jonas ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alexei ***************
yes that’s what they said. Lets assume i extend now and get a non immogrant visa in arround 6 months, do i have to wait to get the 5 year and the IDP or can i upgrade directly even before the 2 year looses its validity?
Jonas ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sorry, maybe a framed question wrong let’s assume I renew my driving license again for two years because mine is running out now and I get the non-immigrant visa in around six months will I be able to upgrade an immediately to the five year one or do I have to wait until it’s invalid again
Brandon ************
@Jonas **********
You will wait until you apply for your next renewal.
Alexei ****************
@Jonas **********
you can still do it 1 year after the end validity of your 2 years of but you won't be able to get your 5 years if you don't have non B
John **********
It would be more a question of which Non-immigrant visa you qualify for
Matt *******
I’m curious. Are you trying for the IDP to drive in Vietnam?
Jonas ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Matt ******
you can drive in vietnam anyway. In all Aeasan countries you dont need an IDP, thai driving license is enough.
Frank *****
@Jonas **********
apparently the first thai dl, the two year one, is not accepted, been told this, but have no first hand knowledge.
Ant ***********
You can apply for an IDP from your home country
John **********
@Ant **********
from the country your driving licence is from. But you can only get one with a 5 year Thai licence.
Garrett ***********
You can't, you can only get a 5 year license if you're on a non immigrant visa. And you can only get an IDP on a 5 year license. It's the same for thais and foreigners, there's no work around.
Pui *****
@Garrett **********
you also can get the 5 year licence on a PE elite visa, not just a non-immigrant visa
Jonas ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
thank you for the answer. Lets assume i extend now and get a non immogrant visa in arround 6 months, do i have to wait to get the 5 year and the IDP or can i upgrade directly even before the 2 year looses its validity?
Garrett ***********
@Jonas **********
Generally they only let you apply for a new license 60 days before yours expires. The IDP is only valid for 1 year from when it's issued.
Henrik *****
And only for 90 days pr. travel in most countries.
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