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Can I transfer my US driver's license and international driving permit to obtain a Thai driver's license without full training?

Thai Driver LicenseInternational Driving PermitVisa and ImmigrationExpat Life in ThailandDriving Regulations in ThailandMedical CertificateResidency Requirements
Jun 26, 2024
6 months ago
Kenny *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thai Driver license question.

I have my US driver license and a international driver permit issued on Oct 15, 2023.

can i still use these to transfer/get a Thai Driver license without doing the full driver training as if i have never have a license before?

Thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A US driver's license along with a valid international driving permit (IDP) may allow you to apply for a Thai driver's license without the need for extensive tests or training. Validity of both documents is crucial. Many foreigners report being able to obtain their licenses by providing a medical certificate and proof of residency, with most locations requiring only a vision test and some basic procedures. It's noted that specifics can vary by location, but generally, the process is straightforward if proper documentation is provided.
Andreas *********
I got my driving license a few months ago. All in all it cost about 30 euros. The most expensive were the two letters from immigration (you need one for the car and one for the Motorcycle). Had the national and international driving license with me. The Thai driving licenses (at least mine) are initially valid for 2 years valid and will then be extended for a further 6 years.
6 months ago
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Kenny *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andreas ********
 oh one certificate of residence for each license?

I will keep that in mind. Thanks for the info.🙏🙏
6 months ago
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Andreas *********
@Kenny ****
 Correct, I had both letters from immigration, but they forgot to sign one of them. So I went back to immigration.
6 months ago
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Andreas *********
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Dave *********
@David ****
 It might depend on the office. My local office took my UK licence and weren't interested in the IDP.
6 months ago
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Steve **********
@Dave ********
 was long ago, but I just used my US licence.

I believe IDP were required for non-english speaking countries.

Don't know why.
6 months ago
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Steve **********
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Alastair ********
I just got my licensee at driving office in Min Burri, Bangkok.

I used:

- Australian driving licence and international driving permit

-medical certificate - easy to get from local clinic

-yellow house book as proof of address (easier than getting residence certificate from Cheng Wattana for me)

I had to do the easy test: depth perception, colour blindness, etc

No driving theory or practical driving test required.
6 months ago
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Philip ********
I used an agent in chaing mai, called chaing mai helper, It only took 20 minutes and I was done. I did have my australian IDP and driving lic.
6 months ago
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Troy ******
@Philip *******
 why? It's easy to do yourself.
6 months ago
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Todd *********
@Troy *****
 sometimes it's not easy, I tried a couple of times in Kuchinarai, Kalasin and just kept getting bounced between police and the DMV

Just gave up and still just drive on an IDP
6 months ago
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Todd *********
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Dean ***********
No training. Go in, do the forms and stupid brake check test,new license
6 months ago
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Sasi ************
My personal experience; I took my US DL to the Thai DMV and got a 10 years Thai DL without any test or training but vision check as I am wearing contacts lenses, along with the health certificate.
6 months ago
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David *********
You do not need an IDP to get a Thai drivers license. If your license is in English you will get what you have on you license from your country. If you have car and motorcycle licence they are issued as two cards. Bring medical certificate and certificate of residency to one and transfer office. Watch video do the reaction test pay the fee and wait to get your

License. First time issued for two years. Next renewals five years
6 months ago
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David *****
@David ********
 without the IDP they will require a written test to be completed
6 months ago
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David *********
I have never had an IDP and had no problem getting a Thai drivers license 5 years ago.
6 months ago
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David *********
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Stacey ****************
You will need a medical

Certificate and I believe a residency letter from immigration. Once I had that, and current visa, they gave me both a car & motorcycle ones based off of my USA state & International permit without any additional testing or video classes. May depend on the location
6 months ago
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Steve **********
Ya, very friendly and helpful. Never spent more than an hour.
6 months ago
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Kenny *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stacey ***************
 thanks for the information. Hope DLT in BKK will do the same for both my MC & Car license. Do you need to pay separately for each?
6 months ago
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David *****
@Kenny ****
 make sure your IDP has a motorcycle stamp
6 months ago
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Kenny *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ****
 thanks yes i do have a motorcycle stamp on my IDP.
6 months ago
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Kenny *****
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Steve **********
@Kenny ****
 ya but only a 100 or so baht.
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Kenny ****
 they both have a price yes, but if you do them together you make one payment for both.
6 months ago
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Stacey ****************
@Kenny ****
 they issued them to me at the same time. If memory serves me, I paid for them together at that time
6 months ago
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Steve **********
@Stacey ***************
 can't recall either but only 1 or 200 baht if recall
6 months ago
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Stacey ****************
@Steve *********
 yeah, wasn’t much
6 months ago
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Stacey ****************
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Steve **********
My current US drivers license was sufficient on Chiangmai a number of years ago not to take any tests simply a med cert at any clinic for 60 baht and watch a video.

They were very friendly and took little time.

One you have, it's 5 years, renewals take no time. Different licenses needed for bike and car though
6 months ago
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Henrik *****
First 2 years, then 5 years
6 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Henrik ****
 Depends if you have a long stay visa, orelse it’s two by two years.
6 months ago
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Steve **********
@Jan *****************
 Thai Drivering Licence Bureau is no hassle, and they're very pleasant
6 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Steve *********
 That’s also my experience in Buriram, but I needed to do both tests from scratch with theoretical and practical test since I don’t have a motorcycle license from home and didn’t bring IDP for car.
6 months ago
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Steve **********
@Jan *****************
 after my 1st licence ( was for 1 year ). Got 2nd, was for 10 years..now any renewal is 5 years.
6 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Steve *********
 Great I’m normally on visa exemption and got two years each time for ten years now. Next time I’ll get a Non O visa first.
6 months ago
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Jan ******************
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Brandon ************
Most IDP are valid for at least 1 year, and sometimes 3 years.

So as long as both your IDP and home drivers license are still valid, you should be able to use them to make the process of obtaining a Thai drivers license eaiser.
6 months ago
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Randy ******
@Brandon ***********
???? America steer wheel is on the left. Thailand is on the right. I wouldn’t trust foreigners driving without taking exams and practice
6 months ago
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Rob *********
@Randy *****
 and yet, I just rented a car and drove all over Okinawa. Drove all over Australia
6 months ago
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Linhof *********
@Randy *****
 my Thai father in law on day one handed me the keys, stick shift, BKK traffic
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Randy *****
 the only problem the other side causes me is that I turn the windshield wipers on instead of the blinker for the first week whenever I return from the US. Other than that, most Americans had to do 1000% more to get their license than Thais do
6 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Randy *****
 I’ve done the theoretical and practical test as well and I don’t think it makes any difference. If you can handle a car, you’ll need to get comfortable with driving on the opposite side yourself. Similar to if you go on holiday in Europe to England, Scotland, Ireland and Malta as an example.
6 months ago
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Jan ******************
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Kenny *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thank you.

I read so many post about IDP only valid for 3 months in Thailand, i guess its for driving with it.
6 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Kenny ****
 You can only drive on a IDP for 3 months in Thailand, but the IDP itself is normally valid longer. You need a residence certificate and a simple doctor’s statement (any doctor or clinic will know) to convert your national licenses (and IDP) into thai licenses if you have both car and motorcycle from home. At the DLT you might need to watch a movie regarding safety and you’ll need to do some simple test regarding sight and reaction. Fee is approximately 700 baht for both and you always get for two years the first time.
6 months ago
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David *****
@Jan *****************
 just did this myself on Friday. Easy process. Watched a one hour video online from home
6 months ago
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David *****
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