ask
Search
Ask
Answered9 months ago

Can I use my UK driving license to drive in Thailand while on a 12-month extension?

Kenny ********
asked Feb 7, 2026
4.7k
views
31
replies
5
likes
Hello everyone, I’m hoping to retire in Thailand at the end of the year all being well you’re answered some of my questions before about visas thank you I was just wondering if I do a 12 month extension. Can I use my English driving license to drive a car and a motorcycle or do I have to do a Thai driving test because I will not have an address in UK but my license will have a UK address on it which I will not live there cause I will of sold it 

Thank you .
Answer summary
The conversation addresses the requirements for driving in Thailand as an expat with a UK driving license. Key points include the need for an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive legally upon arrival, which allows driving for 90 days. Expats are advised to obtain an IDP before leaving the UK and to acquire a Thai driving license thereafter, which involves minimal testing. A medical certificate and a residence certificate from immigration are also necessary to complete the licensing process.
31 repliesnewest first
21

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Tom *******
Tom *******
Or just settle in Sisaket province where nobody has a driving licence 😂
Ant ***********
Ant ***********
You need an IDP to legally drive a motorcycle or car in Thailand

Whilst an IDP is for 12 months

If you are in Thailand longer than 3 months

You should get a Thai license

If you have a license from home and an IDP the process to get a Thai licence isn’t difficult & you dont have to do any actual driving tests if you have home license for car & bike & IDP
Steve ***********
Steve ***********
Let them drive
Fred **********
Fred **********
Get an international driver's license. Only you can only drive there for 60 days in Thailand, so you have to get a Thai driver's license. You say extension visa? this is only for 60 days and then you can extend 30 days. It depends on which country you come from. therefore need to find a different solution if you want to stay one year
Alan ***********
Alan ***********
Hi if you retire in Thailand from England get a international driver license and then this will give you 3 months permit to and then you need to do a Thai test
Alan *****
Alan *****
If you haven’t passed your big bike licence test in the uk. It will show up on the IDP, so you should only be permitted to ride a motorbike up to 125cc
Kenny ********
Kenny ********
OP
Alan Bow I have a gxs1400

& a Z900 r/s + VN 800
Alan *****
Alan *****
Kenny Norris so you’ve obviously passed your big bike licence. It will show up on the IDP👍
Wannikea *********
Wannikea *********
Get an IDP before you come to drive legally initially.
Steve *******
Steve *******
If you go to the Post Office you can get an IDP for around £5 ( that's how it was 5 years ago). With this and your UK licence you can drive in Thailand for 90 days. Before this time is up go to your local DLT office and get a Thai licence. Strait forward enough, just watch an hour lomg video on line beforehand then carry out a simple test at the office.
Kenny ********
Kenny ********
OP
@Steve ******
I have a IDL
Gary ********
Gary ********
@Steve ******
you get at any shop with paypoint now, post office stopped doing them
Stuart ***********
Stuart ***********
Great advice, but I was told a few days ago it's not the post office anymore, I think they said it's the co-op (it's 4 years since I did mine too). You also need a residence certificate from immigration and a medical certificate (both easy to get)
John ********
John ********
I took my UK licence along to the Department of Land Transport this Tuesday . Together with my passport and a certificate of residency I had got the week before from immigration.

There are some videos, a few multiple choice questions and 4 simple physical tests.

I walked away with a temporary 2 year car licence.

What I didn’t know is that I needed a separate residence certificate for a bike licence.

No rush with that.

Edit. Took my IPD too. They didn’t look at it.

Also I forgot to mention I also took a medical certificate.
Gary ********
Gary ********
John Wenman I had to get a letter from imo saying I can apply for a licence 🤔
John ********
John ********
Yeah I just got two residence certificates from immigration in BKK. One for bank and another for car.

And I had to go back to collect a week later. They wouldn’t post.
Reg ***********
Reg ***********
Get an international driving permit then it is so easy to get your thai licenses no test needed, just a basic medical ,reaction ,and coulour blind test ,and residence cert from immigration
John **********
John **********
You have a UK driving licence not an English driving licence. That aside if you get an IDP before you leave the UK and it covers both cars and motorbikes you can use it to drive both inside and for 90 days. After that you need to get Thai licences for each type of vehicle but its fairly straightforward from an IDP
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
Get an international driving permit before you come. You can then get a Thai driving license based off that without having to do the full theory and practical test. Just colour blindness and reaction tests. [edit] forgot to mention you will still need a medical certificate and residence certificate from immigration.
Ian *******
Ian *******
@Stuart ********
an international driving licence in English should be acceptable. No translation required.
Tevita ******
Tevita ******
Ian Whyte ok for visits, not if you are staying (eg retiring)
Kenny ********
Kenny ********
OP
Danewitz *******
Danewitz *******
@Stuart ********
It is important to get the Thai license after you have received the visa, so the license you will receive is for 5 years, otherwise only for two years.
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
Nope. The visa you have is irrelevant. For your first time licence it will be for 2 years. Then if you have a long term visa you can extend that to a 5 year licence when close to licence expiry. If you don’t you’d get another 2 year licence.
Rudi ***********
Rudi ***********
@Stuart ********
Besides my Belgian International Driving Permit, I also needed my national driving license. This had to be translated by a recognized translation agency and legalized by the Belgian embassy. I also needed a medical certificate valid for a maximum of one month, and proof of residence from the immigration service specifically for the driver's license application! I had to watch a video for an hour about Thai traffic, and the tests you mentioned in your message. And don't forget: make an appointment with land transport.
Stuart *********
Stuart *********
Yes forgot about the medical and residence certificate requirement. Translation not needed for a UK license.
Paul *******
Paul *******
You cannot drive or ride at all on a uk licence. You have to have an international licence.

I just took my motorbike test here on a 2 day course and cost me 3,000 Baht. I stupidly forgot to bring my uk licence with me so just did the test instead . It was a doddle
Simon *******
Simon *******
Paul Green The need an International driving permit that costs £5 in the UK, this entitles them to drive for 3 months taking this IDP to the transport office with a certificate of residence and a passport ,doing the computer course online before arriving will make it easier then get a Thai driving license for a car tell them you also want a motorbike license as they a 2 different licenses they will usually give them both after the eye tests are done.

Activity

21 joined
Kenny ********
Kenny ********
Kenny ********
Kenny ********
Kenny ********
Kenny ********
21
people
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
...members60% approval
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5
Member 6
Member 7
Member 8

Related

25
What is the process to obtain a Thai driving license with an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
7.6k321712mo
What documents are required to apply for a Thai driving license with a Non-Immigrant Visa?
3.2k4934mo
What are the requirements to obtain a Thai driving license and can I convert my international driving license?
5.6k41724mo
Can I get a residence certificate for a driving license while staying short-term in Thailand?
637174mo
How can I obtain a Thai driving license in Kalasin as an expat with a Non-O spouse visa?
2.4k20191y
Can tourists obtain a driving license in Thailand?
4.2k32401y
What is the process for obtaining a Thai motorcycle driving license as a foreigner with an international driving permit?
1.4k531y
What is the process for obtaining a Thai motorcycle driving license with an international driver's permit?
2.2k221y
Do I need to renew my international driving permit after changing my address on my driving license?
1.7k1292y
Can I apply for a Thai driving licence on a DTV with a TM30?
2.9k23182y
What paperwork is required to convert an international driver's license to a Thai driver's license?
10.1k51492y
Can I use my Singapore driving license to rent a car in Thailand?
5.2k15112y
Where can I translate my Norwegian driving license in Pattaya?
3.3k26212y
Is there any benefit to having a Thai driving license if you don't intend to drive in Thailand?
8.4k73683y
What are the requirements for driving legally in Thailand with an Australian driver's license?
10.7k53913y
What paperwork and licenses do I need to buy and ride a motorbike in Thailand as an expat?
3.1k21183y
What documents are needed to extend my Non-Immigrant O Visa in Thailand and how do I obtain a certificate of residence?
707333y
How long can I drive in Thailand with an International Driving Permit before obtaining a Thai driving license, and what is the validity of the Thai license once obtained?
1.6k7174y
Do you need residency status to get a driver’s license in Thailand?
3k25204y
Can I obtain a driving license for a motorbike in Thailand if my visa expires on 18.09.2022?
1.3k1124y
Can I use my Thailand Pass as a driving license in Thailand?
16.6k1102584y
How Can I Extend My Non-Immigrant O Visa While Living in Thailand?
2.3k10377y
Do UK holders need an International Driving Permit when entering Thailand on an Elite Visa?
4.1k32378y
Do I need a Thai driving license to legally ride a motorcycle or scooter in Thailand if I have a UK driving license and an international driving permit?
11.9k97619y
How can I obtain a residency certificate in Thailand without official rental documentation?
3.8k38139y

Resources

Need help with 90-day reporting?