Can you use a US driver's license in Thailand without obtaining a Thai driver's license?

@Kim ********

then get it if you need it. 🤷‍♂️

@Steve *********

I know about to get my 5 year license for motorcycle and car. I'm just saying IDP is not needed if the license is in English

@Steve *********

Biden and his son will be next once they get all the dirt on them collected.

@Steve *********

good things come to those who wait!

Even a blind pig finds a mushroom occassionally.

@Ricky *****

they started taking drivers licenses if you could not pay on spot. You have to go to police station and collect it also pay fine

@Steve *********

hilarious stuff he wrote there

@John *********

it is for some - apparently not for Americans

@John *********

In theory, you should have an IDP too, according to Thai law. In practice, car rental agencies rarely, if ever, request one. Thai police might.

@Andy *******

sure, same any other international license, but my comment was- try to explain this to traffic police. Especially in Pattaya. They will laogh at your documents..

My friend, I understood your point, but Pattaya is different. They already have text printed on paper in 3 languages, fine is 1000 baht (actually it’s 400, but there 1000) if you stay here long time, it’s ok, but new people all pay. Cannot explain anything to them.

I make drivers license for living in Thailand, have agency. I know a little bit what I’m talking about.

Sure you can sit there for 2 hours trying to explain, after they write you a ticket and you go Soi 9 police and sit there another hour and after you come back, your motorbike is towed to police parking lot. After you go pay for towing and parking… this is how it’s done over here and nobody care if you still have 3 months from entry stamp

@Oleg **********

No. That's nonsense. A tourist is permitted to drive on a foreign license. Thailand isn't Vietnam, which only recognizes their own licenses. However, a resident should obtain a Thai driver's license. If found to be living in Thailand and not in possession of a Thai driver's license, you could be fined. It's rare that an investigation would be made as most officers will be fine with a valid foreign license if you aren't in possession of a Thai license. I haven't really heard of police officers examining passports to verify residency status. For anyone who's holding a long term visa or extension, it's best to apply for a Thai driver's license as soon as possible.

@Oleg **********

please try to be more understanding. Thai people cannot really speak English and they have a different system her

Just be mindful that in Thailand, they have a separate license for motorbike and cars (2 pieces of card) so with your US d.license or international d.license. you should be able to show them that you're ok to drive both.

Thai police might be wondering if you only showed them one piece or card of license, and most probably that's for driving a car.

@Oleg **********

you just got scammed by a corrupt cop :( I actually used my IDP for 3 years :-) before I finally broke down and got my Thailand driver's license / motorcycle license I was stopped many times and ask for my license I showed my USA driver's license along with my IDP which was old and faded and torn. Never got fined

@Oleg **********

never had a problem showing my uk licence and IDP