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How can I apply for an International Driver's Permit before arriving in Thailand?
International Drivers PermitVisa IssuesDriving in ThailandExpat LifeThailand ImmigrationTransportationLicense Regulations
Nov 28, 2025
5 months ago
Simm ******
ORIGINAL POSTERMorning, Anyone know where/how to apply for international drivers license before arriving in Thailand?
* EDIT *
- Drivers PERMITTTT
“Can’t believe how ppl like this survive”
Well my friend i don’t know how ppl around you survive.
GEEEEEEZ to those of jumping on my axxx perhaps a hobbie… passion project… arts n craft …..
My situation isn’t as simple as do it in ur home country …
define home, I haven’t lived in Australia for 3.5 years have been living Spain for the last year point whatever and hold a long term visa to live here in Spain with Spanish IDs, am a Spanish tax resident, AND APPLYING FOR MY DTV from Spain, but passport still Australian.
I can’t get any answers in Spain nor through my Thai agent …
and geez didn’t think a damn war would break out l.
To those of you actually giving me suggestions much appreciated. 🙏
To the rest of u…
Hope to never meet u in Thailand
I have zero interest in ppl who’s first choice is hate sooooo GR8 M8 (if ur Australian u know)
I’m Soooooo saving this post to cross reference ppl I meet 😂🤦♀️ and in the famous worlds of a great man “ Swasdi Never”
* EDIT *
- Drivers PERMITTTT
“Can’t believe how ppl like this survive”
Well my friend i don’t know how ppl around you survive.
GEEEEEEZ to those of jumping on my axxx perhaps a hobbie… passion project… arts n craft …..
My situation isn’t as simple as do it in ur home country …
define home, I haven’t lived in Australia for 3.5 years have been living Spain for the last year point whatever and hold a long term visa to live here in Spain with Spanish IDs, am a Spanish tax resident, AND APPLYING FOR MY DTV from Spain, but passport still Australian.
I can’t get any answers in Spain nor through my Thai agent …
and geez didn’t think a damn war would break out l.
To those of you actually giving me suggestions much appreciated. 🙏
To the rest of u…
Hope to never meet u in Thailand
I have zero interest in ppl who’s first choice is hate sooooo GR8 M8 (if ur Australian u know)
I’m Soooooo saving this post to cross reference ppl I meet 😂🤦♀️ and in the famous worlds of a great man “ Swasdi Never”
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is seeking advice on how to apply for an International Drivers Permit (IDP) before arriving in Thailand, expressing frustration due to their complex residency status and lack of clear guidance from agents in Spain. Comments suggest that the application for an IDP must be done in the user's home country through relevant authorities, with responses providing examples of fees and procedures for various countries.
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Jim ***********
I purchased one at my travel agency in America if that will be of any help was very inexpensive at the time it was $15
Todd *********
@Jim **********
gotta be legit anywhere on earth thenSimm ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Todd ********
I swear the ppl I’m being jumped on by for this post sound very American to me. My situation isn’t as simple as do it in ur home country … define home ppl I haven’t lived in Australia for 3.5 years have been living Spain for the last year point whatever and hold a long term visa to live here in Spain with Spanish IDs Spanish tax resident but passport still Australian. I ask here as in Spain I can’t get answers and geez didn’t think a damn war would break out but hey viva America seems to be the go to move.Jim ***********
@Todd ********
says international driver's license right on it with your driving information from the country you came fromTodd *********
@Jim **********
It's called an Intl drivers permit. As it's not a license. It's a permit. The IDP is not a stand-alone document and is not a substitute for your original license as that is the actual legal requirement. It's essentially a translation of your real DL. Do you need it rent in Thailand? No. Do you need to produce it for Thai police? No. Could not having an IDP cause invalidation of your insurance? Verify the small print of your policy. If you want one, great!!! Easy to buy. But don't be surprised if you never need itJim ***********
@Todd ********
excuse me for trying to help somebody it was about 6 years ago relaxTodd *********
@Jim **********
I’m sure they are very grateful for your effortReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Todd *********
they are happy to take your money, but otherwise a useless document. UNLESS you plan to acquire a Thai drivers license while here
David *******
@Todd ********
not useless. Not having mine with me cost me a 500Tbt fine. My Australian licence on its own was not sufficientTodd *********
@David ******
where did this happen David?David *******
@Todd ********
on the way back from Isaan - about 400km from Bangkok. Unfortunately I don’t know Thailand well enough to remember the nearest city. I’ve also been fined 500Tbt for speeding out that way on another trip - 112 in a 90kph zone 👍Reply to
David *******
Reply
David ******
@Todd ********
you absolutely must have an IDP if you are operating a vehicle including motorcycle in Thailand. And of operating a motorcycle it must have the A and B endorsement in it. You will be paying a fine if you don't have this. And no insurance coverage if you don't have IDP. They don't care about your driver's license. I'm telling you, don't play around not having an IDP, not in Thailand.Todd *********
@David *****
no David, YOU must. The rest of us manage just fine without superfluous documents. You will pay NO fines for not carrying it. No police officers will ask for it. I’m telling you, it’s uselessDavid ******
@Todd ********
I just DID get fined by the police last week because I left the IDP with A/B in room. 500 baht. I was carrying an older one that unfortunately only had the A stamp by accident. How the hell you gonna tell me? You crazy? It's the Thai Law. If I didn't just pay the fine....simply because I didn't have the right IDP on me. Yet here you are trying to convince me of something not true. 🤣. I can't how many times I've had to go through a road side check and first thing they ask for, if IDP is in order no problem. Let alone get involved in an accident in Thailand driving or riding without your IDP. Again it's the law of Thailand to have an IDP, you are required to as a tourist driving operating a vehicle in Thailand. And you need the proper endorsement if riding a motorcycle. Stop tricking these people with misinformation.!!!Todd *********
@David *****
have been pulled over in Thailand at least 30 times over the last 8 years. Never once asked for IDP. I say again, not once. Take your fear mongering bullshit lies elsewhere. Not flying here lolDavid ******
@Todd ********
Ohhh my god. You are really special. Let me take a video for you today and you can go argue for yourself. Not hard. I will get you a video by this afternoon. You are really truly a special kind sir. Let me interview some foreign tourist coming out paying their fine for not having an IDP. Litterly every single day they are catching people at the district station, you want to trick these people into believing otherwise. Let me get a video with an officer to let him explain. Not hard to do.
Robert ***********
@David *****
Why dont you just get a thai license and stop the nonsense?David ******
@Robert **********
I am a tourist. A frequent tourist. I'm not sure what the nonsense is you are referring to?????? I am complying with the law. I'm a tourist operating a vehicle with a driver license a passport and an international driving permit. I am correcting this gentleman on the fact he is misleading people to say you do not need an IDP. He is wrong. What is the nonsense my friend. I'm not here long enough for a Thai driver license.Robert ***********
@David *****
Constanyly having to get an IDP every time you come to Thailand.. Just get a thai DL and you are good for 2 years and it costs like 500 baht. I couldn't deal with the nonsense of going to AAA or whatever agency issues them in your country every time it expires. Its one more thing to carry. With a Thai DL I also dont need my passport to get on a domestic flight. One card and done.Todd *********
@David *****
uh-huh. Ok drama queen. Looking forward to your exciting video 🤣😂🤣 have fun standing around for hoursReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Phil *******
@Todd ********
also needed by most car rental places.Lloyd *********
Again NOT true. I've rented many cars in Thailand, airports DMK & BKK, and Pattaya, and never been asked for an IDP.
An IDP is useless in Thailand as there is no Thai language on it.
Prior to obtaining a Thai DL, I've shown my W. Australian DL to police and never had a problem.
IDP were introduced when your home country DL had no photo ID. Now all have so the IDP is superfluous..
An IDP is useless in Thailand as there is no Thai language on it.
Prior to obtaining a Thai DL, I've shown my W. Australian DL to police and never had a problem.
IDP were introduced when your home country DL had no photo ID. Now all have so the IDP is superfluous..
Phil *******
@Lloyd ********
don't call me a liar, I needed it to hire a car earlier this year.Lloyd *********
Where? What hire company?
Phil *******
@Lloyd ********
you calling me a liar again? Fuck off.Reply to
Phil *******
Reply
Todd *********
@Phil ******
in Thailand?? NonePhil *******
@Todd ********
not true, I needed it to rent a car at Chiang Mai airport.Todd *********
@Phil ******
you ‘needed’ it or you offered it? Have rented cars on multiple occasions in multiple provinces. Never once requested. Utterly uselessPhil *******
@Todd ********
needed it.Ron ******
@Todd ********
How would insurance companies view it in the event you had an accident? Which being Thailand would likely be seen as farang's fault.Todd *********
@Ron *****
in Thailand, you negotiate your way out of traffic accidents. There are no stringent liability laws. Insurance companies will do anything to get out of paying, so one just never knows. Read the fine print. Ask specifically. Insurance companies are great for shareholders. REally bad for policy holdersReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Eryk ************
It's like asking where to apply for a passport 🤦🏻.
Peter *******
@Eryk ***********
it's like they don't know Google exists...Reply to
Peter *******
Reply
Ron ******
You apply via the relevant authority in your home country that issues them by presenting your license and paying the fee. It's a permit not a licence.
John ******
The AA do it in Ireland.
Jo **********
@John *****
if it’s Ireland that Alcohol Anonymous.John ******
@Jo *********
they have many talents.Reply to
John ******
Reply
Eddy *******
Paypoint uk super easy.
Stanley *******
It’s just trying to find a pay point that does not all do ,that 👍
Martin *************
@Stanley ******
i spent a day trying to find a paypoint in sheffield englandEddy *******
@Stanley ******
can be checked online. I have 2 possible locations local to me. It’s straightforward to do.Stanley *******
Yes but not all of the pay point stores I have two stores with walking distance to me but the don’t do the I had To go about five miles and through the Tyne tunnel £ 1. 24 each way , but saying that it was very easy too get idl guy very helpful plus it last 2 years 👍👍
Reply to
Stanley *******
Reply
Adrian ******
UK. £5.50
Mark *******
For motorbike you need an idp with a full motorbike endorsement from your own country.
Cary ********
Reply to
Cary ********
Reply
Simon *********
Racq in Australia $42 easy
Frank **********
Service nsw now in Nsw
Lloyd *********
If your driving licence is issued in Queensland, then yes.
And A$42 is a rip off..
And A$42 is a rip off..
Nick *********
@Lloyd ********
I think I paid $50 and it was money well spent. The license allows me to ride a motorcycle. My motorcycle license had expired. So, this is a great bonus. Money well spent. 👍Ian *******
@Nick ********
technically I believe they can ask to see both your licence and your IDP.Reply to
Ian *******
Reply
Nigel *********
@Lloyd ********
every thing in Australia is a ripoffReply to
Nigel *********
Reply
Brandon ************
No, no one knows where, because you didn't say what country your license is from.
Google "international drivers permit xxxxxx" with the X's being the name of the country your driver's license is from.
Each country has different agencies that handle this.
Google "international drivers permit xxxxxx" with the X's being the name of the country your driver's license is from.
Each country has different agencies that handle this.
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
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