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?

International Driving Permit Thai Driving License UK Driving License Driving Regulations in Thailand Visa and Immigration

Mar 28, 2023

2 years ago

Linz ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello all

Hope you are well and enjoys all that life is offering you

Simple question regarding driving licences 

As a UK Citizen my UK driving licence expires somewhere around my 80th Birthday (it’s that far way I’ve never really considered it)

When I move to Thailand, I will initially have an International Driving Permit with a view to getting a Thai Licence (car not motorbike)

How long can I drive under my IDP and how long will ’my’ Thai Driving Licence be valid once I get it

On a side note, if anyone has any experience of obtaining a Thai Driving Licence or extending it, I would appreciate hearing your experiences

Thank You In Advance 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A UK citizen moving to Thailand can initially drive with an International Driving Permit (IDP) for a maximum of 90 days before needing to obtain a Thai driving license. The first Thai driving license granted will be a temporary license valid for 2 years, while subsequent licenses will be valid for 5 years. Experiences shared by others indicate that acquiring a Thai license can sometimes be straightforward if you hold a valid UK license, typically requiring only an eye test and some physical tests.

Saran ***************

IDP will only last for a year. Your best bet is to get a Thai driving license, which is easy in your case since you already have UK license. You only need to do some physical tests, which is pretty easy. Then, you will get a 2-year temporary license, which can be changed to 5-year license after that.

Here's a great article explaining how to do it step-by-step:

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2 years ago

Linz ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Saran **************

thank you

2 years ago

Reply to

Linz ************

John ********

Your frist thai license will be for 2 years and you will have to reapply for the second one and that will be for 5 years

You also may find that your UK license will be enough for the thai people that you will only have to do the eye check to get the license without the safety video and writing test it all depends were you go to apply

2 years ago

David *******

Just on the U.K. licence, it will actually expire on your 70th birthday. You then have to renew every 3 years.

2 years ago

Brandon ************

Your IDP will likely be valid for 2 years, but most countries (including Thailand) have rules that state you can only use your IDP for a certain amount of time once you arrive. I believe it's 90 days.

You'll hear many other answers and that's because enforcement isn't uniform on any law in Thailand. But the actual regulation says 90 days on IDP until you need to get a Thai license.

When you get a Thai drivers license it will be a "temporary" license valid for 2 years, and then the next one and any after that will be for 5 years.

2 years ago

Graham ******

@Brandon ***********

IDP issued in the UK is valid for just 12 months

2 years ago

Linz ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

awesome, thank you 👏🏼👏🏼

2 years ago

Reply to

Linz ************