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Is a temporary Thai driving license valid in other Southeast Asian countries?
Thai Driving LicenseTemporary LicenseSoutheast Asia Driving RegulationsInternational Driving PermitASEAN Agreement
Nov 5, 2025
6 months ago
Sarit *******************
ORIGINAL POSTERI have a temporary Thai driving license (valid 2 years)
is it true that it is valid only in Thailand and not in all the other SEA countries like the 5 years license?
is it true that it is valid only in Thailand and not in all the other SEA countries like the 5 years license?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A temporary Thai driving license (valid for 2 years) is not valid for driving in other Southeast Asian countries, unlike a standard 5-year license. It is recognized only within Thailand. However, a Thai smart card driving license can be used to drive in all 10 ASEAN countries under an agreement, provided it is in the smart card format and can be understood in both Thai and English. Users can also drive in ASEAN countries with a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) from their home country.
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Michael ********
I have used the two year one in Singapore no problem
Terary **********
I couldn't speak about the other ASEAN countries... However the 2 year license is valid in USA, for car rental purposes. I didn't try it for accidents or police.
Gary *************
I am not sure about other SEA countries, but I have used it in the USA when renting cars to go see my kids and other relatives with no problem.
Billy *********
Not saying it is correct but
Lucky maybe
3 months ago while on a visa on entry or visa exempt (UK passport,)I had been in Malaysia 4 weeks driving a Malaysian car and was stopped at road block showed my Thai 2 year licence they did not accept it
I told them I'm a tourist showed them my passport stamp in.
.
They went & checked it out and said ok you can drive in Malaysia as a tourist
UK licence needs no IDP if on short visit under 90 days in Malaysia
The roadblock was a 'Tea Money ' road block regular occurrence on that route
Lucky maybe
3 months ago while on a visa on entry or visa exempt (UK passport,)I had been in Malaysia 4 weeks driving a Malaysian car and was stopped at road block showed my Thai 2 year licence they did not accept it
I told them I'm a tourist showed them my passport stamp in.
.
They went & checked it out and said ok you can drive in Malaysia as a tourist
UK licence needs no IDP if on short visit under 90 days in Malaysia
The roadblock was a 'Tea Money ' road block regular occurrence on that route
NeL *****
When you hired the vehicle, did you show a Thai driving license or a UK driving license ?
Billy *********
@NeL ****
vehicle wasn't hired it was a mates car .Reply to
Billy *********
Reply
Samuel ******
Okay so here's the stupid question. I have a 5-year Thai motorcycle license. Is that valid in other Southeast Asian countries? And if so which ones? I understand motorbike only
Stephan ***********
@Samuel *****
Yes, your license is valid in all ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries. These countries are: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. And, of course, only for what it's issued... so... just motorcycles.True ********
@Stephan **********
I didn't think it works in Vietnam?Stephan ***********
@True *******
You are right... I forgot to mention the needed IDP in combination with a Thai license. Although Vietnam "officially" do accept the Thai license / the ASEAN Agreemnet, they don't do in real life.Istvan *********
@Stephan **********
depends on the police officer. I've been in Vietnam for 2 months and had a few police officers who were happy just with my Thai DL without IDP. Of course I have IDP too!Stephan ***********
@Istvan ********
Correct... it totally depends on the officer you have to deal with... some know about the agreement, others don't. And from the some who knows... well... let's say their memory is not the best sometimes... 😁Istvan *********
@Stephan **********
they just want some tea money. But I had everything 🤣🤣 so not from me 🤣Stephan ***********
@Istvan ********
Welcome to South East Asia... 😁Istvan *********
@Stephan **********
I'm living here and travelling here for years so nothing new to me ;)Reply to
Istvan *********
Reply
Tony **********
@Samuel *****
you can get a Thai idp off you hold a 5yr license. It will be good for the class of vehicle it is issued against.Duncan *******
@Tony *********
yes but it only reflects the class on your license.Reply to
Duncan *******
Reply
Marc ********
@Samuel *****
correctReply to
Marc ********
Reply
Jan ******************
EDIT, special for ASEAN countries;
"A Thai driving license can be used in place of an international driving permit in 10 ASEAN countries.The smart card driving license can be used to drive in all 10 countries: Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.This is part of an agreement among ASEAN member countries. The smart card records information in both Thai and English.Additionally, vehicles registered in Thailand can be used in these 10 ASEAN countries. However, for use in other countries, an English registration plate must be obtained for the vehicle".
The point is that you cannot obtain an international driving permit in Thailand with a two-year driver’s license, but you can use an international driving permit from your home country if you have one.
"A Thai driving license can be used in place of an international driving permit in 10 ASEAN countries.The smart card driving license can be used to drive in all 10 countries: Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.This is part of an agreement among ASEAN member countries. The smart card records information in both Thai and English.Additionally, vehicles registered in Thailand can be used in these 10 ASEAN countries. However, for use in other countries, an English registration plate must be obtained for the vehicle".
The point is that you cannot obtain an international driving permit in Thailand with a two-year driver’s license, but you can use an international driving permit from your home country if you have one.
Tony **********
@Jan *****************
and it's not expired (mine was 1yr).Sean **********
@Tony *********
yes, you would have to renew the IDP in your home country every year to continue ising with your home country licenseTony **********
@Sean *********
trouble is if you're in Thailand for 14 months and trave to other sea countriesl, your 2yr Thai license is pretty useless but some countries will honor my usa licence even thought the idp is no longer validReply to
Tony **********
Reply
Robin *******
Use your IDP
Ray ********
@Robin ******
IDP alongside your own countries licence.IDP alone is not sufficient and will not cover you.😀
Robin *******
@Ray *******
neither will your home license, you need the too togetherRay ********
@Robin ******
??? Please read my post above, that's exactly what I said.You do indeed need the TWO together.😀❓😀
Tony **********
@Robin ******
and if you've been here for a while, your idp has probably expired. My usa idp was for 1yr.Chris ************
@Tony *********
exactly 💯Reply to
Chris ************
Reply
Leong ***********
You could use your driving license from your home country.
Ray ********
@Leong **********
only if you also have an IDP. Internal Driving Permit. You must use BOTH if you intend using your home countries driving licence. Also make sure you have full insurance cover for whatever you want to drive/ ride.Reply to
Ray ********
Reply
Patrick *********
Correct, the 2 year license is considered "Temporary" and not valid in other ASEAN countries.
Colin **********
Yes its true
Reply to
Colin **********
Reply
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