Is an international driving license accepted in Thailand or is it often considered invalid?

"international motor traffic" 😂 This reminds me of the scam emails i get addressing me as dear sir or madame. Give that cop a raise, he actually knows how to spot fake documents and all you dummies telling him to fight it or the cop just wanted money are even more funny

I have only showed the police my Canadian international driver license booklet and they told me to go in Chiang Mai.

I use an IDP so many times driving from malaysia. Never been an issue , in fact the doc in English is enough to deactivate them hahaha

Thats got fake written all over it. Lucky they only charged you ฿500 and not thrown in jail for fraud.

Only AAA can issue the IDL for US licences

it is valid

Bummer

I have been using an international drivers license. Every time I come to Thailand, I have never had no problem as long as you have your regular license from whatever state you’re from or country and on there it shows what you’re sign up for motorbike cars whatever and I am never had no problem and I haven’t been coming over here for over 10 years, using it international drivers license every time

I take an IDP from the UK every year for my 3 month stay, perfectly legal in Thailand.

Have been stopped a few times at road checks, some police don't understand it and pass it on to a more senior officer.

But always wave me on, absolutely no problem.

If you would like to drive, either vehicle or motorcycle, while visiting Thailand, you are required by law to hold an international driving license. When asked for, you need to show your international driving license along with your passport and national driving license.

2013 to 2016 Thailand : I showed only my Australian driver's licence.... always accepted, several times.

All depends on the cop I think. There are no rules in countries like this.

Should just see if you can give him the 500 baht cash. Beats going to the police station and paying.

False document WTF is international motor traffic ?!?!…. I’ve used an international driving permit together with my state license to show Thai police and never been fined

There are at least three types of IDP : 1926, 1949, 1968, the number relates to the year of the international treaty the particular country you drive in is a signatory to. That one shown in the pic is a 1949, in Thailand I believe you need a 1968. Best to check with your issuing body in your country. They all cost the same and some are accepted in some countries others in other countries. I believe the one I have for Thailand is a 1968. The 1968 is valid for 3 years but you can only use it for up to three months after initial entry stamp, it’s a touristy thing. Long term visitors would need a local driving licence after 3 months. Hope that helps. The one in the pic looks like a fake version of the 1949, as I understand only a 1968 is valid for three years, a 1949 is only 1 year I believe.

Also an IDP is only a translation of your domestic driving licence but it must be purchased in person at the authorised issuer in your home country, Post Office in UK. You cannot buy these online to my knowledge and you cannot buy them in the country you are visiting.

On kho San road these are ฿200

Should have been

It's not legally valid anywhere if its not an official legal document, issued at the correct source (in the same country as your license).

Important to keep in mind that even if these real-looking documents do pass a police stop test, it won't be legal if involved in an accident.

Better to get a real IDP or get a Thai license. The process for a Thai license is straightforward and cheap.

The document in your photo is not legitimate.

Real IDP’s issued by AAA are only valid for one year.

How long have you been in Thailand? If on a long stay visa, you need a Thai driver’s license.

The IDPs are ok if a tourist.

Even if your IDP is valid for 12 months, you must show it with your valid home country licence as well. Plus the IDP is only valid for 3 months in Thailand, there has been many cases of insurance companies refusing coverage in Thailand, even though you think your IDP is valid for 12 months, that is just not the case, be careful guys.

You can take your thai driving licence I did under TR Visa last time. You will be able to drive in 10 countries ASEAN. If you need more infos I can send you the process I wrote everything

Must be valid as you can get an IDP in Thailand as well, I have one.

Because its a very poor fake - obtain on line in US and get sent to your address there, then courier it to Thailand - take it together with your US driving license and obtain a Thai license which is required to drive here after three months stay - your insurance is invalidated without it and next bill could be more than B500

It's a fake IDL. They are only issued for a period of 12 months , this one says valid for 2 years

How long have you been in Thailand???

Legally after 3 months in Thailand you are required to get a Thai licence

I showed my IDP in Chiang Mai in Dec & had no issues

I drove with International driver's License in Phuket and Bangkok, no problem.

You are lucky. Drive without a Driver' license and permit. where will you be now? Jail? In USA or Canada. Fine B$500 LOL

It’s not valid anywhere. It is a fake document bought online.

Where did you get that? It’s not American! 500bht is cheap for a fake IDP!

Only AAA issues them for people from USA

Probably because your American 😂

Did I miss the question about it being a bike or an Auto? Even if that document is legitimate, is it checked for Auto and Motorcycle... Auto doesn't cover bikes, as most know.

This document is so obviously a fake. Did someone really believe they can pull the wool over a Thai cop's eyes? 🤣🤣🤣

I like the idea with the universal template and then the "localized" matching sticker... looks so, so, so official... 😁🤣

Just pay the fine and dispose of that fake document. Don’t cry to us and try to trick us into believing that is real. It is not written in American English and it is not from the United States.

From my experience, I had one that was valid for 12 months from the date of issue. I still got fined in Chiangmai as they will only recognize the validity for 3 months. Right or wrong this is fact. Better to take this document to the driver licensing authority and take a simple eyesight colour test and watch a 40 minute video to be fully insured and legal.

Different international licences were subject to accords from different years, you need to check if your country and Thailand signed to the same accord. I struck the same thing in Brazil and although it wasn't valid they did accept it out of courtesy. You also need to have accompanying required documents

probably not for a MC over 150 cc, good for cars though

Yeah that’s fake AF

did you expect it to be valid in Thailand just because it was issues in khao San road? 😆

lol.. fakes ass online 'permit'. Honestly what did you expect? 😃 The police officer did you a favor, now just go get a Thai DL.

Go to the DMV , get one of the 2 ( auto, bike ) licenses. Cost a couple of hundred baht. Watch a Gideon. Get a 60 baht med at any clinic.

D/L can be used to book Dom flights, or anywhere that requires PP ID.

Lot of phony agents out there ...beware !

I’ve never seen one with more than 12 months validity.

I show my malaysian driver's license and move on.

That's a fake IDP, that's why it isn't valid. You probably got scammed by one of the many online websites offering IDPs. IDPs are only authorised to be issued by specific agencies for each country's license holders. For the USA, it's AAA, for the UK, it is the Post Office, etc.

IDP may have different versions. You need one with thai translation inside.

Just did a quick search. Seems you don’t have a valid drivers license. If you live in Thailand, get a local license. If you are visiting, get one through AAA next trip. In the meantime, pay the fine, make the problem go away. Best of luck to you, Brian.

Many say this

Thailand signed up the international agreement for international driving licenses and as long as you use it in conjunction with a driving license for your country of origin

But the Thai police seem to enjoy ignoring this and hand out fines willy nilly

Thai people can legally drive a car most countries as long as they have there driving license and the thai equivilant to the international driving permit

I believe the permit is valid for 6 or 12 months cant remember which. And there are different permits for different parts of the world

My international from AAA Florida is good for 1 year

With IDP, you still need to present your domestic license with it. Why is there a sticker on the front? I've never seen an IDP with a sticker on it? Seem like someone extended their own IDP expiration.

A genuine Int. License from Australia is 100% accepted! With this said, it’s also best to have a valid license from your home country at hand or even a coloured photocopy 👍

Yup. I don’t know what that is or where you got it (based upon the comments here, it seems like online). A proper international permit from the U. S. looks like this and cannot be ordered online.

It must still accompany a valid U.S. license for the proper vehicle.

@Brian ******

how long was your visa stamp when you were caught? More than 30 days I suspect

It's Thailand, they'll write you a ticket if you have a Thai license if they need the money

it's not valid because it's fake...

Int'l Drive licence plus national Drive licence non problems

You got to have the original driver licens aswell, then (if its legal)its valid!!!Atleast from Sweden!!! In USA god knows!!!!!

Its fake so be aware that you will be not insured in case of any accident.

Fake Document. You'll be laughed out of the police station should you choose to dispute the ticket. They no doubt have legit copies on hand for reference they'd be happy to show you.

Plus, it wasn't for having that fake in your pocket that you were pulled over to begin with, was it. No helmet, wrong way, red light, nid noi mauw?

When you buy a Micky Mouse one off the internet and it comes with….. Legal Disclaimer: International Drivers Association is in no way affiliated with or a representative of American Automobile Association, Inc (AAA) and makes no claim to be a Government Agency".

Should look like that from the USA

500baht is is getting off lightly - I’d be worried if I got into an accident - you are not insured

1949 convention used to be the only one valid before.

It’s valid IF you have 2 stamps in it to show you have a motorcycle license in your state. Stamped once is not motorcycle license

Only valid for 30days

Few people realize just how utterly useless IDP is

Officially ,you only can ask an IDP from your local driving authority , other than your driving authority are “third parties” and they are not valid . There are similar case in Japan ( thanks for Chinese ) they screw up the system using this “third parties” IDP.

Also , you always need to attend ur driving license … as this is only a “translate” document instead of a driving license

It’s 500 baht…. Just pay it and move on

You have purchased a fake license on line. Lucky they did not arrest for a fake document.

Get the original idp from ur country issueing authority.

this is NOT a license, for this to be valid must show original driving license and this, which is called an IDP. it is also the norm that IDP is accepted for up to 3 months, though often police say 30 days only, if any longer must obtain local DL

How long have you been stamped in?

How long have you been in Thailand?

Haha but the Thai people the worse drivers

Yes, that's fake. In the USA, only the AAA is authorized to issue "Internation drivers permits." There's no such thing as an "international drivers document or license".

Also, in the USA they are not available online.

Totally not true. Fight that ticket go to the police station with the documents found on line showing that it’s valid and recognized in Thailand. Bring your Thai partner if you have one.

We're your endorsements correct and did you have the main original plastic card licence?