Did you know this?
This could be really useful for anyone driving in Thailand – or planning to use a Thai license abroad. I just came across this info, and I wanted to check if it’s still accurate. Maybe someone here can confirm?
Here’s what I read:
Starting May 1, the Department of Land Transport in Thailand announced a new update:
A new type of international driving license will be available. And this one is special—it’s valid for 3 years and recognized in 84 countries under the 1968 Vienna Convention.
Up until now, Thai international driving permits were only valid for 1 year and recognized in 101 countries, mostly under the older 1949 Geneva Convention.
This change means that:
• Thailand is stepping in line with the Vienna standard
• Thai licenses will now be accepted in countries that follow the 1968 agreement (like much of Europe)
• And Thailand may also start accepting international permits from those same Vienna countries in return
⸻
Can anyone confirm if this is already in effect?
And has anyone already applied for the new 3-year version?
This could be a big deal for a lot of us – especially those who travel frequently or want to drive abroad without renewing every year!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion confirms that the new 3-year Thai International Driving Permit (IDP), which is valid in 84 countries under the 1968 Vienna Convention, has been available for some time, contradicting the belief that this is a recent change. Users share their experiences of receiving the 3-year IDP, and it is noted that one must hold a full 5-year Thai driving license to obtain this permit. There are also clarifications that IDPs do not require additional training and serve primarily as a translation of the home driver's license.
