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Is there any benefit to having a Thai driving license if you don't intend to drive in Thailand?

Thai Driving LicenseInternational Driving PermitID requirements in ThailandBenefits of Thai Driving LicenseVisa and residency in ThailandDriving in ThailandExpat life in Thailand
Feb 8, 2024
9 months ago
Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thai Driving Licence?

Hello all

We have our UK Driving Licence and an International Driving Permit

We have zero intentions of driving in Thailand, is there any benefit in having a Thai driving licence (other than to legally drive a motor vehicle)

Thank You
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TLDR : Answer Summary
While there's no requirement to obtain a Thai driving license if you don't plan on driving, having one can still provide several benefits. It can serve as a valid form of identification for domestic flights, hotel check-ins, and various forms of transport, reducing the need to carry your passport everywhere. Some users have mentioned that it might help secure lower prices at certain tourist attractions and provide convenience in banking and insurance matters. However, the process of obtaining a license can be cumbersome and may not be necessary for everyone.
Stephen ********
A thai driving licence is beneficial as when you go to a tourist place and show you pay the same as a thai not falang prices
9 months ago
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Graham *******
I used an agent, there is a lot of faffing around to get one, 1) make appointment at test center, 2) make appointment at license office 3) take the test which is a colour sight and reaction test 4) get medical certificate 5) get all your papers together, like visa, residence cert 6) take it the license center and wait around. Hence use an agent.
9 months ago
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Adam ******
@Graham ******
 In and out of Cha Am office in about twenty minutes two months ago. Bike licence and car licence and no booking, I just walked in.
9 months ago
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Adam ******
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Grant *******
If you don't need it. Don't bother getting it. Too much stuffing around.
9 months ago
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Gary **********
I have a uk full driving licence

How do you get the Thi licence do you just Show them yours and they sort a licence for Thiland or do you have to take a test etc
9 months ago
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Ronald ***********
@Gary *********
 I only had to take the physical test 3yrs ago with my UK license you should get a seperate motor bike license if you have the group on your UK licensee, they last for 5 yrs
9 months ago
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Gary **********
@Ronald **********
. Thank you for the information.
9 months ago
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Gary **********
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Ang *****
Yes, as it’s a recognised form of ID. It it worth the hassle - 🤷‍♀️.
9 months ago
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Joe ******
I use my Thai driving licence in the UK to soak up any points I might get 😜
9 months ago
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DK *****
Joe Mann Yes. They give me a break when I use an international license in other countries.
9 months ago
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Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Joe Mann seriously hope we never have to return to the Uk 🤞🏼👍🏼
9 months ago
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Linz ************
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Frank **********
I get Thai prices at the zoo and some parks.
9 months ago
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Bernie *************
I find it useful for the police /army road checks just hold it up and they wave you through, plus you sometimes get a better rate when visiting places of interest you pay thai prices not tourists prices
9 months ago
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Sarah ******
@Bernie ************
 Why would they allow you to pay Thai prices on an International Driving Permit? That doesn't make any sense. On a Thai DL fair enough, but international?
9 months ago
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Bernie *************
@Sarah *****
 hi Sarah I was under the impression we were talking about the advantages of having a Thai license
9 months ago
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Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bernie ************
 we were, thank you Bernie, I understand 👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
9 months ago
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Sarah ******
@Bernie ************
 My bad Bernie.. caught only a part of the conversation! Yes, having a Thai DL might help with discounts to places. The test itself is so easy to do too!
9 months ago
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Bernie *************
@Sarah *****
 👍
9 months ago
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Bernie *************
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Guido **********
most important you are insured in case you rent a vehicle
9 months ago
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Grzegorz ***********
With Thai driver license you can get True Money account, which is quite convenient in 7-Eleven ever since they set a 200THB min. charge on card payments.
9 months ago
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John ***********
@Grzegorz **********
 200 baht limit! That's nothing.
9 months ago
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Grzegorz ***********
@John **********
 Maybe, but I usually just get a coffee or some snack, and then dealing with pocket of coins was just not amusing.
9 months ago
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Grzegorz ***********
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Phil ******
@Linz ***********
 yes. ID for many services
9 months ago
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DK *****
Discount at national parks. Readily accepted at banks and hotels like locals.
9 months ago
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John *********
@DK ****
 Is that official policy re national parks?
9 months ago
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DK *****
In all national parks I visited, they never accepted non-o spouse visa stamp on my passport as a proof of long term residency in my past experience. I spend a long time explaining, but official rules don't apply in these islands and mountains. I think vast majority seems to take the driver's license as some kind of long term residency. When they see a passport, they see a potential competitor to be exploited in my opinion. Some are quite insecure and hostile.
9 months ago
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DK *****
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Aake **********
@DK ****
 nope
9 months ago
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Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@DK ****
 so getting one could prove beneficial, thank you
9 months ago
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Linz ************
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Sue **********
so to sum up your question: No you don‘t need to have a thai dl if you are staying longer than 90 days but never will drive in thailand.
9 months ago
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Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sue *********
 thank you 👍🏼
9 months ago
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Linz ************
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Jan ******************
*****************************************************************************************************************
9 months ago
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Cody *********
If I remember correctly the IDP is only valid for a limited time while in the country.

Eventually (2mos IIRC) you are required to take the test.
9 months ago
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Graham ******
@Cody ********
 Correct, the IDP is only valid for 90 days after you enter
9 months ago
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Немања **********
@Graham *****
 I have a multi entry Non-O visa, every 90 days I leave the country and come back. Does this mean that every time I re-enter the country I can use the IDP?

I mean, does the ability to use the IDP reset for 90 days every time you enter Thailand?
9 months ago
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Graham ******
@Немања *********
 Good question, in theory yes but would it?
9 months ago
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Graham ******
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Stacey ****************
Will they issue Thai driver license based off USA & international drivers license?
9 months ago
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George *************
@Stacey ***************
 If by "International Driver's License" you mean International Driver's *Permit* (obtained from AAA in the US) then yes in combination with your USA license you can obtain a Thai driver's license without taking the written or practical driving test. You will still need to pass the physical tests (reaction time, color recognition) though.
9 months ago
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Stacey ****************
@George ************
 thanks George. I need to get it done, my AAA one expires in April.
9 months ago
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Brian ********
@Stacey ***************
I live in Kanchanaburi and got my bike and car licences last year. In addition to what George says I also had to get a certificate of residence (one for each licence) from immigration, about 20 mins, B500 and a health certificate from the local hospital, also 20 mins and B500.

At DLT I had to watch the road safety video, 1 hour. In all it took about 2 hours in DLT

I have full UK car licence, which is also a provisional bike licence and had an IDP
9 months ago
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Brian ********
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Ann ************
@Stacey ***************
 no
9 months ago
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Ann ************
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Flo ******
How to get a bank account? Any cheap options?
9 months ago
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Sean *********
@Flo *****
 go bank to bank or use an agency. Just check on the upper limit on transfers as some banks are 50,000 max
9 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Flo *****
 You can do yourself if you’re on a long stay Non O visa, someone has also managed to get it on tourist visa but it’s not easy. Trough and agent normal price 4-5000 thb.
9 months ago
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Flo ******
@Jan *****************
 the agent wants 6500 , I feel that’s a bit heavy. I come several times es a year but only on a tourist visa.
9 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Flo *****
 Ok, a bit expensive in my opinion. Cheapest I’ve heard is 4000 in Pattaya and I can give you a couple options here on FB if you stay or pass by there next time. Or else I don’t know any agencies my self and I managed to open before it turned strict as today.
9 months ago
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Flo ******
@Jan *****************
 hi Jan, yes please, am I Patty at the moment. Would appreciate your contacts to open an account in the next few days👍🏻👍🏻
9 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Flo *****
 I use her. She’s very nice and fix everything fast and smooth. I don’t know about price for this exact service, but there’s also one agent named Mots service you can ask and compare prices if you wish. You’ll find page in FB.
9 months ago
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Jan ******************
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Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Flo *****
 the cheapest option is do it yourself of course
9 months ago
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Linz ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Flo *****
 we used
@Mots *********
 not sure what your definition of “cheap” is

For us, we paid them so they took care of all the paperwork/ bureaucracy/ waiting, only you can put a value on that and yes, if we decide to convert our UK driving license to a Thai license, we will use Mots to obtain it
9 months ago
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Linz ************
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Taz **********
It can be used as ID for many things

Domestic flights

Buses

Trains

Hotel check in

You are also required to carry ID with you in Thailand

This has your photo & your passport number on it

Just note some hotels will not accept it for ID. On check in

I have never had an issue however some ppl have

Saves having to carry your passport with you everywhere & risking losing it or damaging it
9 months ago
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Simon **********
@Taz *********
 I have a pdf of my passport on my phone which I always use to check in to hotels, I don’t like carrying my passport. I have only been refused at check in once, they insisted I have my passport.
9 months ago
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Lennart **********
@Taz *********
 can you please tell me where I find my passport number on my thai driving licens,since I cant find it myself
9 months ago
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Lennart **********
Thanks,im blind
9 months ago
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Nick **********
@Lennart *********
 The Thai driving licence CAN have your passport number. But it doesn't need to. Could be Thai id number instead.
9 months ago
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Claudia **********
@Lennart *********
 last row front page
9 months ago
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Taz **********
@Lennart *********
 under your date of birth

In Thai it says

National identification number / ID No. then your passport number
9 months ago
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Taz **********
9 months ago
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Taz **********
9 months ago
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Taz **********
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Damo ***********
@Taz *********
 good advice.
9 months ago
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Wylie *******
@Taz *********
 hotels are legally required to file a tm30 for all foreigners, so it they're doing that then they'll need your passport anyways.
9 months ago
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Taz **********
@Wylie ******
 depends on the hotel, many accept your Thai drivers licence as it has your passport number on it
9 months ago
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John **********
@Taz *********
 it does but doesn't have the country so not quite sure how they can do a TM30, I never give my passport to hotels
9 months ago
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Wylie *******
@Taz *********
 correct. I assumed that they needed more info from the passport that isn't on the license to file the TM30 though. Perhaps that is not the case. I do know many hotels don't even ask for any ID and therefore don't file the TM30.
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Wylie ******
 the only other thing they need is your nationality. If they ask you that when you hand over your DL you'll know they're going to file.
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
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Carsten ************
You don't need to carry your PP or a copy of it with you anymore. No other benefits (anymore).
9 months ago
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Stuart *********
It can be used as ID for internal flights and as a replacement for passport at hotel check-ins etc.
9 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Stuart ********
 It’s very convenient, but regarding domestic flights;
*****************************************************************************************************************
9 months ago
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Mark ********
@Jan *****************
 The article specifically mentions Thai DLs
9 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Mark *******
 As i see, you’ll still get boarding anyway.
9 months ago
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Jan ******************
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Brandon ************
@Jan *****************
 I've used mine to fly since this "announcement"
9 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Brandon ***********
 The article is three weeks old. If it’s still possible you could also one day risk that they will ask for your passport at the airport.
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Jan *****************
 of course I always have it. But it's buried safely away in my bag. I'll use my license until I cannot.
9 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Brandon ***********
 Yes of course, I will do too.
9 months ago
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Jan ******************
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