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What changes are being proposed regarding the use of an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Thailand?

International Driving Permit Thai driving license Visa and immigration rules Driving laws Thailand License transfer process Driving tests in Thailand Expatriate living in Thailand

Jun 20, 2025

a day ago

Andrew ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thailand looking to make changes with IDP to 2 year license. Will have to take written test if this passed and cant use IDP to bypass it anymore

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TLDR : Answer Summary

There are proposed changes in Thailand concerning the International Driving Permit (IDP) that could require individuals to take a written test to obtain a Thai driver's license, eliminating the current exemption for IDP holders. As of now, this proposal is not yet law. Discussions reveal concerns about road safety and the driving skills of both tourists and locals. Some users express frustration about the implementation details and the perceived safety issues in Thai traffic.

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Steve *******

What is the law currently, about obtaining an IDP with your thai license, for driving abroad?

13 hours ago

Jordee ******

Honestly, I personally don't care what they do. I have no intention of driving in this country. I don't enjoy it at all. You're constantly worried.

14 hours ago

Peter **********

In fact many Land Transport departments don’t know anything about IDPs. Appendix 7 of the Vienna treaty states that the frontpage of the IDP must be in the language of the issuing country.

But my IDP was refused because the validity on the frontpage was stamped with “maart” which is Dutch for March.

I showed the supervisor the appendix of the treaty but he refused. “Thailand IDPs have English and your country must do the same.”

(Which is incorrect)

I had to fly to Bangkok and ask for an English translation at the Dutch embassy (with their official stamps). 🙄

16 hours ago

Andrew ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Peter *********

all the IDP i have seen front page is english

16 hours ago

Peter **********

@Andrew *******

Well… It’s not forbidden to translate the first page. But it’s not mandatory. If you look well at those translated IDP, and you seem to have seen hundreds or so, then of course you have noticed that the non-native language is in Italic print. As mandated by the treaty.

The treaty specifically states that the first page must be in (one of) the native language of the issuing country. Additional translations (e.g. Thailand provides an *ADDED* English translation) must be in Italic print.

Go find the treaty text if you think you know better.

PS You may have seen an American or a British IDP. These countries are (sort of) native English.

14 hours ago

Reply to

Peter **********

Morris *****

Great. Now Phuket will be safer from all the ignorant farang especially the Russians and Ukrainians.

17 hours ago

Stephan ***********

@Morris ****

Well... the most Thais have a license... and look what is going on in the streets... so... 😁

12 hours ago

Andrew ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Morris ****

having a license doesn't change ones driving habits 😒if jusit says at some point they knew better and paid the fee to have the card

14 hours ago

Eryk ************

@Morris ****

Sorry to disappoint you but this won't change because Russians don't care about any licences at all.

14 hours ago

Reply to

Eryk ************

Steve ********

It seemed to me that they should start testing all those gazillions of scooter riders….I don’t think many would pass any kind of a test…!!! They are worse than mosquitos!!!…

17 hours ago

Scott ******

Is there an English language written test available?

19 hours ago

Stephan ***********

@Scott *****

It is... well... kind of english / tinglish... and some questions you have to answer wrong to get it counted as "correct", but hey... you need only 90% (

*****

) correct answers to pass... 🙄🤔😁

12 hours ago

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

@Scott *****

yes but many say the wording doesn't make sense

14 hours ago

Reply to

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

Pete *******

I think this is badly written. You have never been able to just use an IDP to obtain a temporary license it has always required physically presenting your home country license.

20 hours ago

Dwayne ********

So still just a fine if driving with an expired license.

21 hours ago

Andrew ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dwayne *******

yes a fine not to exceed 2000 baht and or 1 month in jail. That is what the law says, fact you just get a 500 baht fine is the discretion of the cop at the time

21 hours ago

Dwayne ********

@Andrew *******

never jail time for a respectful well groomed foreigner. Jail is only for millennials.

21 hours ago

Reply to

Dwayne ********

Adrian ********

@Orlando *****

21 hours ago

Eryk ************

Sure, because nothing screams "international standards" like daily near-misses and chaotic intersections in Thailand 🤦‍♂️. Maybe start by testing local drivers first - many of them wouldn't pass a proper driving test in a country with civilized traffic.

21 hours ago

Peter ****************

For my second 5 year drivers license, I had to do an online test already (Korat/Chokchai DLT). look 4 movies, 2 Thai with subtitles and 2 in English. When one movie is finished, they ask a question about it. So 4 questions in total. Many are 'kick in an open door' for us.

21 hours ago

Ellen **********

More people will stop going toThailand and go to Vietnam or elsewhere. Why is Thailand not accepting an international driving licence. Its INTERNATIONAL. What is so special about Thailand?? That 10 year old local kids drive bikes without helmet? Crossing with red lights?? Making U turns on double lines?? And then they cry because there are less tourist coming.

21 hours ago

Jim ********

@Ellen *********

they aren’t stopping accepting IDP’s it’s just you cannot get a Thai licence without a test. You can still drive/ride legally if you have an IDP

14 hours ago

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

@Ellen *********

they're not going to stop accepting IDPs. They're going to stop letting you skip the written test to get a Thai drivers license if you have an IDP

14 hours ago

Marcel ***

@Ellen *********

Vietnam even don't accept a driver's license from any ASEAN country 👀 in Thailand you also can drive with Indonesian license

19 hours ago

Pete *******

@Ellen *********

there is no such animal as an international driving licence. It is an international driving permit that legalises your home country driving licence under the convention. Thailand accepts and will continue to accept IDPs.

20 hours ago

Ellen **********

@Pete ******

yes, you are right. Its a permit.

20 hours ago

Reply to

Ellen **********

Reed **********

What about if you have a license at home and you just want to transfer that over to whatever class you had at home

21 hours ago

Andrew ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Reed *********

for Americans you have to get the state department involved to use reciprocal agreements, taking the course and test here is faster and beneficial to understand the laws here just my opinion. Driving in thailand IS NOT driving in the states

21 hours ago

Garrett ***********

@Andrew *******

I'm about to suspend you for spreading false information. Knock it off

15 hours ago

Reed **********

I definitely agree and I'm really sick of seeing the really young tourist hop on a scooter when they have Never driven one. They are the worst drivers here. I find the locals drive very well, people say Bangkok has the worst drivers in the world but I think people here drive very pleasant maybe I'm just used to how people in Asia drive now. I think in most cases I would take the drivers of Bangkok over the drivers of some of the southern states I've lived in.

20 hours ago

Reply to

Reed **********

Lucas **********

Was waiting for this....

Garrett ***********

For what?

Lucas **********

this.....

Reply to

Lucas **********

John ********

I’ve seen lots of driving there and I don’t think the problem lies with us TBH

a day ago

Terry *******

And can you make so we can share

a day ago

Andrew ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Terry ******

its a private group click the post to share it

a day ago

Reply to

Andrew ********

Garrett ***********

Just to clarify, this hasn't become a law/regulation yet. And all this does is remove the ability to NOT take the written test to get a Thai drivers license if you have a IDP from your home country.

a day ago

Andrew ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********

its a heads up for people who use the border runs scheme wishing to stay here for more then 90 days as the IDP is only good here for 90 days. Personally its just a good idea to get a license here if people wish to stay longer then 90 days, meaning if they do 60 days and then run the border come back over and over again. Just smarter to get the temp 2 year license then face a fine up to 2000 baht and or 1 month in jail

The written test is only 50 questions and is easy

a day ago

Ian ******

@Andrew *******

Presumably you will not be expected to write in Thai then?

14 hours ago

Pete *******

@Andrew *******

there is no 90 limit on an IDP, it is good until the end of it’s validity date.

a day ago

Andrew ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Pete ******

its good for a year to travel with thailand its only valid for 90 days ( tourist stamp ) if you are here for example on a DTV it will only be good for 90 days

20 hours ago

Pete *******

@Andrew *******

incorrect, it is valid until it expires. There is no law regarding 90 days usage. As long as you are not on a Non Immigrant visa then the IDP is valid until it or your home country license expires. I stand to be corrected if you can state the relevant law.

20 hours ago

Graham ******

@Pete ******

It is valid up to the expiry date but can only be used in Thailand for up to 90 days from your current entry stamp

20 hours ago

Pete *******

@Graham *****

nope, it’s valid until it or your home country license expires. There is no 90 day law. As long as your not on a Non Immigrant visa and are a tourist then the IDP is good until it expires. Always stand to be corrected, can you give me a legal source for the 90 day limit?

20 hours ago

Reply to

Pete *******

Garrett ***********

@Andrew *******

Bro, what are you even talking about. Stop making stuff up.

a day ago

Reply to

Garrett ***********

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