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What should I know about driving permits when living long-term in Thailand and visiting my home country?

Thai Driving LicenseInternational Driving Permit (IDP)Visa and ResidencyDriving RegulationsExpat Living in ThailandDriving in Foreign Countries
Sep 19, 2023
a year ago
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
So what happens when you love in Thailand long term without returning to your native country- say retirement or marriage status- and then go back to visit? Do you get an international driving permit from Thailand?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When living long-term in Thailand, it's important to be aware of the driving regulations if you plan to visit your home country. You may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your Thai driving license, especially if your home country's license is no longer valid. Each country has different requirements regarding foreign licenses, so it's essential to check local laws. A Thai license is typically valid for driving in many countries for a limited time, but obtaining an IDP can help avoid complications. Consider getting your IDP from Thailand if you have a valid Thai license, but also ensure you have all necessary documents like residency certificates if required.
Sei *****
just get an Thai driving license with a school. approximately 4000 baht. dont trust if they say you don't need to come or go to school .
a year ago
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Mitchell *******
Why would you not keep your home country license? That is more "legal" than your Thai one.
a year ago
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จอนห์ *******
I would recommended you get it
a year ago
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Terary **********
I use my Thai driver's license in my home country (USA). I have both a Texas license and a Thai license, but I find it easier to use the Thai license.
a year ago
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Rob **********
If your license in your home country has expired, and you have a current 5 year Thai driving license, you are eligible to apply for a Thai IDP, but you will require a residency certificate from your local immigration office.
a year ago
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Nick ************
If you loose your UK license due to a violation of the law, can you still drive on your Thai license in the UK?
a year ago
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จอนห์ *******
@Nick ***********
 you can't use a regular Thai driving license on its own, you'll need the International Driving License and The Thai Driving Licence, for vehicle hire, and police producers. Also insurance companies (unless a hire car, ie Enterprise etc) will need to be notified that a driver using the vehicle is using a Thai International Drivers License.
a year ago
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David *********
@Nick ***********
 Just google your question and you will have the answer to your question
a year ago
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Nick ************
@David ********
 tried that with several others in the pub but got no clear answer.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ***********
 ignore people like that. And that's a pretty good question!
a year ago
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Nick ************
@Jack ***************
 thankyou and I do!
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ***********
 I wish I was better at it. I'll catch myself getting angry and then remember oh yeah, the internet is full of chuckle heads and then hit the block button.
a year ago
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Jack ****************
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Marc *******
Thai license and IDP be safe no worries.

You will get odd looks from local authorities if you’re stopped, so just be prepared to answer the questions.

I had my expired license as well, but only for an extreme case.
a year ago
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Bob **********
Yes
a year ago
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David *********
IDP is issued in your home country based on your driver’s license from your country. Usually an IDP is issued for one year and if stopped by police you need to show your IDP along with your valid license from your country which issued your o
a year ago
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Duncan *******
@David ********
 It's issued in the country you have a permanent license in and in ops case, that's Thaiand.
a year ago
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David *********
@Duncan ******
 That is what I said. Why would you need an IDP to drive in Thailand when you have a permanent driver’s license issued in Thailand
a year ago
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Duncan *******
@David ********
 Op is asking if he needs an IDP to drive on a Thai license when he goes back to farang land after living many years in Thailand. The presumption is that he no longer has his original country's DL.
a year ago
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David *********
@Duncan ******
 in the UK he can drive on a foreign license for one year. The he would have to get a UK license if he sfays in UK. All this you can find on internet
a year ago
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David *********
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Henry *********
If you have a Thai licence you can use it in most countries, like UK, US, Australia.
a year ago
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จอนห์ *******
@Henry ********
 you cannot drive in the UK with just a regular Thai driving license, a International Driving License issued by the Thai M T is required.
a year ago
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Henry *********
@จอนห์ ******
 An IDP (it's a permit not a licence) is just a translation of your national licence. A Thai licence is written in Thai and English, and is accepted for driving in the UK, for 3 months.
a year ago
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จอนห์ *******
@Henry ********
 ok comment a link to the relevant UK law that says that, I'd be thankful for the confirmation of that.
a year ago
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Henry *********
@จอนห์ ******
 Here you go...

****************************************
a year ago
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Henry *********
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Kim *********
@Henry ********
 really? in other countries like Denmark you can drive 3 months with a Thai license - and if I drive in Thailand with my Danish drivers license I can only do that provided I have a IDP from Denmark and only for 3 months - after that I will need a Thai drivers license
a year ago
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Henry *********
@Kim ********
 Yes, after 3 months you will need a licence from the country you're living in.
a year ago
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Henry *********
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Duncan *******
Some countries require them, others don't.

You can get an IDP here if you have a permanent 5 year Thai license.
a year ago
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Steve ********
Just keep your home licence valid
a year ago
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John **********
@Steve *******
 although you technically need to also keep an address in that country to be legal (at least in the UK you do)
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 since budget Richard Branson got me all off topic- are you saying that if you live in Thailand with a marriage visa you need to maintain an address in your origin country?
a year ago
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John **********
@Jack ***************
 we are talking about driving licences
a year ago
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John **********
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 gross. No.
a year ago
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Ernesto ********
@Jack ***************
 what is your home country ?
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Jack ***************
 Keeping a licence valid is gross? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 doing anything with my country of origin is.
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Jack ***************
 So sad for you. I have triple nationality and driver's licenses from five countries. I keep everything valid. Quite easy
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 I agree is sad for me. But your story sounds sad too. But if you are happy, that is enough.
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Jack ***************
 My story is very happy. I have so much freedom of movement
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 I think a lot of ex cons think that way.
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Jack ***************
 Actually ex cons like yourself are frightened of the world as you obviously are, and certainly don't have freedom of movement 😂😂😂😂
a year ago
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Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 there is literally nowhere on the planet I cannot go if I want. I only fear additional sadness. The difference is I've found my happy place and don't like to leave it.
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Jack ***************
 Oh dear. Very sad indeed
a year ago
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Steve ********
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Frank **********
Probably
a year ago
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Frank **********
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