What type of International Driving Permit do I need for driving in Thailand: 1949 or 1968?

Since 1 May 2021 Thailand ratification has been enforced here the United Nation link to the document

I got mine from Milton post office

Renting car or bike?

I made the mistake of buying an International licence once and it was not accepted in Thailand, Libya, Australia and many other countries I have worked or lived in. The police read English so a translation is not necessary. I have a Thai driving licence now which is accepted in many Countries.

Go to pay point get the 1968 that will cover you

Go to post office and I believe it's for 5 years for the international license

It's gonna be a few BAHT whatever the circumstances.

Just jump on your bike pay your fine and enjoy. 😊

Paypoint need photo licence six quidgood to have in asia

If you're planning to ride a motorcycle then you must have a UK motorcycle license for the IDP to be valid for motorcycles. If you plan to visit Thailand often then I'd recommend doing a 2 day course and getting the Thai license.

Just go to any “pay point” in uk with your drivers licence and recent passport size photo and they will issue you IDP

It’s about £8

Post Office no longer issue

Always had the 68 and never had a problem.

1968 i have it now

You get it post office i get one every year

IDP's issued in the motorists home country under either the 1949 or 1968 Convention are recognised in Thailand.. however, it is not mandatory to have it translated into Thai if you are simply entering as a tourist with the intention of hiring a car for the duration of your holiday.. even if you going to reside here and intend to apply for a Thai DL.. then you won't need a translation of your UK DL or an IDP attached to it either.. if you meet the criteria and pass any qualifying 'tests' then your Thai DL will be in Thai (with annotations in English).. and you would need to apply for an IDP based on that license.. which will again be in Thai/English 😉

Doesn't matter what you have it's always "no good 300 bhat". All part of the Thai experience.

Just go local post office with your license n you can buy international license for around £7 easy peasy if you have full license :)

Ask in post office

For info, none of the IDP have Thai Translation.

Get a Thai driving licence

Good Question,

Get a passport approved photo. Just go to UK Main Post Office and ask for an International Driving Permit.

I haven't read the above comments but last june I looked it up and I was directed to paypoint and there's possibly only 3 postcode doing them i was there less 15 minutes I had a current passport photo and I walked away and a1966 licence

Any one stop shop with a PO counter can issue IDP, all you need is your UK licence and passport, fill in the form, have 2 x passport photos it'll cost £5 and last 3 years.

I always say “both please”. Renewed last Saturday; one lasts 1 year and the other 3 years.

Pay point post office dont do . Phone the paypoint shop and ask if they do idp . Some of them advertise that they do but when you get there they look at you like your stupid and dont no what your talking about

"I got one in the past and then was stopped by a Thai policeman and told it was "No Good! 300 baht" . . . . . . this is possible, as the Thai government took many years until they finally ratified the 1968 Vienna Convention treaty in their parliament. I think that was not until May 2018. Before this date, you would indeed have been on an invalid IDP

I got mine last month you no longer go to the post office but a paypoint shop type idp paypoint near you and they will show which shops do it near you only takes 10mins for them to fill it out and stamp it need 1 passport size pic and your uk driving licence. I think it was £5.50

Validity: The IDP must be issued under either the 1949 Geneva Convention or the 1968 Vienna Convention.

Thailand now recognizes both the 1949 and 1968 Conventions. Previously, only the 1949 was recognized.

It was a while ago but I got mine from a major post office

Your UK driving licence

Must be valid (photocard ideally)

2. International Driving Permit (IDP) — 1968 version

This is the key one for Thailand

The UK government confirms Thailand uses the 1968 IDP �

GOV.UK

👉 You must carry both together when driving.

🚗 Why you need an IDP

It’s a translated version of your licence

Required by law for most foreign drivers

Needed for:

Police checks

Car hire

Insurance validity

Without it, you risk fines or no insurance cover �

IDA

⏳ Short stay vs long stay

🟢 Short stay (tourist)

UK licence + 1968 IDP = OK to drive legally

This is what most visitors use

🔴 Long-term living (your situation)

You should get a Thai driving licence after a while

IDP is only a temporary solution

Insurance can become invalid if you rely on it long-term �

Thaiger

⚠️ Important tips

IDP must be issued in the UK (Post Office)

Costs about £5.50

Valid up to 3 years (1968 version)

Must match vehicle type:

Car licence = car only

Motorbike = you need a proper UK bike licence

👍 Simple answer

👉 Get a 1968 International Driving Permit + take your UK licence

👉 Then later (since you’re moving there), convert to a Thai licence

It is a 1968. You got scammed.