How to have an International Driving License and which countries can use a Thai Driving License?

Many countries have a warm welcome for tourists after unlocking the countries. Tourism and the overseas self-driving car rental business are back in business. However, to legally drive in other countries you must have an International Driving License. Let’s get to know about it and let’s see how to have one.

What is an International Driving License?

An official name of the International Driving License is International Driving Permit or IDP. It is a document used to authenticate so that holders can drive their cars overseas or in non-native territories. This is used for legal travel, work and education purposes.

What countries can use an International Driving License?

International driver’s licenses that Thailand has joined the Convention on Road Traffic are divided into two categories according to the two conventions: the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention.

The Geneva Road Traffic Convention 1949 or the Geneva Convention. It will be available for 1 year and can be used in 102 countries such as the U.S.A, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, Japan, etc.
The Vienna Road Traffic Convention 1968 or the Vienna Convention. It will be available for 3 years from the day of the issued date of IDP or the same age as the domestic driving license of the holders. Available in 86 countries such as Bahrain, Brazil, German, and Switzerland. Countries that have joined the two conventions such as the United Kingdom, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Sweden. In addition, Thailand can use only one international license issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention.

Where to do an International Driving License?

You can apply for a driver’s license at any Bangkok Transportation Authority Area 1-5 or Provincial Transportation Authority. In this regard, the Department of Land Transport recommends that Thailand’s driver’s license be displayed together with the international driver’s license.

What documents are used to get an International Driving License?

For Thai People, here are the documents used to get an International Driving License.

An real passport that is not yet expired
A real ID card that is not yet expired
Thai driver’s license (5 years, lifetime), the real issue, which is not yet expired.
Two two-inch, uncoated photographs taken in less than six months.

For Thai People, here are the documents used to get an International Driving License.

Passports and visas must not be for sightseeing, sports, or traveling throughout the city with both the real one and the copy.
A real resident certificate certified by the embassy or the Immigration Bureau. Including work permit and digital work permit which shows the details of addresses and do not yet expire. A real Smart Visa certified by the embassy, Immigration Bureau, Government agencies or international organizations.
Thai driver’s license (5 years, lifetime), the real issue, which is not yet expired.
Two two-inch, uncoated photographs taken in less than six months.

The Thai driver’s license can be used overseas without having to use an international driver’s license in these 9 countries as follows:

Laos
Vietnam
Cambodia
Myanmar
Malaysia
Indonesia
Brunei
Philippines
Singapoes

In order to use Thai Driver License in those 9 countries, it must be a smart card which specifies the card owner information in English only. You need to apply for a smart card in case that your card is in an older form.

Owners of cars registered in Thailand can use them in ASEAN countries as well. The registration must be made at the transportation office where the vehicle is registered to obtain an English license plate for joining the member countries. The conditions of each country’s use of the car may vary.

For more information

Website: www.prd.go.th

Tel: 1584