UK driving license use?

[MRToMRT 1,775]

Hi,

 

If I have a UK driving license (photo type) can I drive a car in Thailand without having a IDL (international drivers licence). I have read conflicting reports but someone has told me I can drive for 3 months on the UK license without needing the IDL.

 

Background, have just arrived and my Thai license has run out and I cannot get a cert of residence until next year from UK embassy and not until I have a 90 day report for Thai issued one.

[KC 71 1,744]

I think you can use the I.D.L for 3 months while in 

[tinca tinca 457]

dont worry.......become a thai and drive around without licence......

[Peterw42 13,505]

Yes, you can drive in Thailand with your UK license and an IDP (International Driving Permt), its not a license, its a translation document that accompanies your home license. There is not such thing as an international driving License.

 

In theory you can drive on just your UK license as per The Thai motor vehicle act

Section 42-2

In case there’s a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver’s license, an alien who doesn’t have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver’s license issued by such a foreign government.

 

However many police and insurance etc will want to see an IDP

Edited November 25, 2020 by Peterw42

[cooked 6,012]

If you're lucky... we once watched a Thai policeman hold my IDP upside down with a serious mien. Tea money will get you through but if you have an accident you're up the creek. 

Your local police station should be able to give you a certificate but may be reluctant (tea money). 

Edited November 25, 2020 by cooked

[johng 17,123]

3 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

its a translation document that accompanies your home license.

Strangely though the translated languages do not include the Thai language   so how it helps "Somchai Plod" determine  driving entitlement at a roadside stop is anyone's guess.

[Peterw42 13,505]

1 minute ago, johng said:

Strangely though the translated languages do not include the Thai language   so how it helps "Somchai Plod" determine  driving entitlement at a roadside stop is anyone's guess.

 

The IDP puts your license details into an agreed international format, ie: a tick in box 1 equals a car license etc, in theory it can be read in any language.

[CharlieH 28,595]

In my experience what the law requires and what actually happens are rarely the same.

 

It is totally dependent on the Plod on the day. In my time here they take one look and just waive you on, or fine you on the spot, go pay your 200 baht at the cop shop for whatever and carry on. Most recently he just said "you have licence? I said yes, he said ok, go. Didnt e en want to see it ! ...lol

Of course others experience may vary.

[MRToMRT 1,775]

42 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Yes, you can drive in Thailand with your UK license and an IDP (International Driving Permt), its not a license, its a translation document that accompanies your home license. There is not such thing as an international driving License.

 

In theory you can drive on just your UK license as per The Thai motor vehicle act

Section 42-2

In case there’s a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver’s license, an alien who doesn’t have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver’s license issued by such a foreign government.

 

However many police and insurance etc will want to see an IDP

 

 

Thats the thing I was told about, was also told it needs to be in English and be a photo type as well.

 

 

[johng 17,123]

34 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

in theory it can be read in any language.

 Pictures  ?

 

[VocalNeal 7,200]

2 hours ago, MRToMRT said:

Hi,

 

If I have a UK driving license (photo type) can I drive a car in Thailand without having a IDL (international drivers licence). I have read conflicting reports but someone has told me I can drive for 3 months on the UK license without needing the IDL.

 

Background, have just arrived and my Thai license has run out and I cannot get a cert of residence until next year from UK embassy and not until I have a 90 day report for Thai issued one.

 

Maybe obselete but can you get a TM30? Then having taken that to a police station. They give you a receipt which has address and use that to get Cert. of Res.

Can help you with a good visa/et al. agent if you want Cert. of Res. 1200 baht. 

[tinca tinca 457]

1 minute ago, VocalNeal said:

 

Maybe obselete but can you get a TM30? Then having taken that to a police station. They give you a receipt which has address and use that to get Cert. of Res.

Can help you with a good visa/et al. agent if you want Cert. of Res. 1200 baht. 

C OF R at soi 5 jomtien.....is about 360 baht why pay 1200???

[steve187 6,083]

1 hour ago, Peterw42 said:

Yes, you can drive in Thailand with your UK license and an IDP (International Driving Permt), its not a license, its a translation document that accompanies your home license. There is not such thing as an international driving License.

 

In theory you can drive on just your UK license as per The Thai motor vehicle act

Section 42-2

In case there’s a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver’s license, an alien who doesn’t have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver’s license issued by such a foreign government.

 

However many police and insurance etc will want to see an IDP

link to agreement referred to in 42-2please

[richard_smith237 26,163]

This is a ‘two pronged’ question: 

 

1) With a UK DL and no IDP can the Op legally drive in Thailand?

2) With a UK DL and no IDP will the Op be insured while driving Thailand?

 

Don’t worry too much about #1:

- The worst that can happen is the BiB stop the Op and he has to pay 2000-500B fine for not having an IDP. 

- Most probable, the Op is not stopped at all, but if he is, he shows his UK license and that is sufficient (as CharlieH wrote)

- As I understand it, legally a UK driving licence is good for the first 90 days due to the Motor Act (as Peterw42 wrote)

 

 

#2 may be an issue.

- Driving without an IDP may present wiggle room for insurance to side-step a claim if the Op is involved in an accident.

- The Op should obtain written confirmation that he is covered to drive in Thailand with his UK licence.

 

 

-------

Op: You said you couldn’t get an appointment to secure an Affirmation of Residence letter until next year, did you mean next month (i.e. Jan 2021, next calendar year) ?

 

Op - there are reports that a Letter of Residence can be obtained from Immigration in Chiang Mai. I’m not sure if the rules have changed. Thus, it may be worth going out to the Immigration office at Impact (nr Chaeng Wattana) and see if you can get a Letter of Residence from there without requiring first to have applied for a 90 day report.

 

I wonder if its worth phoning the Embassy and pleading your case, that you need an earlier appointment.

 

[Peterw42 13,505]

8 minutes ago, steve187 said:

link to agreement referred to in 42-2please

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Convention_on_Road_Traffic

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Convention_on_Road_Traffic

Edited November 25, 2020 by Peterw42