Obtaining an Int'l Driver's License in Thailand

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As a local farang, who is planning on visiting back home and your home driver's license has expired, you'll need not only a Thai driving license...but also an International Drivers License.

 

Info on obtaining a legal Int'l Driver's License in Thailand, not a fake IDL from Khaosan Rd:

If you are planning on using your Thai driver's license to

drive in your home country, an IDL also needed for

identification purposes and as a translation of your Thai

license. An IDL is _not_ valid as a legal driving license,

contrary to some mis-informed people. You will need an IDL

and your valid Thai driver's license in order to rent a

car back home, assuming your own home countries driving

license has since expired.

 

Requirements for obtaining an IDL in Thailand:

You must have a valid Thai license, which has been

renewed at least once. You cannot use the initial 1-year

(green colored) license to obtain an IDL; it must have

been renewed at least once (ie a 5-year pink colored)

Thai license. You also must have a non-immigrant type

visa, you cannot obtain an IDL in Thailand with a tourist visa.

 

Applying for an IDL can only be done in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, not in Pattaya/Banglamung. You must apply at one of the major Dept of Land Transportation Offices. I used the main one, not far from the Morchit Bus Station in Bangkok, which is

on 1032 Phaholyothin Road, near the Chatuchak (Jatujak)

weekend market. It's a 50-Bt moto ride from the bus station

to the Transportation Office. The IDL and driver's license

offices are on the second floor (first floor to the Brits).

 

You need to bring the following documents:

1-Your passport and a photocopy of the picture page, visa,

TM and most recent re-entry to Thailand stamp. If you

missed anything, they will make copies for 2-Bt/page.

2-Your Thai driver license (if you have moto and car

licenses, bring them both), and 2 photocopies of the

front and back of each driver's license.

3-The ORIGINAL certificate of residence, which can be

obtained from Immigration on Soi-8, or at your Embassy.

Immigration now charges 300-Bt for the document and

it can be completed and in your hands in an hour.

4- 2-photos about 2"x1.5". You can also get them at the

licensing office for 70-Bt.

5- Fee for the IDL is 505-Bt; license valid for 1-year.