 |
|
|
#1
08-06-2007, 16:44
|
||||
|
||||
|
Inernational Driving License?
Hi Gents!
Will be heading down Patong in one month. As i want to rent a bike or car for some weeks i got myself a "International-Driving-License" for thirty euros, valid for one year. Thing is. All the text in this document is written in my motherlanguage. Will there be problems involved when getting stuck with the mib? cheers, Chris 
|
| Guest Info |
|
+:+:+ Forum Headquarter +:+:+ |
|
#3
08-06-2007, 17:05
|
||||
|
||||
|
hi there.
will have both of them with me.  i cant be arsed again to pay bribes like last year when i dint have the international one and had to pay some times.thanks chris
|
|
#4
08-06-2007, 17:22
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Where did this happen? You were fined for having no International DL specifically? Did you have your normal national driving licence and Passport?
|
|
#5
08-06-2007, 17:28
|
||||
|
||||
|
In Phuket you only need to show your international driving license, national driving license is useless, I used to be stoped every night by the police during one month between Patong and Karon and they only asked for International DL.
|
|
#6
08-06-2007, 17:31
|
||||
|
||||
|
It's not an International Driving License but an International Driving Permit.
Officially if it does not have a page translated into Thai (which can be done) it is not valid, but in practice that hasn't filtered down to the Local Police. they use it as a benchmark as to whether to fine or not. For any residents a Thai drivers license is a must and dirt cheap.
|
|
#7
08-06-2007, 23:55
|
||||
|
||||
|
Ripped off?
Quote:
I paid just over 5 quid abot 8 euro for mine via the RAC....where did you get yours from?
|
|
#8
09-06-2007, 00:47
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
interesting, i must look into that for my next trip
|
|
#9
09-06-2007, 00:53
|
||||
|
||||
|
I've lived here 18 months now, been stopped about 3 times never had any problem showing my normal uk licence even though I do have an international one, never ever been asked for it.
__________________
If I havn't done it already, then i'm gunna do it today.
|
|
#10
09-06-2007, 01:05
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
was it cause you live there? or did they even ask do you live there?
__________________
ONE WAY TICKET TO BANGKOK, SIE VOU PLE!
|
|
#11
09-06-2007, 01:21
|
||||
|
||||
|
the guide
brother in law asked me to show him my international drivers permit, he reads english quite well.
so i showed it to him, and he bought out his "tourist police handbook" (he is a provincial copper,never dealing with farangs if he can help it, as he advances his career he knows he must increase his language skills), and it had the thai translation and diagrams about the licence. he borrowed it for 2 days took it to work so he could instruct a class on the IDP document, most farangs in the area are long termers and thus have the ease of having a thai licence. its well worth getting thai licence if a frequent traveller(if transport arent to fussy checking on work permit or visa status) or expat as stated before.
__________________
everything is for sale in thailand its just how they package it
|
|
#12
09-06-2007, 01:55
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
same same but only valid for one year. Seems stupid when UK driving license valid till your 70
|
|
#13
09-06-2007, 08:35
|
||||
|
||||
|
AFAIK an International Driving Permit can only be valid for one year.
Be aware that an international driving license is a scam, they are not valid (tho the police dont know that) and you often see those sold for 10 years.
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
|
|
#14
09-06-2007, 19:34
|
||||
|
||||
|
There are two kind of IDL/IDP, they can be either for one or three years, based on agreements 1949 and 1968.
Thailand only agreed to 1949 convention and thus, only one year is legal here. Quote:
|
|
#15
09-06-2007, 19:47
|
||||
|
||||
|
Its my understanding that an IDL is just an translation of your home country license.. Some countries accept this some dont..
I carry a 10 year IDL (I also have others) simply as its disposable so if lost its no big deal..
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
|
|
#16
11-06-2007, 09:03
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
In Australia IDL is issued by taking your full state drivers licence (issued by the RTA) to your local motorist association....also the case in NZ They merely sight it and give you a paper copy IDL......you could lose your proper licence and still use this in LOS I guess....but this would invalidate any insurance as you'd be still seen as an unlicenced driver by the insurance company BTW Australia has an agreement with Thailand that validates all Australian state issued driving licences there...no need for IDL
__________________
 ....but of course I was verey verey draaank at the taaame!!!
|
|
#17
11-06-2007, 09:38
|
||||
|
||||
|
I have always shown my UK license and not had a problem wth MIBs often proclaiming "yes yes international no ploblem"
but I would like to get a thai driving license and what to know what hoops i need to jump through these days - i have heard conflicting reports from 'just go in with your UK license and walk out with a thai one' to 'you have to take the test' any update?
__________________
|
|
#18
11-06-2007, 10:07
|
||||
|
||||
|
Hobbsy
In Bangkok it is a simple process, takes about 2 hours and requires no driving. Of course what happens in Phuket can be another matter altogether, they make the rules up as to suit the occassion. One of the great pleasures of having moved closer to my job in Bangkok is that these sorts of things are far more straight forward and far less like the Wild West. You need to take Passport Work Permit (whether that is a necessity I'm not sure, but obviously that proves correct visa's etc) Homeland driving license. Medical Certificate. As far as they are concerned that proves you can drive. You then take three tests: 1. Colour blindness 2. Depth of Field Vision Test 3. Peripheral Vision test. 4. Reaction Test All easy unless you suffer from this problem. Having a farang nose makes the peripheral vision test a 'piece of piss' as your eyes are set a good half inch further back than the average Issan applicant. After those are passed, back down to collect the license. Total Cost: 150THB Location: About 500m south of Mo Chit BTS station. Last edited by Schmeen : 11-06-2007 at 14:58. Reason: I've edited the above as LivinLOS reminded me of a couple of items I forgot)
|
|
#19
11-06-2007, 10:17
|
||||
|
||||
|
'just go in with your UK license and walk out with a thai one'
Pretty certain farangs can't get away without doing the tests but I know some Thai ladies who got licences to drive cars without taking a test and just "paid a bit extra" ;-) Frightening thought how many there could be on the roads who have never taken a test. I've been through countless checks last 2 years. Just showed UK licence which for 8 months was expired! Never had a problem. I think as long as they see the words "Driving Licence " and your picture that is good enough for them. They don't know how to read validity dates!! Last edited by landofsmiles : 11-06-2007 at 10:26.
|
|
#20
11-06-2007, 13:13
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Careful tho.. Cause many insurances will accept either a Thai or International only.. I read over and over that home country licenses are not valid tho they are fine for coppers stop checks..
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
|
|
#21
11-06-2007, 13:18
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
There are at least 30 farangs where I work with Thai driving licenses, none of them ever sat behind the wheel of a car to get it. I detailed the exact procedure above.
|
|
#22
11-06-2007, 13:23
|
||||
|
||||
|
I was actually there today.
You need a Doctors cert also (I forgot this today !!!) to the above and in phuket anyway, an international driving license only. 1 year ago they would not accept a UK license but its always who you get on the day. If no license then both written and driving tests must be done but frankly they are a joke anyway. That will take all day though instead of a couple of hours. You do not need a work permit as outlined above but must be on a 'real visa' I was on a non imm O both times but I have heard of people getting one on a tourist visa but refused with a visa exempt stamp. You also need a proof of residence form from immigration. If you have a IDP then its just reaction tests, eye tests for color blindness and depth perception, and peripheral vision.. 2 tiny pics for each license (bike and car is separate) and seperate copies of all the above for each license applied for (so reams of paper as always).. Also just for the fun of this.. I need a residence paper to apply for my driving license.. So I go to the license center, they send me to immigration, who verify my address by (you guessed it) reading my license !! Issue me a proof of residence paper, that I then take back to apply for my new 5 year license. How about that for perfectly circular logic !! Once I get my Doc forms I will get my 5 year and after thats issued I can apply for an international license based on my Thai one !!! That'll fox em back in the west !!
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
|
