International Driving Permit

[the-undertaker]

I am considering in obtaining an IDP license to use in renting a small vehicle to move around from Patong beach to surrounding areas.

What are the pro’s and con’s in renting or should we rather pay by ride with local bus, tuk-tuk or taxi?

Is this an expensive exercise because I have heard that tourists are being conned for damages etc?

[Soupdragon]

It wouldn't hurt to get a IDP the police have always said to me "very good you have" when I have shown mine but a normal driving licence is accepted. As for renting vehicles yes the old con of screwing the customer for damages does happen but there are reputable hirers as well, personally I would never hire a vehicle from the beach road. I always used Braun rent a car before I bought one and had no problems, good cars, good service, european management and free drop off pick up from your hotel. Click here for link.

Just noticed on their website they say free drop off/pick up if booked on the internet but I never did it that way and never got charged so would think you could get this if you asked.

[Crustasian]

The office that issues them is just along the road from Big C entrance in a block of shop houses.

[Critical Mass]

Originally Posted by the-undertaker

I am considering in obtaining an IDP license to use in renting a small vehicle to move around from Patong beach to surrounding areas.
What are the pro’s and con’s in renting or should we rather pay by ride with local bus, tuk-tuk or taxi?
Is this an expensive exercise because I have heard that tourists are being conned for damages etc?

Hi Undertaker.

Try to stick to International Car Rental companies like Budget, Avis, or Hertz, as they are more likely to be reputable.

Even though some say your native license, is sufficient, legally speaking, the Thai Government stipulates the need for an International Drivers permit.

In my country RACV provide them for a few dollars.
Basically it translates your license details into Thai.
It is not a replacement to your normal license but supplements it.
Reputable Car Hire places won't allow you to hire without one due to their insurance requirements.

international driving permits - RACV

Beware as you can get seriously done with insurance cover.
Basically they all seem to provide full comprehensive insurance with a 5,000B excess depending on the vehicle.

Unfortunately the trick is some policies expect you to pay for half the cost of the vehicle if the accident is your fault.

Good insurance should cover all costs, excluding the excess, if it was your fault, as long as you follow their stipulated rules.

If you're getting quality personal "travel insurance" from your country, some policies include payment of your excess effectively making it a zero payout should you have an accident.

Get three or four quotes and e-mail them with your needs and ask them how comprehensive their insurance is. Then make your decision.

Try to hire a fuel efficient car because gasoline will be a killer.

As a reference, I found Chalee of Pattaya offer two weeks rental of a Honda Jazz for 13,000B including insurance.

Chalee Pattaya Car Rental and Motorcycle Rental

Look for Car Hire places in Phuket town. To get your business, I'd say they'll even drive the car to Patong for you, or to the Airport.

Best of luck with your research.

[briofoz]

I have used Pure Car Rent, for my 3 visits. I have not had any problems with them. Heres the site.. PureCar Rent

[Mai Chob]

Ive always just rented off anyone for 1000 to 1200 tb a day so maybe Ive done the wrong thing, but the cops just looked miffed and waved me thru at the checkpoint at Karon Hill when they saw the grey cardboard cover on the IDL...pity as I wanted to see if they could detect the fact that i changed the date from 2003 to 2008! 555

[dennisinkamala]

The subject has been done to death so just a remninder to be caeful.. an IDP is not the same as an IDL, which is not a legal driving licence.

The IDP is basically a translation of your driving licence into other languages and is providsed by The AA in the UK. I think RACV in Ausieland.

As I say, just a reminder, for more info do a search on this forum.

[LivinLOS]

Originally Posted by Crustasian

The office that issues them is just along the road from Big C entrance in a block of shop houses.

Careful there Crusty.. Thats an international driving license and NOT an IDP.. Technically its not legal and can also have insurance problems.

Theres loads of links online about the IDL scam.

[Denver]

The picture on my IDL is very good and makes me look sexier than I really am..........................That's it................Thanks!

Never been asked for it BTW............Which is probably just as well........... as I never take it out with me!

[Nicke]

Just to add my view on the history here...

Sometimes they ask for an international driver license/permit, sometimes a national one is enough. But by law an international one is required. But last 2 years they seems to accept a national one.

If you live here you should get a Thai one, its easy. (Easy to convert the int driving permit to a Thai one)

I have to say I am confused about the differences between IDL and IDP. in Swedish they say IDL but its still an IDP, as you still need your national one and the IDL/IDP is just a suplemental one.

[LivinLOS]

Basically the IDL is a legal document but its become a semi scam.

An IDL is merely a translation of your driving license, to be carried along with your home country license, and is then accepted in any country that accepts your own and is designed to help the police actually read and understand it. It has no additional protection for countries that do not allow you to drive on a home country license.

An IDP is a license issued in your home country, based on your home country license, I think for a 1 year max, that allows you to drive in any of the signatory countries without your home country license.

The IDL, being just a translation, can be produced by all kinds of people, you can buy them online for as little as 20 USD and they can be valid for 10 years. They are fine for handing to 3rd world cops (I bought a nice package of official looking book and 2 cards in case one got lost for about 35 or 40 USD) and low risk if you lose your wallet. But they are not legally covering and insuring you here.

The company selling these through the gazette knows this and tricks people into a 6k fee for essentially an (almost) worthless bit of paper. Last year I went through the effort of getting my Thai IDL just to see how it all works, would love to show that one back in Europe. Also while the Euro / Brit IDL's are just this flat grey nasty card the Thai one is a really ornate gold on cream, complex pretty thai pattern. Simple little thing but they really made a much more attractive package out of it.

[the-undertaker]

Thanks so much for all the prompt responses. I seem to have a good idea and will pursue obtaining IDP just to avoid lockdown at police station.

Two quick ones for today:
1. On which side of the road do they drive in Thailand?
2. Cost per liter of gasoline/petrol

[The Loop]

Originally Posted by the-undertaker

Two quick ones for today:
1. On which side of the road do they drive in Thailand?
2. Cost per liter of gasoline/petrol

1. Most farang drive on the left.Thai`s don`t really care which side.
2. About 30 baht/litre.

With the username you have you could well look into some business opportunities while you are here. 555555

[philly]

Originally Posted by the-undertaker

Two quick ones for today:
1. On which side of the road do they drive in Thailand?

On the left but it's more of a suggestion than a rule