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Do I need a Thai Driving License if I have a valid UK license and IDP for my retirement visa?

Thai Driving License UK Driving License International Driving Permit (IDP)Thailand Visa Rules Retirement Visa Driving Regulations in Thailand Thai Road Safety Expat Driving in Thailand Scooter Rental in Pattaya

Feb 15, 2025

7 days ago

Nelly ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Do i really need a Thai Driving License if i have an current UK issued valid IDP and a UK license. I'm going for a retirement visa next week.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

If you hold a valid UK driving license and an International Driving Permit (IDP), you can legally drive in Thailand for up to 90 days. After this period, if you plan to stay longer (such as on a retirement visa), it is generally recommended to obtain a Thai driving license. This is not only advisable for legal purposes but also for practical reasons, such as insurance validity and smoother interactions with local authorities. Many expats report that getting a Thai license is an easy process, often requiring only a few documents such as your passport, visa, health certificate, and some nominal fees.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
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Jo **********

First of all the Embassy websites are often wrong as the UK one says you do need an IDP. Technically you do not need an International Driving Permit if your home country licence has a photo and is in English. However, in reality, you will need one as the police use it as an excuse to fine you and insurance companies use it as an excuse not to pay your claim. But this is only if you are a tourist. less than 90 days

4 days ago

Brian ********

@J*

This is what the UK gov website says about driving here

"If you are planning to drive in Thailand, see information on driving abroad. You’ll need to carry both the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence while driving. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.

If you live in Thailand, you can apply for a Thai driving licence using your UK driving licence."

4 days ago

Luit *****************

@Jo *********

You say technically you don't need IDP, but practically you do need. So what is wrong when embassies say you need IDP. They give you advice what you need. A lot of countries accept national licenses as long as it is clear for which categories they are, but they are never obliged to accept a national license without IDP.

4 days ago

Reply to

Luit *****************

David *******

You dont need a licence for a visa though

5 days ago

David *********

Yes. IDP isn't always 'accepted' when you get stopped, and you have to pay the fine.

6 days ago

Luit *****************

@David ********

IDP alone is not a drivers licence, it has to be used together with the national drivers licence you obtained the IDP with.

5 days ago

David *********

@Luit ****************

I know. But IDP may not be accepted and citation issued is the point.

5 days ago

Reply to

David *********

Sean **********

I love to drive but not here. I would drive if I was not in the BKK metro area. Car + insurance + gasoline. Easy to get a taxi for just a few jaunts shopping a week. Much cheaper for my wifevand I. It's a jungle out there.lot of inconsiderate driving going on. Was in a taxi and a motorcycle slammed right into us trying to pass on left at red light that just turned green. We started left turn and BAM!

6 days ago

George *******

I drove in Thailand for eleven years and when I was stopped on motorbike for roadside checks, produced my old British tatty bit of paper. Only ever once asked why I didn't have a photo id type licence, but nothing said.

6 days ago

Albert ********

I took a International with me.

6 days ago

Andy **********

Also, unless you can renew your photo driving licence, your UK driving licence Will expire, and you will need a UK address to renew it. And there are related connotations related to UK banking and access to the NHS, which is based on residence not nationality. Some banks do offer expatriate banking, allowing a "uk" bank account with a foreign address. I had one with natwest 30 years ago when working my first job after uni in the US. My account was moved to the Isle of Man, complete with its negative balance (I was in overdraft!).

6 days ago

Bill *********

Not many people are aware of the fact that - if you are no longer a resident of the UK, you cannot hold a UK driving licence. In fact, in theory you are supposed to surrender it. The rule used to be 3 years, but think that may have changed. So yes, you will need to get a Thai licence…

6 days ago

Bill *********

Not going to argue the point with you

@Nelly *****

, just see the attached for info….

6 days ago

Nelly ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bill ********

and to clarify you said intimated you needed to surrender it. Actually " cannot hold a" licence.....but yeah you can. Absolutely you can.

6 days ago

Nelly ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bill ********

thanks for proving half my point. Can't renew. But you can apply,,,, but what do I know. That's facts based on law not Google.

6 days ago

Reply to

Nelly ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bill ********

I suppose I should clarify various things as this is always an argument. If your resident for UK tax then based on experience you can get a UK licence. If you are devoid of all connections to UK. No tax residence and no abode residence then at next renewal you should not apply for another .... That's the rule. Although residence for a DL isn't in the law....it just says basically nothing. So it's a little grey. And you would need and address to get it but that is nothing to do with residence. You cannot use an address outside UK. Also there's a minor difference for NI licences but pretty much the same.

6 days ago

Nelly ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bill ********

the green paper ones are still valid but mostly a pain in a backside....I know people using them still. Abroad and in UK.

6 days ago

Nelly ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Bill ********

not many people as it's not true. 😂 So much so if you're NOT resident you still need a UK licence to drive in the UK after 1 year of using your local licence. 1 year in the UK doesn't make you resident it's 5. Then we have the non resident tax, resident tax. I could go on about 16 days and 185 etc but it frankly makes my head hurt. What you do need is a UK address. If that's what you mean then you have 14 days to change it or it's an offence.

6 days ago

Reply to

Nelly ******

David *******

So easy to obtain got mine couple months ago was about 350 baht for both