If you would like to drive, either vehicle or motorcycle, while visiting Thailand, you are required by law to hold an international driving license. It is a useful document for travellers, in the sense that without one you may not be able to rent a vehicle and may not be covered by your travel insurance.Īlso handy to have, if asked for one when stopped by the Police for a traffic related matter. The IDP is a necessary and useful document to have, if you are planning to drive in Thailand and is not difficult or expensive to obtain. The IDP is valid for 12-months (steer clear of websites that offer and IDP with a longer duration). In fact there is no such thing as an international drivers licence and the websites that sell them are scamming you, as you can only obtain this permit from the Motoring Organisation in your country. IDPs are issued by authorized organizations in a person's home country and are typically valid for one year. International Driving Permits (IDPs) are an internationally recognized document to allow individuals to drive in countries where they do not have a local driver's license.Īn International Driving Permit is simply a translation of your driver's licence and it is not a substitute for an actual driver's licence and you should carry both when driving in Thailand.
