International Driving Permit vs Thai License: Which One Do You Need?

What Is an International Driving Permit?

An International Driving Permit -- commonly abbreviated as IDP -- is not actually a license. It is a standardized translation document that accompanies your existing domestic driving license. The IDP translates your license information into multiple languages, making it recognizable to authorities in foreign countries.

The IDP system is governed by two international conventions:

• The Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (1949) -- the version most relevant to Thailand
• The Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (1968) -- Thailand is not a signatory to this convention

This distinction matters. Thailand recognizes IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. If your IDP was issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention (as is common in many European countries), it may not be technically valid in Thailand, though in practice most Thai authorities accept either version.

An IDP must always be carried together with your original domestic license. The IDP alone, without the underlying license, is not a valid document.

The 90-Day Rule: Understanding Validity in Thailand

Under Thai law, an IDP is valid for 90 days from your most recent entry into Thailand. This is a critical detail that many visitors misunderstand.

Common Misconceptions

What Happens After 90 Days?

Once 90 days have passed since your most recent entry into Thailand, your IDP is no longer valid for driving in the country. At this point, driving with only an IDP is legally equivalent to driving without any license at all. The consequences include:

• Fines of 1,000 to 2,000 THB if stopped at a checkpoint
• Potential vehicle impoundment
• Complete invalidation of insurance coverage
• Increased legal liability in the event of an accident

There is no extension mechanism for an IDP in Thailand. You cannot renew it, apply for an extension, or register it with Thai authorities. Your only option is to obtain a Thai driving license.

International Driving Permit vs Thai License: Full Comparison

The following table provides a detailed side-by-side comparison to help you decide which document you need based on your situation.

When Should You Use an IDP?

An IDP is the right choice in a limited set of circumstances:

Short Tourist Visits (Under 90 Days)

If you are visiting Thailand for a holiday lasting a few days to a few weeks, an IDP is perfectly adequate for renting a car or driving. Combined with your original domestic license, it provides legal authorization to drive and should satisfy insurance requirements during the 90-day window.

Transit Through Multiple Countries

If Thailand is one stop on a longer journey through Southeast Asia, an IDP gives you consistent coverage across multiple countries without needing to obtain a local license in each one. Countries like Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar generally recognize IDPs under the Geneva Convention.

First Arrival Before Converting

If you are moving to Thailand long-term, an IDP provides a useful bridge. You can drive legally during your first 90 days while you gather the documents needed for a Thai license conversion.

When Should You Get a Thai License Instead?

For most foreigners who spend significant time in Thailand, a Thai driving license is the clearly superior option. Here is when you should convert:

Any Stay Beyond 90 Days

This is the bright line. If you will be in Thailand for more than 90 consecutive days, you need a Thai license. There is no legal alternative.

Frequent Return Visits

If you visit Thailand multiple times per year, even for shorter stays, a Thai license eliminates the need to obtain a new IDP each time and removes any ambiguity about your 90-day windows.

Motorcycle Riders

If you plan to ride a motorcycle or scooter in Thailand, a Thai motorcycle license is strongly recommended even for short stays. The combination of high accident rates, strict insurance requirements, and inconsistent IDP acceptance at motorcycle rental shops makes the Thai license the safer choice.

Long-Term Residents and Expats

If you hold a retirement visa, work permit, marriage visa, or any other long-stay visa category, a Thai license is essential. It serves as official identification, unlocks Thai pricing at national parks and attractions, and eliminates all driving-related legal ambiguity.

Our driving license service makes the conversion process straightforward -- we handle document preparation, Immigration coordination, and DLT accompaniment.

The Insurance Problem With IDPs

Insurance is where the IDP's limitations become most painfully apparent. While an IDP is technically a valid document during the 90-day window, real-world insurance interactions are often more complicated than the legal framework suggests.

Travel Insurance

Most travel insurance policies require that you hold a "valid driving license" for the type of vehicle you are operating. An IDP within its 90-day window technically satisfies this requirement. However:

• Some policies specifically exclude motorcycle coverage regardless of licensing
• Claims adjusters may challenge the IDP's validity, particularly if it was issued under the Vienna Convention rather than the Geneva Convention
• If there is any ambiguity about whether your 90-day window has expired, the insurer will almost certainly rule against you

Health Insurance

International health insurance policies for expatriates in Thailand often include clauses about driving with a "locally recognized" or "locally valid" license. While an IDP should qualify, the claims process is smoother and less prone to disputes when you hold a Thai license.

Vehicle Insurance

If you own or lease a vehicle in Thailand, your vehicle insurance policy may specifically require a Thai driving license rather than an IDP. This is increasingly common and worth checking with your insurer before assuming your IDP is sufficient.

Credit Card Insurance

Credit card travel insurance typically requires a "valid license for the jurisdiction." An IDP within 90 days should qualify, but as with other insurance types, disputes are common. See our detailed guide on credit card insurance in Thailand for more information.

The Worst-Case Scenario

The insurance problem is not abstract. Consider this real-world pattern that plays out regularly:

1. A foreigner arrives in Thailand on a long-stay visa
2. They drive using their IDP for the first few months
3. At some point past 90 days, they are involved in an accident
4. They file an insurance claim
5. The insurance company checks the entry stamp in the passport, calculates the days, and denies the claim
6. The foreigner is left with potentially hundreds of thousands of baht in medical bills and vehicle damage costs

This scenario is entirely preventable by obtaining a Thai license before the 90-day window closes.

What About Driving Without Any License or IDP?

Driving without any license at all is a separate and more serious issue. While the fine for driving without a license in Thailand is relatively modest (1,000-2,000 THB), the downstream consequences are severe:

• All insurance is voided -- travel, health, vehicle, and credit card coverage are all invalidated
• Criminal liability increases -- if you injure or kill someone, the lack of a license is an aggravating factor
• You cannot legally rent a vehicle -- any rental agreement is void without a valid license
• Post-accident negotiations are heavily weighted against you -- Thai police and insurance adjusters will view you as the irresponsible party regardless of actual fault

How to Get an IDP Before Coming to Thailand

If you need an IDP for your trip, you must obtain it in your home country before departure. IDPs cannot be issued in Thailand.

By Country

What You Need to Apply

• Valid domestic driving license
• Passport-sized photographs (usually 2)
• Application form (varies by country)
• Payment

Important Notes

• Ensure you request an IDP issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Some countries issue IDPs under the 1968 Vienna Convention by default. While Thailand generally accepts both in practice, the 1949 version is the legally correct one.
• Your IDP is only valid for the vehicle categories listed on your domestic license. If your home license does not include a motorcycle endorsement, your IDP will not cover motorcycles in Thailand.
• An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issuance by the issuing authority, but remember that Thailand's 90-day rule overrides this.

Can You Get a Thai IDP for Driving Abroad?

Yes. If you hold a Thai driving license and want to drive in other countries, you can obtain an IDP from the DLT in Thailand. This is useful if you plan to drive in Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, or other neighboring countries.

The Thai IDP costs approximately 505 THB and is valid for one year. You can apply at any DLT office with your Thai license, passport, and passport-sized photographs.

The Conversion Process: From IDP to Thai License

When you are ready to transition from relying on your IDP to holding a Thai license, the conversion process is straightforward. You do not need to surrender your IDP or your foreign license -- you simply add a Thai license to your documentation.

What You Need

1. Passport with valid visa
2. Medical certificate from a Thai clinic (100-200 THB)
3. Residence certificate from Immigration (~500 THB) or TM.30 receipt
4. Your original foreign driving license plus certified translation if not in English
5. Passport-sized photograph

What to Expect at the DLT

• Document verification
• One-hour road safety video
• Theory test (50 questions, 90% pass mark, available in English)
• Physical and vision screening tests
• Fee payment (~305 THB for car, ~205 THB for motorcycle)
• License issuance (same day)

For a complete walkthrough of the DLT process, see our Thai driving license guide.

Decision Framework: Which Do You Need?

To make the decision simple, answer these questions:

Are you staying in Thailand for more than 90 days?

• Yes: Get a Thai license. The IDP will expire before you leave.
• No: An IDP is sufficient for your stay.

Will you be riding a motorcycle or scooter?

• Yes: A Thai motorcycle license is strongly recommended regardless of stay duration, due to insurance requirements and accident risk. Read our motorcycle license guide.
• No: An IDP for cars is adequate for short stays.

Do you visit Thailand multiple times per year?

• Yes: A Thai license (valid 2-5 years) is far more convenient than obtaining a new IDP each trip.
• No: An IDP is fine for occasional visits under 90 days.

Do you want to use your license as identification in Thailand?

• Yes: Only a Thai license works as official ID.
• No: An IDP plus passport is adequate for driving purposes only.

Are you concerned about insurance disputes in case of an accident?

• Yes: A Thai license eliminates virtually all license-related insurance disputes.
• No: An IDP within its 90-day window should be sufficient, though disputes remain possible.

Practical Tips

1. Carry both documents: If using an IDP, always carry it together with your original domestic license. The IDP alone is not valid.

2. Know your entry date: Keep track of when you entered Thailand. Your 90-day IDP window is calculated from the entry stamp, not from the date you first drove or the date the IDP was issued.

3. Start the Thai license process early: Do not wait until day 89 to begin. Document gathering -- especially the residence certificate from Immigration -- can take several days.

4. Keep photocopies: Make copies of your IDP, domestic license, and Thai license (once obtained). Store them separately from the originals.

5. Check your insurance policy: Before relying on any insurance coverage while driving in Thailand, read the policy's specific requirements for license validity. Do not assume -- verify.

6. Consider both car and motorcycle: If you plan to drive both cars and motorcycles, you need a Thai license for each category. They can be obtained on the same day at the DLT.

How We Can Help

The transition from IDP to Thai license does not have to be stressful. Our driving license service provides complete assistance with the conversion process, from document preparation through to license issuance. We handle the paperwork, coordinate with Immigration for your residence certificate, and accompany you to the DLT on the day of your application.

Whether you are an expat settling in for the long term or a frequent visitor tired of renewing IDPs, we make the process simple and reliable.

If you are involved in a road accident, having the right license is one of the most important factors in protecting yourself legally and financially. Do not leave it to chance.