Laawman Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 Just curious as to whether anyone knows how long this can be used for once in country. I know they are usually valid for 12 months but I've a sneaky suspicion it can only be used for 90 days once you are here, then you have to re-enter and it starts again? If so, I'd better get mine converted into a Thai DL sooner rather than later! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pdoggg Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 3 hours ago, Laawman said: Just curious as to whether anyone knows how long this can be used for once in country. I know they are usually valid for 12 months but I've a sneaky suspicion it can only be used for 90 days once you are here, then you have to re-enter and it starts again? If so, I'd better get mine converted into a Thai DL sooner rather than later! I don't know the answer to your specific question Laawman but here's some info: My international driver's license was long expired, more than 10 years, when I got my Thai Driver's license. I had to start from scratch which included the written test and driving test. The written test is not easy and you need 90% to pass. Despite lots of studying, certainly more than 10 hours, I only got 92%. Not sure what's required if you have an unexpired international license. The initial license is for 2 years. Afterwards each renewal is for 5 years. When stopped by the cops, if you hand them your license often they just send you on your way. It can also be used in lieu of a passport in some ID situations. Sometimes it can be used to get the Thai price in dual pricing situations. Unlike Thai Immigration, the workers at the Department of Land Transport (DLT) are not proficient in English. I opted to use an agent for my initial 2 years although I might try to do it myself for the 5 year renewal when it's time. DLT is not in a convenient location on the Darkside perhaps farther north than Naklua. My experience with Mot, my agent, was quite good and she picks you up and delivers you to the DLT and her fee seemed inline with other agents. https://www.mots-services.com/mots-services1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laawman Posted December 20, 2022 Author Share Posted December 20, 2022 I will definitely be using an agent which most likely will be the same one as Ridez4kicks in his vlogs, but only as it's a minutes walk away. Maneerat also recommended Mot's services so I'll keep them in mind also. I sincerely hope that I don't need to sit any tests for a DL but I think the agent can sort this out for the usual greasing of palms. I believe the police aren't interested in how long ago you arrived, but the insurance companies certainly are if it means they can dismiss a claim on those grounds. Watch this space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deleted Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 3 hours ago, Laawman said: Just curious as to whether anyone knows how long this can be used for once in country. I know they are usually valid for 12 months but I've a sneaky suspicion it can only be used for 90 days once you are here, then you have to re-enter and it starts again? If so, I'd better get mine converted into a Thai DL sooner rather than later! I used an international driving license several years ago while visiting Thailand for a long stay, issued from the States. It was valid for 12 months. I was stopped numerous times in Chang Mai and produced a copy of this license along with a copy of my passport/visa. It was accepted without question by two Thai police officers, but was challenged by one, to whom I said "US consulate/embassy told me not to carry original documents in Thailand." After I said this he smirked and sent me on my way. It think it is safe to assume one may encounter a Thai police officer who may say or do anything to extract a few hundred baht from a filthy farang. The trick is to politely make it more trouble for them to extract said baht than it is worth, or to simply give them B200 and be on your way. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pdoggg Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 13 minutes ago, Laawman said: Ridez4kicks in his vlogs, Here is some very recent correspondence I had with them about my 5 year renewal: Quote Good morning, The certificate is issued by immigration. If you need us to get it for you, the cost is 1000 baht. We need passport, Tm 30, rental contract or any utility bill and 2 pictures. Can renew with 3 months before it expires, or one year after expiration and begins with the issuing date. Best regards, J&E Concierge 15 minutes ago, Laawman said: I sincerely hope that I don't need to sit any tests for a DL but I think the agent can sort this out for the usual greasing of palms. I did the driving test wrong as I forgot to get the bike up on a slightly raised platform but they let me slide perhaps because I was with Mot. However, don't think much can be done with the written test as it is a computerized system. Test is either in English or Thai so perhaps very confusing if neither is your native language. Hopefully it's not required if you have the international license. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pulci Gorgon Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 Sorry Laawman, I think I won't specifically answer your question but add my 2 cents. I think that Laawman is an expat, so after a while, the international driver's license needs to be converted in every Foreign country. This is what I experienced in a few countries. I used it for the first time more than 35 years ago. At a police check point (in Germany), the police officer told me that I would have to exchange my driver's license after 2 (or 3 I don't remember) months. I was staying 2 months. Later, in the USA, I could drive with my driver's license but circumstances I won't explain made that I had to exchange my driver's license for an American driver's license. I had previously contacted my consulate where an agent told me he would receive my original license and send it back to me. That's what he did after he made me promise I wouldn't ever use it on the American territory and keep it locked in my bag. I drove a motorbike in 2013 during my holidays when I was in Phuket. I then realized I'd rather carry an international driver's license and (try to) get an insurance when I do it. The international driver's license (issued by my country) remains valid for 3 years. I used it to rent a motorbike on islands with low trafic (and carefull drivers) in Vietnam. However, I had a bad surprise the last time I got it. I had noticed that qualifications to drive motos had not been stamped. Instead of that, a paper explained that I had obtained these qualifications without training and exam, one with my car driver's license and the other one with my professional driver's qualification. So I may use my driver's license to ride motorbikes in the whole Schengen space but not in countries out of the Schengen space (what even included the UK before the Brexit). If I want motorbike qualifications to be stamped, I need to go back to the driving school. (Sorry, I'm really off-topic in the last 3 paragraphs, ie the whole post, but this might help someone later on). 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laawman Posted December 21, 2022 Author Share Posted December 21, 2022 Hopefully, I should have the answer tomorrow as the shop was closed today. Then I shall reveal all straight from the horse's mouth... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laawman Posted December 22, 2022 Author Share Posted December 22, 2022 OK, so before I forget... Went to the shop this morning (soi CP33) and she informed me that the IDP was valid until it's expiry date so long as I had a visa to be here, which I have. If I want to convert it to a Thai DL then it will cost 6k (for both car & bike) for which I get the full service. This will consist of 2 escorted trips to the centre (eyesight test, reaction time test, but no practical tests), medical certificate, residence certificate, photos and that's pretty much it really. She's ex-immigration so I'm going to assume she's knows the score. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pdoggg Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 6 minutes ago, Laawman said: escorted trips Does this mean she picks you up in her car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laawman Posted December 22, 2022 Author Share Posted December 22, 2022 7 hours ago, Pdoggg said: Does this mean she picks you up in her car? Somebody does - though it might be by bike of course. They stay with you throughout the entire process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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