Which document for which vehicle
| Vehicle in Thailand | Home licence | International permit | Category to check | Risk without valid papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rental car | Yes, still valid | Yes | B (car) | Fine, rental insurance contested |
| Scooter or motorcycle | Yes, with motorcycle category | Yes | A (two-wheelers) | Fine, travel insurance refuses to pay |
| Taxi, Grab, driver | No | No | None | None |
The US State Department states that an international driving permit is required to drive in Thailand. The competent Thai body is the Department of Land Transport: confirm the current rules with it, or with the Thai embassy in your country.
1949 and 1968 conventions: which one applies to you
The international permit is not a separate licence: it translates your home licence and lists the vehicle categories you may drive. It comes in two formats, depending on the convention your country belongs to: Geneva 1949 (usually valid one year) or Vienna 1968 (usually three years). You have no choice: your country issues the one it is bound to. Check the expiry date and the printed categories on the document: a missing category is a category that is not covered. Sources differ on how Thailand applies each convention, so rely on the text of your permit and on the embassy's confirmation, not on a forum.
Category A for scooters
For a scooter or motorcycle, the two-wheeler category (A) must appear on both your home licence and your international permit. Many Europeans hold a car licence only: in that case they cannot legally rent a scooter, even an automatic. Rental details: scooter in Chiang Mai and scooter on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
Police checks and insurance
- Police: checks often target tourists on scooters, especially near beaches and in town. You are asked for your licence, sometimes your passport. Always ask for a receipt if you are fined.
- Travel insurance: many policies exclude an accident if you lacked the licence required by local law. Read the exclusions and keep your insurer's certificate.
- Car rental company: without a valid permit, the excess and deposit may stay at your expense after damage. Comparing rental companies online helps you see the total price, deposit, excess and cancellation terms before you book; see Chiang Mai by car.
- Other rules: helmets, alcohol, seat belts and common fines are covered in laws and fines in Bangkok.
How to get it, by country
The procedure depends on your country and we cannot vouch for each one. The principle is almost everywhere the same: the international permit is issued by the authority or approved body of your country of residence, on presentation of your home licence, an ID and a photo. Allow several days, sometimes several weeks: do not apply the day before departure. Look up the procedure on your driving licence authority's official website, and beware of paid sites selling an "international permit" with no legal value. It never replaces your home licence: carry both.
If you have an accident
On the spot: get to safety, switch on the hazard lights, check for injuries and call emergency services (191 (police), 1669 (ambulance), 1155 (tourist police)). Get a written police report on the spot: without it, the rental company and the insurer may refuse to pay. Photograph the vehicles, the plate, the road and the damage, note the other driver's details, and call the rental company before any repair.
Who pays what: damage to the car is covered by the rental company's protection (CDW), subject to its excess (deductible), or by an excess cover bought with the rental; injuries and medical costs fall under your travel insurance. Travel insurance does not pay for the rental car or for damage to third parties.
SafetyWing covers medical costs after an accident abroad; check the policy's conditions for driving (a licence valid in the country, a helmet on a scooter).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an international permit to drive in Thailand?
Yes, on top of your home licence, according to the US State Department. Confirm with the Department of Land Transport or the embassy before you leave.
Is my international car permit enough for a scooter?
No. The two-wheeler category (A) must appear on the international permit and on your home licence.
What do I risk without a valid permit?
A fine at a police check and, above all, an insurer that refuses to cover an accident.
How long is the international permit valid?
Usually one year (1949 convention) or three years (1968 convention): the date is printed on the document.
Can I get one once I am in Thailand?
It is issued in your country of residence: get it before you leave.
La rédaction Bangkok Authority
