Driving in Thailand

**Tobias** · 5th Dec 2018, 16:38

An insurance policy simply requires a driver to have a valid driving license issued by the country declared on the proposal/hire agreement. An IDP is not a driving license and does not authorise the holder to drive, essentially an IDP is an official, multi-language translation of a driving licence and not a license in itself.

I would encourage those intending to hire a car in Thailand to buy their insurance from the UK.

**Flip** · 5th Dec 2018, 17:19

Originally Posted by Tobias

An insurance policy simply requires a driver to have a valid driving license issued by the country declared on the proposal/hire agreement. An IDP is not a driving license and does not authorise the holder to drive, essentially an IDP is an official, multi-language translation of a driving licence and not a license in itself.

Nevertheless, some Thai rental companies insist on foreign drivers who don't have a Thai licence, holding an IDP, surely in signing such a contract we are agreeing to that?

**Tobias** · 5th Dec 2018, 17:40

Originally Posted by Flip

Nevertheless, some Thai rental companies insist on foreign drivers who don't have a Thai licence, holding an IDP, surely in signing such a contract we are agreeing to that?

That’s a different issue to the one I addressed. My point is an insurer cannot reject a claim purely on the ground that the policy holder did not possess an IDP, whereas they could void the policy if the insured did not hold a valid driving license. The IDP serves one purpose, to provide an official translation of the holder’s driving license.

A car hire company can refuse to hire out the vehicle without sight of an IDP. The IDP isn’t valid unless a valid driving license is presented with it. A country can insist foreign nationals hold an IDP to drive in that country, this is purely to translate the driving license to local law enforcement and the hire company. Failing to possess an IDP will not invalidate insurance even where it is a legal requirement to to possess one.

**Flip** · 5th Dec 2018, 18:11

I'm asking because I know someone who's claim was rejected recently because he didn't hold an IDP. The Thai insurers pointed out that his rental contract required him to hold an IDP which he didn't. My comment to him so far is that surely, if this was a condition, the rental company should have asked to see his IDP.

**Tobias** · 5th Dec 2018, 19:44

They are pulling a fast one. No license, of course they can avoid the claim. An IDP is only a translation of a foreign driving licence. There is no basis in contact to reject the claim.

**Natty** · 6th Dec 2018, 12:22

Originally Posted by Flip

I'm asking because I know someone who's claim was rejected recently because he didn't hold an IDP. The Thai insurers pointed out that his rental contract required him to hold an IDP which he didn't. My comment to him so far is that surely, if this was a condition, the rental company should have asked to see his IDP.

Although that is a Thai insurance company my concern rather than being unable to claim at all having to fight it out with an insurance company should they try and pull a fast one while you are, in the worse case scenario, racking up a large bill in a Thai hospital.
Depends on how good the insurance company is but you don't know till you need them.
£5.50 irrelevant of what an IDP actually means or whether its needed or not at least gives me some peace of mind.

**Flip** · 6th Dec 2018, 14:43

Originally Posted by Natty

£5.50 irrelevant of what an IDP actually means or whether its needed or not at least gives me some peace of mind.

Absolutely and as we know, things in Thailand don't always follow the law (in fact you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who knows the law). Better to be belt and braces - especially if the boys in brown pull you and demand an IDP (whether they are entiteld to or not).

**Sammy Shrimper** · 7th Dec 2018, 04:21

Originally Posted by Flip

Been stopped many times - never had to hand my licence over without it being handed back.

. Yes, but did they want money off you? I was told I was speeding and they wanted 300 baht. I was stuck behind a lorry when I got pulled over. I knew I hadn't been speeding so refused to pay. That's why they kept my licence. If they can't get you one way they'll get you another.

**Flip** · 7th Dec 2018, 10:54

Originally Posted by Sammy Shrimper

. Yes, but did they want money off you?

On most occasions, yes. Maybe I've just been lucky?

**ian1208** · 8th Dec 2018, 15:49

I agree that you do not require a IDP to drive in Thailand. However, remember that legally, you should always have your passport at hand (or at least a copy). We have to remember that some Thai police, however sharp, do not read English and your DL is useless unless you can prove who you are by ways of ID (other than a DL).
One has to remember that forged documents such as DL's are almost on every street corner.
As for insurance. I know of two international hire companies in Thailand that ask for IDP and DL in their small print but hire out if you dont have one.
They might be pulling a fast one, but at the end of the day I would get full cover, 5* and comply to whatever conditions they set out. God forbid, you dont want yourself stuck at a busy intersection with two smashed up cars and the agent appears and asks for your IDP
Remember thats how it works in Thailand. Accident, call agent, they send representative to the location to negotiate and sort it out there and then.
I travel frequently around SE Asia and for the paltry sum, carry the IDP