Do you need an International Driving Permit?
For most visitors, yes. Unless your licence was issued in another ASEAN country, plan to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) together with your original licence. The Royal Thai Embassy in London says foreign visitors are "required by law" to hold one when driving a car or motorcycle, and to show it with their passport and national licence when asked.
Some rental desks will hand over the keys without asking for an IDP. That doesn't make it optional – if police stop you, or if you need to make an insurance claim, the IDP is what makes your licence valid in Thailand.
Which licences are accepted
Phuket's Tourist Police set out the rules in 2024 on stickers placed at rental shops in Patong. In summary:
| Your licence | Valid in Thailand? |
|---|---|
| Licence from an ASEAN country (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam) | Yes, on its own |
| Any other foreign licence (for example UK, US, Australian, European, Russian, Indian) | Only together with an International Driving Permit |
| IDP under the 1949 Geneva Convention | Yes, with your original licence – valid for 1 year |
| IDP under the 1968 Vienna Convention | Yes, with your original licence – valid for up to 3 years |
An IDP is a translation, not a licence on its own. It is only valid alongside the original licence that it was issued for, so bring both.
1949 or 1968 – which permit should you get?
Thailand recognises both. Which one you get depends on your home country: many countries issue only one type, and some issue both. Thailand itself started issuing 1968 Vienna permits to Thai drivers in 2021 alongside the older 1949 type. For a trip to Thailand, either is fine – just make sure it is in date for your whole trip, and remember the 1949 permit lasts one year from issue.
Get the IDP in your home country before you travel, from the official issuer (usually the national motoring organisation or licensing authority). Be wary of websites selling "international driving licences" online – they are not IDPs and are not accepted.
Bring the physical card
Digital licences on a phone app are not a substitute for the card. In 2026 a Malaysian driver was fined in Thailand after showing a licence on a mobile app, and Malaysia's transport department urged drivers to carry the physical card. The same applies to everyone: carry the plastic licence, the paper IDP and your passport (or a good copy, with the original kept safely at the hotel if you prefer – but the rental desk will want to see the original).
What happens if you drive without a valid licence
- Fines: according to the Tourist Police, driving without a valid licence can mean a fine of up to THB 1,000, up to one month in prison, or both. A vehicle owner who lets an unlicensed person drive can be fined up to THB 2,000.
- Insurance: rental cover is normally conditional on a valid licence. If you have an accident while your licence isn't valid in Thailand, you risk paying for the damage yourself – well beyond the excess.
- Travel insurance: many policies exclude claims that arise while you were driving illegally.
Police checkpoints are common on Phuket, especially on the roads around Patong, Kata and Chalong, and they check licences as a matter of routine.
Rental desk rules on top of the law
Rental companies add their own requirements. The usual ones at Phuket Airport:
- Minimum age is usually 21, with a young-driver fee under 25; vans and premium cars often need 25+.
- The licence must have been held for at least one year, sometimes two for premium cars.
- Every driver must be named on the contract and show their own licence and IDP.
- A credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit – see Car rental deposit at Phuket Airport: cards, holds and refunds.
These are listed in the rental conditions of each offer before you book.
Scooters are a separate matter
A car licence and IDP do not let you ride a motorbike or scooter. For that you need a motorcycle licence from home, and the IDP must show the motorcycle category. Riding without it is one of the most common reasons travel insurance claims are refused in Thailand.
Staying longer?
If you live in Thailand rather than visit, you will eventually need a Thai driving licence. Tourists on a tourist visa are not eligible; residents with the right visa and proof of address can apply at a Department of Land Transport office. For a holiday, a monthly rental or a long winter stay, your licence plus IDP is what you need – see Renting a car in Thailand: what you need to know for the rest of the rental basics.
