Can foreigners drive in Thailand?

If you are not a resident (you are on a tourist visa or exemption of visa), you need an international driving permit (IDP) to be able to drive in Thailand. So, if you are visiting Thailand as a tourist and you want to rent a car for just a few days, you just need to carry the driving permit you obtained in your home country.

An international driving permit (IDP) can be obtained in your home country. Basically, it is a translation in English of your original driving license, so if your national driving license is not in English, it can save some hassle with the police if you can produce an IDP.

Be careful of the period of validity of your IDP, as it can be as short as three months, no longer than three years in any case, and no longer than the period of validity of your national permit. Besides, to be valid, the IDP must be carried together with the national permit.

It is important a driving license needs to be readable by Thai people in case there is anything happened. That’s why there should be in English.

Initial requirements prior to getting a car rental. The renter must have followings.
1. International driving license
2. Passport
3. Credit card to hold the deposit