How to get a legitimate IDP in Thailand at the DLT - documents, fees, office locations, and how to avoid the scams targeting both locals & foreigners.
Other places in Bangkok also include the branch near the BTS Bangchak Station on Sukhumvit. Outside Bangkok, call your nearest Department of Land Transport office to enquire first.
Note that these instructions are intended for holders of Thai driver licenses, to allow you to drive outside Thailand. If you do not have a Thai license, you cannot obtain the international drivers license in the Kingdom.
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- ℹ️Trying to renew your Thai ID card before it expires? Yes, you can, this is how to do it: https://www.bulsuk.com/2024/02/yes-you-can-renew-your-thai-id-card-in.html
Applying for yourself
Before going, you will need the following documents:- Two 2-inch photos
- Signed photocopy of your Thai drivers license
- Signed photocopy of your Passport
- Signed photocopy of your Thai ID card
If you're not a Thai national, then you will also need to being one of the following:
- If you're a Thai Permanent Resident, you will need to bring your House Registration.
- If you're a foreign national (e.g. on a work permit or other type of visa), you will need to bring a residence certificate issued by the Thai Immigration Bureau, which costs around 200 baht and can be obtained at your local immigration office. While some DLT offices previously accepted a work permit in lieu of this, this is no longer reliable and varies by officer. An affidavit of residence from your embassy remains an option but is slower and more expensive than the immigration route.
The two types of International Driving Permit
Thailand issues two types of IDP, and you will need to specify which one you want when you apply:
- 1949 Geneva Convention IDP: valid for one year, accepted in 101 countries including most of Europe, the United States, Australia, and Japan.
- 1968 Vienna Convention IDP: valid for three years, accepted in 84 countries, primarily in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia and Africa.
For most people, the Geneva Convention permit is the right choice. If you are unsure which is recognised in your destination country, check with that country's motoring authority before you go. Both permits cost 505 baht.
Booking an appointment (DLT Smart Queue)
DLT offices now support advance appointment booking through the DLT Smart Queue app, available on both iOS and Android. Walk-ins are still accepted for IDP applications, but officials prioritise those with bookings, particularly at busier branches like Mo Chit. If your schedule allows, booking ahead is worth the five minutes it takes.
Important: you need a five-year licence, not a temporary one
If you are a foreign national who has recently obtained a Thai driving licence, note that you cannot use a two-year temporary licence to apply for an IDP. You must first convert to a five-year licence before you are eligible. If you are unsure which type of licence you hold, check the expiry date printed on your card. A two-year licence will expire two years from issue.
Locations (Bangkok)
At the Mo Chit branch, the place to go to is building 4 on the second floor. The number of each building is written in large Thai numbers, so look for "๔". Queue up in front of the information counter and let the official check that your documents are complete and in order. You will then be given a queue number and be redirected to another counter to wait.Once your number is called, you will need to submit all your documents and pay the 505 baht fee. No separate application form is required, and if there is no one else there that day, you will receive the license (which is a small booklet) within 5 minutes.
At the Bangchak branch, it is a single building, so enquire where to hand your documents. They will then guide you through the process where you sign a couple of forms and wait to be called to complete the process.
The process should take no more than 1 hour, end-to-end.
On the way in motorcycle taxi acting as touts may tell you that you need a health checkup from a doctor. If you're there to apply for an international license, the check up is not required.
Total Costs
- International Permit application fee: 505 baht
- Photocopying: 1 baht per page
- Photo: 100 baht
Mo Chit: You can walk to building 4 by getting off at either Mo Chit station or Saphan Khwai station. Parking is close to impossible to find given that hundreds of cars pass through everyday for inspections, and so public transport is a safer bet than bringing the car.
Bangchak: You can take the BTS to Bangchak station. It is a 5 minute walk in. While motorcycle taxis are available, the soi leading in is not far and walking is easy.
Things to look out for
- If you do not have a Thai drivers license, you cannot apply for an International Drivers license in Thailand. You need to get it from the country your license was issued.
- Only the Department of Land Transport can issue the International Drivers License - no private business can do this.
- For people on a foreign license looking to drive in Thailand: Some local businesses are tricking foreigners, saying that they are able to issue international driver licenses allowing them to drive in Thailand while on their foreign license. These are illegal documents and you can be fined and arrested by the police for using these.
The only way to legally drive in Thailand is on (a) a Thai license, or (b) with a foreign license accompanied by an International Drivers License issued by an authorised organisation in your country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a Thai driving licence to get an IDP in Thailand? Yes. The IDP issued by the Department of Land Transport is only available to holders of a valid Thai driving licence. If your licence was issued in another country, you cannot obtain an IDP in Thailand - you will need to get one from an authorised organisation in the country that issued your licence before travelling to Thailand.
Can I use a temporary two-year Thai licence to apply? No. You must hold a five-year Thai driving licence. If you recently converted from a foreign licence and received a two-year temporary licence, you will need to upgrade to a five-year licence first.
Which type of IDP should I get: Geneva or Vienna? For most destinations (including Australia, the US, the UK, Japan, and most of Western Europe) the one-year Geneva Convention permit is the correct choice. The three-year Vienna Convention permit covers fewer countries. If you are unsure, check with the motoring authority of your destination country before you visit the DLT office.
How long does the process take? If your documents are in order and the office is not busy, the entire process takes under an hour. If you are the only person there, you may have your permit within five minutes of submitting your documents.
Can a business or agent arrange this for me? No. Only the Department of Land Transport can issue an International Driving Permit. No private business, agent, or third party is authorised to do so. Anyone claiming otherwise is operating illegally.
I was told I need to buy an IDP to drive in Thailand on my foreign licence - is that true? No, and this is a known scam. Some businesses target foreigners by selling documents they claim allow you to drive in Thailand on a foreign licence. These documents are illegal and will not protect you from fines or arrest. The only legal ways to drive in Thailand are on a valid Thai licence, or on a foreign licence accompanied by an IDP issued by an authorised body in the country that issued your licence.
Do I need a medical certificate or health check? No - not for an IDP. You may encounter motorcycle taxi drivers near the DLT office suggesting you need a health check first. You do not. This is a tout directing you to a nearby clinic for a fee you do not need to pay.
What if I'm a foreign national without a Thai ID card? Thai nationals need their ID card as part of the document set. Foreign nationals substitute this with a residence certificate from the Thai Immigration Bureau (around 200 baht) or, alternatively, an affidavit of residence from their embassy. Work permits are no longer reliably accepted at all branches.
Originally published: Feb 2018. Updated on Feb 2020, Jan 2013, and Mar 2026.
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