International Driver's License from the IAA in Phuket

Post by **buksida** » Thu May 23, 2013 4:27 pm

Someone mentioned this to me a while back and it sounded good, an IDL issued in Thailand, valid for 20 years that you can use in 200 other countries.

A little research lead me to this website: http://phuketdir.com/intlicense/

It looks genuine but is it? Anyone have any experience with this? Scam or the real deal?

Post by **zeitgeist** » Thu May 23, 2013 5:06 pm

"The International Driver’s document issued by the International Automobile Association is a translation of a national driver’s license which allows the motorist to drive in different territories without experiencing difficulties with various language barriers. "

The impression I got was that it is a translation of your drivers licence, not a valid licence.

Post by **Frank Hovis** » Thu May 23, 2013 5:17 pm

Scam.

It's not an IDP, International Driving Permit. I'm sure they are only issued by the Thai Automobile Association.
IDP's are valid for a maximum of three years.
You would not be able to use a Thai issued IDP in Thailand (same restrictions apply in all countries that issue IDP).
For overseas use most countries probably have agreements that a Thai license can be used for short term rental car use, in fact Thai driving licenses get a surprisingly long period of grace for Thai nationals in the UK.

Post by **caller** » Thu May 23, 2013 5:32 pm

Frank Hovis wrote:IDP's are valid for a maximum of three years.

Thai driving licenses get a surprisingly long period of grace for Thai nationals in the UK.

3 years - is that right? I'd like to know more please.

A Thai national resident in the UK get's 12 months before they have to apply for a provisional license and then pass the test in the usual way. I know of one Thai who didn't bother and just carried on driving.

Post by **Big Boy** » Thu May 23, 2013 5:39 pm

caller wrote:A Thai national resident in the UK get's 12 months before they have to apply for a provisional license and then pass the test in the usual way. I know of one Thai who didn't bother and just carried on driving.

I know of at least a dozen. It all goes wrong when they have an accident and realise that despite taking their money, the insurance will not pay out.

Post by **nanyang** » Thu May 23, 2013 6:05 pm

buksida wrote: valid for 20 years that you can use in 200 other countries.

I use an Automobile Association IDP, issued in the U.K, when I'm driving in Thailand.

It's valid for one year.

buksida wrote: Scam or the real deal?

Post by **Frank Hovis** » Thu May 23, 2013 6:30 pm

caller wrote:
Frank Hovis wrote:IDP's are valid for a maximum of three years.
3 years - is that right? I'd like to know more please.

Vienna Convention on Road Traffic states a maximum of 3 years validity, that does not mean all countries provide IDPs with a 3 year validity period, most are only for one year.

Post by **bonnielass** » Thu May 23, 2013 6:33 pm

The AA site gives detailed info about each country's requirements.
According to them an IDL is not a legally recognised document, see link

http://www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/

BL

Post by **buksida** » Thu May 23, 2013 8:56 pm

Ok, that confirms my suspicions that the Phuket outfit offering an IDL is a scam, thanks guys.

Post by **mb121r** » Wed May 27, 2015 12:33 pm

Hi,

I have applied in 2004 by IAA in Phuket and after 10 years in 2014 applied a new license for next 10 years, I use IDL in Thailand + China + Singapore and never had problem, one time in 2009 I had an accident in Bangkok and show my IAA IDL and insurance accepted and no problem.

Post by **David Savary** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 4:58 pm

It is not true, IAA in Phuket works from 2004 till now and me & my wife and some of my friends applied international driving license from them during years and still now no have problem.

Post by **georgy** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 5:53 pm

Thai Intl driving permits are issued by the DLT and are valid 1 year

Post by **hhinner** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:00 pm

IAA International Drivers License:

The Unofficial International Driving Document issued by the International Automobile Association is a translation of a national driver's license which diminishes the difficulties connected with various language barriers and adds comfort to the motorist’s journeys in different territories. However our Unofficial International translation of driver's license has no official status and does not confer any legal privileges or rights on consumers. International Driving Permit issued by government agencies or private organizations designated by a country's government are the only official translations of a person driver's license.

See more at http://idl-iaa.com/ .

Not official. Not a legal replacement for an IDP.

Post by **pharvey** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 9:11 pm

Big Boy wrote:
caller wrote:A Thai national resident in the UK get's 12 months before they have to apply for a provisional license and then pass the test in the usual way. I know of one Thai who didn't bother and just carried on driving.
I know of at least a dozen. It all goes wrong when they have an accident and realise that despite taking their money, the insurance will not pay out.

You struggle these days to get insured on an International License (well, not license, but TRANSLATION of your existing license) in the UK. You certainly need to prove you have not been driving on it for over 12 months. I have gone through this very recently with the LHG.

With regards to the OP, I have driven in many countries over many years with an International "License" issued by a company in the States. Each time the document has been valid for 5 years and I have had zero problems hiring cars or with the police (speeding fines

) - although touch wood have not been involved in an accident.

Post by **mb121r** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 11:58 pm

real deal
yes exactly real deal i try and very happy
i think this guy just talk about *IDP* our some think like that so exactly this address http://www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/ 100% scam

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