International Driving Permit
An international driving permit is issued by the Department of Land Transport in the format of the Geneva 1949 and Vienna 1968 road traffic conventions. It is used together with a valid Thai driving licence when driving in a country that is a party to the relevant convention.
An international driving permit is not a second licence. It is a standard-format document that renders the information on the issuing country's licence into a form officials elsewhere can read. The holder must always carry the Thai licence as well; carrying the permit alone is treated as incomplete documentation in many countries.
Two conventions are in use worldwide: Geneva 1949 and Vienna 1968. Which format a destination accepts depends on which convention that country is a party to. Applying for the wrong format leaves you with a validly issued document that the destination will not accept, so confirm the required format before filing with the Department of Land Transport.
The permit's validity is much shorter than the Thai licence and can never outlast the underlying Thai licence. If the Thai licence is close to expiry, renew it first and then apply for the permit so you get a full term of use.
For long stays the permit is only a bridge. Most destinations require residents to exchange or sit for a local licence within a period fixed by that country's law.
Documents to prepare
- A valid Thai driving licence of the class matching the vehicle you will drive
- A valid passport with a copy of the photo and personal-data page
- A Thai national ID card or other identification the registrar accepts
- Photographs in the size and quantity the Department of Land Transport requires at the time of filing
- A power of attorney and the agent's ID card if someone files on your behalf
Step order
- Confirm whether the destination accepts the Geneva 1949 or the Vienna 1968 format
- Renew the Thai licence first if less validity remains than the period you need
- File the application at a land transport office under the registrar's stated conditions
- Collect the permit and check every field before leaving the counter
- Carry it together with the Thai licence and passport throughout the trip
- If the destination asks for a translation or further certification for an official filing, follow the normal legalisation order
Pre-filing checklist
- The convention format matches what the destination accepts
- The name on the permit matches the passport
- The permitted classes cover what you will actually drive, including motorcycles if needed
- The permit's expiry does not run past the Thai licence's expiry
- Copies of the Thai licence and passport are kept separately from the originals
Practical tips
- On a multi-country trip, check the convention format for every country on the route, not just the first arrival
- Rental desks often want the Thai licence, the permit and a credit card in the same name — line all three up
- Keep a digital copy in your own inbox in case documents are lost on the road
- Apply well before departure; conditions and queues differ between land transport offices
Common pitfalls
- Applying for the wrong convention format, leaving the permit unusable at the destination
- Carrying the permit without the Thai licence
- Letting the Thai licence expire mid-trip, which ends the permit's effect as well
- Assuming the permit replaces local licence exchange for someone relocating permanently
Frequently asked questions
Does the permit replace the Thai licence?
No. The two are carried together. The permit renders the Thai licence's data into the convention format; it does not stand alone.
What is the difference between Geneva 1949 and Vienna 1968?
They are separate road traffic conventions. A destination accepts the format of the convention it is party to, so check which group your destination belongs to before applying.
Does the permit itself need translating?
Usually not, because the booklet already carries multilingual fields in the convention format. The exception is when a destination authority specifically asks for a translation for an official filing.
Can someone apply on my behalf while I am abroad?
Filing must follow the Department of Land Transport's conditions, including those for agents. We can prepare a correctly formatted power of attorney with signature certification, but acceptance is the registrar's decision.
How long is the permit valid?
For the term set by law and the convention, and in every case no longer than the underlying Thai licence. Check both expiry dates together.
Can I keep using the permit if I move abroad long term?
You should not. Most countries require residents to exchange or sit for a local licence within a statutory period; the permit only covers the transition.
For a document review before you file, contact us on LINE @nycli, call +66-83-249-4999 or email nycli@ilc.ltd. Our team will confirm the steps, any missing documents and a realistic timeline for your case.
Related cases
- Thai Driving Licence
- Vehicle Registration Book
- Power of Attorney for Vehicle Matters
- Motor Insurance and Accident Records
- Vehicle Import and Export Documents
Official references
Requirements on this page follow the rules published by the authorities below. Always confirm the latest notice on the official site before filing.
- Department of Land Transport
- Thai Customs Department
- Department of Consular Affairs, MFA ThailandThailand's authority for document legalization and Apostille
- HCCH — Apostille Section (Hague Convention 1961)Thailand's accession enters into force 28 February 2027
Related services
Fees depend on document type, number of pages and turnaround. Send scans to LINE @nycli, call +66-83-249-4999 or email nycli@ilc.ltd for a written quotation.