Thailand on a German Licence 2026: 1968 IDP, Then Keep Left
Germany
Thailand
Only with an IDP in the 1968 Vienna format carried with your German licence, per the German Foreign Office; after three months a Thai licence is needed. Thailand drives on the left.
A German licence is not enough on its own in Thailand. The German Foreign Office says you need either the international driving permit under the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic, valid only together with your German licence, or a Thai licence. For stays longer than three months, a Thai licence is required. Get the permit from your Führerscheinstelle before you fly; it cannot be issued in Thailand. The driving permit checker covers other destinations.
Left-hand traffic
Thailand drives on the left, the mirror image of Germany. The reflexes that betray you are the automatic ones: drifting toward the wrong kerb, looking the wrong way as you pull out, and roundabouts that turn clockwise. Spend the first half-hour on a quiet road rather than in Bangkok or Phuket traffic, and keep repeating “stay left” until it sticks.
Motorbikes, speeds and risk
The German Foreign Office warns that the number of fatal road accidents in Thailand is very high and that 70% of victims ride two-wheelers, and that motorbikes in particular are sometimes not insured. Motorbikes filter through every gap, so check mirrors before every turn. Thailand’s WHO profile sets maximum limits of 80 km/h in built-up areas, 90 on rural roads and 120 on motorways, with lower limits where signed. The Thailand driving guide has more.
Alcohol and emergencies
The limit is 0.05% blood alcohol, and 0.02% for novice drivers. Drinking alcohol inside a vehicle, moving or parked, is banned for everyone on board. In an emergency call 191 for police or 1669 for an ambulance; the Tourist Police answer on 1155.
Sources
- Auswärtiges Amt, Thailand: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (1968-convention IDP with German licence or Thai licence; Thai licence after three months; left-hand traffic; accident and insurance warnings; in-car alcohol ban; Tourist Police 1155): auswaertiges-amt.de
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Thailand, getting help (191, 1155, 1669): gov.uk
- WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Thailand profile (80/90/120 km/h; 0.05 and 0.02 g/dl): who.int
- UN Treaty Collection, 1968 Convention on Road Traffic (Germany 1978; Thailand 2020): treaties.un.org
Speed limits, fines, equipment & license requirements
Your home country driving rules for reference
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The German Foreign Office says you need either the international licence under the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic, valid only together with your German licence, or a Thai licence. The German licence alone is not recognised, and for stays over three months a Thai licence is required. Get the IDP from your Führerscheinstelle before you travel.
The left, the opposite of Germany. The hardest moments are pulling out of junctions, judging the left-side kerb, and roundabouts, which turn clockwise here. Take your first drive somewhere quiet.
0.05% blood alcohol for most drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers, according to Thailand's WHO road safety profile. Drinking alcohol inside a moving or parked vehicle is banned for everyone on board, the German Foreign Office notes. Do not drink before driving.