Driving in Thailand as a United Kingdom National

Thailand drives on the left with unique traffic patterns, heavy urban congestion, and a mix of vehicles from motorcycles to tuk-tuks. An International Driving Permit is required.

Key Things to Know First

IDP Required

Thailand requires an International Driving Permit for foreign visitors. Obtain one in United Kingdom before departure.

How to get an IDP

Same Side of the Road

Both United Kingdom and Thailand drive on the left. No adjustment needed.

Speed Signs Use km/h

United Kingdom uses mph, but Thailand uses km/h. Verify your GPS or navigation app is set to the correct unit.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Rule	United Kingdom	Thailand	Change?
Traffic side	Left-hand traffic	Left-hand traffic	Same
Speed unit	mph	km/h	Yes
IDP required	—	Yes	Yes
Min. driving age	17	18	Differs
Emergency number	999	191	Different
Road difficulty	Moderate	Challenging	—

Speed Limits in Thailand

Urban

50 km/h

Rural / Open road

90 km/h

Highway / Motorway

120 km/h

Speed limits in Thailand are posted in km/h (kilometres per hour). Quick reference: 50 km/h ≈ 31 mph · 100 km/h ≈ 62 mph · 130 km/h ≈ 81 mph.

Documents to Carry in Thailand

Original driving licence from United Kingdom — must be valid and unexpired
International Driving Permit (IDP) — required in Thailand. Obtain from your national motoring association before travelling.
Passport or national ID — carry at all times while driving
Car insurance certificate — verify it covers Thailand before departure
Vehicle registration / rental agreement

Emergency Number in Thailand

191

Primary emergency number in Thailand. Save it before you drive.

Emergency numbers for all countries

Full Thailand Driving Guide

Road rules, toll system, fuel types, parking, regional quirks — everything you need for driving in Thailand.

Read the complete guide