Driving in Phuket can feel like an adventure, but without the right licence it quickly turns into a costly mistake. From police checkpoints to fines and the confusion around International Driving Permits, many tourists and expats get caught out. Our guide breaks down exactly what documents you need, how to avoid scams, and why long-term residents should secure a Thai licence. Stay safe, stay legal, and make the most of your time exploring the island.

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More than 17,000 foreigners were fined in Phuket in the first half of 2024 for driving without a license (The Phuket News). It’s one of the most common issues visitors run into on the island, and yet the rules remain confusing even for people who have lived here for years.

Tourist riding a scooter in Phuket wearing a helmet while preparing to drive on local roads
A tourist on a scooter in Phuket, where motorbike rentals are the most common way to get around the island.

The truth is, police checks are a daily reality in Phuket. There are regular traffic stops set up every day across the island—in Patong, Chalong Circle, Cherng Talay, Rawai, and other busy junctions. At these checkpoints, everyone gets pulled over, even if you’re doing nothing wrong. Most police just driving around won’t bother stopping you, but at these fixed points, expect to be checked. Locals often crowdsource updates on new checkpoints on Reddit and Facebook groups, and you can follow along to see where blocks are happening that day.

The main reasons foreigners get fined are simple:

  • Not wearing a helmet
  • No valid license
  • Riding on the wrong side of the road or not using the bike lane
  • Driving under the influence

Because scooters are the easiest way to get around Phuket, tourists jump on them without thinking too much about paperwork. But the rules are clear, and the fines add up quickly if you get caught at the wrong checkpoint.

So what license do you really need if you’re on holiday? When does an international license work, and when is it not enough? And if you’re staying longer, do you actually need to apply for a Thai license?

This guide breaks down the essentials, what’s valid, what’s not, how the fines work, and what to know about dealing with police checkpoints in Phuket.

(Tip: If you’re looking for a safe and reliable motorbike rental option, SKOOT is a new “Airbnb-style” app for scooters and motorbikes across Thailand. No passport deposits, full transparency, and you can even have the bike dropped off at your hotel. Just download the app, choose your dates, location, and bike, and you’re set.)

Do I Need a Thai License on Holiday?

For short-term tourists, the answer is usually no, you don’t need a Thai license if you have the right documents from home. What you do need is an International Driving Permit (IDP) based on your valid home country license.

Police checkpoint in Phuket checking scooter riders for valid license and International Driving Permit
Tourists stopped at a Phuket police checkpoint to show their International Driving Permit and license.

The IDP isn’t a license on its own. It’s essentially a translation of your existing license, issued in your home country before you travel. You must carry it together with your original license when driving in Thailand. If you only show the IDP, or only your home license, the police can still fine you.

Thailand recognizes IDPs issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention and 1968 Vienna Convention. Most countries issue these through their local automobile associations. Be careful of websites selling unofficial “international licenses” online, these are scams and not valid.

Cut-off point for tourists vs. residents

  • If you’re in Phuket for a short holiday (days or weeks), your IDP + home license is valid.
  • If you’re staying longer than 3 months, on a visa extension, work permit, or residency, the expectation is that you apply for a Thai driving license. At that point, the police are more likely to treat your IDP as insufficient, and you could be fined if you haven’t converted.

A note on real-life encounters
 Even if you have everything in order, home license, IDP, insurance, there are times when an officer may still say your documents aren’t correct. This can happen for two reasons:

  1. Some officers are simply used to catching so many tourists without proper paperwork that they assume yours isn’t valid.
  2. In rarer cases, the officer may genuinely not know how to interpret your license and IDP.

In these moments, tread carefully. Always stay polite, don’t argue, and if you feel it’s unfair, insist on settling the matter at the police station rather than paying on the spot. There, you can explain your case to another officer in a calmer environment, and you’ll be in a safe, official setting.

Police checkpoint in Phuket stopping scooter riders to check licenses and enforce traffic laws
Phuket police set up a roadside checkpoint to check scooter riders for valid licenses and helmets.

International Driving Permits, Valid or Scam?

The words “international license” get thrown around a lot in Phuket, and it’s no wonder so many people are confused.

Here’s the truth: an International Driving Permit (IDP) is not a new license. It’s just an official booklet that translates your existing home license into several languages. It’s meant to help police and rental companies in other countries read and understand what you’re legally allowed to drive.

To be clear:

  • The IDP must be carried together with your home license. On its own, it’s useless.
  • It must be issued in your home country by an authorized body (like the AAA in the US or RAC in the UK).
  • It’s valid in Thailand if it follows the UN-approved 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna conventions.

Where things get messy is the scams. Do a quick Google search and you’ll find dozens of sketchy websites offering “international licenses” for $50-$100, delivered instantly. These are not valid anywhere. They might look official, but to a Thai police officer at a checkpoint they’re just an expensive piece of paper.

In fact, carrying one of these fakes might even make you look more suspicious if the officer has seen the real IDPs before.

So here’s the simple rule: If you didn’t get it from your home country before coming to Thailand, it’s not valid.

4. Living in Phuket? Get a Thai License

  • If staying long-term or on a visa extension, you’re expected to get a Thai license.
  • Simple steps:
    1. Proof of residence (immigration letter or yellow house book).
    2. Medical certificate.
    3. Written & practical test (often waived if converting from some countries).
  • Suggest linking out to a more detailed guide or official Department of Land Transport (DLT) resources.

Living in Phuket? Get a Thai License

If you’re staying in Phuket long-term, on a visa extension, a work permit, or you’ve decided to set up life here, you’re expected to get a Thai driving license. Even if you can get away with an International Driving Permit for a while, it’s not a long-term solution. Having the proper Thai license means fewer headaches at police checkpoints, proper insurance coverage, and peace of mind.

The good news is, the process is not as scary as it sounds. Here are the basics:

Step 1: Proof of Residence

  • You’ll need an official document showing your address in Thailand.
  • This can be a residence certificate from Immigration (usually 500-1,000 THB fee), or a yellow house book if you’re registered at a Thai address.

Step 2: Medical Certificate

  • Pick one up from any local clinic, it’s a simple checkup (blood pressure, eyesight, reflexes) and costs about 200 THB.

Step 3: Tests at the Department of Land Transport (DLT)

  • If you’re converting a license from a country that has a reciprocal agreement with Thailand, you may be able to skip the practical test.
  • If not, expect a written test (computer-based, with English option) and a short driving test at the DLT track.

Step 4: Get Your License

  • First-time licenses are usually valid for 2 years.
  • After renewal, you can get a 5-year license.

It takes a few hours spread across two days, plus some waiting around, but it’s manageable, and worth it to avoid constant fines and uncertainty.

👉 For a full breakdown of the process, including which countries qualify for conversions, check the official Department of Land Transport (DLT) website or one of the detailed expat step-by-step guides online.

Dealing with the Police

If you spend enough time driving in Phuket, you’ll eventually hit a checkpoint. These are part of daily life here, and knowing how to handle them makes the difference between a minor inconvenience and a stressful scene.

Regular Stops vs. Random Stops
 Most of the time, police won’t pull you over just for cruising around. But at the fixed checkpoints like Karon Beach as you enter from Patong, famously at Chalong Circle and Kata View point you’ll be stopped every time. These operate almost daily, often in the mornings and afternoons. Everyone is waved in no matter what you’re doing or not doing. 

Legit vs. “Creative” Stops

  • Legit stops: Officers in full uniform, proper barriers and cones, receipts or tickets issued. You pay the fine at the police station (or via QR code in some places).
  • Creative stops: Much rarer, but they do happen. Usually one or two officers, not a full setup, and they may suggest paying cash on the spot. Technically you should always pay at the station but many tourists hand over the 500-1,000 THB just to move on.
Tourists and locals paying traffic fines at a Phuket police checkpoint office after being stopped while driving in Phuket
Drivers paying fines and settling documents at a Phuket police checkpoint office.

How to Handle It

  • Stay polite. Losing your temper will only make things worse.
  • Have your documents ready: license (IDP + home license, or Thai license), passport copy, and rental contract.
  • If you believe the fine is unfair (for example, if an officer insists your IDP is invalid when it’s actually correct), ask to settle it at the station. There, you’re more likely to find a calmer officer and a safer environment to make your case.
  • Remember the main fine triggers: no helmet, no valid license, riding on the wrong side of the road, or not using the bike lane.

Most fines for these offenses are 500-1,000 THB. It’s annoying, but not outrageous. Think of it as the price of skipping paperwork. But if you prepare properly, you can avoid it entirely.

Driving a scooter or car in Phuket is part of the adventure for many visitors, but it’s also one of the quickest ways to get into trouble if you’re unprepared. Police checkpoints are not rare surprises, they’re part of daily life here. The main reasons people get fined are simple: no helmet, no valid license, or riding the wrong way.

The rules themselves aren’t complicated:

  • Tourists can drive legally with their home license plus an official International Driving Permit.
  • Long-term residents should bite the bullet and get a Thai license. it’s not that hard and it will save endless hassle.
  • And no matter what, stay calm and polite if you’re stopped. Pay fines at the station if you feel something’s unfair.

With the right paperwork and a bit of common sense, you can avoid the stress, skip the fines, and enjoy exploring Phuket safely.

Bottom line: Don’t treat driving here as a free-for-all. Do it the right way, and you’ll keep both your holiday and your wallet intact.

👉 Reddit thread on Phuket police stops