Renting a car in Thailand is one of the best things you could do when getting to the country since doing it allows you to move wherever you want without spending money on a taxi or depending on another person to take you where you want to go.
Regardless of that, you need to fully know the process to rent cars in the country to avoid making any mistakes, and this page can help you with that! Dive into this page to learn everything you need to know before renting a car in Thailand.
You Need an International Driver’s License
Being a tourist doesn’t mean you can avoid following the law, so you need a driver’s license to drive in the country. Fortunately, international driver’s licenses are just an international version of the one you have in your country, so don’t worry about not being able to get them.
The process to get an international driver’s license is not complex, so get in contact with your city’s travelers’ association to take care of that. However, it’s worth noting that you can only rent a car in Thailand if you are 21 years old or older.
Rent a car by Leio McLaren
Renting Car in Thailand
Renting a car shouldn’t take that much time from you since the process is not that complex. The first thing you need to do is go to the rental agency and tell the person in charge of the car you would want to get. They will tell you the price for it and what you need to do after that. This is a process you can do at airports or even before getting to the country with tourist apps that allow you to book ground transportation. The deposit for renting a car may vary on the agency you rent it from and the car your rent.
Some airports allow you to rent a car as soon as you get to the country, but that depends on the airport you get to.
Be Safe
While this is something people would tell you on a regular basis, asking you to be safe is more important in Thailand since people tend to behave differently on the street. It’s not difficult, for example, to see cars going the wrong way.
Many drivers often overtake curves, brake suddenly, make U-turns, and even go the wrong way, so you could have an accident if you are not aware of those things before starting to drive. We recommend you take some time to get used to Thailand’s streets before straight-up hitting them.
Most travel insurance policies require you to have an International Driving License. Its good to be aware that the Insurance will not cover you if you are not legally allowed to drive.
You have to be more mindful of the road when being in Thailand, so do your best to drive slow since pedestrians can also go on the open road without you noticing it. The least you want while going on a trip is to get injured or injure another person.
Renting Motorbike in Thailand
Thailand offers motorbike rental facilities in most towns, villages, and islands, and you can find motorbikes parked outside many shops. Charges are usually based on a 24 hour period. Upon payment in advance, your passport must be left as a deposit. You can sometimes leave a cash deposit instead of your passport. The majority of companies return passports on time, so you shouldn’t worry about this too much
Even though the roads in Thailand are well maintained, sand and oil on the road could cause you to lose control. Wear a helmet and refrain from drinking and driving if you want to truly enjoy your vacation.
To drive a motorbike in Thailand, you must hold an international motorbike license or a Thai motorcycle license. While the penalties for driving without a license here are not quite as severe as in other parts of the world, many still decide to risk it (although we don’t recommend it).
Before renting a motorbike, it is important to inspect it so you know what you are getting. Be sure to take photos and videos of every part of the motorcycle before you leave.
Renting a bike from a trustworthy dealer is another option. try BikesBooking to check and order your bike online.
Wrapping Up
We understand reading this page may lead you to think you have to consider many things when renting a car in Thailand, and while that’s true, it doesn’t mean it’s something complex to do when you get there, so don’t let it overwhelm you.
There are some other great car rental companies other than Rentalcars:
Cars are too boring for you? Motorbikes are not adventurous enough?
Checkout this luxurious Yacht rental service for a once in a lifetime experience.
Nevertheless, it’s important you know these things to avoid having any issues once you get to Thailand. Try to be as safe as you can while driving and make sure you always have your license with you.
