What is needed to rent a car in Thailand?

To rent a car in Thailand in 2026, you will need a standard set of documents and compliance with several conditions. Unlike renting a motorbike, document verification is stricter here.

Here is what you need to rent a car:

• Driver's license: A valid license of the appropriate category is mandatory. As with a motorcycle, it is better to have both your national and international driver's license (IDP).
• Passport: It may be kept as a deposit or a copy may be taken.
• Deposit: A cash deposit (several thousand baht) or a hold on a credit card is usually required. This can be problematic for Russian cards.
• Insurance: We strongly recommend not renting a car without insurance. Read the contract carefully: often insurance covers damage only up to a certain amount (e.g., up to 5,000 baht — this is the deductible), and you will have to pay the rest.

Car rental prices start from 600 baht per day for long-term rentals and from 1,000 baht for short-term rentals. It is better to book a car online — it is often cheaper than on the spot.

For more details on rental conditions and pitfalls, read the article Renting a motorcycle and car in Thailand – everything you need to know.

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