UK to Thai Licence

[richard_smith237]

Having owned and driven car's in Thailand for over 15 years I am somewhat new to the Licensing requirements when it comes to Motorcycles. 

 

For Thai 'Car' Drivers License the process was fairly simple and took a couple of hours [I took the Colour, Depth Perceptions, Reaction Tests and watched a 40min video].

 

I recently purchased something to potter about on and would obviously like to ensure my riding is legal with the minimum amount of effort and bureaucratic nonsense (i.e. if I can get away with it, I have no interest in sitting 5 hours of mind-numbingly boring videos or to do what at best is a nonsensical theory test). 

 

My regular UK Licence (see photo) appears to permit me to Drive / Ride numerous categories and I was quite surprised to see that I may also ride  what is apparently Motorcycle Categories AM and A (according the DLV website Category A supersedes A1 and A2 and permits me to ride both).

 

 

 

 

Thus, my Questions to those ThaiVisa Members in the know: Can I convert my UK Drivers Licence (Photo'd above) in to a Thai Motorcycle Licence (I already have a car Licence) or would I be expected to take the whole Theory Exam, 5 hours of Videos and Practical Test as if starting from scratch ???

 

 

I am aware I require the following: 

 

1) Affirmation of Residence 

2) Doctors / Medical Certificate

3) Copies of Passport & Visa

 

 

Thanks in advance for any info:

 

 

[Edit: I searched the forum and google but couldn't find anything conclusive...]

[pbas400]

+ you need to have INTERNATIONAL driving licence 

[VocalNeal]

53 minutes ago, pbas400 said:

+ you need to have INTERNATIONAL driving licence 

There is no such thing as INTERNATIONAL driving licence only an International Driving Permit (IDP) which is essentially a translation document.

 

Richard,

I have done both tests concurrently  and only did the theory etc once. So I'm thinking you won't have to do that again. At BKK Sukhumvit 99 the practical test is simply enough. You may still have to go through the same rigmarole as renewal but that is probably about all. You can even "borrow" a Honda Wave for the test! Might grease the wheels so to speak.

 

You could try and get an IDP from UK but I don't know if they will stamp A or A1 when you only have AM which is essentially a grandfathered in moped license. 

[Denim]

It must vary from place to place.

 

I am writing this from the transport office in Bung Sam Pan waiting for a new tax disc for the car . They have all gone to lunch together so I have to wait for them to return.

 

While waiting I just now went upstairs to the driving licence department and explained , like the OP , that although I have a car licence I now have a Honda Wave for very short journies and would like a bike licence as well.

 

I explained that on my UK licence I am permitted to ride large mororcycles, so what will I need to do to get a Thai motorcycle licence.

He told me to return with the following documents.

 

Passport

Thai driving licence

Medical certificate

UK driving licence

Translation of UK licence

My yellow tambien Hahn

 

I asked if that was all ? Would I need to watch safety video or do any tests. He said no .....but frankly I don't believe him......we will see.

[richard_smith237]

Gentlemen... Thank you for the information... 

 

BTW: When people mention International Driving Licence we can safely assume they mean International Driving Permit (IDP) - Its a commonly corrected issue on these forums. 

 

[richard_smith237]

UPDATE for anyone who may find this thread useful in the future. 

 

The DLT in Sukhumvit 101 Confirmed the following: 

 

UK Licence [AM, A1, A2, A] can be transferred into a Thai Motorcycle Licence without having to take the whole series Motorcycle Test (Theory Exam, Practical Test, 5 hrs of Video's.

 

Documentation required: 

1) Photocopy of Passport

2) Photocopy of Visa Page

3) Proof of Residence (or Work Permit)

4) Medical Certification (Original copy)

5) UK Licence (with Classification AM, A1, A2, A) 

 

Process: 

1) Register at Counter 8

2) Take Colour Blindness (& Periphery Vision test)

3) Take Reaction Test (Brake Test)

4) Take Proximity Test

5) Watch a 45 minute Video

6) Have your photo taken / Pay and Collect License

 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

4 hours ago, pbas400 said:

+ you need to have INTERNATIONAL driving licence 

 

To confirm: With a UK Licence an International Driving Permit was not required for my Thai Car Driving Licence. It has also been confirmed (today) that the UK Driving Licence (with Bike) is sufficient for obtaining a Thai Motorcycle Licence. 

 

That said: As always in Thailand, different offices in different locations may well interpret the regulations a little differently.

[chrissables]

As long as your UK licence allows you to ride, the Thai transport office will give you a Thai licence with just the basic test, reaction etc. Not a full Thai test.

[richard_smith237]

34 minutes ago, chrissables said:

As long as your UK licence allows you to ride, the Thai transport office will give you a Thai licence with just the basic test, reaction etc. Not a full Thai test.

Yup - that seems the case... 

 

The strange part is, I have never taken a UK Motorcycle test yet my Driving Licence seems to permit the categories - I'm left a little confused but happily accept that I don't have to go through the full process to obtain a Thai Motorcycle Licence. 

[HidyHo]

off topic but is your UK license valid until 2044?  I'm trying to make sense of column 10 and 11 and it appears that some are from 1992 to 2044?

[eisfeld]

Quote

B licence holders who are at least 21 years of age are allowed to drive motor tricycles (including three-wheeled motorcycles with a power exceeding 15 kW) in the following countries: Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Seems like in the UK they effectively include class A in class B. Imho that doesn't make much sense as riding a bike is quite different and should require at least some extra training. Not sure why they bothered to add AM in 2015 when A already includes A1/A2/AM.

 

Anyways, that's the reason why you got class A in your license.

[eisfeld]

17 minutes ago, HidyHo said:

off topic but is your UK license valid until 2044?  I'm trying to make sense of column 10 and 11 and it appears that some are from 1992 to 2044?

Column 11 is "Valid to" so yea that's when it expires. 1992 is probably when he got his original license (B for car). Then they updated the regulations and in 2013 they've explicitly added A to it. And in 2015 AM. But the 2044 expiry date is a bit puzzling. He must have renewed his license in or after 2015 because that's the start date of his AM class. so that leaves total validity of 29 or 28 years. Odd. Maybe that's as long as they think the Brexit talks will take.

 

I just checked my EU license (not from UK) and it has no values in column 11. I had class B for a good number of years and last year added A. Field 4b (on the front) states an expiry for the whole license in 2032 which is 15 years validity from last renewal which is in line with EU regulations.

[richard_smith237]

19 hours ago, HidyHo said:

off topic but is your UK license valid until 2044?  I'm trying to make sense of column 10 and 11 and it appears that some are from 1992 to 2044?

 

Correct - the Validity of my UK Drivers Licence is from 1992 to 2044 (by which time I'll be 70).

 

And I think for category AM and A the dates are from 2015 and 2013 respectively as a result of changes to the law (I think).

[jackdd]

Obviously you are have "class A", which means you are allowed to drive all motorbikes. In your first post it sounds like you never made a motorbike license, how is this possible?

[eisfeld]

18 minutes ago, jackdd said:

Obviously you are have "class A", which means you are allowed to drive all motorbikes. In your first post it sounds like you never made a motorbike license, how is this possible?

The quote in my post above answers that question.

[jackdd]

2 hours ago, eisfeld said:

The quote in my post above answers that question.

It just really surprises me that they let everybody ride big bikes (who is old enough). In Germany the people who are now in their fifties are usually allowed to drive A1, which is up to 125cc. But just giving the people the A seems crazy to me. Just imagine somebody who has never ridden on a motorbike just decides to ride a 100hp+ bike because he has the driving license...

[eisfeld]

14 minutes ago, jackdd said:

It just really surprises me that they let everybody ride big bikes (who is old enough). In Germany the people who are now in their fifties are usually allowed to drive A1, which is up to 125cc. But just giving the people the A seems crazy to me. Just imagine somebody who has never ridden on a motorbike just decides to ride a 100hp+ bike because he has the driving license...

I agree completely. People should get at least a little bit of training before being let loose on bikes. Just because someone is able to drive a car doesn't mean they are capable of riding a bike.

 

Seen another way: someone who has obtained a motorbike license in Thailand had more training or testing than someone from the UK who got class A by virtue of being included in B :)

[papa al]

7-year-olds ride Waves around the village.

;-)

[mark131v]

You may get lucky in the sticks I guess but I wouldn't bank on it as most UK licences have that on and I am sure most tourist areas will have got wise to it, I think they are probably also aware that the AM category is on all licences but does not mean you have been trained,  the 79(3) or (tri) means you are restricted to trikes further information here:

 

https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-codes

 

Let us know how you get on would be very interested to see if it's possible....

 

It is actually very difficult to get a bike licence in the UK and needs lots of hoops to be jumped through and wads of cash to be paid 

 

https://www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped/bike-categories-ages-and-licence-requirements

 

All licences for unrestricted motorcycles in the UK require:

 

CBT-compulsory bike training

 

Theory test including hazard perception

 

Module 1 riding test done on car park at the DVSA testing centre and involving high and low speed manoeuvres

 

Module 2 riding test 40 minute road ride followed by an driving assessor on completion of this you are able to ride any size of motorcycle

 

Nb all of this is dependant on age, there are also minimum time requirements and the process is stepped for young riders so they cannot just jump onto a superbike!

[jackdd]

6 hours ago, mark131v said:

I think they are probably also aware that the AM category is on all licences but does not mean you have been trained,  the 79(3) or (tri) means you are restricted to trikes further information here:

 

https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-codes

Ah ok, so this explains it and OP does not have a motorbike license (unless for AM, which would be up to 50cc and 45km/h, i think this kind of bikes does not exist in Thailand)

So if the person in the DLT is aware of the numbers they will know that OP doesn't have a motorbike license and he has to do it from scratch

If they don't know about it and assume OP has a motorbike license he can "transfer" it

[richard_smith237]

On 2/7/2018 at 7:57 AM, jackdd said:

Ah ok, so this explains it and OP does not have a motorbike license (unless for AM, which would be up to 50cc and 45km/h, i think this kind of bikes does not exist in Thailand)

So if the person in the DLT is aware of the numbers they will know that OP doesn't have a motorbike license and he has to do it from scratch

If they don't know about it and assume OP has a motorbike license he can "transfer" it

 

What confuses me is the A Category on my UK Licence...  Which, if I'm not mistaken permits me to ride any bike. This confuses me because as earlier mentioned it was my understanding that I should have passed the Compulsory Bike Training before being permitted to ride anything larger than a 125cc.

 

I have never taken any Motorcycle tests in the UK. 

 

All somewhat of a moot point as I now have the Thai Motorcycle Licence and can potter around on the scooter. However, this has developed into an interesting discussion - I am now uncertain what my UK Licence covers me for !!!

 

 

[jackdd]

18 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

What confuses me is the A Category on my UK Licence...  Which, if I'm not mistaken permits me to ride any bike.

On your driver license, in column 12, in the row for the A category is a number: 79 (3)

And if you open the link which mark131v posted and which i quoted before you can see that it means:

79 (3) - restricted to tricycles 

So your are allowed to drive tricycles (of any type) but you are not allowed to drive motorbikes (just motorbikes that are in the category AM)

 

Actually the change with the tricycles i can even remember, this was not too long ago (probably in 2013 as your license suggests), back then they changed tricycles from category B to category A. So if you made your car license before 2013 you are allowed to drive them and you will have category A with this note on your license (as you do). People who make a car license after 2013 are not allowed to drive tricycles, they need to make a category A license to be allowed to drive them.

[Denim]

On 06/02/2018 at 4:04 PM, richard_smith237 said:

 

Correct - the Validity of my UK Drivers Licence is from 1992 to 2044 (by which time I'll be 70).

 

And I think for category AM and A the dates are from 2015 and 2013 respectively as a result of changes to the law (I think).

Glad you now have your bike licence.

How long is it valid for ?

[lanng khao]

Anyone who has never rode a motorbike before and thinks they can just hop on it and get on the road are in for a bit of a shock here.

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[mark131v]

7 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

What confuses me is the A Category on my UK Licence...  Which, if I'm not mistaken permits me to ride any bike. This confuses me because as earlier mentioned it was my understanding that I should have passed the Compulsory Bike Training before being permitted to ride anything larger than a 125cc.

 

I have never taken any Motorcycle tests in the UK. 

 

All somewhat of a moot point as I now have the Thai Motorcycle Licence and can potter around on the scooter. However, this has developed into an interesting discussion - I am now uncertain what my UK Licence covers me for !!!

 

 

Your UK licence does not cover you for motorcycles but you can ride a moped (AM) once you have done your CBT and motorcycle theory and hazard perception test but you are right it is anything but clear

 

As for using a Thai licence in the UK if you have the permanent 5 year Thai bike licence you can use this for 1 year in the UK to ride a motorcycle (exactly the same if you have a Thai car licence) but in that year you need to pass the full UK licence and all the components involved so motorbike theory and hazard perception, CBT, Module 1 and then Module 2 depending on your age you can do the direct access course which allows you to go onto unrestricted bikes as soon as everything is passed

 

Your UK bike licence (A) when you get it will have a from and to date exactly the same as the car (B) with no code numbers in row 12, anything in row 12 after that is an exception code

 

Did you need to do the Thai bike test at the test centre? sounds like you got one over on them if you didn't have to do the riding around in the car park bit not that that is in any way a challenge but it does save a bit of hanging around I guess.. 

[richard_smith237]

18 hours ago, lanng khao said:

Anyone who has never rode a motorbike before and thinks they can just hop on it and get on the road are in for a bit of a shock here.

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

I've been driving here for 15 years...  The bike is a 155cc scooter with ABS (no clutch or gears etc). 

 

I am under no illusions of my riding and never will be.... Guys who have been riding for 20 years face equal risk when stopped at a traffic light - its about how we protect ourselves when on the road, how we interpret the movement of others, how we understand and ride as if every other vehicle on the road wants to kill us...  by understanding this I suspect I may be less at risk than someone new to Bangkok's traffic... 

 

That said: This motorcycle is to be used locally, to pick things up, back and forth to the BTS etc when I don't want to use the car - it's not going to be frequently used up and down Bangkok's Major arteries. 

 

 

Having ridden in Bangkok for a week now, and having driven a car here for 15 years what doesn't surprise me is that my attitudes to other bike riders hasn't changed.... 

 

It is still the bikes which pose more risk... for the most part, cars are quite careful and considerate towards motorcyclists (I'll never make the assumption that all will be), but it is the many bikes which pull out in front of you without looking, speed passed within inches which I have recognised as quite a concern...  I've noticed Taxi's can be pretty careless too...  

[lanng khao]

I've been driving here for 15 years...  The bike is a 155cc scooter with ABS (no clutch or gears etc). 
 
I am under no illusions of my riding and never will be.... Guys who have been riding for 20 years face equal risk when stopped at a traffic light - its about how we protect ourselves when on the road, how we interpret the movement of others, how we understand and ride as if every other vehicle on the road wants to kill us...  by understanding this I suspect I may be less at risk than someone new to Bangkok's traffic... 
 
That said: This motorcycle is to be used locally, to pick things up, back and forth to the BTS etc when I don't want to use the car - it's not going to be frequently used up and down Bangkok's Major arteries. 
 
 
Having ridden in Bangkok for a week now, and having driven a car here for 15 years what doesn't surprise me is that my attitudes to other bike riders hasn't changed.... 
 
It is still the bikes which pose more risk... for the most part, cars are quite careful and considerate towards motorcyclists (I'll never make the assumption that all will be), but it is the many bikes which pull out in front of you without looking, speed passed within inches which I have recognised as quite a concern...  I've noticed Taxi's can be pretty careless too...  

Spot on mate, iv only been riding for 2 month's on the back soi's of chok chai in korat, I'm only just getting the hang of it now, it's got gears so I'm still getting use to using them and keeping my balance, wouldn't even contemplate going on the highway at rush hour round here, it's all about the confidence, and keeping your eyes peeled.

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app