Driving Without Any License

[barbarossa]

Hi,

what can happen to me, if I drive a MOTORBIKE(just a small one, a scooter) without ANY license?

I suppose thai people dont have to own a license, to drive these small things.

Please correct me, if I m wrong, but I met so many, that didnt have a license.

However, what are the rules for fallangs?

Edited May 30, 2007 by barbarossa

[kratindaeng]

Hi,

what can happen to me, if I drive a MOTORBIKE(just a small one) without ANY license?

I suppose thai people dont have to own a license, to drive these small things.

Please correct me, if I m wrong, but I met so many, that didnt have a license.

However, what are the rules for fallangs?

You need a licence. Imagine you have an accident, would it be better to have a licence? You would find yourself in all manner of problems, and locked up. simply put, its not worth risking riding without one.

[jdinasia]

if you don't have a VALID license ... don't drive ... period

[barbarossa]

Thats right, but I was just reading, that I cant apply for a license, while beeing on a tourist visa, wich I am...

But what are the consequences, when beeing caught without license, without having an accident?

[jdinasia]

see post #3

if accidents were predictable ... they wouldn't be called accidents

there are various scenarious with various outcomes for being stopped with no license ... most likely a moderate fine but that by no means is the limit on possible repurcussions

i was stopped TWICE Monday and asked to produce a license in Patong ... I was stopped every day for a week on the way out of Karon ....

Edited May 30, 2007 by jdinasia

[kratindaeng]

Thats right, but I was just reading, that I cant apply for a license, while beeing on a tourist visa, wich I am...

But what are the consequences, when beeing caught without license, without having an accident?

bottom spanking by the law, big fine and confiscation of bike, possible blacklist, etc etc

[barbarossa]

Blacklist?

[jdinasia]

blacklisting is unlikely <being declared Persona Non Grata and deported> without having a major accident ... but accidents DO happen ...

[kratindaeng]

Blacklist?

RED STAMP in your passport, never to be able to visit Thailand ever again!

It is Possible, read about the guy found stealing a towel from Hotel, he was put in jail and blacklisted, the thread is on here , somewhere

Edited May 30, 2007 by kratindaeng

[barbarossa]

Blacklist?

RED STAMP in your passport, never to be able to visit Thailand ever again!

It is Possible, read about the guy found stealing a towel from Hotel, he was put in jail and blacklisted, the thread is on here , somewhere

Wow!

What the...

[thaigerd]

Test for a driving license takes one day and the cost is about less than 1% as in your home country.

And you are driving legal!!!!!

Gerd

Edited May 30, 2007 by thaigerd

[jdinasia]

Test for a driving license takes one day and the cost is about less than 1% as in your home country.

And you are driving legal!!!!!

Gerd

I don't think they'd let him apply for a license with a Tourist Visa only, Gerd.

[barbarossa]

Test for a driving license takes one day and the cost is about less than 1% as in your home country.

And you are driving legal!!!!!

Gerd

I don't think they'd let him apply for a license with a Tourist Visa only, Gerd.

Thats my problem

[thaigerd]

Test for a driving license takes one day and the cost is about less than 1% as in your home country.

And you are driving legal!!!!!

Gerd

I don't think they'd let him apply for a license with a Tourist Visa only, Gerd.

Thanks and sorry

Gerd

[jdinasia]

I think your problem is in fact ... poor planning.

an IDP (international Driving Permit) and your license from home is a legal combination here in Thailand.

What do you think the number ONE cause of injuries to tourists is in Thailand?

What do you think the number ONE cause of death to tourists is in Thailand?

the answer is NOT rampaging elephants!

[calibanjr.]

All very responsible posts above. Why risk it, etc. You are technically required to have a license, I live here and have a car and cycle license (extra 55 baht for that, whee!)

Reality in my experience: been stopped 6 times (over 3 year period) before I "got legal"; 4 no-helmets (no need to flame me, I know that's idiotic), 1 riding straight on a must right turn (along with many others at night bazaar CM, well known stopping place for the BIB), one red light (again the farang in the mix with a group of Thais, at the CM Pantip intersection). All these times stopped with no helmet, no license. Once, the police added a 400 THB fine for no license, which they wrote off, me being so charming and all

As mentioned, none of these were accidents, and if there were, I'm sure one would be hurting financially (at least) with the local constabulary, so I was lucky, until I got tired of even small fines and visiting the station with an unsolicited escort.

Edited May 30, 2007 by calibanjr.

[heybruce]

I have a home country drivers license for 4-wheel vehicles and the international drivers permit which says I can drive just about anything but is only valid with my home country license. I generally don't carry the international permit since it is too bulky to fit into a pocket. I'm not sure if I'm legal or not on a motorbike. Does Thailand have a license specifically for motorbikes, and if so how difficult is licensing for someone who doesn't read or speak Thai?

[sumrit]

Test for a driving license takes one day and the cost is about less than 1% as in your home country.

And you are driving legal!!!!!

Gerd

I don't think they'd let him apply for a license with a Tourist Visa only, Gerd.

A friend of mine got a Thai driving licence in Pattaya in February whilst he was here on a tourist visa. Didn't have to take a test either, just produce his UK licence and do eyesight and perception tests. As far as I know you can only renew the licence for a 5 year one if you have a non immigrant visa. If you renew your licence whilst on a tourist visa they will only give you another one year licence. At least thats what he was told when he got his.

[jdinasia]

I have a home country drivers license for 4-wheel vehicles and the international drivers permit which says I can drive just about anything but is only valid with my home country license. I generally don't carry the international permit since it is too bulky to fit into a pocket. I'm not sure if I'm legal or not on a motorbike. Does Thailand have a license specifically for motorbikes, and if so how difficult is licensing for someone who doesn't read or speak Thai?

yes it is a seperate license for bikes

If you don't have a bike license currently you'll have to take the riding test. Take a Thai friend along and it should be easy for you.

BTW ... not every province or municipality administers tests the same or has the same req's set in stone for who can get a license

[ratcatcher]

I have a home country drivers license for 4-wheel vehicles and the international drivers permit which says I can drive just about anything but is only valid with my home country license. I generally don't carry the international permit since it is too bulky to fit into a pocket. I'm not sure if I'm legal or not on a motorbike. Does Thailand have a license specifically for motorbikes, and if so how difficult is licensing for someone who doesn't read or speak Thai?

If your home license permits you to operate a motorcycle (any c.c.) then the I.D.P.should indicate that. However as previous posters have correctly pointed out, you cannot obtain a Thai license on a tourist visa or without a Non Imm.B or O visa.

Many people have got away with producing a foreign license but I believe that technically one is supposed to be in possession of an International Driving Permit.

It is only because there is a perception (and justifiably so) that Thailand is an easy place to fool the cops that people get away with this for a little tea money.

However you try and do the same thing in the good ole U.S.A. or Canada, U.K. etc and see what happens.

The main thing to remember is that you may get stopped several times in a road block and get away with it, BUT the moment you have an accident (and they do happen), then see who the cops look to for blame and restitution. Not a pleasant position to be in.

If possible,get legal.

Getting a legal Thai license for bikes and vehicles is fairly cheap and easy and the staff at Land transportation Dept. are generally helpful... providing you are polite and patient.

[Neeranam]

A lot of sensible replies.

I drove for years without a license and never had any problem.

I was very lucky, you may not be so.

If you're asking about the fine for a stndard check - that's not really any problem - DL pay no DL pay.

It's if you have an accident that you could be in big trouble.

[chinthee]

I drove for the past 7 years without a Thai license, and without an IDP. I did have a USA and Hong Kong license, but no motorcycle endorsement. I drove my car during this time all over the country but most of the time in Phuket and Bangkok. Was stopped a number of times for many things, never got questioned on the DL. At the same time, I drove a motorcycle in Phuket during those years, and similarly, though stopped a few times (helmet) etc., never had a problem. The worst that happened was I had to give the cop my license and go to the Patong police station to pay the fine and retrieve it. Ok, it did help on occassion to take care with some tea money, but I was never directly challenged on the validity of a foreign license. Today, I am fully legal with a Thai license. But, I don't think you'll have any problems renting cars and driving on a foreign license as long as it is from a reasonable country.

[moo9]

I was holding an IDP, but just for cars and small bikes like 50cc. I got the Thai car license as well as the Bike license without any problem. So I am allowed to drive any bike of any cc size.

I would never drive an inch without a valid license in Thailand. Considering all the crazy accidents here that is a stupid idea. Songthaews are a good alternative though lol

[eek]

I only have a provisional licence, and wanted to find some kind of bike lesson place. Somewhere safe, quiet and realiable to learn (im in cm). Couldnt find a thing! I guess Thais are born riding bikes, taught by friends/siblings/parents etc, cuz i just dont see learner riders/schools anywhere.

[barbarossa]

My problem is, that I never had any kind of license.

Was always lucky.

But sureley, I dont want to be in the situation, to have an accident in thailand without license and insurance.

My thai GF was studying law, and she said: No worries, I will handle it, if ever you got a problem.

I am not totaly convinced...

I prefer to let her drive, but she doesent like to drive long distances, and belive me, chances for an accident are definetley higher if she drives sober than me driving after acouple of jugs...

[chinthee]

My problem is, that I never had any kind of license.

Was always lucky.

But sureley, I dont want to be in the situation, to have an accident in thailand without license and insurance.

My thai GF was studying law, and she said: No worries, I will handle it, if ever you got a problem.

I am not totaly convinced...

I prefer to let her drive, but she doesent like to drive long distances, and belive me, chances for an accident are definetley higher if she drives sober than me driving after acouple of jugs...

Well...different story. This thread should end. barbarossa, you need to go to the auto forum and there is everything you need to know about getting a "first-time" license. Lots of wasted discussion here.

[MaiChai]

You dont mention what kind of driving you do. If you are pottering round some village in the middle of nowhere you dont need a license. Actually some years back when I was living up country I tried to get a bike license and the licensing folks said 'what do you need one for to bike round the village'. If you are living in a town/city with reasonable traffic, then you need to be legal.

Assessing the risks:

If I am going to end of the (long) soi to do shopping, I dont bother with the helmet. Park the bike at the beginning of the soi and walk around doing my shopping.

If I am pottering round the local area at night; dont bother with a helmet. Police dont seem to setup their 'lets get people' checkpoints at night.

In the day in Bangkok always need to wear a helmet and have all your docs with you.

To get the compulsory insurance to pay your hospital bill, should you be unlucky enough to end up in hospital, you need to have a Thai license and be legal. If you drive around Bangkok you need to be fully legal; its too dangerous to take the risk, and my advise is to be as conscious as possible about everything going on around you. Cars and buses seem quite considerate, but the real idiots seem to be the young Thai men on their small bikes (typically not your cbr/nsr/vrr/krr/sonic types).

[jdinasia]

and you'll not here from the Farang that were driving and had a serious accident that hurt someone else and were NOT legal ...

[barbarossa]

My problem is, that I never had any kind of license.

Was always lucky.

But sureley, I dont want to be in the situation, to have an accident in thailand without license and insurance.

My thai GF was studying law, and she said: No worries, I will handle it, if ever you got a problem.

I am not totaly convinced...

I prefer to let her drive, but she doesent like to drive long distances, and belive me, chances for an accident are definetley higher if she drives sober than me driving after acouple of jugs...

Well...different story. This thread should end. barbarossa, you need to go to the auto forum and there is everything you need to know about getting a "first-time" license. Lots of wasted discussion here.

The Title AND the first post are saying:

Driving without ANY license...

[barbarossa]

You dont mention what kind of driving you do. If you are pottering round some village in the middle of nowhere you dont need a license. Actually some years back when I was living up country I tried to get a bike license and the licensing folks said 'what do you need one for to bike round the village'. If you are living in a town/city with reasonable traffic, then you need to be legal.

Assessing the risks:

If I am going to end of the (long) soi to do shopping, I dont bother with the helmet. Park the bike at the beginning of the soi and walk around doing my shopping.

If I am pottering round the local area at night; dont bother with a helmet. Police dont seem to setup their 'lets get people' checkpoints at night.

In the day in Bangkok always need to wear a helmet and have all your docs with you.

To get the compulsory insurance to pay your hospital bill, should you be unlucky enough to end up in hospital, you need to have a Thai license and be legal. If you drive around Bangkok you need to be fully legal; its too dangerous to take the risk, and my advise is to be as conscious as possible about everything going on around you. Cars and buses seem quite considerate, but the real idiots seem to be the young Thai men on their small bikes (typically not your cbr/nsr/vrr/krr/sonic types).

For Bangkok I dont need a bike... Taximeter.

Its more for Samui and Phuketarea or in small village areas.