cdemundo Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 Do I need a driver license to drive a scooter in Thailand? I don't plan to drive a car in Thailand. I don't drive a scooter here (US) and don't have motorcycle endorsement, is it good to have that before licensing in Thailand? I have always used public transport in Thailand before but I may end up in smaller community where I need a scooter. So I basically know nothing about driving a scooter and licensing a scooter in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticky Rice Balls Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 (edited) Howdy--Ive had motorcycle license in the states but of course corrupt thai cops dont care-ever though its supposed to be valid I found the trick--go to AAA shop for $20 they will give you a international permit--take passport and pp pic for paper "license" 3 fold--looks like a paper pp I was nervous trying it in Thailand but it works----and cos thais use diff year(2021) mine is expd and still works as cops dont know... Ive been riding mbikes since a teen so take CARE riding one in thai...its a whole new set of rules, if any.... Edited October 22, 2021 by Sticky Rice Balls 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticky Rice Balls Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 Is very satisfying when the cops think they got another rich farang on mbike and then pulling out the drivers permit and driving off.......thai cops-0 Me -1....... ???? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post FritsSikkink Posted October 22, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 22, 2021 You need a motorcycle license. 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rampant Rabbit Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 you need a ;icence but to be honest its useless, you will learn nothing from learning here and by following local styles learn even less, their driving is abysmal 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdemundo Posted October 23, 2021 Author Share Posted October 23, 2021 5 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said: Howdy--Ive had motorcycle license in the states but of course corrupt thai cops dont care-ever though its supposed to be valid I found the trick--go to AAA shop for $20 they will give you a international permit--take passport and pp pic for paper "license" 3 fold--looks like a paper pp I was nervous trying it in Thailand but it works----and cos thais use diff year(2021) mine is expd and still works as cops dont know... Ive been riding mbikes since a teen so take CARE riding one in thai...its a whole new set of rules, if any.... Right, I would only ride if I need to get around in a small town. I wouldn't dare in BKK. If I can avoid it I will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticky Rice Balls Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 19 minutes ago, cdemundo said: Right, I would only ride if I need to get around in a small town. I wouldn't dare in BKK. If I can avoid it I will. Get yourself to a AAA shop with passport and pp pic....20 bucks--in n out done and done doubt u would even get stopped in a small town.....im up in CNX=$$$$$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Peterw42 Posted October 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2021 OP, to ride a motorcycle (and scooter) in Thailand you need a motorcycle license, either home country or Thai. In theory just your home license is valid, BUT many police, insurance etc will want to also see an IDP which is basically a translation of your home license details, that accompanies your home license. 2 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tonray Posted October 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2021 Bottom line: if you already have home country moto license then with an IDP easy to convert to Thai license. Same for Auto. If you don't, then must take the full suite of tests including physical driving test to get one here. Many (most ?) farangs drive motos/scooters here unlicensed but if you were unfortunate enough to cause major property damage or cause someone to lose limb or life...you're up a muddy creek without a paddle and get used to rice and soup and some charming 'roomates' or empty your home bank accounts to prevent it. 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kwasaki Posted October 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2021 7 hours ago, cdemundo said: don't drive a scooter here (US) and don't have motorcycle endorsement. I would advise :- Well if you can get a US motorbike DL do that and get a IDP as well if it's not a photocard DL and not show in English what you can drive. If you have never ridden a motorbike go to a school here in Thailand and get use to driving on the proper side of the road. ???? Take simple computer test which you can get the answers for, a simple practical test and get your Thai motorbike DL. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tonray Posted October 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2021 10 minutes ago, Kwasaki said: and get use to driving on the proper side of the road. ???? For most Thai riders both sides are fair game. ???????????? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post seedy Posted October 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2021 2 hours ago, Kwasaki said: get use to driving on the proper side of the road. The do not drive on the proper side of the road in LOS They drive on the left 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bbko Posted October 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2021 (edited) I'm from the US and when I moved to Thailand I had a license just for a car and didn't have a motorcycle license, here in Thailand when I applied for both a car and bike license I had to do the computer test, watch videos, pass the color test, pass the depth perception test and pass the bike driving test in the parking lot (weave through some cones, turn, drive over a small raised area without falling off), Edited October 23, 2021 by bbko 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwasaki Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 14 minutes ago, seedy said: The do not drive on the proper side of the road in LOS They drive on the left Left which is Right. ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joinaman Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 on a UK car licence, we can ride small mopeds, but nothing bigger I took my car licence in to DLT and showed them the picture of the motorbike and said, have bike licence , need Thai one Had to repeat it many time but After a lot of talking and looking, they gave me a new Thai bike licence without any testing or other problems, Been riding bikes here for years now, no problems with renewals 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonray Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 13 minutes ago, bbko said: weave through some comes, turn, drive over a small raised area without falling off), They want to make sure you can negotiate driving on the sidewalks in Bangkok 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwasaki Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 Just now, Joinaman said: on a UK car licence, we can ride small mopeds, but nothing bigger I took my car licence in to DLT and showed them the picture of the motorbike and said, have bike licence , need Thai one Had to repeat it many time but After a lot of talking and looking, they gave me a new Thai bike licence without any testing or other problems, Been riding bikes here for years now, no problems with renewals I guess OP USA DL may not be the same way they do things in UK. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 23 minutes ago, bbko said: I'm from the US and when I moved to Thailand I had a license just for a car and didn't have a motorcycle license, here in Thailand when I applied for both a car and bike license I had to do the computer test, watch videos, pass the color test, pass the depth perception test and pass the bike driving test in the parking lot (weave through some cones, turn, drive over a small raised area without falling off), Do this it is very easy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ourdon Posted October 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2021 The international drivers licence is a bit of a misnomer, but you are subject to fines for not having one. Every countries driver licences are different and written in the local language. Police in tourist areas would have to be conversant in several languages to read them. When you get one from your AAA or CAA or wherever, they take specific information from your drivers licence and put it in specific places on the IDL. The same information is in the same place whether your licence is American or Bulgarian. The police are trained where to look on an IDL for the information they need. It will show that you don't drive a motorcycle. Learn to drive a bike wherever you are. Thailand is no place to test the learning curve. Too many people come away from this "learning experience" as a large can of ashes Have fun in the sun 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdemundo Posted October 23, 2021 Author Share Posted October 23, 2021 2 hours ago, Kwasaki said: I guess OP USA DL may not be the same way they do things in UK. You know I don't even know for sure but as far as I know... I think you need the same endorsement for scooter and motorcycle. You can't drive a scooter with a regular car license. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwasaki Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 2 hours ago, cdemundo said: You know I don't even know for sure but as far as I know... I think you need the same endorsement for scooter and motorcycle. You can't drive a scooter with a regular car license. Well I don't know been lots of countries and driven with my UK DL all places where English was spoken as a 2nd 3rd 4th or so language never had a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almer Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 13 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said: Is very satisfying when the cops think they got another rich farang on mbike and then pulling out the drivers permit and driving off.......thai cops-0 Me -1....... ???? But then they hit you with “foot pegs down” 400 baht please. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdemundo Posted October 23, 2021 Author Share Posted October 23, 2021 43 minutes ago, Kwasaki said: Well I don't know been lots of countries and driven with my UK DL all places where English was spoken as a 2nd 3rd 4th or so language never had a problem. I only meant in my state in the US. Someone seemed to be asking about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mrfill Posted October 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2021 4 hours ago, ourdon said: The international drivers licence is a bit of a misnomer, but you are subject to fines for not having one. Every countries driver licences are different and written in the local language. Police in tourist areas would have to be conversant in several languages to read them. When you get one from your AAA or CAA or wherever, they take specific information from your drivers licence and put it in specific places on the IDL. The same information is in the same place whether your licence is American or Bulgarian. The police are trained where to look on an IDL for the information they need. It will show that you don't drive a motorcycle. Learn to drive a bike wherever you are. Thailand is no place to test the learning curve. Too many people come away from this "learning experience" as a large can of ashes Have fun in the sun It is a misnomer as it is an International Driver Permit - and there are 3 types (1926, 1949 and 1968), some last one year, some last 3. For Thailand (and Laos, Cambodia) a 1949 type is required. Vietnam and Burma require a 1968 type. Of course, this is just the letter of the law so is not really relevant in Thailand.... This is what they look like... 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwasaki Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 3 minutes ago, mrfill said: It is a misnomer as it is an International Driver Permit - and there are 3 types (1926, 1949 and 1968), some last one year, some last 3. For Thailand (and Laos, Cambodia) a 1949 type is required. Vietnam and Burma require a 1968 type. Of course, this is just the letter of the law so is not really relevant in Thailand.... This is what they look like... Not needed for a UK full driving DL but not all Thai police ponkers in certain areas know that or they might know but still want to try and intimidate some tourists to get some tea money. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wwest5829 Posted October 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2021 14 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said: Howdy--Ive had motorcycle license in the states but of course corrupt thai cops dont care-ever though its supposed to be valid I found the trick--go to AAA shop for $20 they will give you a international permit--take passport and pp pic for paper "license" 3 fold--looks like a paper pp I was nervous trying it in Thailand but it works----and cos thais use diff year(2021) mine is expd and still works as cops dont know... Ive been riding mbikes since a teen so take CARE riding one in thai...its a whole new set of rules, if any.... Getting the International License can help but it will show what you are licensed to drive in your home state. I came with a Kentucky Driver’s License but for a car so AAA could not endorse for a motorcycle (motorbike). 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cdemundo Posted October 23, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2021 1 minute ago, wwest5829 said: Getting the International License can help but it will show what you are licensed to drive in your home state. I came with a Kentucky Driver’s License but for a car so AAA could not endorse for a motorcycle (motorbike). Maybe it would be best to get the motorcycle endorsement here in the states. I was gonna take scooter lessons anyway and they prepare you for the license test. I will probably do that. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post skatewash Posted October 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2021 25 minutes ago, cdemundo said: Maybe it would be best to get the motorcycle endorsement here in the states. I was gonna take scooter lessons anyway and they prepare you for the license test. I will probably do that. Honestly, that's the best way. Signup for a motorcycle class in the US, in many jurisdictions passing the the course gets you a state driver's license with proper endorsement for motorcycles. Take that to AAA and get a International Driving Permit (IDP) which is merely a translation of your English driver's license into English, but importantly it unambiguously indicates that you are qualified to ride motorcycles and for that reason is worth the $20 it will cost. What you will learn in the US in a motorcycle course is how to ride/handle a motorcycle if you have no previous experience. It will also teach you all the laws in the US. When you get to Thailand in addition to driving on the other side of the road you will learn with observation and experience what laws Thais follow and which they do not. Generally, in the US people follow the rules but don't have good situational awareness while driving. It's the opposite in Thailand, Thais have good situational awareness while driving but don't follow the written rules. There are informal rules that are followed you have to observe and learn them. You can arrive in Thailand with none of the above, but then I strongly suggest taking a motorcycle course in Thailand and possibly as a result of that get a Thai motorcycle license or go to the Land Transport Office to get your motorcycle license. I like this website for explaining the process of getting a motorcycle license in Thailand:https://motogirlthailand.com/riding-thailand/ 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kwasaki Posted October 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2021 43 minutes ago, wwest5829 said: Getting the International License can help but it will show what you are licensed to drive in your home state. I came with a Kentucky Driver’s License but for a car so AAA could not endorse for a motorcycle (motorbike). IDP you mean. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Triangle Posted October 23, 2021 Share Posted October 23, 2021 (edited) Has the OP read this thread yet ? You might change your mind about riding a motorcycle when you have. Thai roads are deathtraps to motorcyclists, says campaigner: Spend 15 billion a year to save 7,500 lives Rate this topic Edited October 23, 2021 by metisdead Oversize font reset to normal. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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