Getting a Motorcycle licence as a tourist

[ray767]

Good day dear readers, Soon I will be backpacking in Thailand for the first time, and I would also like to get my motorcycle license. My goal is to get it and be allowed to drive back in the Netherlands for 180 days (I can definitely drive in traffic). Now I have read that it takes about 2 days to achieve this with all the correct papers. In principle an okay deal, but as a traveler I am not familiar with all the papers required (proof of residence etc) and I feel that it makes no difference to the authorities if you can pay. My question is how can I get a valid motorcycle license in Thailand as soon as possible, shorter than 2 days. Costs don't matter. Regards.

[JayClay]

On a tourist visa you can only get a 2-year licence, not a 5 year one.

 

I seem to recall that the 2 year license is classed as a "temporary" licence. I don't know if this will have any impact on your plans to use it in the Netherlands or not.

[richard_smith237]

10 minutes ago, JayClay said:

On a tourist visa you can only get a 2-year licence, not a 5 year one.

 

I seem to recall that the 2 year license is classed as a "temporary" licence. I don't know if this will have any impact on your plans to use it in the Netherlands or not.

Two points to address: 

 

#1: ray767 needs to first obtain the paperwork to secure a 2 year Temp Thai motorcycle licence - to do this he needs to get either (a) an 'Affirmation of Address' letter from his Embassy or (b) a 'Certificate or Residence' from Immigration. 

 

For (a) his Embassy may or may not issue this letter with a Tourist Visa or visa exempt (i.e. the UK Embassy will only issue such a document to long term visa holders i.e. Non-Imm Visa holders).

For (b) Immigration may or may not issue this letter (without having done a 90 day report - i.e. Chiang Mai Immigration reportedly will others need a 90 day report before they’ll issue the letter which means staying in county for at least 90 days). 

 

 

#2: A Thai Driving Licence is first issued as a 2 Year Temporary Licence, then after 2 years upgraded to a 5 Year Licence - An IDP can only be obtained with a 5 year Licence. 

 

The question is thus: Will the Netherlands accept a 2 Year Temporary Thai Motorcycle Licence (without and IDP) ???

[RetroGTAndrew]

I've been coming to Thailand once or twice a year for >20 years and driving here for the last 15 or so years, so out of interest this year I thought I'd make a concerted effort to try and get a Thai driving licence to save keep getting international driving permits.

I tried at BangPu (SamutPrakan) land trasnsport office when we went to renew the car tax earlier this month, and was ushered in for a chat with the boss who presented me with a printed slip in Thai & English detailing the requirements for a licence.

 

1: Signed copies of passport bio and latest entry/visa pages. Easy enough to do.

 

2: Certificate of address from immigration.

Went to immigration, however they were adamant that they can only issue residence certificate if you're on a long term visa and not my TR60 visa (obvious really as a tourist isn't a resident). I did an online TM30 on arrival but that didn't count.

 

3: Medical certificate. Should be straightforward enough, I still have a pulse!

 

Evidence of completing 1 hour DLT online eLearning. Easy enough if you can stay awake through some pretty banal rubbish and answer some easy questions.

 

Went back to DLT and asked the boss man 'if there was any other way' and his only suggestion was to get a residence certificate from the UK embassy, but on their website it specifically mentions that they only do them for long term visas.

 

So unless anybody has any suggestions for 'shortcuts' it looks like I've drawn a blank until I move here

 

Andrew

 

Edited April 24, 2023 by RetroGTAndrew
grammar

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, RetroGTAndrew said:

2: Certificate of address from immigration.

Went to immigration, however they were adamant that they can only issue residence certificate if you're on a long term visa and not my TR60 visa (obvious really as a tourist isn't a resident). I did an online TM30 on arrival but that didn't count.

This part is the biggest ‘stumbling block’ for many who are wanting a Thai DL. 

 

Getting this (Certificate of address from Immigration OR Affirmation of Residence from Embassy) and everything else is simple. 

[Pink Mist]

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