What Do I Need To Get A Thai Motorbike Drivers Licence

[Tyke]

Hi,

I want a Thai motorbike drivers licence and already have a 5-year car drivers licence for Thailand - can anyone tell me what documents/tests etc I need to get one? I live in BKK and Pattaya, so could go to either office if one is preferred.

[ardsong]

Hi,

I want a Thai motorbike drivers licence and already have a 5-year car drivers licence for Thailand - can anyone tell me what documents/tests etc I need to get one? I live in BKK and Pattaya, so could go to either office if one is preferred.

considering the many bike accidents in Thailand, you better think twice before mounting a bike..

I see that you have a 5-year car drivers licence. I had that before, but when I came last Jan, to renew, the office told me that the 5-year is not possible for farang and last time there was made a mistake.

so now have the 1-year driving licence again, though the new version is a credit card sized plastic card.

Anybody have experience with a 5-year car driving licence??

[submaniac]

This probably should be in the motorcycle forum...and it has been answered before there. But it is not hard to get a motorcycle license in Thailand. Since you have a driver's license, you know the basic procedures and how to deal with the Land Transportation bureau. If you have a motorcycle license in another country, or better yet, an international license with motorcycle endorsement, you can just go and they will honor it and give you a motorcycle license. For certain they will honor an international motorcycle license because when I went there all I had to do was take the color vision test, and the reflex tests. If you have no motorcycle license in another country or international license, you will need to take the test. It is very simple, and all you have to do is ride around some cones.

[Rdrokit]

Never heard that about no 5 year license to farangs. I just got my 5 year car and motorbike licenses here in Korat. I did get my original 1 year bike and car license in Pattaya. Since I did not have motorbike designation on my international license they made me take the written test even though they gave me a Thai car license without written test.. Not hard as it is given in English and if you fail (the computer gives you the correct answers you missed at the end of the test) they let you take it over again. My friend took it 4 times before he passed. Then you will have to drive a motorbike over a short course. They let all the farangs go together in single file when I took mine. If you do not have a bike they will rent you one for the test. Good Luck.

[Tyke]

Never heard that about no 5 year license to farangs. I just got my 5 year car and motorbike licenses here in Korat. I did get my original 1 year bike and car license in Pattaya. Since I did not have motorbike designation on my international license they made me take the written test even though they gave me a Thai car license without written test.. Not hard as it is given in English and if you fail (the computer gives you the correct answers you missed at the end of the test) they let you take it over again. My friend took it 4 times before he passed. Then you will have to drive a motorbike over a short course. They let all the farangs go together in single file when I took mine. If you do not have a bike they will rent you one for the test. Good Luck.

Thanks for this. I got the following info from the registration website - but it says the test is in Thai. I wonder if it depends on which office you go to. I could go to Bangkok or Pattaya - but do you have to go to the office where your main residence is? Does this also apply to getting proof of residence? Anyone got their motorBIKE licence in either of these 2 places and had to take a test?

<H3 style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 120%; COLOR: rgb(217,103,38); LINE-HEIGHT: 100%; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thai driving license </H3>

The following are required to make the application :

1. Passport with valid Non-immigrant Visa. (Individuals with a Tourist Visa don't qualify)

2. Present residence address certified by embassy or Immigration Bureau

3. Medical certificate stating good health

4. 2 photographs Driving License of the respective country Application in person.

Fee : 105 baht for cars and 55 baht for motorcycle. Applications for driving licenses for other forms of vehicle may not be granted.

<H4 style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 110%; LINE-HEIGHT: 100%; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Procedures

</H4>

1. Fill in the application form (issued in Thai language only) and attach the required documentary evidence as indicated above.

2. Join a class for instruction on the laws related to driving and how to drive safely in Thailand. The class is for two hours (two classes are held daily, Monday to Friday, at 09:00 and 13:30) at the Department of Land Transport in Bangkok or at the provincial Transport Office. Foreigners unable to speak Thai should arrange for a Thai friend to accompany them to provide interpretation. Outside Bangkok, details of classes should be requested from the Transport Office of the province where the applicant is residing.

3. Take a test for colour blindness.

4. Take a written test (in Thai language only) on the rules of driving (see Note 1 below).

5. Take the driving test (see Note 1 below).

6. Pay the licence fee and wait for the licence.

You must be 18 years old to drive car in Thailand.

There is separate diving licences for car and motorbike.

A Thai driving license is valid in the following countries: Obtaining a Thai driving license may be an advantage if you do not have an International Driving License and plan to drive in the following countries with a Tourist Visa.

• Singapore
  
• Malaysia
  
• Laos
  

The licnese is valid for 1 year. Thais and foreignees holding of Thai residency permits are allowed long-term licences for life after three years with yearly license.

The lifelong licenses will not be issued after May, 2003.

<H4 style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 110%; LINE-HEIGHT: 100%; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma, Helvetica, sans-serif">Where to apply?</H4>

International Driver's License

If you would like to apply for an International Driver's License you have to provide the following documents:

1. Passport with Non-immigrant Visa Present

2. a letter of current residence certified by an Embassy of your Country.

3. * Thai Driver's License (Private Motor Car). If you don't have a Thai Driver's licence please refer to the previous instructions on getting a Thai driver's license.

4. 2 Photos, 2 X 2 Inches

5. Fee 505 Baht

* Not Required

Hours of Operation: M - F, 8:30AM - 12:00AM, 1:00PM - 4:30PM Applications will be accepted daily until 3:30PM

Tel : 272-3615, 272-5416, 272-5322

See this would be helpful too

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Applying-1-a...42#entry2225142

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?au...;showentry=1758