Thai Motorbike Driving License

[MattCinderey]

This should be interesting....

I was told 90% of the drivers on these roads don't have any license and was advised to get one straight away.

It turns out if you have an accident and it wasn't your fault (but you will most likely be blamed anyway because you're a farang...) and the other person doesn't have a license, then you have better chance of being in the clear.

I have a car/truck license but no bike license (I don't own a bike)

Just a tip - I also keep a disposable camera in my truck in case of an accident. If I was ever involved in one I would photograph the scene from every angle!

Matt.

[NHJ]

i must say i work by the book especially when it comes to things that give you responsabilities, among my friends, i'm the only one to have a proper driving license(i drive only motorbike btw)

[MattCinderey]

Hey NHJ, how's it going friend?... Long time no speak!

What is the procedure for getting a motorbike license here in Samui? Is it done at the testing station where you get your car license?

[PoorSucker]

Can you modify the poll with "I have a valid Thai driving license".

I have both MC and car Thai driving license for dive years.

[carmine]

Despite many peoples cynicism, if you do have a valid Thai driving license, in the case of an accident it DOES make a difference. It isn't really any big deal getting one and i would advise everyone to do so. Otherwise you are in a very precarious position, be you in the right or wrong

[motocrosser]

I have a five year motobike and a car license very easy to get and ive heard if you dont have have a thai license then your insurance is not valid!but i could be wrong.

[mcyachty]

Hi all,

I have 3 years left on my Aussie car and motorbike licence.

I have an International Licence issued by the NRMA in Sydney valid to 7th January 2011.

I was planning to get my Thai licence once my work permit is in my hand. Do you think this is neccesary or just wait till the International one expires?

[Rooo]

Hi all,

I have 3 years left on my Aussie car and motorbike licence.

I have an International Licence issued by the NRMA in Sydney valid to 7th January 2011.

I was planning to get my Thai licence once my work permit is in my hand. Do you think this is neccesary or just wait till the International one expires?

Even though your International licence has a year to go, that doesn't mean you can drive overseas for this period of time. I think every country has a time limit on the usage of such licence.

Believe me, insurance wise you are definitely better off getting your Thai licence.

Now back on topic of helmets.

[Tatsujin]

One of the first things I did when I got here was to obtain a Thai motorbike and car driving licence - admittedly it was a complete pain in the a$% at the time but well worth the effort in the long run if you are planning on staying here.

I drive a car pretty much every day and have been stopped on only a few occasions, and only twice had to pay a "fine" so far, and having the Thai Driving Licence for sure makes a difference on these occasions. It also helps to be polite, smile and NOT to speak Thai I've found!

As for the motorbike licence, invaluable! If you are a farang driving here on a bike, you stand out very easily and you will get stopped a lot. When I was riding my larger cc bike, I was stopped pretty much every day by the BIB, but NEVER had a fine. They just wanted to see the bike, sit on it and hear the Yoshimura straight through racing can making its noise! lol Give them a nice smile, be friendly, show the licence and it's all good.

Having the licences, makes other things easier also . . . cheap entry to the National Parks etc just to name one as it functions the same as a Thai National ID card. It also (I think) shows some small commitment on my part to do things the correct way.

Worth the time and effort to get them if anyone is thinking about it!

Tats

[carmine]

Hi all,

I have 3 years left on my Aussie car and motorbike licence.

I have an International Licence issued by the NRMA in Sydney valid to 7th January 2011.

I was planning to get my Thai licence once my work permit is in my hand. Do you think this is neccesary or just wait till the International one expires?

Even though your International licence has a year to go, that doesn't mean you can drive overseas for this period of time. I think every country has a time limit on the usage of such licence.

Believe me, insurance wise you are definitely better off getting your Thai licence.

Now back on topic of helmets.

Erm, i think the topic is about licenses Roo

[Rooo]

Hi all,

I have 3 years left on my Aussie car and motorbike licence.

I have an International Licence issued by the NRMA in Sydney valid to 7th January 2011.

I was planning to get my Thai licence once my work permit is in my hand. Do you think this is neccesary or just wait till the International one expires?

Even though your International licence has a year to go, that doesn't mean you can drive overseas for this period of time. I think every country has a time limit on the usage of such licence.

Believe me, insurance wise you are definitely better off getting your Thai licence.

Now back on topic of helmets.

Erm, i think the topic is about licenses Roo

oooooops

[QED]

Having the licences, makes other things easier also . . . cheap entry to the National Parks etc just to name one as it functions the same as a Thai National ID card. It also (I think) shows some small commitment on my part to do things the correct way.

Worth the time and effort to get them if anyone is thinking about it!

Tats

Agreed, on top of all the correct advice about insurance, police stops etc., there are many other benefits. You will pay Thai prices at most tourist orientated places, but the big one for me is that I can use it to check in for domestic flights and to check into hotels. As I do a fair bit of impromptu travelling around Thailand I am quite often without my passport, but I always have my licenses.

[MattCinderey]

Can anyone tell me what one needs to get the motorbike license here on Samui? I assume you get it at the same place the car license?

What is the procedure? Do you get 1 year or 5 year?

Matt.

[samuijimmy]

Roooo, must me having "senior moments" ..... like me, I forgot I voted on this yesterday!

Other than some of the reasons mentioned above... insurance, ..... blah blah...

Having a drivers licence is also useful as ID, at banks etc, not only does it have your "mug shot", it also has your passport number & your address on it... so if you get lost someone might be able to get you home ......

But more seriously, if you do have an accident this would be useful.... I wonder how many people do have some form of ID as to where they are living.... when they are out and about? & god forbid have an accident

Getting the initial one year Motor Bike licence was a bit of a run around, & doing a test..... That part was easy "Monkey see Monkey do" (Most of the Thai's had to do an all day thing, the "farangs" get their licence before lunch.... assuming you pass the easy test of course!)

Getting the 5 year licence is easier: Just pay 500 baht to immigration. with photo, for their form & get a letter from a doctor basically saying you are alive! & pay I think it was 300 baht to the DL people...(may have been less?) You walk out with you new licence....

Not having a car, I'm not sure about that process! Probably much the same, with more money...

Also for those who own their bikes, the 2553 sticker should be renewed... that was easy too, having a Honda, I just went to the Honda shop filled in the form. They said would come in three weeks... I would assume other dealers do the same.....?

[villagefarang]

Got both car and bike. Makes life much easier. I find they prefer the license to a passport much of the time. Easier for them to read.