Cars, Jeeps, Bikes And The Like

[tripperj]

What sort of doc's will i need to rent a car jeep or m bike in samui. I have a full UK drivers licence, but our wonderful local constabulary caought me speeding and lost said licence, i won't have a replacement before i leave for LOS. Will i still be able to rent a vehical???????

[LaoPo]

What sort of doc's will i need to rent a car jeep or m bike in samui. I have a full UK drivers licence, but our wonderful local constabulary caought me speeding and lost said licence, i won't have a replacement before i leave for LOS. Will i still be able to rent a vehical???????

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm afraid not, since they all ask for your drivers' license and in many cases they also want to keep it (or your passport) in case you don't return or in the case of damage...to the vehicle.

LaoPo

[SEAtramp]

I can only reply with your motorbike question. I have never been asked for a driving licence, passport was all they ever required.

[jaidam]

I let my UK driving licence expire 3 years ago and have rented jeeps a few times since in Samui.No problem,they never even asked if I had one.

Maybe you need to leave your passport or cash as a deposit though.

[LaoPo]

I let my UK driving licence expire 3 years ago and have rented jeeps a few times since in Samui.No problem,they never even asked if I had one.

Maybe you need to leave your passport or cash as a deposit though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And what if you have an accident...your fault or not?

LaoPo

[IreMark]

Hey.

Don't worry about driving license. Just let them hold onto your passport until you return the bike, it's no problem at all. I have never been stopped by police either so I don't think it will be a problem at all.

Regards,

Mark.

[tripperj]

Hey.

Don't worry about driving license. Just let them hold onto your passport until you return the bike, it's no problem at all. I have never been stopped by police either so I don't think it will be a problem at all.

Regards,

Mark.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

glad to hear it, i wana rent a jeep and tour the island my self, was i abit worried i wouldn't be able to rent one.

Thanks

[LaoPo]

Hey.

Don't worry about driving license. Just let them hold onto your passport until you return the bike, it's no problem at all. I have never been stopped by police either so I don't think it will be a problem at all.

Regards,

Mark.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

glad to hear it, i wana rent a jeep and tour the island my self, was i abit worried i wouldn't be able to rent one.

Thanks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, but this is rubbish!

I want to make a bet with any of you who can rent a Jeep WITHOUT a drivers' license!

And, apart from that it would be ridiculous and absurd from any of the rental companies to rent out a car/jeep without a drivers' license; it's against the law my friend!

If someone hasn't ever been stopped, doesn't say it can't happen today, and, as I said before: what IF you have an accident, your fault or not? I don't want to be in your shoes at the policestation (or worse...in jail )

DON'T DO IT!

LaoPo

[Rooo]

I witnessed , a young swedish boy of no more then 14 riding on a motorbike on the ring road.This is the second occasion I witnessed under age Farangs on motorbikes.I know it's the norm with Thai's.

So what irresponsible adult will let their kids ride a motorbike on this island .

Yes mum & dad were riding their own , so someone just rented them the bikes

No ploblemmmmmmm.

So I am positive you can rent ajeep without a licence.

[simey]

In thailand almost anything is possible, and the chance that the guy you rent the jeep from would know the difference between a driving licence and a diving licence (before you scorn I used that trick to get a mobile phone in Bahrain) is low. The problem comes if you have an accident, but then it will be your fault anyway.

And tripper, do me a favour. If you want to quote one of my favourite authors, please spell his name correctly!

[Boo]

sorry LaoPo but I lived in samui for 7 years & the only time I was ever asked for a licence was when I rented from budet. to the op, nearly every local renter will require your passport & if you have an accident or damage the vehicle will keep it until you pay the costs, so although it IS illigal, it IS done & by pretty much all thai renters on the island. Personally I wouldnt leave my passport with anyone but some renters will be happy to take a photocopy once they have seent he original & they are usually the ones who provide insurance , be warned, not all do

[LaoPo]

sorry LaoPo but I lived in samui for 7 years & the only time I was ever asked for a licence was when I rented from budet. to the op, nearly every local renter will require your passport & if you have an accident or damage the vehicle will keep it until you pay the costs, so although it IS illigal, it IS done & by pretty much all thai renters on the island. Personally I wouldnt leave my passport with anyone but  some renters will be happy to take a photocopy once they have seent he original & they are usually the ones who provide insurance , be warned, not all do

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, funny....and the insurance company will pay out to someone without a drivers' license?

I thought there were more responsible posters here; instead they tell the newcoming tourist...Oh NO PROBLEM..you can rent a car without a drivers' license.

Why advise such a stupid tourist to do so?

If he can't drive in his own country because they took his license, WHY advise him to do so in Thailand?

What do you tell him when he has an accident with YOU, your loved-one, or one of your children, maybe a Thai child?

Are you still happy to tell him do drive without a license?

LaoPo

[Boo]

I'm not questionioning the morality of it just stating that it is possible & frequently happens but it would be interesting to know how many thais are driving around with a licence or insurance wouldn't it??

[LaoPo]

I'm not questionioning the morality of it just stating that it is possible & frequently happens but it would be interesting to know how many thais are driving around with a licence or insurance wouldn't it??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The question did not come from a Thai....but tourist.

And, YES, you SHOULD question yourself about your morality, giving this kind of advise and thus putting people in danger, also the danger of ending up in jail.

LaoPo

[Boo]

LaoPo I really don't need you to tell me what to moralise over,esp as you seem to be unbothered by thai people breaking the law. It is illigal for all people to drive in the kingdom without a license (as I previously said) but many people do it anyway. The op aksed if it was possible, I said it was, you on the other hand stated quite strongly that it wasn't possible & this was a lie.

Regardless of whether it is a foreigner or a thai doing it, it is still wrong but from reading your posts you seem to think that thais doing it make it forgivable. What, do they not kill people, run over thai children???

I personally,have always had a driving license in the kingdom but have never been asked for it by local THAI renters.

[bino]

Hey.

Don't worry about driving license. Just let them hold onto your passport until you return the bike, it's no problem at all. I have never been stopped by police either so I don't think it will be a problem at all.

Regards,

Mark.

glad to hear it, i wana rent a jeep and tour the island my self, was i abit worried i wouldn't be able to rent one.

Thanks

Sorry, but this is rubbish!

I want to make a bet with any of you who can rent a Jeep WITHOUT a drivers' license!

LaoPo

Lao Po-

IreMark referred to renting a bike in his reply- not a jeep. Apples and oranges. Oddly enough, motorcycles don't require any insurance in Thailand. See more in my comment below.

sorry LaoPo but I lived in samui for 7 years & the only time I was ever asked for a licence was when I rented from budet. to the op, nearly every local renter will require your passport & if you have an accident or damage the vehicle will keep it until you pay the costs, so although it IS illigal, it IS done & by pretty much all thai renters on the island. Personally I wouldnt leave my passport with anyone but  some renters will be happy to take a photocopy once they have seent he original & they are usually the ones who provide insurance , be warned, not all do

Yeah, funny....and the insurance company will pay out to someone without a drivers' license?

LaoPo

Boo is quite correct- most Thai rental companies cleverly word their contracts to make the renter liable under all circumstances, whether the insurance company pays or not. The renter also has to keep on paying the daily rate until the repairs are complete and the vehicle is returned to service, or the vehicle is replaced in the event of a total loss.

In light of this- the Thai companies are quite willing to take your money as all risk lies with the renter in any circumstance. In fact they probably make out on accidents because they keep a vehicle rented for a protracted period.

Ultimately though you are right- it is an incredible chance to take by renting from a Thai company under these terms, especially if the unthinkable / impossible happens and you accidentally kill someone. (Happening every minute every day somewhere in the world.)

Even though it is possible to rent a vehicle without a licence, the sane advice to give a tourist would be to get a licence, avoid the Thai backyard rental companies with flaky contracts and rent from Budget or a similar worldwide / respected company who offer first class insurance and a damage deductible waiver.

My 2 cents worth.

[LaoPo]

you seem to think that thais doing it make it forgivable. What, do they not kill people, run over thai children???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Huh.....???

I seem to think so.....??? What make you think so?

LaoPo

[tripperj]

In thailand almost anything is possible, and the chance that the guy you rent the jeep from would know the difference between a driving licence and a diving licence (before you scorn I used that trick to get a mobile phone in Bahrain) is low. The problem comes if you have an accident, but then it will be your fault anyway.

And tripper, do me a favour. If you want to quote one of my favourite authors, please spell his name correctly!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Seplling nevre wus me strogn piont!!!!!

[tripperj]

sorry LaoPo but I lived in samui for 7 years & the only time I was ever asked for a licence was when I rented from budet. to the op, nearly every local renter will require your passport & if you have an accident or damage the vehicle will keep it until you pay the costs, so although it IS illigal, it IS done & by pretty much all thai renters on the island. Personally I wouldnt leave my passport with anyone but  some renters will be happy to take a photocopy once they have seent he original & they are usually the ones who provide insurance , be warned, not all do

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, funny....and the insurance company will pay out to someone without a drivers' license?

I thought there were more responsible posters here; instead they tell the newcoming tourist...Oh NO PROBLEM..you can rent a car without a drivers' license.

Why advise such a stupid tourist to do so?

If he can't drive in his own country because they took his license, WHY advise him to do so in Thailand?

What do you tell him when he has an accident with YOU, your loved-one, or one of your children, maybe a Thai child?

Are you still happy to tell him do drive without a license?

LaoPo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with you, it would be crazy to rent to some one with no license. But i Have a full UK license, i just don't have a copy. I am fully legal to drive in UK. The police took my license to endorse it with 3 points for doing 35 mph in a 30mph limit zone and they lost it!!!!! So i need to get a copy from the DVLNI.I don't drink, take drugs and am a careful driver. I was just wondering if a COPY of my license was required, because it will 2 months before i can get one from the DVLNI.

And also LaoPo, i appericate your concern for poorly given advicve, but there is no need be insulting. Yes i am a tourist does this automaticly make me stupid? Nor have i ever been involed in an accident and am no more likely to be so, than anyone else, Thai, ex pat or "stupid" tourist, so why should i not rent a car jeep ect...

Tripper j

Edited May 17, 2005 by tripperj

[tripperj]

sorry LaoPo but I lived in samui for 7 years & the only time I was ever asked for a licence was when I rented from budet. to the op, nearly every local renter will require your passport & if you have an accident or damage the vehicle will keep it until you pay the costs, so although it IS illigal, it IS done & by pretty much all thai renters on the island. Personally I wouldnt leave my passport with anyone but  some renters will be happy to take a photocopy once they have seent he original & they are usually the ones who provide insurance , be warned, not all do

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, funny....and the insurance company will pay out to someone without a drivers' license?

I thought there were more responsible posters here; instead they tell the newcoming tourist...Oh NO PROBLEM..you can rent a car without a drivers' license.

Why advise such a stupid tourist to do so?

If he can't drive in his own country because they took his license, WHY advise him to do so in Thailand?

What do you tell him when he has an accident with YOU, your loved-one, or one of your children, maybe a Thai child?

Are you still happy to tell him do drive without a license?

I agree with you, it would be crazy to rent to some one with no license. But i Have a full UK license, i just don't have a copy. I am fully legal to drive in UK. The police took my license to endorse it with 3 points for doing 35 mph in a 30mph limit zone and they lost it!!!!! So i need to get a copy from the DVLNI.I don't drink, take drugs and am a careful driver. I was just wondering if a COPY of my license was required, because it will 2 months before i can get one from the DVLNI.

And also LaoPo, i appericate your concern for poorly given advicve, but there is no need be insulting. Yes i am a tourist does this automaticly make me stupid? Nor have i ever been involed in an accident and am no more likely to be so, than anyone else, Thai, ex pat or "stupid" tourist.

Tripper j

Edited May 17, 2005 by tripperj

[bino]

I agree with you, it would be crazy to rent to some one with no license. But i Have a full UK license, i just don't have a copy. I am fully legal to drive in UK. The police took my license to endorse it with 3 points for doing 35 mph in a 30mph limit zone and they lost it!!!!! So i need to get a copy from the DVLNI.I don't drink, take drugs and am a careful driver. I was just wondering if a COPY of my license was required, because it will 2 months before i can get one from the DVLNI.

I'm not sure what DVLNI stands for (Department of Vehicle Licensing....?) but I assume they are the same as DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) at home or Land Transport Department in Thailand.

I went to the DMV on a trip home a while ago. My license had been expired for 3 years, and lost somehere in the Virgin Islands. I identified myself and gave them my mother's maiden name (ID Code word) and they sorted me out with a temporary paper license on the spot. Took about 10 minutes at the counter. My permanent photo card arrived in the mail 3 days later.

I lost that license along with my wallet on a drunken evening in Pattaya. After doing a little due dilligence on this website, some phone calls and a trip to the hospital for a medical report I was able to go to the Thai Land Transport department and get a Thai license. I did the physical tests, watched the video, written test and road test in one day. Walked out with a photo license.

My question / point is... does it really take 2 months to get a copy of a license in England?? Is this DVLNI really so f*cked up that even Thailand is more efficient?

I'm having a tough time believing that.

Edited May 17, 2005 by bino

[tripperj]

I agree with you, it would be crazy to rent to some one with no license. But i Have a full UK license, i just don't have a copy. I am fully legal to drive in UK. The police took my license to endorse it with 3 points for doing 35 mph in a 30mph limit zone and they lost it!!!!! So i need to get a copy from the DVLNI.I don't drink, take drugs and am a careful driver. I was just wondering if a COPY of my license was required, because it will 2 months before i can get one from the DVLNI.

My question / point is... does it really take 2 months to get a copy of a license in England?? Is this DVLNI really so f*cked up that even Thailand is more efficient?

I'm having a tough time believing that.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

DVLNI (driver and vehical licenseing Northern Ireland) are really this inefficent. Here in Northern ireland we have a population of 1.5 million people, and have more cival serveants than london has!!! I have been to their office with all the appreprate doc's waited 4 hours to see some one only to be told that i had to post in the doc's and it would take at least 2 months to process!!!! The rest of the UK is not like this i think, but here in our lovlely little provence we like to spend as much of the british tax payers money on useless and pointless bureaucracy.

Tripper j

Edited May 18, 2005 by tripperj

[robsamui]

There seems to be a lot of tension in this thread!

I've been living non-stop on Samui for the last 8 years. In this time I have rented jeeps perhaps 10 or 12 times, and motorbikes 6 or 7 times.

I have NEVER been asked to show a licence. Ever.

I own a jeep myself, and have done for the last 4 years. I have had 2 accidents in it. On both occasions the police didn't ask for my licence.

Remember, 99.9% of rentals are from local people...I'm not even sure if Budget or Avis are on the island, although I HAVE seen their adverts in local rags. Local Thai people who are renting vehicles are not interested in licences. They will want to keep your passport for the duration of the rental...that's all.

And yes...if you have an accident, there is a very high chance the police will insist that you pay something, whether it's your fault or not, and it will happen either on the spot or at the police station.

It's all aprt of the game here on samui!

Rob

[taxexile]

I've been living non-stop on Samui for the last 8 years.........

...I'm not even sure if Budget or Avis are on the island.

you should try to get out a bit more !!

[bino]

I've been living non-stop on Samui for the last 8 years.........

...I'm not even sure if Budget or Avis are on the island.

you should try to get out a bit more !!

Too right Tax.... Budget is at the airport! Guess he doesn't get there or anywhere else too often!

[robsamui]

If I've been living here non stop for 8 years, why would I want to go to the airport?

[Boatabike]

Actually if you do go to the airport i believe you can rent a plane by just showing your passport, no licence needed. If you feel a bit unsure about renting a plane, if u have never flown b4, i suggest you choose a small one and leave the 747 till the 2nd or 3rd try. Wouldn't want to end up killing a plane load of self rightous buggers or stupid tourists now would you.

[tripperj]

Actually if you do go to the airport i believe you can rent a plane by just showing your passport, no licence needed. If you feel a bit unsure about renting a plane, if u have never flown b4, i suggest you choose a small one and leave the 747 till the 2nd or 3rd try. Wouldn't want to end up killing a plane load of self rightous buggers or stupid tourists now would you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOL

[sureerat9]

have had a jeep in samui several times never asked for my

licence

[LaoPo]

have had a jeep in samui several times never asked for my

licence 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you sure it was a jeep and not a 747?

LaoPo