I am planning to get Thai driving licenses for both cars and motorcycles.

I am currently holding a Swiss license for cars and motorcycles up to 125cc.

My international driving permit shows category A (motorcycles allowed), but there is a footnote saying up to 125cc only.

Question: will I have to take a theory and driving test to get the Thai motorcycle license?

I will be applying in Pattaya.

Officially: yes, test and theory. In real life: who knows.

If your license is in English and valid if you take it down to the Office in Pattaya, they should just issue you a new 1 year license for both car and motorbike (1 for each) after a eye test. Take your license, not your International Permit. It also helps to have a Thai speaker with you just to make thing smoother. You will also need your passport and a letter of residence from innigration of were your living. A work permit or Yellow book also works.

In 1 year you can renew to a 5 year license

If your license is in English and valid if you take it down to the Office in Pattaya, they should just issue you a new 1 year license for both car and motorbike (1 for each) after a eye test.

Since he does not have a valid license for motorbikes they should not.

I'm not sure, but isn't the Swiss license non-English? If so, take an international one, will save you, at least for the car and maybe for the bike, the exam.

My motorbike endorsement up to 125cc was not enough for the Thai motorbike licence, only the car. So I drove around in a circle on a 110cc auto scooter, sat the theory test and was OK for big bikes.

Thanks for the replies.

Maybe I can talk myself through... show them my Swiss license (in German), and then show them the international permit, saying that's the translation in English. The IDP just says cat A permitted, the footnote is difficult to see.

Fingers crossed!

Thanks for the replies.

Maybe I can talk myself through... show them my Swiss license (in German), and then show them the international permit, saying that's the translation in English. The IDP just says cat A permitted, the footnote is difficult to see.

Fingers crossed!

Yes, good luck, it might work. Worst case is you'll have to do the practical and theory exam.

I just came back from applying for the licenses.

It was totally painless, they don't look thoroughly at the original licenses or the footnotes.

Categories A and B on the international permit were good enough and I only had to take the color, depth of field vision and reaction tests before my car and motorcycle licenses were issued.

In at 10:00, out at 11:00, about 360 baht, but the receipts say 105 baht and 55 baht... Mai bpen rai

:-)