License Issues For Longer Stay Tourists Owning Scooters

[freedomnow]

Would a UK license converted to international be enough for driving on roads here longer term ?

I just read short-term tourists are maybe OK with an international license but after 90-days you are not good for road legality ? Do visa runs reset the clock on that 90-day rule (I doubt it) ?

Would an int. license hold up for fully comp. insurance if I had an accident on a scooter ?

If not, is there any kind of comprehensive cover that can be bought internationally as part of medical insurance ?

It seems I'm in a catch-22 as a longer-stay tourist now, being unable to apply for the regular Thai license.

[thaicbr]

Why can't you apply?

Just go on down to the local land transport office with your UK license and international permit and they will give you a Thai license. You will also need doctor certificate and passport copies. It's easy.

Also the system mirrors the permissible time that the UK gives Thai driving license holders which is 12mths in the UK. You can drive here for 12mths on a UK license but it is loads easier with a Thai license.

[freedomnow]

Really, I thought it was only immigrant O that could get a Thai license ?

[johng]

I got mine on a Tourist visa ( Pattaya )

[thaicbr]

Really, I thought it was only immigrant O that could get a Thai license ?

As long as your on a visa (3mth+) not just the entry permit (30day) then it should be no problem.

[hansnl]

International conventions limit the validity of a foreign license to 45 days only.

If coupled to an International license, and you are a tourist, still valid for 45 days

If you are a resident in a country the combi, officially, is valid for one year.

But there are insurance issues.

To be on the safe side, get the Thai license.

[thaicbr]

International conventions limit the validity of a foreign license to 45 days only.

If coupled to an International license, and you are a tourist, still valid for 45 days

If you are a resident in a country the combi, officially, is valid for one year.

But there are insurance issues.

To be on the safe side, get the Thai license.

So I presume a resident means NOT staying in a hotel.

[TommoPhysicist]

Any Visa will do, including 60 day tourist VISA (you have to pay for a VISA).

Any address will do, if at a hotel, just omit the hotel name from your address.

They don't check.

[freedomnow]

Brilliant. Thought it was impossible as a tourista...thanks !

[freedomnow]

Just a quick question about the documents you present for Thai license....do you need the license from back home AND an international license ?

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

Just a quick question about the documents you present for Thai license....do you need the license from back home AND an international license ?

If you don't have an International Drivers Permit (not a licence), you will have to do the driving test. But I have never done that so don't know what it involves. If you have an IDP, you just have to do the four vision and reaction tests and walk out with your new (car and/or motorcycle) licence, which then validates your local insurance.

[TommoPhysicist]

Just a quick question about the documents you present for Thai license....do you need the license from back home AND an international license ?

If you don't have an International Drivers Permit (not a licence), you will have to do the driving test. But I have never done that so don't know what it involves. If you have an IDP, you just have to do the four vision and reaction tests and walk out with your new (car and/or motorcycle) licence, which then validates your local insurance.

Wrong.

Any license in English will do, it does need to state what any code letters mean, or you can provide a printout from your countries website.

[johng]

I just showed them my UK drivers licence it was fine for the car and just had to do the vision and reaction tests

but for the motorbike I had to do the whole kaboodle ( because of no motorcycle entitlement on my UK licence )

The hardest part is getting the computer generated multiple choice questions right...lots of them just don't make sense

or there are multiple wrong/write answers, ( looking back in hindsight) it seemed to me that the computer asked again

the ones I got wrong

so look out for that if you answer the same question again then you only have five more incorect answers and you fail.

they will let you do the test again once more that day and if like me you fail again then you'll have to come back another day.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

Just a quick question about the documents you present for Thai license....do you need the license from back home AND an international license ?

If you don't have an International Drivers Permit (not a licence), you will have to do the driving test. But I have never done that so don't know what it involves. If you have an IDP, you just have to do the four vision and reaction tests and walk out with your new (car and/or motorcycle) licence, which then validates your local insurance.

Wrong.

Any license in English will do, it does need to state what any code letters mean, or you can provide a printout from your countries website.

When I got my 1-year temporary licence in late 2010, Thaivisa thread posts said and DLT at Sukhumvit soi 99 confirmed I required the IDP to bypass the driving test. I remember having to photocopy at least two pages of my Canadian IDP and submit them. Maybe the requirement depended on whether it was a lucky day.

[JusMe]

I just showed them my UK drivers licence it was fine for the car and just had to do the vision and reaction tests

but for the motorbike I had to do the whole kaboodle ( because of no motorcycle entitlement on my UK licence )

Interesting. When I got my Thai motorbike license, I just showed them my Canadian car driver's license (which is different from the Canadian motorbike license), and all I had to do was the reaction and colour tests. Haven't got a Thai car license, so can't comment going that way.

[johng]

Yes "interesting" ( I would say pain in the rear )

half the time they don't seem to know the rules and the other half they don't follow them or make up some new ones as they go along.

[freedomnow]

Hi, I'd just like to post on this thread again as I'm not sure if an IDP would cover me for driving a scooter ?

I have a UK license for driving a car and I never took any kind of scooter test while in UK.

I think I only have provisional permission to drive a scooter under the car license...

If I apply via the RAC/AA in UK and get an IDP will that permit only be for cars ?

Do I still need the IDP to go and do the driving test for scooters, so should just get it anyway ?

[Tim16]

I was refused had International DP, doctors certificate, but they also wanted residence certificate.

[freedomnow]

I was refused had International DP, doctors certificate, but they also wanted residence certificate.

Yes, I know that varies with where and who you talk to regarding getting the Thai license but my main worry was whether my UK license would extend to cover using a scooter with IDP provisionally until I find a way to get a Thai license.

[johng]

When I got an IDP from the AA a few years ago they stamped entitlement for car and motorcycle even though I dont have a UK motorcycle licence except for the 50cc moped catagory entitlement that was done away with

in the 90s ( I think ?? )

If you have an IDP stamped with motorcycle entitlement you shouldn't have any trouble at police stops or at the DLV

converting the licence without doing the whole kaboodle.

I would apply for an IDP and hope they stamp the car and motorcycle entitlement...its useful at the police stops before you get the Thai licences.

[johng]

The actual driving test for a bike is really very easy...its the multiple choice computer generated questions that got me.

[freedomnow]

When I got an IDP from the AA a few years ago they stamped entitlement for car and motorcycle even though I dont have a UK motorcycle licence except for the 50cc moped catagory entitlement that was done away with

in the 90s ( I think ?? )

If you have an IDP stamped with motorcycle entitlement you shouldn't have any trouble at police stops or at the DLV

converting the licence without doing the whole kaboodle.

I would apply for an IDP and hope they stamp the car and motorcycle entitlement...its useful at the police stops before you get the Thai licences.

I hope that will be the case with entitlement for scooters as well. Then I will have to see how it goes with trying to get Thai license....one day they can say no, next day yes.

[stevenl]

When I got an IDP from the AA a few years ago they stamped entitlement for car and motorcycle even though I dont have a UK motorcycle licence except for the 50cc moped catagory entitlement that was done away with

in the 90s ( I think ?? )

If you have an IDP stamped with motorcycle entitlement you shouldn't have any trouble at police stops or at the DLV

converting the licence without doing the whole kaboodle.

I would apply for an IDP and hope they stamp the car and motorcycle entitlement...its useful at the police stops before you get the Thai licences.

I hope that will be the case with entitlement for scooters as well. Then I will have to see how it goes with trying to get Thai license....one day they can say no, next day yes.

Officially: the IDP needs to be accompanied by the home license, and is only valid for the categories on the home license.

You have a car license with an endorsement for small motorbikes. In Thailand such an endorsement does not exist, only a full motorbike license. This implies that your endorsement here has no legal value.

DL offices though are known to give motorbike licenses to people who have this endorsement.

[stevenl]

I was refused had International DP, doctors certificate, but they also wanted residence certificate.

Yes, I know that varies with where and who you talk to regarding getting the Thai license but my main worry was whether my UK license would extend to cover using a scooter with IDP provisionally until I find a way to get a Thai license.

You may get away with it on police checkpoints, but not legally. So in case of an accident you could be in big problems since you'll be driving without valid DL.

[Ace of Pop]

If you ride a Mocyc. why want a longstay,SPLODGE, you gone

[Tim16]

Royal Thai Consulate

Priory Court Saxon Way Priory Park West Hessle HULL HU13 9PB

Tel: 01482 581668 Fax: 01482 628877

DRIVING IN THAILAND

Driving Licence Requirements

An International Driving Licence is required for most foreign persons wishing to drive in Thailand and must be accompanied by the Driving Licence issued to them in their country of nationality or residence. A foreigner is allowed to drive in Thailand for up to 6 months on an International Driving Licence after which they must obtain a Thai Driving Licence. The holder of a UK driving licence can apply for an International Driving Licence IDP 1949 through the “AA” and you can download an application form from their website www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/motidp002.html. A Thai Driving Licence can be obtained at the Thailand Transportation Department in Bangkok only if you possess a valid International Driving Licence which has been issued in the country of your nationality.

To apply for a Thai Driving Licence it is necessary to provide the following:-

a) Passport with valid Non-immigrant Visa. Please note it is not possible to obtain a Thai Driving Licence with a Tourist Visa

Residence address in Thailand certified by the British Embassy in Bangkok or by the Thai Immigration Office in the area you are staying

c) Medical Certificate stating good health, obtainable from a GP in Thailand

d) Two recent passport size photographse)

Driving Licence of country of nationality / residence

f) Fee: Baht 105 for cars and Baht 55 for motorcycles (subject to change without notice)

Applying for a Thai Driving Licence must be made in person. Foreigners unable to speak Thai are advised to arrange for a Thai friend to accompany them to provide interpretation. Fill in the application form (issued in Thai language only) and attach the required documentary evidence as indicated above. Join a class for instruction on the laws related to driving and how to drive safely in Thailand - the class is for two hours. Take a test for colour blindness. Take a written test (in Thai language only) on the rules of driving (see Note 1 below). Take the driving test (see Note 1 below). Pay the licence fee and wait for the licence. You must be at least 18 years old to drive a car in Thailand. There are separate driving licences for cars and motorcycles. The Thai Driving Licence is valid for one year.

[stevenl]

As usual incorrect information from Thai embassies/consulates.