Riding as a tourist.

[diyer]

What are the laws in Thailand for a tourist riding a bike.

I'm visiting for 3 weeks in October and have been offered the use of a bike to get about locally.

[robblok]

If you dont have a bike license in your home country then your not allowed to drive it unless you get one here. Usually on bikes the insurance is real low so keep some cash ready if you get into trouble and of course if you have no license insurance wont cover you anyway.

[diyer]

I've read conflicting reports on the requirements to drive a bike in Thailand, which is why I ask the question here.

I'm only talking about a scooter or such up to 125cc.

I'm from the UK and hold a full UK licence and a provisional licence for a bike.

I have been told;

1. I can drive for 60 days on my UK licence.

2. Another source stated I needed an International Driving permit

3. Another source stated the only documents a motorcycle rental company will uniformly insist on is CASH MONEY.

They will have little, or no interest in licences, international driving permits, or your current level of intoxication.

Can anyone tell me what the Thai law states in order to stay legal?

[thaicbr]

You need a bike license to stay legal in Thailand.... but then WHAT'S legal.

Sent from my phone with the app thingy.

[dogpoo]

You can hire and drive a 1000cc missile without any experience here, they are not bothered so long as you pay, driving license what's one of those for a lot of people, I and many others prefer to be legal but this is Thailand!!

[dogpoo]

What are the laws in Thailand for a tourist riding a bike.

I'm visiting for 3 weeks in October and have been offered the use of a bike to get about locally.

Come with an international driving licence, wear a crash helmet, don't drink and drive, do t go through red lights, don't drive the wrong way, that's about it, good luck and stay safe by keeping your speed down!!

[thaicbr]

What are the laws in Thailand for a tourist riding a bike.

I'm visiting for 3 weeks in October and have been offered the use of a bike to get about locally.

Come with an international driving licence, wear a crash helmet, don't drink and drive, do t go through red lights, don't drive the wrong way, that's about it, good luck and stay safe by keeping your speed down!!

And you STILL will not be LEGAL riding a bike. Tolerated but not legal

Dp's advice is reasonable though.

Sent from my phone with the app thingy.

[dogpoo]

What are the laws in Thailand for a tourist riding a bike.

I'm visiting for 3 weeks in October and have been offered the use of a bike to get about locally.

Come with an international driving licence, wear a crash helmet, don't drink and drive, do t go through red lights, don't drive the wrong way, that's about it, good luck and stay safe by keeping your speed down!!

And you STILL will not be LEGAL riding a bike. Tolerated but not legal

Dp's advice is reasonable though.

Sent from my phone with the app thingy.

Did I miss out International driving license showing you have a motorbike license.

[Garry]

What are the laws in Thailand for a tourist riding a bike.

I'm visiting for 3 weeks in October and have been offered the use of a bike to get about locally.

Come with an international driving licence, wear a crash helmet, don't drink and drive, do t go through red lights, don't drive the wrong way, that's about it, good luck and stay safe by keeping your speed down!!

and wait at least 4-5 seconds at the green light to stop getting run over by the fookers blowing through the red lights.!

[NomadJoe]

What are the laws in Thailand for a tourist riding a bike.

I'm visiting for 3 weeks in October and have been offered the use of a bike to get about locally.

Come with an international driving licence, wear a crash helmet, don't drink and drive, do t go through red lights, don't drive the wrong way, that's about it, good luck and stay safe by keeping your speed down!!

and wait at least 4-5 seconds at the green light to stop getting run over by the fookers blowing through the red lights.!

But you also have to watch behind you for the fookers jumping the green.

[dogpoo]

What are the laws in Thailand for a tourist riding a bike.

I'm visiting for 3 weeks in October and have been offered the use of a bike to get about locally.

Come with an international driving licence, wear a crash helmet, don't drink and drive, do t go through red lights, don't drive the wrong way, that's about it, good luck and stay safe by keeping your speed down!!

and wait at least 4-5 seconds at the green light to stop getting run over by the fookers blowing through the red lights.!

But you also have to watch behind you for the fookers jumping the green.

It's dangerous out there best we all stay at home!!

[impulse]

I was thrown back a little by the fact that my car insurance includes 200K coverage for bail.

I suspect all will be well with a tourist rider until there's an accident. Maybe a little graft and corruption, but no big deal.

But the scooter rental company's insurance probably won't cover you, even if you have a legal international DL situation. 95% sure it won't cover you in an illegal situation.

On a related note, look up scooter rental scams to figure out some of the ways you can become a victim of extortion by renting a scooter (or a jet ski).

I'm not saying don't try it. It can be a blast. But it carries financial risks in addition to the safety risks of riding a scooter in an unfamiliar traffic environment. Do your diligence and bring lots of backup cash.

[Issangeorge]

In another life I use to rent jeeps. My insurance company wanted an International Drivers License if there was an accident. I had a case where a Brit rolled one of my jeeps. He didn't have an international license, but I knew someone selling fake ones, so we got one and the insurance company paid up.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[diyer]

It looks as though the 'legal' way is the 'illegal' way for a tourist.

I'll have an International Licence.

I'm not hiring, just borrowing.

I'll buy a good helmet and I'll look out for the 'fookers' jumping the lights.

Now, if I do get pulled, what kind of fine can I expect from the other 'fookers'

I know I can't get a Thai licence on a Tourist Visa, that will come later when I retire there.

According to the Royal Thai Consulate in Hull as long as I have an International Licence and my own UK Licence, I can drive legally in Thailand for up to 6 months.

Insurance seems to be a grey area though for a tourist.

[guzzi850m2]

You can get a 1 year Thai bike & car license on a tourist visa in Pattaya, no problem.

Will also save you a lot of money when going to tourist attractions.

Typical fine is 200 baht, make sure you keep "big money" out of sight.

Noisy exhaust is 1000 baht.

I once got stopped in my car doing 140 on a 100 km/h highway, 200 baht which I gladly paid.

Edited September 9, 2013 by guzzi850m2