How much is the fine for not having a driving licence?

[Johnnie99]

How much is the fine for not having a driving licence?

 

99% less than appearing to be a completely stupid idiot on ThaiVisa.

[a10ams]

Just do a runner ....... it's what the locals do.

 

I find 200 - 400 baht covers most traffic misdemeanours.

 

It's one thing not having a licence but  a whole different ball game if you have an accident. Insurance companies will scrutinise everything to find a way out of paying.

[Potter]

The fine varies depending on the local authorities. Example, 1 year a fine with out helmet was 100 baht in one location, while a similar offense at an other location was 1,000 baht.

 

I have heard it is possible to show your ticket for a small offense and not to get any other small fines that day. If it is more serious, of course they will charge for all of it.
 

[yasmarbi]

ok guys, be nice to me now, cuz i do not know, does an international license cover you in thailand? and if you rent a motobike, how or where do you get insurance for it???

 

Also i doesn't take 15 minutes to get a driver's license in thailand it took me 2 days and about 2-4 hours each day.. that did not include the 30 minutes to get to the license station and it did not include the 45 minutes to go to doctor and immigration to get the paperwork to do..

 

Whilst an international drivers licence may come with a 12 month expiry, it is against the law to use for more than 3 months when in Thailand.

After 3 months there - if police check your arrival date in passport - you can be fined.

 

And also don't forget about the numerous photocopies they want of all the documents too.

Yes, mine was spread over 2 days as well. On the second day, because it was after lunchtime, they wanted me to come back the following day for the brief visual test however persuaded them to do the test there and then.

 

Did not receive a copy of the road rules - but that maybe because I already had a licence in another country as well as the international licence.

[peterb17]

I'm really just wondering how much the tea money is?
 
I've read on here people paying 500 baht, 300 baht, 200 baht... I have a feeling the actual fine is 200baht, does anyone actually know how much the real fine is?
 
 

Just in case you have not noticed there is a new Sheriff in town. The concept of relying on a bribe is no longer acceptable - and may get you into much more trouble.
Would you drive in your home country without a license?
This seems another example of lets ignore the law, I'm above the law in this country- a stupid outlook.

[Alexander Joo]

Driving without a licence - you're as bad as some Thais.
Good luck with that - the penalties can be HUGE.
 
To get mine - 
I had to have a certificate of residency and a doctors certificate - easy to get.
Then showed current Australian licence and international licence.
1 hour later - and 550 baht - I have a Thai licence.

So you didn't have to take the test and all of that because you had an intl license already, yeah? I'm in the same boat.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[yasmarbi]

 

Driving without a licence - you're as bad as some Thais.
Good luck with that - the penalties can be HUGE.
 
To get mine - 
I had to have a certificate of residency and a doctors certificate - easy to get.
Then showed current Australian licence and international licence.
1 hour later - and 550 baht - I have a Thai licence.

So you didn't have to take the test and all of that because you had an intl license already, yeah? I'm in the same boat.

 

The only test I had to do was a peripheral eyesight type test.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

 

 

[Steiner]

The real fine for no licence is 1,500 Baht.
Saw it one the list of the official fines cards a copper showed me for reference while we were negotiating for me speeding.

[biggles45]

"I had to have a certificate of residency and a doctors certificate - easy to get."

And residence letter is not available if you only have a Tourist Visa or 30 day visa free entry.

[joshstiles]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

 

Sure, I'll just pop down to 7 11 and pick one up.

 

In the meantime, a helpful answer would be appreciated.

that was a helpful answer........

[Jip66]

 

Not necessarily true. About ten years ago I had a head-on crash that was not my fault. That's when the myth "you're a foreigner so it's your fault" was disproved for me. No-one suggested it was my fault and although I only had a UK licence, and technically I should have had a Thai licence, nothing was made of it and consequently my hospital fees and paying for my car, which was a write-off, were all paid for by my insurance. I think the other driver didn't have insurance, so I'm not sure how the insurance company got their money back, but I didn't really care enough to find out. It's not something I would recommend, but it seems that for some insurance companies, in some circumstances, a driving licence from back home will suffice. These were the days when a UK licence was accepted by the local police, which obviously doesn't apply now. Whether that's also true of the insurance company is open to debate.

 

 

I beg to differ, technically you can use your native Full Car/Bike DL for the first 3 month on enter Thailand (although I have been told by a Policeman that it is only for the first month, I know the law so he told me BS). I have been back in the country now for 4 months, I was stopped only yesterday for a quick check of Doc's, I showed him my UK DL and he was happy with that (without checking my Passport details to see how long I had been in Thailand), I then showed him my Full 5yr Thai Bike DL and he was over the moon with that too lol

[Jip66]

 

400 - plus whatever offense you were pulled over for. E.G. illegal U-Turn is 400 also, so together for legit ticket is 800, or in tea money 500.
 
If you have an accident, could be as much as 10 million baht (damage plus court costs plus court imposed fine - car insurance is void). Likely too that where it is 50:50 (or perhaps even in any event), you would get stuffed with the full blame due to no license, so (to cops) you should not have been there in the first place for it to have happened.

Not true.
They are only allowed to fine you for one offence at a time.
Until you have paid that ticket, you cannot be fined again.

If you have personal experience of multiple fines at the same time, a scan of the receipt from the police office, posted here, would be most welcome.

 

 

Personal experience 'No Wing mirrors 200Baht each, Wrong Province for Red Plate 400Baht = Total 800Baht,....

[AnotherOneAmerican]

The real fine for no licence is 1,500 Baht.
Saw it one the list of the official fines cards a copper showed me for reference while we were negotiating for me speeding.

That was a scam. They print the cards themselves.
Fine list at traffic police office lists true prices.

[yasmarbi]

"I had to have a certificate of residency and a doctors certificate - easy to get."

And residence letter is not available if you only have a Tourist Visa or 30 day visa free entry.

 

If you here only under a tourist visa or 30 day free visa - you probably don't require a Thai licence as your international licence covers you for 3 months from arrival date.  

If a multiple entry tourist visa - the 3 month period starts again  upon each fresh visit to LOS.

[Westaurel]

That's corruption and it should disappear grace to NCPO ! Just waiting how long time it will take !

[FolkGuitar]

 

Excuse me, but are you sure that doesn't read 'you cannot be fined again for the same offense? That seems more reasonable.
Otherwise, it doesn't make much sense to me, legally.  It probably doesn't happen often, but is there really a provision in the law that prohibits being fined for two different offenses?

As I said, if anyone has a scan of the receipt for more than 1 fine at the same time, I would like to see a post of it.
Certainly CM police operate 1 fine at a time policy.
As for the law, who could tell, nobody in the CM police force knows the law.

Also, the mechanics of the fine process, they give you a ticket and take your Thai DL.
How could they issue another ticket when they already have your DL?
Nope, you show your existing ticket, and they wave you on.

1 ticket = 1 fine = 1 week of free traffic offences.

 

 

I've seen police taking riders to the station several times in the past few months. While I don't know the specifics, isn't it entirely possible that they were trying to give the riders a citation for something, but the riders had already given their license to another policeman earlier and tried to use that as an excuse as to why  didn't have it. Instead of just letting them go, the officer wanted to cite them for something and decided to take them to the cop shop instead?  This scenario seems just as viable.  I can't think of any other reason to simply escort them. If they were arresting them, the cop would have called for a car, and had them in handcuffs.

[Doc46]

 

 

 

Problem is -when- you get into an accident, your insurance is void, and paying that off won't be a 200 baht fine.

 

And yes, getting one is almost equivalent to going to 7-11, only different store.

 

 

Are you talking about travel insurance?

 

no, he is saying that if you get into an accident and you don't have a valid drivers license then your vehicle insurance is invalid. if you injure someone then chances are you will go straight to jail at the Mae Ping Police Station in Nong Hoi. if you kill someone then the stakes are higher. and you will be liable for untold sums of money.

 

....except if you are the owner of an energy drink empire and you drive a super expensive sportscar

 

 

 

 

Money talks bullshit walks (to jail)

 

[Alwyn]

Sure, I'll just pop down to 7 11 and pick one up.

 

In the meantime, a helpful answer would be appreciated.

Why do you think it's acceptable to drive without a license? Would you do it at home? People slag the Thais off on these forums for not having a driving license and here we have an ex-pat doing the same. Apart from anything else, having a Thai driving license is like a "get out jail free" card. The moment that comes out of the wallet all of the crap stops - Thais demanding money because the drove into you.. it all stops

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Excuse me, but are you sure that doesn't read 'you cannot be fined again for the same offense? That seems more reasonable.
Otherwise, it doesn't make much sense to me, legally.  It probably doesn't happen often, but is there really a provision in the law that prohibits being fined for two different offenses?

As I said, if anyone has a scan of the receipt for more than 1 fine at the same time, I would like to see a post of it.
Certainly CM police operate 1 fine at a time policy.
As for the law, who could tell, nobody in the CM police force knows the law.

Also, the mechanics of the fine process, they give you a ticket and take your Thai DL.
How could they issue another ticket when they already have your DL?
Nope, you show your existing ticket, and they wave you on.

1 ticket = 1 fine = 1 week of free traffic offences.

 
I've seen police taking riders to the station several times in the past few months. While I don't know the specifics, isn't it entirely possible that they were trying to give the riders a citation for something, but the riders had already given their license to another policeman earlier and tried to use that as an excuse as to why  didn't have it. Instead of just letting them go, the officer wanted to cite them for something and decided to take them to the cop shop instead?  This scenario seems just as viable.  I can't think of any other reason to simply escort them. If they were arresting them, the cop would have called for a car, and had them in handcuffs.

Short term tourists, no Thai DL or ID or cash.
If they don't make them pay then, they just go home.

Also Thais with no ID or cash. Edited August 8, 2014 by AnotherOneAmerican

[FolkGuitar]

 

 

 

Excuse me, but are you sure that doesn't read 'you cannot be fined again for the same offense? That seems more reasonable.
Otherwise, it doesn't make much sense to me, legally.  It probably doesn't happen often, but is there really a provision in the law that prohibits being fined for two different offenses?

As I said, if anyone has a scan of the receipt for more than 1 fine at the same time, I would like to see a post of it.
Certainly CM police operate 1 fine at a time policy.
As for the law, who could tell, nobody in the CM police force knows the law.

Also, the mechanics of the fine process, they give you a ticket and take your Thai DL.
How could they issue another ticket when they already have your DL?
Nope, you show your existing ticket, and they wave you on.

1 ticket = 1 fine = 1 week of free traffic offences.

 

 
I've seen police taking riders to the station several times in the past few months. While I don't know the specifics, isn't it entirely possible that they were trying to give the riders a citation for something, but the riders had already given their license to another policeman earlier and tried to use that as an excuse as to why  didn't have it. Instead of just letting them go, the officer wanted to cite them for something and decided to take them to the cop shop instead?  This scenario seems just as viable.  I can't think of any other reason to simply escort them. If they were arresting them, the cop would have called for a car, and had them in handcuffs.

 

Short term tourists, no Thai DL or ID or cash.
If they don't make them pay then, they just go home.

Also Thais with no ID or cash.

 

 

I'm willing to accept this is 'also' a possibility.

[Brit_Doggie]

400bht according to the list of fines posted on the door of the traffic police office outside the market and beside the big bridge.

All the fines were doubled last year.
The cheapest is disobeying police instructions, a bargain at only 300bht.

Correct my gf not licenced 400 baht on the spot fine or  go police station next day and pay.

The insurance as in bike insurance is not valid if unlicenced.

[dotpoom]

In the header your asking and in your post your telling us what happens.......which is it?

[shrimpythailand]

I got my first thai license my first year -14 years ago ... then thought I didn't need to renew it as I never got stopped... then going downtown one night on Viphawadee rd  - just in the up tollway ramp exit these 3 cops were there and one almost jumped out right in front of me... didn't hit him but of course he asks for the license...it was 2 yrs expired.... that got me a 1000 bt fine and i happened to have to bill on me...so now - 2 year licenses later no problem... you have to just get the one yr one first - then the five year one is  only 605 bt now I heard - was 505 bt 4 years ago... but NO license means NO insurance and then you are screwed with any minor fender bender or something worse...yah the big 50 questions test now - was 30... but yah gotta do it...or you will get hit with a big baht fine you can't pay... and that is if nobody gets seriously hurt... but you will paying cash to fix the other car...

even if not your fault but you have no insurance ... look out...have had 4 accidents basically in 40 yrs driving - 2 back in canada that were small and not my fault.. 2 here - small rear ender - my fault and one 360 degree spin around 3 times in the rain but never hit anything but a road side rail near Fashion Island Mall at 1 am ... smacked in the front of the pick up truck but didn't hit another car or anyone... feel very lucky now but had insurance both times...whoa...went and got a big hot coffee at the 7-11 and waited for the tow truck... you have to watch every direction here every second when you get behind the wheel here...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cariden]

can you buy insurance if you just rent a bike from a local small shop?? 

[khounteen]

Can't you just buy a license in Khao San road?

[Oscar2]

 

I'm really just wondering how much the tea money is?

 

I've read on here people paying 500 baht, 300 baht, 200 baht... I have a feeling the actual fine is 200baht, does anyone actually know how much the real fine is?

 

 

 

The fine is what they say it is, unless you want to go downtown and discuss it. I've paid 200 and I've paid 300.

 

Of course, it is all paltry compared to what would happen to you if caught driving without a license in a Western country. Smile and pay up.

 

Real problem, as mentioned, is if you get in an accident. Any insurance you might have won't cover anything and any liability of the other party will be nulled. If you cause someone injury, it can be very very expensive and they're likely to hold you in jail to ensure you don't flee.

 

If you must drive without a Thai or international office, be really careful.

 

 

 

 

bail is 200,000 Baht (provided you didn't kill someone).
 

[Oscar2]

go to Khao Son road 300 baht international license. when asked say pay at station they take license you pickup at station. But if you go and pickup your an idiot. so 300 baht.

 

presenting a counterfeit document to a police officer? what kind of idiot would do that?
 

[Chiengmaijoe]

go to Khao Son road 300 baht international license. when asked say pay at station they take license you pickup at station. But if you go and pickup your an idiot. so 300 baht.

 
presenting a counterfeit document to a police officer? what kind of idiot would do that?
 

The kind that thinks they're clever, but then goes on public forums to highlight how stupid they are.

From one of his earlier posts "As a guest here In thailand one must follow the rules respect the people and culture." Edited August 8, 2014 by Chiengmaijoe

[DaamNaam]

Sure, I'll just pop down to 7 11 and pick one up.

 

In the meantime, a helpful answer would be appreciated.

What would be much appreciated is you getting a licence.

What happens if you knock someone over or worse, kill someone? No insurance.

It's always funny until someone gets hurt.

[onthedarkside]

Inflammatory post removed.