Quick question on getting MC license.

[ricku]

I have decided to do the right thing and stop riding MC illegaly. I don't have any license to ride MC, not even on my Swedish card, but now I want to get a Thai license.

I have heard that in order to get a Thai MC license, I need to have a work permit, or be here on a non-immigrant visa. Problem is, I am only on a tourist visa, and every 60 days I do the visa runs. Fly out, fly in, e.t.c.

My question is: Can I get a license, and ride here legally? Or will the bureaucracy force me to continue riding without a license, even though I'd happily visit a Thai driving school, and study to get one?

[eisfeld]

I never had an issue getting a license here on a tourist visa. Rules might vary between the different DLTs but in Phuket it's pretty easy. You don't have to attend a school either. Get the required papers (residency cert, doctor letter, passport copies), watch a video, do some easy reaction test, some multiple choice test and that's it.

You'll only get a 2 year temporary license on a tourist visa. The other visas can get 5 year ones upon renewal.

[ricku]

Thanks for the info. Regarding the 'certificate of residency', is that for my home address in Sweden, or do I have to have an address here in Thailand?

I don't have any address here yet, since I arrived just one month ago, and I am busy traveling around before settling down somewhere.

[eisfeld]

You'll need a local address. You'd get it from immigration by showing a rental contract for example. Google can find you more detailed information about this.

[ricku]

Thanks man. Much appreciated.

Well, then I'll just have to wait until I sign up for a condo somewhere.

[papa al]

Hotel receipt will work for ResCert in many locations.

[thesetat2013]

I never had an issue getting a license here on a tourist visa. Rules might vary between the different DLTs but in Phuket it's pretty easy. You don't have to attend a school either. Get the required papers (residency cert, doctor letter, passport copies), watch a video, do some easy reaction test, some multiple choice test and that's it.

You'll only get a 2 year temporary license on a tourist visa. The other visas can get 5 year ones upon renewal.

Did they change it from a 1 year temp to a 2 year?

Mine was only for 1. The i got my 5 year license.

[recom273]

I never had an issue getting a license here on a tourist visa. Rules might vary between the different DLTs but in Phuket it's pretty easy. You don't have to attend a school either. Get the required papers (residency cert, doctor letter, passport copies), watch a video, do some easy reaction test, some multiple choice test and that's it.

You'll only get a 2 year temporary license on a tourist visa. The other visas can get 5 year ones upon renewal.

Did they change it from a 1 year temp to a 2 year?

Mine was only for 1. The i got my 5 year license.

I think around 9 - 10 months back, the temp license changed from one year to two.

If you are on a tourist visa, you don't have to keep on renewing your license every 12 months, I guess it equates to less foot traffic going through the DLT.

Previously, you could change from a 1 yr to a 5 yr after 10 months, but I don't know how that stands now - maybe you need to do 1yr and 10 months before getting a full 5 year license.

I agree with the OP, the bureaucracy involved just forces you to ride illegally. You will have a harder time getting the resident certificate than passing the test, but it's well worth the trouble, for the peace of my mind.

While you are going through the trouble to get the paper from immigration, get another and then you can buy your own bike or register the one you already have.

[bazza40]

If you have a current IDP, I think the process is much easier. You've shown you already have the necessary skills.

[KhunBENQ]

The OP stated that he has NO license to drive MC from his home country.

In this case I would not be too optimistic that he comes through without the theory test and the (laughable) driving test.

Worth a try, but it's called luck then.

Preparation for the theory test is pure swotting at home. No school, no teacher needed.

Newly issued temporary licenses are valid for 2 years since 23 March 2015.

https://www.facebook.com/dltpr1584/photos/a.1563735837182911.1073741827.1563537483869413/1687813974775096/?type=3&permPage=1https://www.facebook.com/dltpr1584/photos/a.1563735837182911.1073741827.1563537483869413/1687813974775096/?type=3&permPage=1

http://www.dlt.go.th/th/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5090:-1-2-1-23-2558-100-&catid=48:%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%98%E0%B9%8C&Itemid=87

Edited March 30, 2016 by KhunBENQ

[NoshowJones]

I never had an issue getting a license here on a tourist visa. Rules might vary between the different DLTs but in Phuket it's pretty easy. You don't have to attend a school either. Get the required papers (residency cert, doctor letter, passport copies), watch a video, do some easy reaction test, some multiple choice test and that's it.

You'll only get a 2 year temporary license on a tourist visa. The other visas can get 5 year ones upon renewal.

This is Thailand, different rules in different places with the same organisation.

Whether it is a bank, Immigration office, anything you care to name, check first.

[kbelyeu]

This has been suggested before but you might consider doing with some short motorcycle lessons from a local school. These schools get preferential treatment when booking testing at the DLT.

Kurt

[MosMing]

Here in Udon Thani you get a temporary, 1 year licence after which you get a 5 year one. No tests of any kind if you've got a European or US licence. Only takes an hour and costs ฿205.

[recom273]

Here in Udon Thani you get a temporary, 1 year licence after which you get a 5 year one. No tests of any kind if you've got a European or US licence. Only takes an hour and costs ฿205.

Did you happen to get this special license 13 months ago by any chance ?

[eisfeld]

Here in Udon Thani you get a temporary, 1 year licence after which you get a 5 year one. No tests of any kind if you've got a European or US licence. Only takes an hour and costs ฿205.

You'll get a 2 year license and then again 2 years. He's on a tourist visa.

[sometimewoodworker]

Here in Udon Thani you get a temporary, 1 year licence after which you get a 5 year one. No tests of any kind if you've got a European or US licence. Only takes an hour and costs ฿205.

No you don't, anymore you are 10 months out of date, you get 2 years the same as everywhere. There are also the reaction and colour blindness tests. Having a European or US licence has nothing to do with being given a license without the driving or theory tests. It is having a license that has English and a photo or having a licence and IDP. Europeans and Americans get no special treatment.

Also your price is wrong unless you are including the medical certificate that you need. You also forgot to mention that unless you are prepared to argue with Udon immigration (or have a work permit) there is a 500 baht contribution to the immigration staff fund for a residents certificate.

[MosMing]

I stand corrected eisfeld. My 'temporary' licence does indeed last for 2 years. So does the word 'temporary' get removed when I renew?

[MosMing]

Here in Udon Thani you get a temporary, 1 year licence after which you get a 5 year one. No tests of any kind if you've got a European or US licence. Only takes an hour and costs ฿205.

No you don't, anymore you are 10 months out of date, you get 2 years the same as everywhere. There are also the reaction and colour blindness tests. Having a European or US licence has nothing to do with being given a license without the driving or theory tests. It is having a license that has English and a photo or having a licence and IDP. Europeans and Americans get no special treatment.

Also your price is wrong unless you are including the medical certificate that you need. You also forgot to mention that unless you are prepared to argue with Udon immigration (or have a work permit) there is a 500 baht contribution to the immigration staff fund for a residents certificate.

Yea, sorry, I forgot to mention the colour blindness and reaction tests

The 205 baht is what I handed over at the the Land Transport Office. The medical certificate was 40 baht and there was 600 baht to have my UK licence translated.

I didn't need a residents certificate; the LTO accepted my yellow book.

[eisfeld]

I stand corrected eisfeld. My 'temporary' licence does indeed last for 2 years. So does the word 'temporary' get removed when I renew?

No, because it's again temporary for 2 years. Only the 5 year one is not "temporary". Not sure why but it is what it is. TIT.

[sometimewoodworker]

I stand corrected eisfeld. My 'temporary' licence does indeed last for 2 years. So does the word 'temporary' get removed when I renew?

If you have a Non-O visa or extension of stay at that time then yes it does. It also changes colour

[sometimewoodworker]

I stand corrected eisfeld. My 'temporary' licence does indeed last for 2 years. So does the word 'temporary' get removed when I renew?

No, because it's again temporary for 2 years. Only the 5 year one is not "temporary". Not sure why but it is what it is. TIT.

Wrong.

I've just renewed my TDL first was temporarily new one is not

It depends on your visa or extension of stay if you get a second temporary licence.

Visa exempt, tourist visa, visa on arrival, transit visa = temporary licence

Non-O, one year extension = full licence (5 year)

Others I'm not sure but probably = full licence (5 year)

Edited March 30, 2016 by sometimewoodworker

[eisfeld]

I stand corrected eisfeld. My 'temporary' licence does indeed last for 2 years. So does the word 'temporary' get removed when I renew?

No, because it's again temporary for 2 years. Only the 5 year one is not "temporary". Not sure why but it is what it is. TIT.

Wrong.

I've just renewed my TDL first was temporarily new one is not

It depends on your visa or extension of stay if you get a second temporary licence.

Visa exempt, tourist visa, visa on arrival, transit visa = temporary licence

Non-O, one year extension = full licence (5 year)

Others I'm not sure but probably = full licence (5 year)

Well OP said he had a tourist visa, for which all my information I gave is correct.

If you have a non-immigrant visa then yea, 5 years and no "temporary".

[sometimewoodworker]

I stand corrected eisfeld. My 'temporary' licence does indeed last for 2 years. So does the word 'temporary' get removed when I renew?

No, because it's again temporary for 2 years. Only the 5 year one is not "temporary". Not sure why but it is what it is. TIT.

Wrong.

I've just renewed my TDL first was temporarily new one is not

It depends on your visa or extension of stay if you get a second temporary licence.

Visa exempt, tourist visa, visa on arrival, transit visa = temporary licence

Non-O, one year extension = full licence (5 year)

Others I'm not sure but probably = full licence (5 year)

Well OP said he had a tourist visa, for which all my information I gave is correct.

If you have a non-immigrant visa then yea, 5 years and no "temporary".

You are getting confused over which post is getting replies.

And even then your reply assumed the OP will have the same visa on renewal. Personally I alternate between Non-O, visa exempt and SETV. depending on my length of stay.

I was answering MosMing as you might notice from the quotes. And MosMing hasn't said which kind of permission the he/she has but with a yellow book probably a 1 year extension so probably a full (5year) licence next time.

And to MM my renewal for both licences took about 10 to 15 minutes at AEK arrived at about 11:30. Further information, only 1 set of originals needed, the second licence can all be copies.

The caveat of course is that different DLT offices have different rules.

Edited March 30, 2016 by sometimewoodworker

[Namplik]

I stand corrected eisfeld. My 'temporary' licence does indeed last for 2 years. So does the word 'temporary' get removed when I renew?

No, because it's again temporary for 2 years. Only the 5 year one is not "temporary". Not sure why but it is what it is. TIT.

Wrong.

I've just renewed my TDL first was temporarily new one is not

It depends on your visa or extension of stay if you get a second temporary licence.

Visa exempt, tourist visa, visa on arrival, transit visa = temporary licence

Non-O, one year extension = full licence (5 year)

Others I'm not sure but probably = full licence (5 year)

image.jpg

image.jpg

Wrong.

Seems that the DLT did not update their site.....From 23 of march last year the temporary licence are issued for 2 years.

Info here: http://www.dlt.go.th/th/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4867:-1-2-1-23-2558-&catid=48:%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%98%E0%B9%8C&Itemid=87

[sometimewoodworker]

I stand corrected eisfeld. My 'temporary' licence does indeed last for 2 years. So does the word 'temporary' get removed when I renew?

No, because it's again temporary for 2 years. Only the 5 year one is not "temporary". Not sure why but it is what it is. TIT.

Wrong.

I've just renewed my TDL first was temporarily new one is not

It depends on your visa or extension of stay if you get a second temporary licence.

Visa exempt, tourist visa, visa on arrival, transit visa = temporary licence

Non-O, one year extension = full licence (5 year)

Others I'm not sure but probably = full licence (5 year)

image.jpg

image.jpg

Wrong.

Seems that the DLT did not update their site.....From 23 of march last year the temporary licence are issued for 2 years.

Info here: http://www.dlt.go.th/th/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4867:-1-2-1-23-2558-&catid=48:%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%98%E0%B9%8C&Itemid=87

Who is wrong? I never said the temporary licence is one year.

I know and have often pointed out that the English information on The DLT website has 2 mistakes.

Didn't you see the other one?

I also didn't point out that the 5 year licence can be almost 6 years if you renew at the right time, though I don't know if the 2 and subsequent ones work that way as well.

Edited April 1, 2016 by sometimewoodworker