Thread: Motorcycle Licence requirement?

You will have to do the theory again as well as the bike practical.

Good luck with the stoopid fucked up questions. eg:-

"When should you not drive a vehicle?"

a) When you have the permission of the owner.
b) When you feel a heart attack approaching.
c) When it is raining.
d) When it is dark.

I took the theory yesterday.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Quote: Originally Posted by rickschoppers I wonder if my Thai motorcycle license would work in the US if I every got asked? It should do.

i had never held a motorbike licence in Australia but got one by producing my Philippine Licence endorsed for car and motorbike and obtained through a backhander in the province by handing over the fee of $35 roughly. Bloody handy really considering you have to ride a 250 for a year before getting a licence for anything bigger, As long as its in english and current then i guess it works

^
I may just give that a try while I am here in the US. No harm, no foul.

^It's my understanding the new style Thai DL are up to international standards and are indeed valid in the USA. No sure about the EU but probably there too.

But in a pinch a resourceful person could probably pass off a Kao San road international license when necessary.


When I first got to Thailand a few years ago I just had my Alaska ID card and that worked for the local copper shakedowns in Phuket, I would hold it out and point to the "I" and the "D" and say "international drivers" and give them a really big smile! It worked every time.

^
Good one!!! I think this is why the Thais have finally started making us get Thai drivers licenses. Very few BIB can read English and they do not want to look stupid, so they just say OK.

We will see if the US cops are just as dumb when it comes to accepting a Thai motorcycle drivers license. In over 30 years of riding, I have yet to be stopped by a US cop and asked for a license. Of course, I have had my share of stops in an automobile.

My licence states in both Thai and English the type which is "Private Car".

All my details (name/D.O.B/issue date/expiry date/I.D number) are also in both Thai and English.

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

^It's my understanding the new style Thai DL are up to international standards and are indeed valid in the USA. No sure about the EU but probably there too.

But in a pinch a resourceful person could probably pass off a Kao San road international license when necessary.


When I first got to Thailand a few years ago I just had my Alaska ID card and that worked for the local copper shakedowns in Phuket, I would hold it out and point to the "I" and the "D" and say "international drivers" and give them a really big smile! It worked every time.

Yes, I rented a car at Los Angeles Airport last October with no hassle using my Thai license, in fact it's cheaper to rent there with a Thai license than an American one. You need the collision damage waiver and liability insurance if you are a foreigner or using a foreign license, and the rental places throw those in as part of a package that works out cheaper than buying them separately.

The so called international license is just a translation of your foreign license, but the new Thai ones have all information in English and Thai.

I just got my motorcycle license but not one for the car. (I didn't have my car with me and didn't know I could rent one for the test across the road from the Chom Buri transport Office until it was too late.) I foolishly decided that I'll just to go back another day, so I have a question.

If I have a Thailand motorbike license, does it make me exempt from any of the procedures, tests or documentation I originally needed when I went last week?

The main things I would like to avoid are those amazingly tedious videos and the cryptic 30-question theory test. I didn't find the word questions too difficult to interpret and figure out a correctly logical answer for, but those near-postage-sized pictures showing situations were ridiculous.

-

Just found this link:

http://apps.dlt.go.th/driving_hp/ELe...-Learning2.swf

Originally Posted by benbaaa

Just found this link:

http://apps.dlt.go.th/driving_hp/ELe...-Learning2.swf

Bloody great find. The only way to answer the questions is to think like a HiSo Thai.

Originally Posted by benbaaa

Just found this link:

http://apps.dlt.go.th/driving_hp/ELe...-Learning2.swf

Wondered if it was worth stickying somewhere on the motoring forum. Mods?

Actually got around to acquiring my license. No test other that an eye colour test, 150bht and job done.

Is this your first license? I mean Thai or foreign.

It's my first MC license in Thailand but i have a UK one. I have a car license too.

It was Talingchan Transport department btw

Originally Posted by benbaaa

Sticky this link, Mr Mod?

Great idea Ben but as with many great ideas already done.

https://teakdoor.com/motoring-in-thai...ow-to-get.html

Yes, Thetty stickied it after I posted the link.

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

I've haven't obtained a motorcycle licence while being in Thailand as I've rarely ridden a bike with the exception of pottering around the sticks on a scooter.

I'm told that as long as I have a category A UK licence, which I have, I won't need to take a test. I'm off to sort it a the weekend.

As for my UK licence, I only have the paper version which I've had a number of years, the photo version has expired. However, it was valid when the department issued my Thai driving licence.

What's the crack?

Thanks

Beware riding without a proper licence it can cost quite a bit in "fines" and in certain areas the bike is confiscated if you are checked by the police. How ever if you tourist you will require your UK photo licence plus a one year International Licence. If you reside here you have two options to get on the road legally.
Option 1 - Take a Thai motor cycle driving test at your local test centre (Written (computer screen multi answer test) obtainable in English. You can have a trial run before the test to show you your mistakes (apart from one or two very strange things almost the same as UK highway code) You will need a medical certificate from a recognised clinic (60THB) you will be asked to take some very basic colour vision tests. The physical test is not on the road but a layed out circuit and is so easy should be no problem.
Option 2 - Go to the licencing department in Bangkok with your photo card uk licence,your passport containing your non immigrant visa, a medical certificate and 200 THB and with very little fuss they will issue you with a "temporary" licence for 1 year which you then upgrade to a full licence (5 years) on its expiry> No test involved only check for colour vision again very basic.
By the way the med cert is a joke if you are breathing you are fit.

^Thanks for the input but I have my license already.

hi...
i'm hoping to take my bike test sometime in the next few weeks. i read somewhere here a while back that it is cheaper to go to the embassy for proof of address, is this correct and what do i need to show? do i just write a letter and get them to stamp it it or will i have to fill out a form.? i have just relocated to prachin so i thought i would jump on the train for a day or 2 in bangers..

cheers

Originally Posted by Camel Toe

All of that applies to BKK and CM I bet. I lived in the South, owned/bought and sold about 15 MCs. Not one was in my name. Never had a Thai license, no international license, was never asked for one. In fact never talked to a policeman till I went to BKK, where I was fined for flipping a ciggie butt near a trash drum.

that happened to me yesterday! after getting shaffted by the u.k embassy for an affirmation i was walking with th \e missus and got pounced on by 2 guys who said i was seen throwing a ciggie end away. they asked me to go to a small booth and started writing out a fine form ( police around as well ) being well pissed off after my jolly to the embassy, just said i was skint and there was no way they were getting a 1000 baht. the missus ranted for a bit and he said dont do it again

Originally Posted by barrylad66

hi...
i'm hoping to take my bike test sometime in the next few weeks. i read somewhere here a while back that it is cheaper to go to the embassy for proof of address, is this correct and what do i need to show? do i just write a letter and get them to stamp it it or will i have to fill out a form.? i have just relocated to prachin so i thought i would jump on the train for a day or 2 in bangers..

cheers

Do you not have a work permit with your address in it? If you do, that should be enough as it was for me. I needed my work permit and passport but was handed a license because of my UK one without any questions.

[quote=Jesus Jones;2520888]

Originally Posted by barrylad66

hi...
i'm hoping to take my bike test sometime in the next few weeks. i read somewhere here a while back that it is cheaper to go to the embassy for proof of address, is this correct and what do i need to show? do i just write a letter and get them to stamp it it or will i have to fill out a form.? i have just relocated to prachin so i thought i would jump on the train for a day or 2 in bangers..

cheers

Do you not have a work permit with your address in it? If you do, that should be enough as it was for me. I needed my work permit and passport but was handed a license because of my U
K one without any questions.[/quote

no work permit mate,but everything in place and will do the test on wednesday..