Can I buy and ride a motorcycle in Thailand with an International Driving Permit if I enter as a tourist?

Jul 13, 2021
3 years ago
Daniel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Guys, total noob question. If I enter as a tourist, can I buy and ride a motorcycle with an IDP?

Thanks :)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, you can buy and ride a motorcycle in Thailand with an International Driving Permit (IDP), provided your IDP is endorsed for motorcycles. To buy a motorcycle, you generally need proof of residency, which can be obtained from immigration, and sometimes a Thai ID card. Many find it easier to work with dealers who might assist with the paperwork. It's crucial to have insurance and a valid license, as risk factors on the roads in Thailand are high.
Hovvard ******
Just rent a bike, it's cheap there.
Michael *******
To drive or lease a car in Thailand as a tourist or visitor it is necessary to have either a Thai driving licence or a valid foreign driving licence with a photograph. The foreign licence must either be in English, or be accompanied by an official translation into English or Thai. The licence needs to have been issued by a country that has a treaty with the Thai government allowing the mutual acceptance of driving licences. Most countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA have this agreement with Thailand under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Those in doubt should contact their embassy for advice: Click here

An International Driver's License/Permit (IDL/IDP) is also valid in Thailand, and available from a government department or authorized auto club at a small expense. A foreign driving licence valid under the 1949 or 1968 Conventions qualifies the licence holder to apply for the IDL/IDP, and its holders may find that it is more often recognised and accepted by police and civil service officials. Beware of the many IDP/IDL websites that are not legitimate.

If the driver is not a tourist or visitor but is a resident with a non-immigrant visa, then it is necessary to have a Thai driver's licence. However, those with a foreign licence as described above or an International Drivers Licence are excused from doing the practical driving test when applying for a Thai driving license.

Note: Although International Driving Licences are valid for up to one year after arrival in Thailand, after three months many comprehensive insurance policies are made void if still driving on a foreign licence.

Licence holders may only drive the category of vehicle for which their licence is valid.

H

For information about treaties recognised by the Department of Land Transport: Click
Nigel ********
For bike ownership, you need only your passport and certificate of residency. But.... at MTT in Bkk you can't get CoR until you've been in the Kingdom at least 90 days and done your first report in person. For license, an IDP is fine, infact your local license is often also ok.
Wyn **********
My experience in Pattaya recently. Got Thai licence for bike first used agent 1500 bht total. Payed small deposit to bike dealer get a reciept take that to immigration they give you certificate of residency go back to dealer buy bike show passport visa residency address good to go with temporary plate wait maybe 2 months for green book tax and goverment insurance and buy extra fully comp insurance for piece of mind.
Paul *******
@Wyn *********
hi what agent did you use for license I need to change mine
Wyn **********
@Paul ******
remember the 1500 for bike includes agent picking you up doing the job quickly at the LTD and the cost of the licence and taking you back home after.
Wyn **********
@Paul ******
tik tok good service
Paul *******
@Wyn *********
thanks I asked them before they said 3000B
Wyn **********
@Paul ******
thats if you want car and motorbike
Paul *******
@Wyn *********
ok though it’s was a bit expensive for a bike
Chris ****
Safetywing and Luma will honor their motorcycle insurance if you have a legit license in your home country. My IDP doesn’t do squat for me other than peace of mind. Agree with other commenter that getting a local license is optimal - IDP is better than nothing.
Tom ********
Get a license it's not difficult
Kim ***********
Also make sure you have insurance.
Jay **********
when your there look at facebook pages in local area always people selling bikes just make sure the bikes got legal docs and your cushty mate
Michael ******
You just have to find the right dealer and maybe give him a little tea 🤑. Depends on where you're staying. I got my bike in Krabi without extra payments, proof of residency and other shit.
Paul *******
Just ignore the guys telling you no they know nothing.

You just need a residency from immigration, no problem with a tourist visa I bought mine in February.
Chester ********
You rent condo then have a TM30 - your own country lic and idp and you can do via agent or yourself. once have TM30 + licence can buy and get paperwork from seller then take green book to the traffic auth and put into your name. If buy from a shop they usually do for you for a small fee
Garrett ***********
@Chester *******
Tm30 has nothing to do with buying a bike.
Chester ********
@Garrett **********
took mine gladly as proof of address for both lic and green book.

No worries tell him go all that way then they turn him around lol.

Even turned me around for blue vs black pen
Johnny *******
Well you need to have a yellow house book and pink Thai ID card to buy a bike from a dealer. Yes you can ride here with an IDP.
Ben ********
Florian *********
Johnny *******
@Florian ********
FYI I was one if the first to reply to his question before others helped clarify. Not bs as that's the process I had to go through.
Johnny *******
@Florian ********
why don't you read all the comments before leaving your useless comment and judgment.
Florian *********
@Johnny ******
because what you said is simply wrong. End of discussion. Enough other guys already stated clearly how it's possible. Before you post something, make sure you post the correct information. If not, then it's bullshit. That's what i said. 🤷‍♂️
Ray ********
@Johnny ******
IDL needs motorcycle endorsement.
Gunni ********
Wayne ******
You can use your IDL ..but as I found out it all depends what day it is when you get stopped by the police ...no matter what day it is they all say ...Cannot ...it Tues ...IDL not good on Tuesday...500 BAHT...or a 1,000 BAHT if he's taking his girl.out for food
Andy ********
@Wayne *****
I've never heard that before. If you have an IDP (no such thing as IDL) along with your home country license you are covered as long as your home country licence includes riding a motorcycle but they rarely check that part. If you don't have a Thai license or an IDP then it's 500 at everytime.
Garrett ***********
@Joh***
Lol what? Don't make things up.
Johnny *******
@Garrett **********
not making anything up... That's what was required for me to by a bike from the Honda dealership on Phangan
Garrett ***********
@Johnny ******
It may be been an option, but its not a requirement. to register a vehicle in your name you need to show residency. The DLT allows forigners to do this one of 3 ways, yellow book, work permit with address, or certificate of residency from immigration or your embassy.

It's possible information was either not correctly communicated to you, or the sales staff was not familiar with selling to forigners.
Travis *******
@Johnny ******
While you can use your house book as proof of address it definitely isn't required. You only need a certificate of residence from immigration. Not even a license is required to buy a bike from a dealer.
Florian *********
Adrian ******
@Johnny ******
no you don’t I bought both in Bangkok new without either just a certificate of residency from immigration.
Daniel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Johnny ******
hmmm OK. Basically my knowledge is in Vietnam and I've only recently began to consider TH as my destination for this year. So I'm not familiar with any of the documents that long term visitors acquire. Will have to look into these.
Johnny *******
@Daniel *******
you could buy a second hand bike privately and ride that as long as the registration and taxes are up to date. However, you won't be able to re register in your name.
Garrett ***********
Yes you can, as long as your IDP is endorsed for motorcycles.

Also, prepare for a ton of old people to start yelling about how dangerous the roads are in Thailand, how 1 million people a day die from motorbike accidents, you'll be automatically responsible for any accident that occurs even if your not involved, and health insurance. Oh they love to moan about health insurance.
Adrian ******
@Garrett **********
yes road full of idiots with no training & unroadworthy vehicle & no rider protective equipment ie helmets. So if you cover up have a helmet as well as experience you have a fighting chance
Daniel ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
haha thanks man!

Yeah I'm aware of how dangerous the roads are. All my riding experience is in SEAsia, and it's a key part of how I enjoy travelling so... Gotta do what you gotta do!

Mainly I was concerned with the rules of ownership as a tourist :)
Andy **********
@Daniel *******
You're going to get killed or kill someone else. Don't listen to Garrett. He came to Thailand once for 4 days strictly for the ladyboys. And if you are going to be so stupid to drive in Thailand you better get insurance for your insurance.
Karim ***************
Yes
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