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How can I obtain a motorcycle license in Chiang Mai, Thailand?

Oct 12, 2025
7 months ago
Sophie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello I want to make driver licence in chiang mai for motocycle 125cm3 ... How to do it? Do you have information or Tipps for me about that? Merci... '
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TLDR : Answer Summary
To obtain a motorcycle license for a 125cc bike in Chiang Mai, visit the Department of Land Transport (DLT) with your passport, residency certificate, and a medical certificate. If you have an existing motorbike license from your home country, you may be exempt from some tests. However, if you're a tourist without a motorcycle license, you'll need to secure a motorcycle license from your home country and obtain an international driving permit to legally ride in Thailand.
Baz *********
I assume you are a tourist and not living in Thailand on a long term visa?

If you are visiting Thailand as a tourist then you cannot get a Thailand driver license..

To legally drive or ride a motorcycle or scooter in Thailand first you must have a motorcycle license from your home country..

You then need to get an international driving permit from your home country that will show you have a motorcycle license/endorsement..

The international driving permit is just a translation of your home country license and allows you to legally drive or ride the class of vehicles as you can in your home country.

That is the ONLY way to legally ride in Thailand as a tourist.
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Alex *******
@Baz ********
I know for sure at Phuket transport office anyone can get a Thai driving / motorbike licence. Even people on visa exempt stamps. It's always been this way. The only limitation is when it's time to renew it they will only give another 2 year licence, they won't give the 5 year licence to people on tourist entry stamps
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Baz *********
@Alex ******
What do you use for an address for the driver license..

I assume you need some proof of some kind of permanent address?
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Alex *******
@Baz ********
resident certificate like Brendon said
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Baz *********
@Alex ******
If you have a resident certificate then you are technically not a tourist
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Alex *******
@Baz ********
all a resident certificate does is confirm the address you are staying at for 1 month that's why it's only valid for 1 month from the date it's issued
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Brandon ************
@Baz ********
that's what the residence certificate from immigration is for.
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Brandon ************
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Sophie *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
OK and for my son he didn't have any motorbike licence
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Jesper *******
Go the the DLT in Chiang mai with your passport, residency cert, medical cert.......if you have a home motorbike licence u don't not need to go tru the whole process (theory test, practical test)
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Michael *****************************
@Jesper ******
not tru,…you need an international driving license issued in you home country,…it’s not 100 % sure the DLT will allow you to get a Thai “ Driving License “ if you arrived on a tourist visa,….
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Michael *****************************
@Baz ********
that’s what I mention in my answer to Mr. Ngiam
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Michael *****************************
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