How can I obtain a temporary motorcycle license in Thailand with a tourist visa?

Nov 12, 2023
a year ago
Marc **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone,

Heading to Bangkok early december this year with a 30 days tourist visa and want to apply for the temporary motorcycle license.

Any tips on how this procedure works, a lot of different information online and it’s quite confusing…

How and where to apply for certificate of residency? Is this even possible on a tourist visa?

Any steps that can already be done before arrival in order to speed up the process?

Better to apply in Bangkok or Chiang Mai?

Thanks for your help

Best regards
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the complexities of obtaining a temporary motorcycle license in Thailand while on a tourist visa. A user is seeking advice on the application procedure, specifically regarding the requirement of a certificate of residency. Responses clarify that a tourist visa does not allow for residency certification in Bangkok; however, it may be possible in Chiang Mai for a fee. An international driving permit (IDP) is highly recommended before riding a motorcycle in Thailand, but potential legal issues regarding insurance coverage in case of an accident without a proper license are also emphasized.
Kisma ******
Do you hold a MC licence in your own country? Get an International Driving Permit from your national motoring association. If you don't have a MC licence and rent a MC in Thailand, ensure your travel insurance has an "idiot" provision.
Zack ******
For real i just rented a bike with copy of passport and rode if they stop you it will be because you dont have a helmet or they want a bribe. They didnt even ask me for any license just told me i had to goto court to somewhere down the road and it would take about 4 hours and i asked if i could just accept guilt and pay them now and they took me into a building and scared shit out of me thinking OMG i just bribed him now he is taking me in here to beat me and arrest me to put in thai jail but he just wanted the cash without his coqorkers seeing then he told me to go and i drove away with my helmet which is what i was stoppex for no helmet i had in though but dealer who rented to me said no need helmet up to me and i sa2 thai not wearing so i thought good to go but they had traffic roadblick and told me to pull over and asked why i wasnt wearing helmet and it 2as illegal and to go to court for 4 hours . Someone had told me to just offer to pay them that they just want a bribe and it worked . So my take is just rent n ride if stopped ask them can you just pay them fine right now to them and they will gladly accept and send you on your way. No probl3m.
Mark *********
@Zack *****
But above all don't expect to make any claim on your Western insurance if you have an accident.
Alan *******
get a i d p from post office only a fiver
Terry ********
@Alan ******
£5.50 now.
Alan *******
Neil *********
Get a international driver’s license from RAA
Andrew *******
Interaction with the local police is the least of your issues if unlicensed. When you ride a scooter (or whatever) without a licence, whatever form of insurance you might have bought (like travel insurance or local health insurance) will not cover you when you have an accident. You are breaking the law so the insurance company has an instant "out". This lack of coverage includes the deductible/excess on the vehicle, damage to other people/vehicles/things and your own medical bills. You will be yet another GoFundMe page that is pleading for donations. Please don't put yourself in this situation. Don't listen to all these brave souls that tell you they have been driving/riding for 300 years without a licence. Get the right licence and travel insurance at home.
Terary **********
I dont know Chiang Mai so well but every other place, the police are predictable. They set-up shop at the same locations at the same times and the locals know this. They mostly get the tourists who do not know. The ticket/bribe/tea money is 500 baht ($15).

I have been driving in Thailand about 8 or 9 years and I have never had a proper license. Even if you do have a proper license, the system is set-up so that its easier to pay than it is to be in the right. It's just generally understood.

If you feel the need you can get a IDP but I have found those are useless, in Thailand, Australia and US, they don't have much meaning. If you can produce an actual license in any country then its understood that you have a license in some other country, which is all the IDP states.
Brandon ************
@Terary *********
it's exactly the same in Chiang Mai. The same places at the same times. Back in the air conditioning and off the streets before it gets too hot. But they're good about letting you go if you're squared away. Mostly they're looking for helmet and IDP
Marc **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for your help so far.

I will bring a IDP but do not have the 125cc driving license from my homecountry. I know that they control driving licenses around Chiang Mai pretty frequently, that’s why I wanted to apply for temporary motorcycle license.

So if I understand correctly I can not get a certificate of residency in Bangkok on a 30 days visa exempt. Only if I get a tourist visa.

And maybe it is possible to get a certificate of residency in Chiang Mai on a visa exempt if I pay for the ‘expedited service’ but not 100% sure..
Hovvard ******
@Marc *********
I rented a 155cc bike in Chiang Mai and rode all over northern Thailand. I never was stopped once. I had my normal Colorado driver's license. I was fined for no helmet 500 baht at koh Samui. You are really over thinking this. Go to m25 motorbike rental in Chiang mai, they have a good selection. Rent a bike and ride.
Luc ************
@Hovvard *****
until he has an accident. 🤷‍♂️
Mark *********
@Luc ***********
Exactly. Far from over-thinking everybody is under-thinking and that includes it being as simple as getting an International Drivers Licence. Next step is driving within Thai law. Third step is your family setting up a Go Fund Me page as your Western travel or Health Insurance won't pay for the numerous bits of you being put back together given, say that you weren't wearing a helmet.
John **********
@Marc *********
you can't get a certificate of residence in Bangkok unless you've done a 90 day report which you will never do on a tourist visa or a visa exempt entry. Don't know about Chiang Mai
Mimmo ************
International driving licenze and u are ok
John **********
If you're just coming as a tourist for month or two just make sure you have an IDP from your home country covering you for scooters and your good to go
Stuart *********
You’re not going to get the “residence certificate” that’s needed for a license in Bangkok. They only issue those for people who’ve done a 90 day report, which you can’t do on a short term visa or exempt entry.

Not 100% sure of the policy in CM. You probably can get one on a tourist visa or even an exempt entry. I’ll let others with direct experience confirm.
Bonnie *********
Make sure you have an international driving permit with your motorcycle endorsement. For 30 days, that's all you'll need. AAA will provide them.
Donna ******
@Bonnie ********
I got mine from the post office for £5 each easy to apply for, just take your driving license and a passport style photo they fill it all in For you
Brandon ************
There's no such thing as a 30 day tourist visa. The only way to get a tourist visa is to apply for and pay for one from a Thai embassy before you travel.

If you go without a visa you'll receive 30 days visa exempt.

Neither of these will allow you to get a certificate of residency in Bangkok which you'll need for a drivers license.

Chiang Mai will be possible if you pay 500₿ for "expedited service" and have a TM30 from where you're staying.

I'm not sure if you can get a license on visa exempt though. You might need to be on a tourist visa to do so.
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