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What are the challenges of crossing borders in Southeast Asia on a Thai-registered scooter owned by someone else?

border crossing Thailand scooter travel motorbike rental Vietnam visa insurance ASEAN agreement driving license issues motorbike regulations

Oct 16, 2024

6 days ago

John **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, I’m coming to Thailand next month from England for 3 months, girlfriend owns a house and new scooter In Korat, I’ve ridden all over Thailand on bikes over  the years,  I’m planning on using her scooter to cross boarders into Cambodia, Laos , and Vietnam, I’m on the insurance with permission to use, has anyone had experience crossing borders on bikes they own, and any issues they’ve encountered with authorities ?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user is planning to travel around Southeast Asia using their girlfriend's scooter registered in Thailand and is seeking advice on potential legal and logistical issues at border crossings into Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. The discussion highlights several concerns including the need for the scooter's ownership documentation, the validity of Thai driver’s licenses in Vietnam, insurance requirements, and recommendations on renting bikes instead to avoid complications. Many responders shared experiences emphasizing the complexities of traveling on a foreign-registered vehicle, especially without proper authorizations such as a power of attorney, and the challenges that could arise with local authorities.

Galenus ******

Don't do it. Rent a car or taxi in Cambodia and Laos and/or travel by train.

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James *********

that just sounds like a bag of border problems... 🤷‍♂️

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Tohksic ******

Hare brained idea

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Mick *******

Remember and give her plenty of notice so she can move out her current man 👍

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Henrik *****

Scooters in Thailand are motorcycles, so you need a international MOTORCYCLE drivers license.

Not the correct license = no insurance.

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*****

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Lena *******

I decided not to read it but it sounds utterly horrible.

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Lena *******

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Frank-Steven ***********

If you want to cross into neighboring countries with a vehicle not registered in your name, you will face even more trouble than exists already. While possible in theory, you would need a power of attorney from the person whose name is in the green book. Also, some border crossings only allow particular sized motorcycles (not small scooters). Lastly, forget about Vietnam completely, no getting foreign motorcycles in there without a tour group.

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Craig *********

Really not worth the risk on a motorbike..maybe the insurance won't pay up, what you do then, maybe the police will target you, maybe the bike gets stolen, just take a bus or cheap air fare, my stepdaughter had an accident and spent 6 months in thai hospital, and she is thai...cost me $30k and they nearly cut her foot off for cheap alternative..you want to go through all that with these crazy drivers..

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Bonnie **********

Scooter.

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Bonnie **********

Walk. Use not some scouter.

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Howard ******

Lol. Good luck walking in the cities of SEA.

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Howard ******

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Andrew *********

Never had a problem maybe because i was never asked or stopped.

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Onne ***********

@Andrew ********

you stupid, every body must stop when cross the border, not can take your bike

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Andrew *********

@Onne **********

by police you muppet

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Onne ***********

@Andrew ********

he not ask that

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Andrew *********

@Onne **********

i said i never had any problems . Have a drink son

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Andrew *********

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David ********

The green book needs to be in the riders name. You must buy insurance at the border crossing along with all the other immagration papers have plenty of passport type photos with you saves time and cost. The same with Laos and cambodia. Vietnam is harder l think they require you to pay a guide also been awhile though. Don't worry about the police they leave you alone just ride responsible wear a helmet don't attract attention to yourself and your fine. Other option is hire a bike as you go scooters are cheap your only taking a pcx they cost m

Nothing to hire and saves drama all bike paperwork is the responsibility of the hire company

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Jock *****

We just bought a fairly new bike in HCM Vietnam 🇻🇳 then sold it in Danang 6 months later.

We rode fully covered up, long sleeves, pants, gloves, so local police couldn't easily spot the foreigners 😃

Police will definitely target tourists in the hot spots but they are wel known on social media ie Mui Ne, Danang Beach etc.

Had no troubles whatsoever in the small coastal towns along the way, or inland, as most police cannot speak English and will avoid you.

I personally think it was safer riding in Vietnam than Thailand 🇹🇭 and it's a really great experience touring there on a motorcycle

I believe it's not possible to bring a bike into the country at all.

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Baz *********

You will have major problems trying to cross borders on a Thailand registered Scooter especially one not registered specifically in your name..

Do plenty of research and good luck 👍

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Christopher *******

Your Thai drivers license is not valid in Vietnam. I know about the ASEAN agreement but Vietnam changed its decision. You must have a Vietnam license or you know what will happen. Maybe she drives the bike in Vietnam.

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Radost **************************

@Christopher ******

the license is valid as I used it just 1 month ago

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John **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Christopher ******

I have an English international driving licence, also a IDP, which should cover me I thought !

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Guy ********

@John *********

should cover you could be a Big Mistake. I was informed that if you don’t have insurance grade1 in Thialand then falangs won’t be covered not sure about other countries.My best advice would be to contact the bike’s insurance company and tell them your plans.It will be them that would know the answer to your questions. Good luck.

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Guy ********

I mean the word Should might be a mistake. You want Yes you are covered or No you are not hence contact Insurance company.

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Guy ********

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Simon *******

@John *********

your Thai idp will cover you in Vietnam both are 1968 ,for Cambodia you need a 1949 idp ,so you will need 2 different idp

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Christopher *******

John MarriottBig mistake. I would get a motorcycle license in Thailand. First if you do not have a motorcycle specific license and involved in a crash. Your insurance won’t cover you, you will be responsible and made to pay regardless of fault. There are mates lying in hospitals for long term care, cannot leave country until their bill is paid. That’s just Thailand. I know Vietnam police expect tourist to not have a Vietnam license and is a cash cow, multiple tickets a day. Depends on other factors, if you cover up or put your Thai girl at the handlebars.

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Stevie ********

@Christopher ******

I've ridden bikes all over Vietnam on an IDP many times without issue. I have been stopped by police they've checked my licence categories and because I have a full motorcycle licence I was free to go. All legal no problem so I don't see your reasoning

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Christopher *******

@Stevie *******

And just as you said a permit. Not a license, glad you had no trouble. But you were lucky.

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Jonnie *******

@Christopher ******

I personally haven’t been riding in Vietnam but according to online searches specific to Vietnam, since 2014 you can legally drive/ride on an International Driving Permit, if you’ve been there and done that then certainly your info re Vietnam will hold more weight,

but regardless what the police may say at roadside traffic stops,, the IDP should be sufficient and allows you to drive up to 90 days following your entry date to each of the countries where you intend to use it.

It’s certainly legal to ride on an IDP in thailand for up to 90 days each entry, I do have the full 5 year Thai licenses, but have ridden in tour groups with mates who have come to visit, (again not in Vietnam).

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Christopher *******

Jonnie DixinWait did you just say, “regardless what the police may say at roadside stops?” You will be the fool that argues with the police instead of bribing them. Good luck that😵‍💫. Seriously. In Thailand I used an IDL, read it, IDL can get you a real license not copy of your home license. Don’t be fooled you rent what you want, but it’s all on you if you get in a MVA without correct license. Insurance denies claim, & you’re hosed especially as a foreigner. You have to live in these countries to have paradigm beyond a tourist. Do what you want.

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Jonnie *******

@Christopher ******

pot luck whether he gets a Thai license on a tourist visa or visa exempt assuming that’s how he’s entering (60+ 30 extension), although not unheard of, most offices won’t issue a drivers license on that type of entry.

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Jonnie *******

@Christopher ******

and you will be the fool to pay up regardless right or wrong,,, I’ve been pulled for speeding on the bike quite a few times was stopped at a traffic stop up ahead which is a fair cop,, but once they tried to fine me for having luggage uncovered in back of my old vigo, even though it was covered,, got out of the truck and showed them the cover was secured, no fine.

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Christopher *******

Bullshit. You have no rights here, they take you prison. Happens everyday!

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Jonnie *******

@Christopher ******

you go your way I’ll go mine buddy, I guess you’re content being a doormat allowing chancers to walk over you,, me I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing, no probs in over 16 years living here, ain’t gonna change anytime soon

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Christopher *******

That has changed. As I said if you read, Vietnam changes it mind on some ASEAN agreements.

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Christopher *******

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Vincent ********

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John **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Vincent *******

very interesting Vincent, many thanks 👍

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Vincent ********

@John *********

you are welcome enjoy

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Vincent ********

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Mark ********

What sort of *new* scooter is it ?

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Linhof *********

@John *********

good bike?

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Mark ********

@John *********

Long way to go on a scooter thats all I was thinking.

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Mark ********

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