Before my next trip to Thailand, I decided to finally look into options of riding the rental scooters there legally - mainly for insurance purposes. I hold a B-category (car) driver's licence, which allows me to ride a motorcycle up to 125ccm and 15HP in my country and many other European countries. This is obviously not the case in Thailand.
I identified the following options to get that right in Thailand:
1. Get an A-category driver's licence at home and an International Driving Permit (IDP) - the drawback of this avenue is that the course and exam for this licence involve riding a heavy motorcycle which I never rode and have no intention / need to ride, so it would take an extra effort for me to learn it and pass that exam.
2. Get an A1-category driver's licence at home and an IDP - from what I learned, there are two conventions regulating the IDP: Geneva (1949) and Vienna (1968). The 1949 one does not have a box for category A1, the 1968 one does. As I understand, Thailand ratified the 1968 (Vienna) convention in 2020, so since then it should be legal to ride A1 motorbikes (125ccm, 15HP) using this form of IDP with the A1 box checked. Can anyone confirm this?
Even if so, the drawback of getting the A1 licence is that, while the course costs almost the same and takes as long as the A-category, it gives me few additional rights in Europe (as the B-category that I already hold basically encompasses the rights granted by A1 in many European countries).
EDIT: I found some evidence elsewhere which might suggest that A1 on the IDL is not good for riding scooters in Thailand: [members only]
3. Get a Thai driver's licence for scooters - is this possible to do on a visa exemption or tourist visa? How long would it take and how much would it cost? As I mentioned, the main reason I'm looking into this is for insurance purposes, so the document must hold up in case of being challenged by an insurance company.
I'm leaning towards options 2 or 3 - any advice will be appreciated.
TLDR : Answer Summary
This post discusses the options for riding rental scooters legally in Thailand, focusing on the need for a valid driving license and insurance. The author holds a B-category driver's license but wants to understand the implications for riding in Thailand, considering obtaining an A-category or A1-category license, or getting a Thai driver's license. The conversation includes community advice on the necessity of having proper documentation to avoid issues with police and insurance companies, and it suggests that getting a Thai license might be the most straightforward route. The discussion emphasizes the importance of being legally certified to ride a scooter for both legal and safety reasons.
