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What are the real requirements and costs for obtaining a motorcycle license in Thailand?

Thailand Motorcycle LicenseDriving License RequirementsExpat Driving License ThailandMotorcycle License CostDriving License Scams ThailandThai Visa and DrivingInternational Driving Permit
Nov 21, 2023
a year ago
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi. I would like to get a motorcycle driving license in Thailand. I saw some announcements on groups that it only costs 1500thb and you don't have to take the tests? How does it look in practice?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The process of obtaining a motorcycle license in Thailand can be complicated by scams that promise easy licences for low prices (like 1500 THB). Many responders caution against such offers, recommending instead to go through legitimate driving schools or directly at the Department of Land Transport (DLT). Most suggestions involve taking a short course at accredited schools, such as Honda Safety Riding Park, which involve a basic theory test and a practical riding test. The total cost for legitimate processes typically falls between 2000-3000 THB and takes around 3 days for completion, although it varies by location. For those without a motorcycle license from their home country, full tests will be required.
Menshikov *******
Добрый день. Подскажите где вы видели это объявление. ссылка пожалуйста?
a year ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Menshikov ******
 English
a year ago
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Michael ********
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Garry *************
Have been told the International Permit is good for only the first 3 months on arrival even though it is dated for 12 months. I would assume if leave and go a country the 3 months start again. Why would you want to ride a bike in Thailand have been riding for 50 years to scared to ride over there.
a year ago
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Martin *******
get it from home , at RACQ, or NRMA ? lasts a year or more .
a year ago
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Xjwhudkwhry ********
Greedy b##tards!!!
a year ago
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Arisara *********
It is not that hard to get a motorbike licence in Thailand. A paper/ online exam is in English, the training is by watching a traffic rule vdo then a practical exam takes only less than 10 minutes. The fee is about $10 to $20.
a year ago
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Derek *******
@Dorai *************
 can help you
a year ago
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Cia *********
You can only get a certificate from Immigration to request a permit. As for issuing a driver's license, you have to go and do the testing yourself.
a year ago
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Marc ********
It's a scam. I have seen it on Line too.

They promiss you to send you the DL for 1500b

Line account with DLT logo
a year ago
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Mark *********
Took my IDP, Aus drivers licence, doctors health cert and cert of residency did the 4 perception tests got my photo taken paid the money and walked out with my Thai licence...took 2 hours
a year ago
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Rc *******
@Mark ********
 is that Thai licence that you got a driving licence only includes motorbike riding licence too?
a year ago
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Mark *********
@Rc ******
 yes bike only at this point
a year ago
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Rc *******
@Mark ********
 👌
a year ago
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Rc *******
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Tony ******
Rule number one if it sounds to good it's a scam seriously slap yourself and get some steet under your feet
a year ago
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Alastair *******
I didn’t have a home motorcycle license. I looked at the Transport Department’s requirements, easy.

Some paperwork, eye and reflex test, then an easy drive test in their area!

Cheap, no hassles and very easy.
a year ago
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Richard *********
@Alastair ******
 WRITTEN test as well

not so easy >>>as some questions/answers very confusing

I took it in Feb, failed first time with a 44, need 45 out of 50. passed next day with 46 but i've been driving in Thailand over 30 years :-)
a year ago
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Andy **********
@Richard ********
 driving for 30 years in Thailand with no licenses?? proper Thai style that!! why bother getting licenses now then?? 😂🤷🤔
a year ago
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Richard *********
@Andy *********
 Had a car LIcnse here since 91, but never bothered with Motorcycle as they weren't concerned> post covid ....they are :-)
a year ago
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Richard *********
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Alastair *******
@Richard ********
 “very confusing” is a polite description of the Thai to English translation 🤣!

I’d managed to find a version of these questions online👍.
a year ago
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Alastair *******
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Bobby *********
a year ago
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Xamar ********
a year ago
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Richard *********
going price for an agent that will get you the license here in phuket is 7,000 baht PLUS u still need get a cor and medical test
a year ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ********
 wow so expensive
a year ago
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Richard *********
NOT in PHUKET!
a year ago
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Javier ********
@Richard ********
 If you do the test in a driving school directly it's same day.
a year ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ********
 I'm in CM and BKK
a year ago
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Lawrence *******
@Michael *******
 If you are in CM, then just enroll in the Honda school there. Easy enough. Good luck.
a year ago
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Lawrence *******
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Richard *********
@Michael *******
 Than do it the legal way an spend less than 500 yet u will need wait a few months to do ur test in Phuket.
a year ago
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Andy **********
@Richard ********
 if you get the license through a reputable well established agent it is legal, they are only helping you to convert your home licenses, you can't just buy one like some people suggest, it's all done at the land and transport office, if you don't have a full license from your home country together with an international licence, you will need to do all the tests on-line and practical.
a year ago
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Richard *********
@Andy *********
 I know, thats what my friend did and the price in Phuket without waiting for months for appt, watching the 75 min video, doing the tests other than eye, brake... take photo and wait

in and out in 30 minutes
a year ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard ********
 few months? People said 3 days.
a year ago
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Michael ********
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John **********
If you don't have a license for a bike from your home country the best thing for you to do is to sign up for a driving school that will take you through everything including both physical and computer based tests
a year ago
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Steve *********
Big scam. Don’t fall for it.
a year ago
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Kreaton *********
Its a scam
a year ago
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Sacha ****
How can anything be legal where you dont have to take the test. Think about it…
a year ago
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Andy **********
@Sacha ***
 they will only convert your home country licence, together with your international licence, into Thai licenses, if you don't already have a license from your own country, you have to do the full tests, you go to the land and transport office together with an agent or do it yourself, everything is issued there, so yes of course it is legal, and I didn't do any tests apart from a simple reaction and colour blind test.
a year ago
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Sacha ****
@Andy *********
 im aware thanks, if you read my comments i am aware
a year ago
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Sacha ****
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John *********
@Sacha ***
 Depends, I got both mine at my local DLT and no tests required beyond peripheral vision test (that's the eye test, not the driving hazards one) . I did it in person.
a year ago
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Sacha ****
@John ********
 key point there, you went yourself.

Other people cant turn up and do any aspects at all of the test for you and it be legal.
a year ago
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John *********
@Sacha ***
 I don't really understand why you need an intermediary at all, unless you're having driving lessons and they accompany you.

Our friends had to do a test for theirs but it was very basic and both passed first time as they already drove a car and rode a scooter.
a year ago
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John *********
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Zed ********
Ignore those scams. Go through places like Honda Riding Park or do it yourself (simple process). Follow the steps outlined in the guide (also has practice mock online tests to help you pass your theory test): Riding in Thailand -
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a year ago
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Adam *****
Contact local driving schools. Honda Safety Riding Park (in Chiang Mai, Phuket) come highly recommended, though there are other schools as well. Go through their training course and take the theory test on site. Once you pass you go to the local DLT, present your documents and they will issue the license.
a year ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Adam ****
 how much? Maybe you know. And how long does it take?
a year ago
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Robert ***********
@Michael *******
 I was also just quoted 2k in Phuket so that is still valid. I believe they said it's at the end of every month so act fast.
a year ago
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Adam *****
@Michael *******
 you can message them on Facebook messenger. They're very responsive.
@Honda **********************************
@Honda *****************************
a year ago
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Adam *****
@Michael *******
 3 days. It was 2k in Phuket and 3k in Chiang Mai. Add one day to queue at DLT.
a year ago
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Adam *****
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Graham *******
Varies by office, but I think u will find u have to watch a video and maybe a reaction test! U do not have to prove that u can ride a bike which demonstrates how fond the Thai's are of us Farangs! Do not be fooled by the advertisers, state which office u will try in and people will recommend an agent.
a year ago
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Michael ********
They are scams dont contact them.

Convert your license or do actual test. Its not very difficult
a year ago
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Damo ***********
@Michael *******
 this guy sounds like he will be very happy paying the scammer for his dodgey license... let us see if he is still happy and smiling the 1st time he gets pulled over by the BiB 🤷
a year ago
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Robert ***********
@Damo **********
 Another unnecessary stupid response from someone new.
a year ago
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Damo ***********
@Robert **********
 same as your unnecessary stupid response just then noobie?
a year ago
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Damo ***********
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Giovanni ****************
@Michael *******
 the theory test is not easy at all. The main problem is that the questions and answers are in a very broken English. You need to try to understand the meaning, memorize the question and the answer. 50 question, pass at 45 right.

I practiced with the application Thai Drive. Quite useful and free.
a year ago
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Michael ********
@Giovanni ***************
 Done motorbike test 3 times, i never found it difficult. Only time i had issue was practical in Truck I was too fast reversing
a year ago
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Giovanni ****************
@Michael *******
 not difficult it is just the atrocious translation which is often misleading.
a year ago
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Giovanni ****************
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 i have only car license but not international
a year ago
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Rick *********
@Michael *******
 it seems each area or office has different requirements. It seems the “tourist” areas I have heard are more strict. I did mine in a small town. One requirement was I had a motorcycle endorsement, then I didn’t need to take the driving test. I went to the office first and got their requirements, then got it.
a year ago
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Steve ********
@Michael *******
 If you want a motorcycle licence you have to start from scratch. A friend of mine went through these guys

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a year ago
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Steve ********
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Brandon ************
Drivers license scams are one of the biggest scams going around right now. You're just asking for your money to be stolen.

Either use an actual agency, or do it yourself the legit way. But responding to one of the ads offering a price too good to believe will separate you from your money quickly. There was just a post last week about someone getting taken in by one of these scammers.
a year ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 so you don't recommend intermediaries? What does the official route look like, what needs to be done?
a year ago
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Isi *************
@Michael *******
 you can look my post, I had a lot of good answers
a year ago
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Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Isi ************
 wchich ones
a year ago
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Isi *************
@Michael *******
 oh, that was another group 😁

But this link helped a lot someone post

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a year ago
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Isi *************
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Simon *********
@Michael *******
 if you want to use an agent I highly recommend Mots in Pattaya I used them they where very a professional outfit
a year ago
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Andy **********
@Simon ********
 I can second that recommendation for Mots visa services in Pattaya, if you have a full car license with motorcycle entitlement, together with an international licence, you can just attend the land and transport office with the agent, and do a simple reaction and colour blind test, and obtain both car and motorcycle licenses, there isn't much point with the price difference in only doing one licence.
a year ago
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Martin **********
@Andy *********
 Why with the agent? Went alone, looked up at internet, which papers they need, and done.
a year ago
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Andy **********
@Martin *********
 the agent was assisting me with opening a bank account because I couldn't do it myself with being on a tourist visa, I just decided to do the conversation of my driving licenses at the same time, I just thought it would be a lot easier tbh, rather than trying to navigate through the Thai bureaucracy.
a year ago
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Simon *********
@Andy *********
 totally agree mate
a year ago
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Simon *********
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Brandon ************
@Michael *******
 I don't recommend some ad you see that charges you 1500 baht.

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a year ago
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Brandon ************
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