What are the recent police regulations regarding foreigners driving motorbikes in Pattaya?

@Kim ********

Also, it's not an "international driver's license". That's a misnomer. It's an "international driver's permit" (aka "IDP") and it augments one's license from their home country. My question was whether one needed a motorcycle endorsement (also casually referred to as a license in casual speech, but actually something that augments one's driver's license) from their home country in order to drive in motor bike in Thailand. This is unrelated to the need for an IDP which is, of course, necessary if using a foreign license. This would be necessary if Thailand has separate licensing for motor bikes. THAT was my question.

Meanwhile, my question was not about driving in Thailand. It was about obtaining a license. While driving in Thailand requires one to have an IDP, TECHNICALLY, according to the Thai embassy, one does not need an IDP to obtain a Thai license IF the home country's license is in English OR if one obtains a translation from their embassy. However, I don't know why someone would go to Thailand and not drive until they could obtain a license when bringing an IDP is so simple...I suppose it's possible.

@Ruth ******

in my country which is Denmark it clearly says International Drivers License

@Kim ********

I know. That was not my question, but thank you.

@Sal ****

I’m actually hopefully coming in April or thereabouts. I’m coming as soon as my house sells.

I did just find a place where I can take the endorsement class that is not on a Harley. In fact, within reason, I can request the size of bike, even a scooter (although I think that’s a bad idea). I just need to travel a bit. Now, I need to figure out what size to use.

@Ruth ******

Ok, I just suggested a scooter as the ones in Thailand (eg. step-through 100-150cc autos/semi-autos) really are a great fit for 90% of the use-case riding done there. But, if planning on touring around: we did so for a week in the north 2 up on a Kawasaki KLX250 and it was perfect. More than enough power, long susp. smoothed the rough roads and no issues with rough dirt tracks. May be a bit tall (standover) for you though, depending on your size, though can be lowered a bit to fit. Safe travels!

@Sal ****

thanks

@Zed *******

Thank you very much. I've been planning to take a motorcycle course here before moving to Thailand, just because it's the prudent thing before getting on a motor bike. I'm just concerned because the courses (and thus the test) are on Harleys. Thank you for your help.

@Ruth ******

Harleys start at price of 1 mio Baht in Thialand. Get used to smaller bikes, if you just want to go around your home town or provice. 150 cc machines are fine.

@Otto ********

I think you misunderstood the point of my comment. I have no interest whatsoever in a Harley.

@Ruth ******

I know, but driving a Harley is different from a scooter aroun here, that's why I mentioned it.

@Ruth ******

you call them scooter...anything over 100 cc here is motorbike.

Yes, need a license !

@Steve *********

I’m asking if you need a motorcycle license from one’s national of origin to get a Thai license to drive a motor bike (happy now?).

@Ruth ******

No money talks??

@Ruth ******

you need a current D/L from your country to apply, or take a test.

75% of motorbikes are * 125 to 150 cc ( scooter ) but between 10k and 20k die each year on one.

Happier ?

@Steve *********

sigh. One more attempt to clarify…must the license from the home country include a motor bike (or as the licensing is here, “motorcycle”) specification on it? In the U.S., to drive a motorcycle, one needs a motorcycle license. In order to get a license to drive a motor bike in Thailand, without taking a test, does one need THAT license from one’s home country?

@Ruth ******

try google !

@Steve *********

so, you can’t answer with your experience after being a prick going back and forth with non-answers? What, you just like wasting people’s time nit-picking? “Google” only says one needs a license. It’s ok. You’re not the only person on this group, but you seemed to like to offer your “expertise”. I guess not. I guess you’re one of those. Maybe someone else can answer the question.

@Ruth ******

he told you. License from your home country or take a test. Read what people say you and don't be so rude

@Dee ****

stop virtue signally. The cops are also breaking the law.

@Rodney *********

I wouldn’t know but I see tourists without the right insurance licenses and protective gear everyday both locals and foreign being stopped

@Dee ****

I have lived there before and been there many times sine 1989 and I have seen plenty. They do stop mostly foreigners, because thats where the money is.

@Arnold ****

they lo e thailand for sure!

@Paul ******

you need to check your facts.

@Paul ******

Crap. The Royal Thai Embassy in London is not an authority for Thai driving laws. The authority is the international convention of driving signed up to by most countries in the world, including Thailand. The convention allows tourist to drive on their national licence in Thailand. If their national licence is not in English, then an English translation is required (obviously, an IDP meets this requirement but an IDP is not required if the licence is in English).

@Paul ******

Thailand have signed up to recognise an IDP which is what I think you are referring to. I can find nothing official that says you can use a UK license but plenty that says you need an IDP including the AAA, the UK Thai embassy, the US Thai embassy and so on

@John *********

John, 1. Thai Embassies are not issuers of Thai traffic law. Information on traffic rules published on their sites are just unsubstantiated information. 2. It is international conventions on driving in foreign countries that the Thai (and many other Governments) signed up to. I understand that there are 2 of these conventions (the second updated the first). Nowhere in either convention does it even mention IDP's, let alone specify that they are required.

@Paul ******

perhaps you could share the convention you are referring to as the only ones I can find are regards an IDP

@Henry ********

I understand what an IDP is. Regardless of whether it contains Thai or not it's still a requirement of driving in Thailand. A foreign license on its own is not acceptable in Thailand

@John *********

not true

@Jo *********

substantiate

@John *********

i have been stopped 3 times each time I used my foreign license no issue at all

@Jo *********

that just means you got away with it. It doesn't substantiate anything

@John *********

I have many friends same situation the police simply don’t care about a IDP it’s just a piece of paper made by some automobile club that has no authority

@Jo *********

of course it has authority, or are you suggesting international conventions are pointless? What a mess we'd be in.

@John *********

travelled a lot to about 40 countries over 20 years. I never had a IDP and no one every asked. always showed my license. No one cares about it

@Jo *********

so that's definitively the legal position then. 🤣🤣🤣

@Henry ********

IDP doesn’t have Thai. Law is that you need a license in English OR an IDP but police may demand anything they want.

@Mark *******

Great, so that applies to everyone because except for permanent residency, Thailand doesn't issue immigrant visas, only Non-immigrant visas (identifying they're NOT an immigrant, only residing temporarily).

@Garrett **********

it's an English translation so subject to some interpretation... Bear in mind other legislation requires residents to have a Thai licence so I'm not convinced your interpretation is correct

@Paul ******

the key word in international permit or licence? Same same...

@Glyn *********

except it's not. Is visa on arrival the same as visa exempt? Absolutely not

@Janin *****

look at the document, it literally says the name on it. You can call it whatever you want, it doesn't change what it is.

@Janin *****

sorry I think I mixed information in general of all the comments, you can ignore me because I don't think I read fine first time

@Janin *****

what? You said didn't exist and is not true... In EU we don't need but is very common to use it if we go to nonEU countries inside Europe or the Mediterranean... You can use it here without need to be the Thai License... And yes always you need to have the original of your country... But exist and you can and if you travel must use it...

@Germán ******************

, I said you were wrong, I didn’t say it doesn’t exist, you said it doesn’t! because I have one!

@Janin *****

can we see a picture of it? Of course with your personal information crossed off.

@James ********

, tomorrow as I am not home today.

@Brandon ***********

Also issued in Canada (CAA) and accepted by Thai police for traffic violations. Ask me how I know 😌.

@Mark *******

, I have a official international drivers license from Belgium. Nothing scam, nothing illegal document !

@Janin *****

if you say so. Doesn't change the fact that they don't exist.

@Brandon ***********

all this is about the use of word " license" instead of "permit"?

@Moadi *****

there's a technical legal difference in terminology, but one document is valid and the other is invalid

@Moadi *****

yup, lol