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What countries in Asia can I easily obtain a motorbike license that allows for an IDP while on a tourist visa?

motorbike licenseIDPinternational driving permittourist visaThailandvisa rulesexpat advicemotorbike rentalASEAN travel
Feb 15, 2024
9 months ago
Max *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi,

I want to travel to other countries in Asia, and be able to legally rent a motorbike. So, I want to get a motorbike license. Since the Thailand 2 year license is not able to issue IDP(?), this rules Thailand out. What other country could i travel to short term and get a license fairly easily?

Info:

* If it matters, i have a car license from home country since 10+ years.

* Must be able to issue IDP for the motorbike license.

* Must be able to get the license on a tourist visa. Preferably i fly in, spend a week or two there to get everything done. Fly out.

* Bonus points if its also convertible to a 5 year license back in thailand.

What are my options?

And thanks a lot, this community is always helpful.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the necessity for an International Driving Permit (IDP) when traveling in Asia and the conditions under which one can obtain a motorbike license on a tourist visa. The author seeks destinations where this can be done easily, noting that binding factors include existing motorcycle endorsements and the ability to legally obtain the license while on a short-term visit. Several community comments offer insight into licensing processes in various countries, frustrations related to the validity of IDs in Thailand, and alternative methods for obtaining the necessary permits.
Diane **********
Get an international driving permit issued in your home country, this will allow you to drive for a while in Thailand or other countries. Doubt that you can take Thai or other countries vehicles out of the country, maybe uou can but need special permit & insurance. Google driving regulations in the countries you want yo visit.
9 months ago
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Brett **********
Not sure where you are located, I went an agent in Pattaya they took me to dmv I got my Thai driver license with add on motorcycle license quick easy and cheap! Driving and motorcycle very dangerous in Thailand! Isaan maybe a little bit, anywhere else, not recommended! Taxis, vans and bus are cheap and fast! Also train.
9 months ago
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Tobben ********
I have an International( Eu) driverslicence for cars, snowscooter, tractor and motorbike issued in Norway. Never had any problems,but I think its valid for only 3 months in Thailand ?
9 months ago
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Bart **************
The Thai license is easy to get though, and you are qualified in all ASEAN countries without an IDP.
9 months ago
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Luc ************
@Bart *************
 nope, only the 5 year license..
9 months ago
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Bart **************
@Luc ***********
 nope, all licenses qualify, the initial two years does also. Or show me a source it does not.
9 months ago
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Bart **************
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Nathan *********
Before I got my licence I was able to order my IDP online from here in Thailand and it was mailed to me. This was from Australia
9 months ago
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Dennis *********
A little research goes a long ways. On addition to your current drivers license get an international drivers license and carry both with you at all times and you're good to go for just about any country including Thailand
9 months ago
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Stuart ***********
@Dennis ********
 do you mean International driving permit?
9 months ago
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Dennis *********
@Stuart **********
 i think they are one and the same, yes
9 months ago
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Stuart ***********
@Dennis ********
 I think that's his point. He is saying he can't get an IDP.
9 months ago
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Dennis *********
don't make a ton of sense. an IDP can only be issues from ones home country, you can not travel to any Asian country and apply/aquire an IDP, well unless you're from one of those Asian countries. However for an IPD to be legit, you have to 1st have a real drivers license, and carry both with you. it is not a substitute for a drivers license.
9 months ago
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Dennis *********
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Jeffrey **********
Thai license is valid in 13 neighboring countries,
9 months ago
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Luc ************
@Jeffrey *********
 only the 5year license, not the 2 year.🤷‍♂️
9 months ago
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Luc ************
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John **********
Your home country and take a bike test then get an IDP there
9 months ago
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Andrew *******
@Max ******
 rather than asking people in Thailand wouldn't you be better to look for other countries' expat Facebook forums that might be in countries that you might travel to to fix this issue ? So find an expat forum for Cambodia or Malaysia etc where expats there might be able to better assist you with info on getting a motorcycle licence in that country ?
9 months ago
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Michael *******
In most countries you will need to take a motorcycle test they don’t just give them away to car drivers , I spent 6 months and many hours being taught how not to kill myself or others………
9 months ago
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Claude *******
le permis ThaĂŻ est valable dans toute la zone ASEAN, pas besoin de permis international
9 months ago
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Luc ************
@Claude ******
 only the 5 year license which he doesnt have .
9 months ago
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Luc ************
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Toni *****
You can not convert your license straight to 5 year one. You must have 2 year one first THEN renew it to 5 year one AND have long term visa(not tourist) to get 5 year license. Thats what DLT told to me atleast.

You are looking to cut corners here I see…
9 months ago
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Jan ******************
@Toni ****
 Depends if he’s on a long term Non O visa, unless they just give you two and two years, as they’ve done with me for almost ten years.

Edit, sorry I see you also specified this yourself
9 months ago
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Toni *****
@Jan *****************
 he also specified that it needs to be on Tourist Visa so I assume hes on TR visas.
9 months ago
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Ruth *******
@Toni ****
 he said a tourist visa for the country outside Thailand. That doesn’t mean he’s on a tourist visa in Thailand. It only means he doesn’t want to establish residency elsewhere.
9 months ago
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Ruth *******
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Ruth *******
@Toni ****
 he is not. He’s trying to find a way to legally ride a motorbike traveling.
9 months ago
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Andy **********
@Ruth ******
 He is trying to cut corners. The obvious answer is to learn to ride a bike at home and get his licence updated. But he doesn't want to do that, expecting to get a licence magically issued in some ASEAN country for him
9 months ago
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Wayne *********
@Andy *********
 Oh you mean the ones that can be bought online or at Big C in the corn flakes packets are no good ? Damn :) So glad i did my legally
9 months ago
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Wayne *********
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Robert **********
I don't know of any Asian countries where you need a license to rent a motorbike. I have even rented a car in Thailand without having my license with me.
9 months ago
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Jos *********
Just go to your home town city hall and ask for an international driving license
9 months ago
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Ruth *******
@Jos ********
 only if they have a motorcycle endorsement. I think it’s safe to assume the OP does not have this from home or he wouldn’t be asking the question
9 months ago
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Ruth *******
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Jos *********
@Robert *********
 and do you think any insurance will cover you when you get involved in an accident?
9 months ago
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Jos *********
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Kool *******
You must have a valid motorcycle license/endorsement first. All an IDP is is a translation into other languages of your legal license. If you do not have a legal motorcycle license, an IDP will not show motorcycle, and be worthless for motorbikes.
9 months ago
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Stuart ***********
Do you have a motorbike licence in your home country?
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
Most agencies that issue IDP have a way to apply internationally. For example AAA in the US has a specific address to mail applications if you're already overseas.
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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