Hello all, I’m moving to Thailand soon and will have IDP for my home country. I’ve recently learned that there are two different drivers licenses I can obtain in Thailand, for car and motorcycle, and was hoping to gain a little knowledge from people that have obtained these?

My first question is whether I would need the motorcycle version of a drivers license to ride a scooter/moped that I could rent, and if that license is universal for that type of transportation or is it just based on the size of the engine you intend on riding?

If I only had a drivers license for cars and was pulled over for riding a bike, what would be the ticket?

Regarding the process of obtaining both of these, if I’m in Bangkok, what do I need to have, where do I need to go, and is there a practical driving test for both of these to show that I can drive a car and a scooter or is it only written?  Any practical advice would be welcomed? Cost?

Lastly, are there any benefits to having either of these licenses aside from their literal uses? For example, does having a drivers license an ID make certain government processes little easier?

Thanks again!

Hi everyone! 👋

I’m currently living on the DTV in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and I’m wondering how scooter/motorbike accident insurance works here. I already have health insurance, but I’m not sure how things are handled in case of an accident — for example, if I’m involved in a crash or cause damage.

Of course, I hope it never happens 😅, but I’d like to understand how it’s usually arranged here. Do you get it through a local provider, rental company, or separately?

Thanks a lot in advance for any insights or experiences you can share! 🙏

Just FYI for all of those driving and or passengers on grab bikes

hope this isn’t off-topic. I want to get a motorbike license in Bangkok. What is the name of the Department Office for Bangkok?

Hi all! I have a driver’s license from my home country but I do not have an IDP (I forgot to get one before I left). From my understanding, I would’ve needed to have it before I entered Thailand. I saw a few posts stating you can drive without an IDP. Can someone share your experience with driving in Thailand. Is there another option if you don’t have an IDP? Thanks for your help! 😀

Random Question regarding Chiang Mai.

There's a street there, in the downtown old city area, and it's a street, which I have heard is the only street in Chiang Mai, maybe all of Thailand, where you are legally required to drive on the right hand side of the street 🤯!

Yes, it exists, I have driven on it (Thai wife told me to 'take the next left ... oh, and be careful, this street you drive on the right hand side!') and I have found one video that shows a short section of the street, but no identifying signs that would easily locate where it's at but nothing else, at least in English.

Anyone know the name of this street or where (a nearby landmark even?) in Chiang Mai it is located (old city Chiang Mai warps my brain, 3 years living in Chiang Mai, outside the city near Hang Dong, and I still can't get used to driving around the old city area!)

Apparently the tourism industry is back and booming again in Chiang Mai, so much so that for the next 3 days busses are banned from going up Doi Suthep to help prevent too many tourists from visiting during the holiday.

No, it's not a joke.

Can anyone please tell me what this signpost in Khun han means.