I am applying for a Thai driver's license for the first time. I have an American driver's license/motorcycle license and an IDP. Questions:

If I have a work permit, is it true I don't need the residency certificate?

I read I have to get my license certified by the embassy? Is this true even with an IDP?

Having an American motorcycle license and IDP, will I still have to take the written and practical tests? I've heard different answers on this. I'm guessing it depends on the office? I'll be applying on Samui.

Many thanks!

Hey everyone!

Could someone brief me on the procedure of getting a drivers license in Bangkok? I do have a German and a Chinese one, but would like to do it here from scratch, as mine don’t contain the motorcycle license.

Hi all!

Going for Thai driver's license soon. Got all the documents but was curious about the process on the day of obtaining the license.

I recall seeing a post where someone commented that you could watch a video or do some kind of test (not sure anymore what exactly), to save time on that day.

Did someone recently do this and would like to share more information about this? Sorry, quite vague but cannot recall exactly what it was. :)

Hi everyone,

Heading to Bangkok early december this year with a 30 days tourist visa and want to apply for the temporary motorcycle license.

Any tips on how this procedure works, a lot of different information online and it’s quite confusing…

How and where to apply for certificate of residency? Is this even possible on a tourist visa?

Any steps that can already be done before arrival in order to speed up the process?

Better to apply in Bangkok or Chiang Mai?

Thanks for your help

Best regards

I will be in Phuket for about 2 months soon. Is it better to rent a scooter long term or buy one? What are the best ways to find one to buy if I go that way? Is my US drivers license enough to legally drive?

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.

Can somebody tell me how hard it is to get a motorcycle license in Thailand

I'm Canadian and only have a learner's license for a motorcycle in Canada

Does it matter what motorcycle you take your test on and do the training centers provide the motorcycle or do you have to provide that yourself

I don't know if they're all created equal I'm probably going to be traveling around Southern Thailand amongst the islands and going up to Chang Mai later

maybe some recommendations on who is good

Thanks

Ok, I might regret this, but I'm looking for an AGENT (preferably in Pattaya or Chiang Mai) who can expedite the process of obtaining a LEGIT Thailand drivers license. Feel free to recommend if you've used one; agents can message me directly.

I am looking into buying a moped in Bangkok. Is it required to have a Thai driving or motorcycle license? And if so, what are the best places to go to acquire a license? Thank you for your suggestions!

Hi guys,

What's the process for getting a Thai drivers license? Easy or not? Just trying to 'tick things off' each time i visit prior to retirement. I'm located in Samut Sakon.

TIA