@Frédéric ****************

An IDP is also an authorization to drive internationally. You're basically really just informing that you plan to drive out of country. It's best to have it if something goes awry.

@เอ็ดเวิร์ด ******

I do plan to get an IDP to carry with the license. I'm just trying to figure out what to do specifically about the scooter issue.

@Sid ******

Thank you. I will see if I can find them online and contact them. Chiang Mai is where I plan to land first.

@Kool ******

good point about the language. I’m just starting my studies (and it’s rough), so that is definitely a factor.

@Benjamin *****

I don’t need a lecture about the importance of lessons. I came asking about lessons. You also weakened your argument by telling me that I can pay someone to be be abusive and treat me as CHP officers do. Given that I had one almost pull a gun on me for the horrible crime of pulling into a parking lot to take a phone call with my daughter, I’m not a big fan.

Yes, of course the state’s endorsement is the same as for a motorcycle (no, I’m not in CA), which is why most of the classes teach on them, but I have no intention of riding a Harley (the preferred ride they use for their classes). I have only half of my abdominal muscles and I think those lovey “drill instructors”, as you describe them, would have a hissy fit about my inability to lift a Harley. I don’t need to pay for that abuse.

Also, these classes are going to be INCREDIBLY expensive. I gave up my car when I was in Asia, so I need to rent a car for each of the classes and they are three days, minimum, spread out. Each day of classes is a two-day car rental at over $100/day (rental cars are crazy right now). That’s in addition to the $500-600 for the class, so I’d better be absolutely certain that these classes are gold. The one class that I said has a bad reputation seems to like to take people’s money, then just drop them out in the first hour or two. That’s not really going to help teach me or get my endorsement.

Sooooo…

For everyone else, I am not looking to skirt the system. I understand that I can “get by” without the license, but I want to learn and get licensed properly, just in Thailand, not the U.S.. That’s my question. Is that possible?

Pat - thank you for your information on the licensing offices. That’s discouraging, but maybe they’ll open by the time I get there. Yes, I do plan to get an automatic, although my last *car* was a clutch.

Can someone explain exactly how this works? So, if you are staying in an STR and you decide to leave for a couple days and return, you need to then file a TM30 upon your return, right? It seems the landlord is the one who needs to file it, not the tenant. Can we just file it ourselves or do we need to go through the landlord/homeowner?

@Brett **********

He was not funny and, yes, he was being shocking, as this group often is, for effect. I don’t know why people feel it’s necessary. It’s not a trap. It’s just immaturity. If he actually wants advice, that’s not the way to go about it. Clearly, by his follow-up responses, he isn’t really seeking help. He’s looking for people to reassure him in beliefs he already holds.

@Terary *********

you have STILL not made the least bit of headway toward proving the statement “we are all about spending beyond our means”. You have majorly oversimplified a Massive systemic issue within the United States. I am not going to spend my time and effort trying to explain the problem to you. As someone who does not live in massive debt, I clearly do understand the issue better than you. The problem is NOT people simply enjoying living above their means. Meanwhile, NONE of this matters to get your question answered; does it? So, create division for no reason?

@Terary *********

When speaking about yourself, no need to make everything a national issue.

@David *********

I was thinking the same thing. He made big assumptions both about the U.S. and about Thailand based on limited experience, when he could have just asked the question without those assumptions.