Exploring Thailand by motorcycle or scooter is a practical and popular way to get around. More remote locations and the islands don’t have public transportation or taxis easily accessible so getting around by motorbike is often needed. To legally and safely operate a motorcycle in Thailand, obtaining a Thai motorcycle driver’s license is a must. With recent updates to the application process, getting a motorcycle license in Thailand can seem overwhelming. We’ve gone through the process ourselves and have created an updated guide to help you get your motorcycle driver’s license in Thailand.
In this comprehensive guide to getting a motorcycle license in Thailand, we cover the eligibility criteria, application process, necessary documents, application timeline, costs, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Eligibility Criteria for a Motorcycle License in Thailand
To obtain a Thai motorcycle license, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Age Requirement: To apply for a learner’s permit, you must be at least 15 years old, and for a full motorcycle license, you must be at least 18 years old.
- Residency Requirement: You must either be a Thai national or a foreign national with a valid visa, including a tourist visa, and reside in Thailand.
- Physical and Mental Fitness: To operate a motorcycle, you must be physically and mentally fit. This will be determined through the written and practical tests.
The Process of Obtaining a Motorcycle License in Thailand
To get your Thai motorcycle license you need to follow these steps:
- Gather all the required document (see below)
- Go to your local Provincial Transport Office: You need to come early (usually 8am). Get a ticket to wait in line and drop off all the required documents.
- Take the Physical test: as of 2023, this consists of 4 tests that are fairly easy to pass
- Color test: An official will point to a different colored dot or ask to confirm the color of a lit bulb or lamp. You are then required to state the name of each color, either in Thai or English. After stating each color correctly, you will be told that you’ve passed. The color can be shown quite fast so be prepared for that.
- Reaction test: You will sit behind a brake and gas pedal simulator on a chair or stool. The official will ask you to place your right foot firmly on the accelerator until the green LED lights on the panel appear. When a signal is raised, you are expected to push the brake pedal in less than one second. The official will confirm whether you’ve passed or not. Multiple attempts are allowed until you get it right.
- Depth Perception test: You will be asked to sit a few meters away from a box with two sticks inside – one will be moving (left) and the other one fixed (right). You must operate a toggle, level, or press a button so that the moving stick travels towards the fixed stick. You are required to align both sticks within one inch of each other. Once achieved, the official will let you pass.
- Peripheral test: You will be asked to position your head on a test apparatus with your eyes staring directly at the official. Lights will appear on either side, and you must tell the official the exact traffic color without moving your eyes or head. After stating the correct colors, the official will let you pass.
- Watch videos about driving safety and driving code: You will have to sit down for about 4-5 hours to watch 3 videos that were each between 60-90 minutes. The first video was going through the driving code in Thailand. The second video was about safety and showed a bunch of accidents and what was the cause of accidents in Thailand. The last video was techniques for being a good driver. You must sit and watch these videos (which are subtitled in English). If you do not attend or fall asleep, you will fail this step and can’t continue. Since this was a 5 hours session (in Koh Samui) there is a break in between for lunch.
- Take the written test: This is a 50 questions test. You need to score at least 45/50 to pass the test. If you fail, you can retake the test the next day
Here are good sample questions for you to get familiar with the test. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, take a moment to read all of them. During the test you will be randomly assigned 50 questions from that pool so studying them would help you succeed the first time. The English version of the test is poorly translated, which makes it rather confusing. If you don’t know the questions ahead of time, it is going to make the test even more difficult to pass.
- Take the practice test: This is a relatively easy test as long as you drove a motorcycle before. The instructor will tell you what to do. In Koh Samui, the circuit took less than 5 minutes to complete. (See video below). The most technical part was to go through a narrow elevated plank at slow speed and staying on it the entire time. If you fail the circuit, you can retake it at least one more time.
- Get your photo taken and receive your Thai driving license: this is the last part where a digital picture of yourself will be taken. Pay 150 Baht and receive your Thai motorcycle license.
Required Documents for a Motorcycle License in Thailand
The following documents are required to apply for a Thai motorcycle license:
- Passport + Visa document: You will need to provide a valid passport to prove your identity along with your current Visa. Make sure to make a copy of both the passport page as well as your visa page
- Residency Certificate: You will need to provide proof of your address in Thailand via a Residency certificate that you can obtain at your local immigration office. This requires a passport picture and a proof of address document (or t3 form). You can obtain this document by talking to your landlord. We asked our Airbnb and they provided us with an electronic version of this document within minutes.
- Medical certificate: You will need to provide a medical certificate to confirm that you are physically and mentally fit to operate a motorcycle. Once you go to the hospital, ask for a medical certificate for a motorcycle. The test is done within minutes.
How many days does it take to get a motorcycle license in Thailand?
If you are organized, this can be done in a week if you follow the steps below:
- Monday (or Day 1): Ask your landlord for your proof of address document and get copies of your passport + visa pages. Get some passport pictures taken if you don’t have any. Go to your local immigration office and apply for the residency certificate. Ask for next day delivery and pay the expedited fee. Go to your local clinic and hospital to get your medical certificate.
- Tuesday (or Day 2): Go pick up your Residency certificate (though expedite delivery might change based on the immigration office you visit. At the Chiang Mai Airport immigration office, the turnaround time was 24 hours). Spend time studying for the written test as it is not straightforward. Some good resources are listed later in the guide to help you study for the test.
- Wednesday (or Day 3): Go to your local Provincial Transport Office with all the required documents early in the morning. Go through the Physical and Written exam test in the morning. Some Provincial Transport Offices (such as Chiang Mai) might let you take the Practical test after that. The Koh Samui Provincial Transport Office asks you to return the next day in order to go through the test. If you passed everything, you can then get in line and get your Thai motorcycle license
- Thursday (or Day 4): Celebrate! You did it and can now safely and legally drive a motorcycle in Thailand (and all 10 ASEANs countries) for 2-5 years!
Note 1: If you are not in a rush and want to save on your total cost for the motorcycle license, start applying for the residency certificate asap. You can get a free version of the Residency Certificate but it usually takes 3-4 weeks to get it delivered.
Note 2: Keep in mind that there is sometimes a backlog at the Chiang Mai office and you may have to wait about 3 weeks to be able to take the test. This is less likely to happen in less popular locations like Koh Samui. Although the process in Koh Samui takes two days, it can only be started on Monday, Wednesday or Fridays.
Cost of Obtaining a Motorcycle License in Thailand
The cost of obtaining a Thai motorcycle license is as follow:
- Residency Certificate: free if you don’t mind the 3-4 weeks delivery time. If you ask for next day delivery this could cost you anywhere from 500-1000 Baht. It cost 500 Baht when applying from Chiang Mai.
- Medical Certificate: anywhere between 100-200 Baht. The Chiang Mai hospital cost 200 baht. Clinics might be cheaper.
- Motorcycle license fee: 150 Baht to get your card printed, once you complete all the tests.
- Passport photo: 120 Baht for 4
- Photocopy: 10-20 Baht
In total you are looking to spend anywhere from 250 Baht to 1490 Baht, which is quite reasonable. Keep in mind that there is no cost to attend and take all the Physical / Written and Practical tests at your local Provincial Transport Office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I have a local motorcycle license from my own country. Can I drive with it as long as I want in Thailand?A: No. If you are staying longer than 3 months in Thailand, by law you are required to obtain a Thai license.
Q: Can I use my foreign motorcycle license in Thailand?
A: In some cases, foreign nationals can use their foreign motorcycle license in Thailand, but it is best to check with the local Department of Land Transport to confirm.
Q: How long is a Thai motorcycle license valid for?
A: If you are on a tourist visa, a Thai motorcycle license is valid for two years and can not be renewed after that, unless you get either a resident or working visa If you are on a resident visa, a Thai motorcycle license is valid for five years and can be renewed after that.
Q: What happens if I get caught riding a motorcycle without a license in Thailand?
A: If you are caught riding a motorcycle without a license in Thailand, you may face fines, imprisonment, or both. The fines won’t be more than 2,000 Baht and imprisonment should be not more than 1 month (though very unlikely)
Q: Can I convert an existing motorcycle license into a Thai license?
A: Yes. For this you would need to bring the same document required to apply for the motorcycle license + your original motorcycle license and the corresponding international driver license (or the local driver license translated in English by your local embassy). If you bring these document, you would not have to go through any of the exams
Q: What is the process to renew a Thai Motorcycle license
A: Bring the same document you would need to apply for the motorcycle license and bring as well your previous motorcycle license. You will need to renew before your current Thai motorcycle license. In this case, you can skip all the test
Q: I am in Koh Samui, what day can I come to get my license?
A: If you are in Koh Samui, as of 1/1/2023 the initial license can only be done on Monday/Wednesday/Fridays on the island. Renewals however are possible at any day of the week!
Q: In which country is the Thai motorcycle license valid?
A: The Thai motorcycle license is valid in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The 10 ASEAN countries are:
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar (also known as Burma)
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
If you have additional questions, please feel free to leave us a comment below and we will do the best to answer them and update this FAQ accordingly. Thank you!
Our bottom line
In conclusion, obtaining a motorcycle license in Thailand is a necessary step for anyone who wants to legally ride a motorcycle on the roads in Thailand. The process may seem lengthy, but it’s important to follow the proper steps to ensure you have the knowledge and skills necessary to safely operate a motorcycle. By taking a motorcycle training course, applying for a learner’s permit, passing the written and practical tests, and obtaining a Thai motorcycle license, you’ll be able to legally and safely ride a motorcycle on the roads in Thailand.
Once you have your motorcycle license and are ready to explore Thailand, check out our guides for some of the best places in Thailand: Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son Loop, Koh Lanta, Koh Samui and Koh Tao. If you need to extend your tourist visa, check out this guide on how to stay in Thailand for 3 months.
Have you taken a Thai Motorcycle exam before? How was your experience? Has anything changed since the process we’ve highlighted above? Please leave us a comment so we can keep this blog post up to date!
33 Comments
Skip · February 15, 2023 at 2:23 am
Great thorough write up on the process for obtaining the license. While we were in Chiang Mai recently, we came across a motorcycle training course that provided you with your license at the end. We haven’t needed to rent a scooter in any of the places we have visited so far. However, it is something I may consider if we continue to spend a large amount of time in Asia… There are still to many places to visit before making that decision. Are you familiar with this course and is it something you think would be beneficial to someone with little experience on a motor bike? I know scooters aren’t all that daunting to operate, but some places in Southeast Asia can be a bit initiating when it comes to operating a scooter. Looking forward to what you think of Koh Samui. Safe travels.
Mr. Nomad Numbers · February 15, 2023 at 1:50 pm
Thanks Skip! Can you tell me the cost of the course? If you prefer a more comprehensive training, it might be a good idea to take it, especially if you plan to ride a scooter in Thailand. Additionally, it’s crucial for you to practice the written test examples, which I have included in the blog post. This will help you pass the test with ease (by the way, I scored 49 out of 50!). Please note that in Koh Samui, I had to watch a 5-hour video on the driving code, which was informative but didn’t prepare me well for the test. It’s essential to study for the test, especially since the English version is poorly translated and can be confusing.
Skip · February 16, 2023 at 12:59 pm
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I don’t recall the cost of the course. However, I agree that it’s something to consider if I decide to spend extended amounts of time in Southeast Asia.
Robert · June 7, 2023 at 9:29 pm
So if you have this, then your insurance should be valid should you have an accident?
Mr. Nomad Numbers · June 8, 2023 at 10:15 am
Yes Robert, it is my understanding that your insurance will cover you because you will have a valid driver’s license. Please do double-check with your insurance provider, though, to be 100% certain that this will be the case, as there are always fine prints in these contracts. 🙂
Andrew · July 29, 2023 at 4:24 pm
What is the process of getting the learners permit as a 15 year old, is the process the same? What restrictions does the learners permit have?
Mr. Nomad Numbers · July 30, 2023 at 10:06 am
Hi Andrew. Are you a resident of Thailand or would you apply as a foreigner? I don’t know the specific and I don’t even know if foreigner would qualify to apply for a learners permit. Maybe you could try to reach out to some support group in Thailand *(assuming your are a foreigner)*. Maybe you could start with the ‘Expats in Thailand’ Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/expatsinthai/). Good luck and keep us posted if you figure out the details as other readers of this post could greatly benefit from it. Sorry for not being able to help you out more.
Maeve · September 11, 2023 at 5:29 am
Hey, thank you so much for laying it all out so clearly! I am from a country that gets permission on arrival to stay in Thailand for 30 days. Is that considered a visa for getting a license? Or would I need to apply for a longer term visa in order to show proof of a visa? Many thanks! 🙂
Mr. Nomad Numbers · September 18, 2023 at 2:51 pm
Hi Maeve! For a 30 days stay, an international driving license should be enough for you to be able to drive a motorbike in Thailand (assuming you have already such license in your home country). If not, you can try to get the license, but the process take a few days and require some paperwork to do before hand…
kay · September 17, 2023 at 6:36 am
Hi, I am from the UK and I got my car driving license before 2001. This means that here I automatically have my CBT license without having to take any tests. It means I can legally ride a moped up to 50cc. If I pay for my UK license/international license (I have that) to be transferred to a Thai license would that be sufficient to ride more powerful motorbikes? Is there a different classification of motorbike licenses in Thailand like there is in the UK? Eg. the A2 license. Or will my transferred CBT license be sufficient? Many thanks.
Mr. Nomad Numbers · September 18, 2023 at 2:49 pm
Wow. Good for you 🙂 I did not know that such upgrade were possible! I am unfortunately not familiar with the UK driving licenses so I can’t answer that. Maybe someone in our community will be able to help you out? In any case, if you figure this out, please let us know!
Miles · January 9, 2024 at 11:16 pm
Quick question, did you use your residency you received in Chiang Mai for the test in Koh Samui, also were you on a 30 day visa, or was it longer than that? Lastly, do you need a second photo copy of your visa and passport for land transport, or was that only for the residency certificate? I just got into Thailand and started the process right away, so I’m hoping I will have enough time in Chiang Mai before I have to renew. Thanks for the great article and resources. Hoping to have my Thai visa soon.
Mr. Nomad Numbers · January 13, 2024 at 1:27 am
Hi Miles. As we were initially planning on taking the test in Chiang Mai (but couldn’t due to the wait time) we reuse our residency form we got from CM. Any proof of address will work. We were on a 60 days visa but we know people on a 30 days visa that were able to take the test. Your license will only be valid for 2 years and you can’t extend it after that. And yes we need to make a copy of our passport and visa. Good luck with your application and keep us posted how it went!
Veggie Man · September 25, 2023 at 1:20 pm
This was very helpful, so thank you very much. After going to the DLT today, they posted this link to additional test questions (not included on website you linked to).
Just use Google Chrome to auto-translate Thai to English: https://safedrivedlt.com/%e0%b8%9d%e0%b8%b6%e0%b8%81%e0%b8%97%e0%b8%b3%e0%b8%82%e0%b9%89%e0%b8%ad%e0%b8%aa%e0%b8%ad%e0%b8%9a%e0%b9%83%e0%b8%9a%e0%b8%82%e0%b8%b1%e0%b8%9a%e0%b8%82%e0%b8%b5%e0%b9%88/
Mr. Nomad Numbers · October 9, 2023 at 2:07 pm
Thank you for sharing this resource!
Did you ended up passing the test?
Veggie Man · October 9, 2023 at 2:24 pm
Sure did, 47/50! Someone else failed, but passed the next day at 11am where they allowed him to take the driving portion that day at 2pm(in Samui).
Mr. Nomad Numbers · October 11, 2023 at 10:37 am
Congrats! Enjoy your Thai driving license 🙂
Markus · November 13, 2023 at 9:32 pm
Hi,
very interessting Post!
Is it possible to use the adress of an Hotel instead of Airbnb?
Kind regards,
Markus
Mr. Nomad Numbers · November 13, 2023 at 10:03 pm
Yes you can use an hotel address if you would like.
Azzum · December 20, 2023 at 5:38 am
How about a 16 year old who now has a legit motor bike license thru a training system by Honda here in Phuket. He can then ride up to 110cc. But he’s a bit big for a 110, so looking at a 155cc. What does that do for insurance? If l buy it under my companies name can it be fully insured? Or if he hits something expensive am i screwed…? He’s a Thai national.
Mr. Nomad Numbers · December 26, 2023 at 2:50 pm
I’m afraid this falls outside my area of expertise to provide a clear answer. Perhaps this 16-year-old could consider reaching out to some Facebook groups in Thailand specifically for expats/nomads. Best of luck!
Sara Gil · February 28, 2024 at 1:59 am
Hello, some people told me that you must have your own motorbike for take the exam? Is it true?? How are you going to have a motorbike before have the drive license 😅. Thank you!
Mr. Nomad Numbers · February 28, 2024 at 11:28 am
You need to bring a motorbike with you for the test. I personally rented one for our month on the highland and I drive it both day to take the test. Apparently this doesn’t seems to be an issue in Thailand 🙂
Sara Gil · February 28, 2024 at 1:18 pm
😱😱😱 I will do the same 😅😅 thank you for the information!! 🤗
Indre · March 28, 2024 at 9:15 am
Hey, thanks for this!
Any chance you (or anyone else here) would know about upgrading UK license and having full motorbike license in Thailand? Would that be the same process?
Currently, I have full UK driver license and CBT, but would like to be able to ride bigger bikes without going back and taking the test. I’m wondering if I can pass some tests here to be able to ride bigger bikes here and subsequently change my UK drivers license with it?
Thanks 👊🏼
Indre · March 29, 2024 at 3:54 am
Hi all,
Currently in Thailand. I have UK car license, CBT and IDP, so riding small bikes not a problem. Would you know what are the rules to get license for a bigger bike? I’m only here for a couple of month, but rather get license here then going back to UK for it.
If I am able to get a test (or however get permission to use higher CC bikes) done here? Would I be able to then change my UK drivers license as well or that wouldnt be valid?
Any advise would be appreciated!
Mr. Nomad Numbers · June 16, 2024 at 7:05 am
Hi Indre. Unefortunately I do not have the answer to this question. If you do figure out, please let us know as other readers might benefit from your insights! Good luck!
Luis · May 16, 2024 at 3:57 am
What should I do if I come from a country that DOES NOT require a toursit visa (for a stay of 30 days) but I DO NOT have an international driver’s license. Can I apply for the license without a visa?
Mr. Nomad Numbers · June 16, 2024 at 7:04 am
A visa is always required to enter any country. If your country does not require a pre-arranged visa, it likely means you will receive one upon arrival at the border. The immigration officer will stamp your passport, and this stamp will serve as your visa. This stamp will be your proof of visa when applying for your Thai motorcycle license. Hope this helps 😉
Katie · August 8, 2024 at 12:21 pm
I’m about to enter Thailand on an ED visa… how do I obtain a proof of address in order to get the residence certificate? I’m staying in a Bungalow long term on Koh Tao…does it need to be a specific form or just a signature saying that’s where I’m staying?
Mr. Nomad Numbers · September 17, 2024 at 6:03 am
Ask your landlord and they should know what to provide. It should be form TM-30.
We mentioned it on our blog post about getting a thai visa: https://www.nomadnumbers.com/tourist-visas-in-thailand/#In-Person_Application
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