International driving license and motorbikes

[Ralfredo]

Hi all,

In Sweden we have quite a few different types of driver licenses. For really small motorbikes (max 45 km/h, aka EU-moped), for small motorbikes (max 125 CC), for big bikes, for cars, for trucks, for buses and so on.

If I understand it correctly, I can legally drive a car in Thailand if I have a Swedish license for car accompanied with an international driving license. Am I right here?

In Sweden a car license also gives you permission to drive really small motorbikes (EU-moped). For bigger motorbikes, you need special license.

Does anyone know if I legally can drive a motorbike (an ordinary small Thai motorbike/vespa/moped, not a big "real" motorbike) if I only have a Swedish license valid for cars and an international driving license?

[Dannie Boy]

I'm sure the official answer is no - the scooter type bikes will be 110 or 125 cc for which you should have a motorcycle licence same as in Sweden, but you may very well be able to hire one on your driving licence and just run the small risk of getting stopped by the BIB.

[SunandFun]

And be aware that you are not covered by Insurance unless you have a Thai DL. With an International DL you are not covered. Read the fine print if you lease a car.
Have a great trip!

[Ralfredo]

I'm sure the official answer is no - the scooter type bikes will be 110 or 125 cc for which you should have a motorcycle licence same as in Sweden, but you may very well be able to hire one on your driving licence and just run the small risk of getting stopped by the BIB.

Thanks for your answer!

I have rented bikes many times in Thailand and that have never been a problem. A copy of my passport, sometimes not even that, and the cash has always been good enough. Thinking about it, I don't think I ever have shoved any kind of driver license while renting a bike in Thailand, go figure...

It's more the BIB I'm worried about and thought that I should try to do the right thing next time and get an IDL, at least a little more of the right thing. I have been stopped a few times and sometimes they have been satisfied with my Swedish car license and sometimes the lack of an IDL have cost me some tea money.

So, do you think the risk of losing tea money will be reduced if i have an IDL together with my Swedish car license, or might it even be bad for me since by reading my IDL, they will understand that I'm really not allowed to drive the bike? I have no clue how detailed an IDL are, or how qualified an average BIB is to understand it.

I understand that my reasoning above may look like the reasoning of hardened criminal planning the next crime. The obvious advice is of course to obtain a Swedish license valid for motorbikes. Since that's very expensive and time consuming in Sweden and I only drive motorbikes a few times in Thailand, I unfortunately don't see that as an option.

[Ralfredo]

And be aware that you are not covered by Insurance unless you have a Thai DL. With an International DL you are not covered. Read the fine print if you lease a car.
Have a great trip!

Thanks!

So you mean that the only way to be real safe is with a Thai license? I thought that a valid Swedish car license combined with an IDL would be good enough for driving a car. What's the point of an IDL otherwise?

In my case I don't think I ever will drive a car in HH, the traffic is just to scary... I prefer the calm and safe ride in a Tuk Tuk, driven by a safe and responsible Tuk Tuk driver, will I ever find one...

[J.J.B.]

The Police stopped me the other day just outside market village on my rented scooter and wearing a helmet etc. They had stopped other drivers too, Thai and Falang and this seemed a little more than a tea-money stop. I was escorted across the busy carriageway to a couple of officious-looking gents who were sat at a table and asked me to show my license. I produced my EU license (picture card) and the policeman with more scrambled egg on his shoulder read out to his colleague my EU driving permits, which include a full motorbike license of any size. He handed it back and waved me back across the road - this time without my escort, who was already busy stopping somebody else.

I have no idea what this was all about, nor what they wanted and also doubt that they were able to distinguish a full bike license from one to drive an HGV. The only thing I do know is that I had already got my 200 Baht out, resigned to hand it over, and that the Thai lady next to me, who was handed a piece of paper by the official before wheeling her moped away looked decidedly miffed about something. What a quirky place this is.

[SunandFun]

There are regular stops around Market Village.
Usually Motor Bikes, all sizes. Checking for proper bike license and helmet.
They usually know if the license is valid for motor bikes or not, IMHO.
If you are here for a long term, Car and Bike License are not that difficult to get, even if you don't currently hold a bike license. It's the best way to go. Helps with all types of ID even at the bank.

[alf]

You can drive a 50 cc motorbike without any driverlicense it runs about 50-60 kmh

[Big Boy]

You can drive a 50 cc motorbike without any driverlicense it runs about 50-60 kmh

And still no insurance.

[buksida]

The cops in Hua Hin really only want to see Thai licenses so the advice above is good if you're planning on spending any time here and riding a bike.

[Pleng]

You can drive a 50 cc motorbike without any driverlicense it runs about 50-60 kmh

And still no insurance.

And I'd hazard a guess that you're far more likely to get into an accident riding on the highway on a 50cc - they just don't go fast enough/accelerate quick enough, to dodge that van that's decided he's coming onto your lane (like it or not), or that maniac who's suddenly turned onto the higway from a minor and is heading your direction.

[Ralfredo]

You can drive a 50 cc motorbike without any driverlicense it runs about 50-60 kmh

Thanks for the responses this far!

Regarding a 50 cc motorbike the top speed would be (nearly) enough since we seldom drive much above 60 km/h. However, as Pleng also mention, I don't think I would be comfortable with that kind of bike. When for example planning for an U-turn on Phetkasem Road or entering Phetkasem Road from a smaller "Soi" by a right turn, I think a want the power from a "real" Thai scooter to feel safe.

Several have mentioned that obtaining a Thai license is the best way to go. I certainly would like to do that and would see it as a nice experience, but i don't think I'm qualified. The past ten years I have been quite a few times in Thailand. The last two times we have rented a house in HH for about a month, and we are planning to do that again in the beginning of 2014. We do however only have a 30 day visa and no kind of official document proving where we live.

Is it possible to obtain a Thai DL with a 30 day visa? I don't think so but if I'm wrong I definitely will (try to) obtain a Thail DL.

[Awu]

You can drive a 50 cc motorbike without any driverlicense it runs about 50-60 kmh

I don´t belive this is true, do you have a source on that?
What I heard you need licens for all kinds of motorbikes here, the only limit is that if you are under 16 years old then 110cc is the biggest bike you are aloud to drive.

IDL is ok but only for the first 3 month coz IDL is only ment for tourist, not for long stay.
It´s really easy to get a driving licens here even if you don´t have one from your home country, you only need an fix adress, not hotell, Hotell might be ok if you live there on monthly basis and have a very nice smile when you apply, the smile is the most important

[Awu]

And be aware that you are not covered by Insurance unless you have a Thai DL. With an International DL you are not covered. Read the fine print if you lease a car.
Have a great trip!

Thanks!

So you mean that the only way to be real safe is with a Thai license? I thought that a valid Swedish car license combined with an IDL would be good enough for driving a car. What's the point of an IDL otherwise?

In my case I don't think I ever will drive a car in HH, the traffic is just to scary... I prefer the calm and safe ride in a Tuk Tuk, driven by a safe and responsible Tuk Tuk driver, will I ever find one...

You really think the traffic is bad in HH?
It´s sunday scool compare to Pattya.
I had more bad experiense with tuk tuk here, crazy driver propably on drugs driving like hell, half way we told him to stop and change to a taxi.

PS!
From where in Sweden are you?
I´m from GBG.

[dvolante9]

If you rent a bike I would recommend asking about the insurance on it because I dont believe we get any insurance to protect us if we crash but I have seen some places that will charge extra for insurance that is only for the bike.