Need help getting a motorbike or motorcycle Thai Driving Licence in Pattaya? There are the steps you need to know when you decide to get a motorcycle, moped, or motorbike Thailand permit.

Getting a Thai driving license in Pattaya has never been very easy. Expats planning to drive a car, a motorcycle, motorbike, or moped in Thailand should apply for a Thai driving license. This is the only way to ensure that you can drive legally in the country and are fully covered by a car, a motorcycle, a moped, or a motorbike insurance policy. It can also serve as an ID card issued by the government.

If you can not read and/or understand the Thai language, you are allowed to bring an interpreter to fill out the forms and translate the possible instruction classes and tests.

Driving in Thailand is challenging and dangerous. Due to the mad volume of traffic and the fact that its roadways are not well maintained and rather confusing.

Driving lines

• A yellow line indicates the division of a two-way traffic road (it’s the centerline), while a white line indicates a lane.
• A solid line can’t be crossed, whereas a broken line can be crossed if it is safe to do so.

How do you get your motorcycle, motorbike driving license pattaya, or moped in Thailand?

• You need a valid passport with a Valid Non-immigrant Visa
• Signed copies of the passport’s first page, the page with the current non-immigrant visa, the page with the last entry stamp, and the TM card.
• A certified letter of address from the applicant’s embassy, or from the Immigration Bureau (the document can not be older than 30 days).

Tip: The letter from the embassy is the fastest option, but the immigration office will provide this service for free. However, it will take them 3-6 weeks to complete and an officer from your local police station will visit your place of residence for verification. If you are working in Thailand: the blue workbook, better known as your work permit, can replace either of these documents and serve as address verification.

• A doctor’s certificate stating that the applicant is in good health, both physically and mentally (standard forms are available from most clinics and should not be more than 30 days old).
• 2 photos, 1 x 1 inch, and not older than 6 months (photo service is available on the premises).
• Valid international driver’s license plus signed photocopy or translated regular driving license from the applicant’s home country, certified by the Embassy or consulate. (if available).

Note that 1 set of these documents is required per license application. However, when applying for both a car and a motorcycle license in Thailand, an extra copy of the doctor’s certificate and the letter of the address will suffice for the second application.
You need to have these documents signed.

 Is driving motorbikes or motorcycles in Thailand safe?

White squares indicate parking spaces. There can also be a specific parking space for motorbikes.
Big yellow “X” marks on the road mean no stopping in this area (usually so as not to block an intersection while waiting at a traffic light).

Curbside

A red and white curbside means no parking. A yellow and white curbside means no parking, but temporary loading/unloading of goods or passengers is allowed. Curbside can also be painted in black and white, to help distinguish them. Parking may be allowed, watch for the signs (and also watch for anyone who might be upset if you park).

Pedestrian crossings

The pedestrian crossing is those white stripes on the road that all vehicles ignore and that pedestrians sometimes venture on, usually ending up running for their lives.

Lanes

Drivers must pay attention to arrows indicating where their lane is going, especially in Bangkok. Some lanes are for buses only.

Traffic lights

The good thing about traffic lights in Thailand is that many of them have a counter indicating how many seconds remain before they change color. Of course, everybody tends to rush when there are only a few seconds of green light remaining. But when it is red you know exactly how much time you have to wait, and you can relax. The not-so-good thing about traffic lights is that they are not always to be found in the same place. Sometimes they are just where you stop, or they can be across the intersection or hanging over it. You also have to pay attention to the arrows. So, mastering the traffic lights takes a little practice.

What is the age limit for a motorbike driving license Pattaya?

Once you have been in Thailand for a period extending 3 months, you will need a Thai driving license, even though international drivers licenses are legally accepted. Several insurance companies have a fine print stating that the driver should hold a valid Thai driving license to be fully covered.

Besides that: You’ll offer local law enforcement great opportunities by continuing to drive with an international license.
It is mandatory to have a Thai driving license for a car, motorbike, or motorcycle however, international driving licenses are accepted as well. The minimum age for driving cars and motorbikes in Thailand is 18.

Having a Thai drivers license may sometimes also make police slightly more lenient towards the fact that expats can not carry their passports at all times.

Motorcycle, motorbike, or moped driving license in Thailand – qualifying requirements:

-Being of sound mind and good health (not having a physical or mental handicap(s) that will prevent them from operating a vehicle safely) – being at least 18 years of age.
-If the applicant is not a Thai national, the applicant must hold a valid Non-Immigrant Visa (tourists can not apply).

If it is the first time you get a driver license in Thailand you will have a temporary motorcycle or motorbike permit for 2 years and when the first 2 years are nearly up you have to make another trip to the Department of Land Transport with the assistance of J & E Concierge and get another regular Thai driving which is valid for the next 5 years.

Changing to a Thai Driving Licence in Pattaya – fee 3500 Baht