A very common question asked on the Thai forums is:
"What do I need, to hire and ride (or drive) a motorcycle (or car) in Thailand?"
The advice in this article is given in good faith by TripAdvisor Members to visitors to Thailand unfamiliar with how to hire and ride a motor vehicle or motorcycle both legally and safely and ensuring that they do not compromise any insurance arrangements either with the hire company or their travel insurance company. Reference is frequently made to the requirement for hirers to possess an International Driving Permit (IDP) obtained in the hirer's own country before they enter Thailand and enter into a hire agreement. In some Members' minds there is ambiguity about the interpretation of whether an IDP is an Internationally recognised legal requirement or merely is advisory. The balance of opinion currently (September 2012) and advice consistently given to visitors has been that an IDP is a legal requirement. In the light of different interpretations by unqualified TripAdvisor Members, either for or against the need for an IDP, it is recommended that Members reading this article do so in conjunction with advice from their own country's Royal Thai Consulates or Embassies or Motoring Associations or other accredited and authoritive sources.
This has no simple answers, but these general factors need to be understood:
- Thai Traffic and Motor Vehicle Law
- Rental Agreements
- Travel insurance
MOTORCYCLES - SCOOTERS - MOPEDS
The only documents a motorcycle rental company will uniformly insist on is CASH MONEY.
They will have little, or no interest in licences, international driving permits, or your current level of intoxication.
LICENCES and PERMITS
To ride a motorcycle in Thailand, and remain strictly within the law, you must possess and produce:
- A national motorcycle drivers licence issued in your home country, valid for a motorcycle AND,
- An International Driving Permit. *NB - Some members believe your home licence in English with a photo satisfies Thai law. In the end it is "up to you".
Note: A Thai driver's license is vaild for rental, but they are not issued to tourists. To obtain a Thai drivers license requires a formal in-person application, as well as hold and be admitted to Thailand on a non-immigrant visa status.
GENERAL INFORMATION and ADVICE
Motorcycles can be a fun way to move around the Kingdom independently, but remember road accidents are common.
The rate of accidents and fatalities on Thai roads is HORRENDOUS, in fact 40 people a day DIE in Thailand from motorcycle accidents alone. Many more visitors and locals are permanently disfigured or disabled, so it is not recommended for the novice.
- You must carry your National Licence, in case of an accident, or interaction with the Thai Police.
- You can not drive intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.
- Helmets are mandatory. You must wear one, and so must a pillion passenger.
- Helmets are usually provided as part of the rental, if so, make sure it fits properly or ask for another.
- Failure to wear a helmet will bring you to the attention of Police - you will be fined at best.
- Wear protective footwear and clothing to give you some protection should the worst happen.
- The motorcycle MUST have a tax sticker, registration plates, vehicle registration book, and third party insurance.
- Motorcycle hire services are available almost everywhere, with rates starting at about 150฿ per day.
- A cash security deposit of around 1000฿ (ensure you get a receipt) is often required.
- Only use reputable hire companies, and check that they are licenced to hire bikes to tourists.
- Before accepting your rental, do an extensive walk-around visual inspection of the vehicle.
- Note ALL defects or pre-existing damage with the vendor, BEFORE you accept the contract, and leave the premises.
- Take photos from all angles of the rental before you leave, to protect yourself should there be any dispute about damage later on.
- It is NOT ADVISABLE to surrender your PASSPORT to the rental agency as rental return security.
- Have a passport photocopy on hand instead, to satisfy the hire company.
- If a hire company insists on having your original passport, hire from someone else.
- Obey all Thai traffic rules and signs, remain vigilant and always drive defensively.
- Driving at night is considered to be particularly dangerous.
- Motorcycles in Thailand are routinely operated by children as young as 12, so you must remain vigilant and always drive defensively.
- If you don't ride a motorcycle in your own country, Thailand is NOT the place to learn.
- Vendors will happily hire you a motorcycle whether you have the appropriate permit and licence or not.
- If you were involved in an accident, with property damage or personal injury to any party, be aware that if the Thai Police and/or Insurance Company discover that licencing and permit documents are not in order, you may feel the full force of the law, and may have any insurance cover invalidated. You may also be required by the Thai authorities, to post a LARGE cash bail amount to cover any liability you may incur.
Read this link - How to conduct yourself if you are involved in an accident
QUAD-BIKES
If you hire a quad-bike, check first that your travel insurance allows its use.
Only hire from a reputable company and check first that it has a tax sticker, registration plates, a vehicle registration book, and third party insurance before riding these contraptions on the public roads.
LARGER MOTORCYCLES
Many standard travel insurance policy providers restrict the size of motorcycles which can be hired or ridden to less than 200cc.
Check your own policy closely before hiring LARGE motorcycles which exceed 200cc.
POLICE
If you are stopped by the Thai Police for any reason, stay calm, and be respectful.
If you have been obeying the road rules, are not intoxicated, and hold the proper documentation, you will have NO problem and will be sent on your way.
INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT
According to the UN Traffic Act of 1949 and the Thai Traffic Act of 1979, an IDP is not required if you are a tourist/visitor in Thailand as long as your license is in English, has a photo, and your country is a contracting state of the 1949 treaty, which most are. (See motoring law below) If you are a resident, however, you require a Thai drivers license. As a tourist, rental car companies, insurance companies and police will all accept your home license. Still, it not a bad idea to obtain a legitimately issued INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT (IDP) before you leave your home country.
International Driving Permit's are easily obtained from your local Automobile Association (RAC, RACQ, NRMA, AAA etc) for a nominal fee .
This permit acts as a transcription of your national drivers licence credentials. It has your current photo affixed, and should be carried together with your national drivers licence.
*INTERNATIONAL LICENCES SOLD OVER THE INTERNET ARE A SCAM!BE AWARE - All "International Driving Licences" offered by online vendors are a SCAM.
Remember - it is a "permit", it is not ever referred to as a "licence".
These scam licences take the form of a credit card in shape and design, they are worthless.
Less frequently a scam "licence" may take the same shape and form of the genuine grey cardboard International Driving Permit. The difference is that the SCAM licence may say "valid for 5 years". Whereas a genuine International Driving Permit is only ever valid for 12 months.
Only purchase the genuine International Driving Permit from your local Automobile Club.
Australia: Can be purchased through your state RAC or NRMA. Cost from AU$30 - $40
Great Britain: Can be purchased through your RAC. Cost £5.50 plus £2 processing fee - Info Link
United States: Can be purchased through your local AAA or AATA. Cost US$15 - Info Link AAA - Info Link AATA
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT (Thai Law)
Section 42
- Anyone who wishes to drive a motor vehicle on public roads must possess an appropriate driver licence.
- The driver must carry the driver licence and a photocopy of the registration book and show them to competent officers upon request.
- This does not apply to those who are learning to drive a motor vehicle according to the provision of Section 57.
- If the driver is an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa, he may drive a motor vehicle with a driver licence specified in the Section 42-2.
- In such a case, he must carry documents specified by the treaty between the Thai government and the government which issued such driver licence, and show them to competent officers upon request.
- In case there is a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver licence, an alien who does not have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver licence issued by such a foreign government, or an automobile association authorised by such a foreign government.
OBTAINING A THAI DRIVERS LICENSE
Once you become a resident it is possible to use your home license to obtain a Thai drivers license. In doing so, you are able to skip the written and practical portion of the testing process. If the class of vehicle you are licensed to drive isn't shown in pictures on the license, such as on a UK and EU license, you may need to submit an IDP or a copy of the webpage from your home DMV which describes the class(es) you are authorized for along with your home license. Check with your local land transport department for required documents.
TRAVEL and RENTAL INSURANCE CONSIDERATIONS
Check the fine print of your travel insurance and of your rental insurance to see what (if any) conditions they place on car and motorcycle rental.
Your insurance may be declared null and void if you:
- Ride a motorcycle without a licence that is valid.
- Drive a car without a licence that is valid.
- Are a passenger in (or on) a vehicle that is being driven by an unlicenced person.
- Are under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
- Operate a rental vehicle in violation of the rental agreement.
- In any circumstance, admit that you are at fault, or offer to pay any money.
.