Why You Need a Motorcycle License
Thailand does not allow riding any motorized two-wheeled vehicle without a motorcycle-specific license. This includes automatic scooters, semi-automatic bikes, and large motorcycles. A car license only covers four-wheeled vehicles.
The consequences of riding without a license go beyond the fine. Your vehicle insurance (both the compulsory por ror bor and any voluntary coverage) is void, meaning you bear full financial responsibility for any accident. Thailand has one of the highest motorcycle fatality rates in the world — not the place to ride uninsured.
How to Get a Thai Motorcycle License
Same general process as the car license, with a few motorcycle-specific differences:
Option 1: Convert a Foreign Motorcycle License
If you hold a valid motorcycle license from your home country, you can convert it to a Thai motorcycle license. This is the fastest route — you skip the practical riding test entirely and take the four aptitude tests. Whether a written theory test is also required depends on the DLT office — many waive it for a valid foreign licence, others still set the 50-question exam. We confirm your office's current rule when you book.
Option 2: Apply for a New Motorcycle License
If you do not have a foreign motorcycle license, you apply for a new one. This requires passing all aptitude tests, the written test, AND a practical riding test on the DLT motorcycle course. The first day runs from 8:00 AM to about 3:00 PM. You take the physical test, attend 5 hours of training, and take the exam with 50 questions (you must answer 45 correctly). After passing, you can book an appointment for the driving test.
The Practical Motorcycle Test
The DLT motorcycle test is conducted on a closed course. You must demonstrate:
- Straight-line riding: Ride at low speed in a straight line over a narrow section (about 15 meters long and 30cm wide) without placing your feet down.
- Figure-eight: Navigate a figure-eight course within marked boundaries without touching lines or putting feet down.
- Emergency braking: Ride to a designated point at moderate speed and stop within a marked zone.
- Obstacle course: Ride through a series of cones and obstacles without touching them.
Costs
Government fees are minimal:
- 2-year temporary motorcycle license: 105 THB
- 5-year motorcycle license (conversion or renewal): 255 THB
Total costs (including medical certificate, residence certificate, and translations if converting) range from 900-3,000 THB for DIY. Our motorcycle license service starts from 2,500 THB for conversion/renewal, or from 2,800 THB for a new motorcycle license, or discounted when bundled with a car license.
Car + Motorcycle Combo
If you need both a car and motorcycle license, we recommend applying for both during the same DLT visit. This saves time and money — document preparation is done once for both licenses. We offer a discounted combo package.
Converting a Foreign Motorcycle Licence to a Thai One
A foreign car licence does not convert into a Thai motorcycle licence — the DLT converts category for category. What you need is a valid foreign licence that shows a motorcycle class: Category A, A1 or A2 on a UK or EU licence, a Class M endorsement on a US licence, Class R or RE in Australia, MCWG in India, category E in China, or 普通二輪 / 大型二輪 in Japan. If it is there, the practical riding test is waived and the conversion works exactly like a car conversion:
- Documents: passport with a non-immigrant visa, a residence certificate from Immigration (200-500 THB, valid 30 days) or a work permit, a medical certificate under 30 days old, the original foreign licence showing the motorcycle category, and — where your country requires them — a certified Thai translation and embassy letter, both of which you arrange yourself.
- Tests: the four aptitude tests (colour vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, brake reaction — about 10-15 minutes). The written theory test depends on the office: many DLT offices waive it for holders of a valid foreign licence, others require the 50-question exam (45/50 to pass, available in English). We confirm your office's current requirement when you book. No riding test.
- Fee: the DLT charges 105 THB for a 2-year motorcycle licence or 255 THB for the 5-year card, on top of the medical and residence certificates.
- Car and motorcycle together: if both categories are on your foreign licence, convert both in the same DLT visit — you receive two separate Thai cards, and our combo package covers both.
- No motorcycle category on your licence? then there is nothing to convert. Convert your car licence first, then apply for a new motorcycle licence with it — the two-step route in the FAQ below skips the classroom training but not the written and riding tests.
Our motorcycle licence conversion service starts from 2,500 THB and includes document checks, the appointment and DLT escort; the translation is the one item you arrange yourself. Country-specific notes are on our convert-license guides for the UK, US, Australia, Germany, France, India and other countries.
