Thai Driving License Service
Clients at driving school for motorcycle license

Thai Motorcycle License for Foreigners

Planning to ride a scooter or motorcycle in Thailand? You need a separate motorcycle license — your car license does not cover two-wheeled vehicles. This guide covers the full process.

Riding without a motorcycle license voids your insurance

If you are involved in an accident while riding without a valid motorcycle license, your insurance company will deny your claim. You will be personally liable for all medical and vehicle costs.

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 only take aptitude tests and a written theory test. The written test covers motorcycle-specific rules in addition to general traffic knowledge.

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:

Clients at the driving school preparing for their motorcycle license exam
  • 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: 155 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.

Happy clients with their new Thai driving licenses

Our client after successfully obtaining her Thai motorcycle license

Get your motorcycle license with us

We handle documents, test prep, and DLT escort. Car + motorcycle combo package available.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate license to ride a scooter in Thailand?
Yes. In Thailand, a car driving license does NOT cover motorcycles or scooters of any size. Even a small 125cc automatic scooter requires a motorcycle license. Riding without one is illegal, voids your insurance, and can result in fines.
What happens if I ride without a motorcycle license?
You face a fine of up to 2,000 THB if stopped by police. More critically, your vehicle insurance (both compulsory and voluntary) is void. This means you are personally liable for ALL damages in an accident — medical bills, vehicle repairs, and property damage. Thailand has one of the highest road fatality rates in the world, with motorcycles involved in the majority of deaths.
Can I convert my foreign motorcycle license?
Yes. If you hold a valid motorcycle license from your home country, you can convert it to a Thai motorcycle license. The process is the same as car license conversion — you skip the practical riding test and only take aptitude tests and a written test.
What is the practical motorcycle test like?
The test is conducted on a closed course at the DLT office. You need to ride through a figure-eight, ride in a straight line over a narrow section, perform emergency braking within a marked zone, and navigate through obstacles. The key is smooth, controlled riding at low speeds.
Can I get both car and motorcycle licenses at the same time?
Yes. You can apply for both during the same visit to the DLT office. Each requires its own tests, but the written test content overlaps significantly. We offer a combo package at a discounted rate.
Does my travel insurance cover motorcycle accidents?
Many travel insurance policies exclude motorcycle accidents entirely, or only cover you if you hold a valid motorcycle license. Check your policy carefully. Without a valid license, you may have zero coverage for medical expenses following a motorcycle accident.
Can I get a motorcycle license through my car license conversion?
Yes! This is the easiest approach. Step 1: Convert your foreign car license to Thai (no driving test, 2-3 hours). Step 2: Apply for a new motorcycle license using your Thai car license. You skip the 5-hour training class and only need to pass the written exam (50 questions, 45 correct to pass) and a practical driving test. This can often be scheduled for the next day.

You Might Also Need

Vehicle Registration

Register your motorcycle or car with the DLT after purchase.

Convert Foreign License

Already have a license from home? Convert it to a Thai license instead.

Book an Appointment

Schedule your motorcycle license appointment with our team.

Ride Legally in Thailand

Get your Thai motorcycle license and ride with full insurance coverage and peace of mind. We handle the entire process.

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