Phuket

jimholio · #1 04-01-2006, 01:46

I rented plenty of bikes down in Phuket and i never realy thought about drivers license for them. I mean i have drivers license for car back home but what about motorbikes / including the heavier ones?

geespot · #2 04-01-2006, 01:59

The people who hire to u wont care

but the boys in Brown, might, there are daily spot checks for licence, some of these guys check that ur licence allows motorbikes, I know they've done it with me and I know of others

Dont think they wont stop u, its a daily occurence for everyone

G

jimholio · #3 04-01-2006, 02:02

Ok but this License for motorbikes, is it the same for the motorcycles and motorbikes? In Sweden we dont need a license for "Mopeds" or *Slow motorbikes* But we do for Motorcycles.

dizbuster · #4 04-01-2006, 02:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

Ok but this License for motorbikes, is it the same for the motorcycles and motorbikes? In Sweden we dont need a license for "Mopeds" or *Slow motorbikes* But we do for Motorcycles.

In England we have motoring organisations like RAC and AA who would be able to let us know about this sort of thing. Is there not an equivalent in Sweden ? If so, they should be able to give you an answer, they might even have the information on their website.

Crunch · #5 04-01-2006, 03:00

You need an International Driving Permit.

http://www.rac.co.uk/web/travelservi...riving_permit/

^^ Found that, hope it helps a bit. I know your in Sweden, but some of the info might be handy.

kjo2 · #6 04-01-2006, 03:09

You need an Intl. Drivers licens for Motorcycle from Sweden. A licens for a car does not allow you drive Mobobikes 110-125cc in Sweden either.

Sometimes the MIB just look at a Swedish drivers licens and let you go - but this is not within the Thai law.

jimholio · #7 04-01-2006, 03:24

Hmm ok. But they arent 125cc tho are they? I mean they were slow as hell and i tried most of the different models. I only had my "Normal drivers license for car"

oh well.. i thought since every farang drove bikes that there was no license for it.

Whats the fine if you dont have a drivers permit?

stevem · #8 04-01-2006, 03:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

Whats the fine if you dont have a drivers permit?

Does it really matter, its the law of the land. You are a visitor to the country, so you should respect the law.

jimholio · #9 04-01-2006, 03:32

True, but figuring that i drove around for 14 days without knowing this it's kinda interesting to know. If i knew you needed a motorbike license for the slowbikes i would not have rented one.

stevem · #10 04-01-2006, 03:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

True, but figuring that i drove around for 14 days without knowing this it's kinda interesting to know. If i knew you needed a motorbike license for the slowbikes i would not have rented one.

As they used to tell us in the service years ago, "ignorance is no excuse". But you do know now, so you can fix it for your next visit.

jimholio · #11 04-01-2006, 04:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

As they used to tell us in the service years ago, "ignorance is no excuse". But you do know now, so you can fix it for your next visit.

Well not realy

Im going back in March/April - Too much snow here to start with the drivers license now, besides its REALY expensive. Id rather just rent a car next time i suppose.

stevem · #12 04-01-2006, 04:16

There are places in Phuket to get an unofficial IDL. I'm sure the baht talks, if you get my drift!!!

odysseus · #13 04-01-2006, 05:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

Well not realy

Im going back in March/April - Too much snow here to start with the drivers license now, besides its REALY expensive. Id rather just rent a car next time i suppose.

not 1/2 as expensive as its gonna be when you bin the bike and need medical treatment PLUS cost to replace bike

if you haven't got a bike license and no experience of modern sports/'big' bikes do yourself a favour and get some proper training - they can be really intimidating on 1st acquaintance and jumping on a 300kph superbike = DANGER to you and every other f*cker on the road

enjoy your trip, mate and stay safe
Odysseus

crazyswede · #14 04-01-2006, 05:59

Got all the licens here in Sweden and i thought i would be a good boy and get my self an International one for driving in LOS but they told me i had to send my licens away for 1-2 weeks while they got me the international one and i really need it if i want to make some money in Germany

WTF ... i go by Taxi one more trip .. driving isn´t exactly safe in LOS and im almost never sober anyway

landofsmiles · #15 04-01-2006, 06:57

Been stopped countless times in checks on a bike. Just show my Driving licence and have never had a problem. I've never taken a test on a motorbike and in fact Thailand is the only place I have ever ridden one. I think as long as there's a picture of you on the licence and the words "Driving Licence" you won't have a problem. I never have

stevem · #16 04-01-2006, 07:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by landofsmiles

Been stopped countless times in checks on a bike. Just show my Driving licence and have never had a problem. I've never taken a test on a motorbike and in fact Thailand is the only place I have ever ridden one. I think as long as there's a picture of you on the licence and the words "Driving Licence" you won't have a problem. I never have

While this is the case, I dont think it is the advice that we should be giving on the board. We should be encouraging BM's to do things properly

ElectrO · #17 04-01-2006, 21:31

Here is a good trick for those who do not have a licence to drive a motorbike.

I only hold a UK drivers licence, but it has gone missing so I went into the tourist police shop and told them its gone, either lost or stolen.

Anyway they gave me a piece of paper saying in thai, my licence has gone, and everytime I now get stopped I show them that paper, and I am let off.

So those without a licence, lie a bit and get yourself a FREE PASS

E

jimholio · #18 04-01-2006, 21:39

Wont help you much when you crash into someone's new BMW.

dogblower · #19 04-01-2006, 22:21

I think I'm with stevem on this one -

1. we should be trying our best to comply with the laws of the land; and
2. we certainly shouldn't be encouraging people on a public forum to break the law.

Crunch · #20 04-01-2006, 22:21

Loud Exhausts Saves Lives!!!

one of these days i am sooooo going to get pulled by a copper on my VMax for the noise.

LivinLOS · #21 05-01-2006, 02:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

Hmm ok. But they arent 125cc tho are they? I mean they were slow as hell and i tried most of the different models. I only had my "Normal drivers license for car"

oh well.. i thought since every farang drove bikes that there was no license for it.

Whats the fine if you dont have a drivers permit?

They range from 100 up to 125 normally.. Can get about 140 kph out of a wave S or other ok one.. 140 kph is pretty ok for a 125 I would think..

Anyway in the main a EU licence will get you off the fine (300 baht but I had them try for 500 once or twice) but its not legal.. An IDP can be got from your home country and they usually add that small bikes are legit (both my IDP's do)..

If you look online you can buy 10 year IDP's cheap.. Have to send them scans of your curent licences etc.. I think 2 card licences and one book with 10 year validity was like 35 USD and postage maybe around 50..

With a IDP and a real visa you can get a Thai licence without taking the test..

the bigboy · #22 05-01-2006, 06:52

how much does it cost to get a drivers licence for a motorbike in thailand and is it difficult to get?

ElectrO · #23 05-01-2006, 08:08

Very easy, and even if you fail, you slip the tester 300 baht and he gives you the licence. I know Thais who just go upto the driving school and hand over their cash.

E