Tourists generally ride in Thailand on a valid home licence plus an international driving permit that includes the motorcycle category. A car-only permit does not cover a scooter. Long-term residents are usually expected to hold a Thai licence. Without the right licence, fines and refused insurance claims are the main risks.
Phuket has police checkpoints and a lot of rented scooters. The question of which licence you need comes up for almost every visitor and resident.
Figures in this guide were checked at the time of writing and can change. Always confirm with the official source or in your free pre-check.
Who needs what
| Situation | What is generally needed | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist on a short stay | A valid home licence in the right category plus an international driving permit (IDP) with the same category | A fine at a checkpoint, and an insurer that refuses a claim |
| Resident on a long-stay visa | A Thai licence, by conversion or as a new licence | Fines, and problems with insurance and police checks |
| Car versus scooter | Cars and motorbikes are separate categories | A car-only IDP does not cover a scooter |
The category trap
A scooter counts as a motorbike. Reports say many countries issue the IDP in the car category by default and add the motorcycle category as a separate entry. If your IDP does not show the motorcycle category, it does not cover a scooter, and neither does a home licence that has no motorcycle category. Check both before you rent.
What to carry
Carry the originals: your passport, your home licence and the IDP together. Reports say an IDP without the original home licence is not accepted and that photos on a phone are not enough at a checkpoint.
Get the IDP at home
An IDP is issued by the authorised body in your home country before you travel. Sources say it cannot be obtained after you arrive in Thailand. How long it is accepted is described differently, so check the current rule when you book.
Which IDP is accepted
Thailand is a member of the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, and an IDP issued under that convention is accepted for visitors. Sources differ on whether the 1968 Vienna version is also recognised, though a 1949 or 1968 IDP is reported to be accepted in practice. The IDP is a translation of your licence and not a licence of its own, and an IDP does not turn a long stay into a legal basis for driving.
Fines and insurance
Reported fines for riding without the right licence range from a few hundred baht up to about 2,000 THB, and other offences cost more. The bigger risk is insurance: after an accident, an insurer can refuse a claim because the rider did not hold the right licence. Ask your insurer whether riding a motorbike is covered and which licence category it requires.
Cost and where to ask
IDPs are issued by the motoring association or authority in your home country, often for a fee quoted between about 20 and 40 US dollars. Ask the issuing body to add the motorcycle category if you plan to ride, and check the stamp on both documents before you leave.
When a Thai licence makes sense
If you live in Phuket on a long-stay visa, a Thai licence is the safer long-term answer. You apply at the Department of Land Transport, usually with a residence certificate, a medical certificate and, for conversion, your foreign licence with a translation. See our guide on the Thai driving licence for foreigners and the driving licence service. Our sister site explains the rules for the international driving permit in Thailand in detail.
Your stay still has to be in order
A residence certificate needs a valid stay, so the licence depends on your visa. See common visa mistakes and, for a short visit, the 30-day exemption rules.
How we can help
Send us your passport copy and your home licence. We tell you whether a Thai licence is realistic for your stay and arrange the documents and the office visit.
We check your case first and handle the paperwork, so you avoid wasted trips and fees.
Frequently asked questions
Do tourists need a Thai licence to ride a scooter?
Generally no. Tourists ride on a valid home licence with the right category plus an IDP with the same category.
Does a car IDP cover a scooter?
No. A scooter counts as a motorbike, so the IDP and your home licence both need the motorcycle category.
Where do I get an international driving permit?
In your home country before you travel. Sources say it cannot be obtained after you arrive in Thailand.
Do residents need a Thai licence?
Residents on a long-stay visa are generally expected to hold a Thai licence. We can advise on your case.
Can I use the IDP for a long stay?
It is meant for visitors. Residents on a long-stay visa are generally expected to hold a Thai licence.
Which convention should my IDP follow?
A 1949 IDP is accepted. Reports say a 1968 IDP is also accepted in practice, but ask your issuing body.
How much does an IDP cost?
Reports quote about 20 to 40 US dollars, depending on your country.
Official sources
Last reviewed on . Thai immigration rules and fees change. We confirm the current requirements for your case in your free pre-check.