License to legally ride a scooter in Thailand

Hi everyone!

What a joy to be back on this forum where I’ve spent so many hours traveling and gathering info—let’s get started! 👋

Almost everything’s in the title, but just to clarify: As far as I know, you currently need a full French motorcycle license (A) to legally ride a scooter in Thailand, since they don’t recognize A1 or A2 licenses. Yes, I know most rental places only ask for an international car license (B), or sometimes nothing at all… but that’s not what I’m asking. What I’d like to know is whether you think this might change in the future, allowing A1 licenses (which are easier to get) or even car licenses (B), since you can ride a scooter in France with one. I don’t want to get a motorcycle license—I’m scared of motorcycles, even though I’m comfortable on a scooter. I’m a bit confused by their regulations. Thanks for any insights you can share!

Lulu56😅

... Indeed, I wanted to know if you think this could evolve over time, toward accepting the A1 license (which is easier to obtain) or even the B license, which allows you to ride a scooter in France.

Hi Lulu56,

The answer is clearly no. Thais must have the licenses corresponding to the vehicles they drive, and the same applies to foreigners.

Note that the international license only allows you to drive in Thailand for up to 3 consecutive months. Beyond that, you must absolutely hold a Thai license.

Regarding France:

The French A1 license isn’t a standalone license since it’s a certificate for a 7-hour training course taken at a driving school, and it seems to only apply to riding up to 125cc. You must absolutely have the B license, and it’s never transcribed on an international license.

The B license no longer allows you to ride a scooter unless the license was obtained before 1980 (check the exact date). The equivalence before the reform was preserved, but I’m not sure if it was limited to 50cc or extended to 125cc...

This is no longer transcribed on the international license, whereas before the reform and ANTS, it could be transcribed at the discretion of the prefecture official in your place of residence.

I don’t want to get a motorcycle license (I’m scared of motorcycles but feel comfortable on a scooter).

Be aware that there’s an automatic A2 license specifically designed for maxi-scooters (+125cc).

Otherwise, the A2 license is a power-limited license, and this is indicated on the international license transcription.

You can very well stay with this license.

Or, after 2 years, you can upgrade to the A license after a 7-hour training course at a driving school, which provides a certificate allowing you to obtain the full A license without power restrictions.

This is possible for both A2 licenses: manual (motorcycles) and automatic (scooters).

Of course, as with the B license where there are also two categories, if the manual A or A2 license allows you to ride both types of vehicles, the automatic A or A2 license only allows you to ride vehicles with automatic transmissions.

I’m a bit confused by their regulations

It’s quite understandable, as the reform was a bit of a mess...

I hope I’ve been thorough and clear enough to help you see things more clearly.

Best regards,

Partirdeloin

Get a motorcycle license in Thailand—some tourists manage it depending on the province. There’s no practical test.

But is this for a vacation or expatriation?

A category B license no longer allows you to ride a scooter unless the license was issued before 1980 (check the exact date), where the pre-reform equivalence is still valid. However, I can’t remember if it’s limited to 50cc or extended up to 125cc...

This is no longer noted on the international license, whereas before the reform and the ANTS system, it could be included at the discretion of the prefecture official in your place of residence.

Specifically, it’s pre-1985 and extended up to 125cc. That’s my case. And indeed, it’s no longer specified on international licenses (I just received mine).

Best regards, Bruno

But is this for a vacation or expatriation?

For a possible expat, but not for several years (that’s why I’m asking if their regulations might change in the future). But for all the times I go there in the meantime—because without a scooter, on an island for example, you’re completely stranded unless you take a taxi for 600 baht one way!!!

The easiest way to get around without a motorcycle license is to rent a car—it’s more expensive, but you’re much safer.

The easiest way without a motorcycle license is to rent a car—it’s more expensive, but you’re much safer.

Totally agree. Ignoring the regulations is asking for huge problems if you ever have an accident. The kind you remember for the rest of your life.

My dear Jojoone,

Four participants and you were the only one to get the "jury's congratulations"—are you connected or what... 😛

A fifth one since then, we'll see if that changes the outcome... 😉

Partirdeloin.

You’d have saved those 600 baht one-way! If there’s one place we won’t be going back to, it’s the islands. A bit harder to find good restaurants, way fewer interesting temples, and prohibitive transport prices, etc. For seeing the sea and beaches, I’m perfectly happy with these hundreds and hundreds of kilometers of coastline. I’ll probably get told I’m not quite young enough anymore to be into that kind of (in)activity...🙂

Thanks everyone for your tips/feedback! Congrats to all from the jury!!!

It’s still pretty complicated, but I’ve got time ahead of me. We’ll talk about it in 5 years. I don’t plan to drive cars over there, but I might change my mind by then. On the islands, you’re clearly stuck, but I’ll never stop going—they’re such beautiful places, and the vibe is totally different from spots like Phuket, where I don’t want to go back! I’d take Koh Ma over Karon 10,000 times!! Okay, I’m exaggerating… but only a little! 😛

Thanks to everyone for your advice/feedback! Congratulations from the jury to all!!!

Hello,

Better late than never... 😛

That said, there must be some "thing" between you and Jojoone... You seem to have eyes only for him...

It’s all still quite complicated...

Not really... In every country, you’re supposed to have the licenses corresponding to the vehicles you want to drive.

After that, there can be some specifics. For example, in Thailand, you’ll never be able to drive heavy trucks or buses, even if you have those licenses in France. In fact, those are licenses tied to a profession that’s off-limits to non-Thais.

On the islands, we’re clearly captive...

That’s not entirely true—many islands are accessible by scooter. You just need a ferry service that accepts goods (since a scooter is considered one).

I’d prefer Koh Ma 10,000 times over Karon

And I’d prefer being on the mainland 10,000 times over an island. After all, tastes, dislikes, and colors depend on each person...🙂

Best regards,

Partirdeloin

Not entirely true:

- If you're converting a French license to a Thai one, you'll only take reflex tests.

- If you get the license in Thailand, you'll take a driving test on a circuit and reflex tests at the end.

- No driving test if you decide to buy one.

And vision tests.

On the islands, we're clearly stuck...

That's not entirely true—many islands are accessible by scooter, you just need a ferry route that accepts goods (since a scooter is considered cargo).

I’m saying the same thing: on the islands, we’re clearly stuck if we don’t have our own way to get around! This year, I ended up on an island where I couldn’t rent a scooter, and man, it was rough—I had to change my plans on the spot. I had no idea how expensive taxis were on the island because I’d always rented a scooter before. That was really my only point.

I’d take Koh Ma over Karon any day.

And I’d take the mainland over an island any day—after all, to each their own... 🙂

I wasn’t talking about the mainland—I was just comparing an island to some of the tourist-packed spots on the mainland. For the long term, I’d rather be on the mainland (like BKK) than on an island. But I was talking about a short, specific time (a vacation).

Either way, we can agree on... TO EACH THEIR OWN! 😁 I don’t judge others for their choices, and I ask that everyone do the same for mine! 😂😂😂

And Jojoone1 and I? It’s serious!!! 😉😉😉

I totally agree +++

But you might just end up annoying "Mr. Know-It-All" 😄😄😄😉

...This year I found myself on an island without being able to rent a scooter, and man, it was tough...

That’s why sometimes it’s a good idea to rent a scooter on the mainland and then head to the island when possible.

...I was just comparing an island with some overcrowded tourist spots on the mainland...

Karon, which you mentioned in your example, isn’t on the mainland—it’s on Phuket, which, unless I’m mistaken, is definitely an island. 😛

But I agree that an island connected to the mainland by a bridge loses a bit of that island status, in my opinion.

...For the long term, I prefer staying on the mainland (BKK, for example)...

Even though I like BKK (which you mentioned) for a few days, there are places and beaches just as stunning—and often quieter—than on the islands, even for short stays...

...I ask everyone to do the same with mine!

That goes without saying...

And then Jojoone1 and I—it’s serious!!!

We want details, we want details, we... And juicy ones if possible!!! 😏😏😏😛

Best regards,

Partirdeloin

Thanks for these technical details 👍

And eye tests.

Thanks for those details too—I didn’t know that! 👍

Gone are the days when all you needed was a copy of your passport to rent a vehicle in Thailand.....

Right... I’d forgotten that.

You're welcome😉

Is this still current?

Before Covid, the governor of Phuket had asked rental companies to check if the customer held a license, given the very high number of accidents—sometimes fatal—involving tourists.

Tourists sometimes without helmets, without insurance, and with barely any money.

Exact🏴‍☠️ as long as nothing happens to them... trouble starts when there’s an accident with a local, whether you have an A license or not, whether you’re in the right or not...🏴‍☠️

.The French A1 license isn't actually a license in itself since it's just a certificate for a 7-hour training course taken at a driving school, and as far as I know, it's only for riding up to 125cc. You absolutely must have a B license, and it's never transcribed onto an international permit.

That’s not true—the A1 license is a real motorcycle license that requires passing the theory test, the off-road circuit exam, and the on-road test. You need at least 20 hours of training, just like the A license. You can get the A1 license without having a B license.

Thanks for all this feedback!

I’ll check with a driving school when I feel like it, and we’ll see what options are available based on my situation (category B license, old-school pink paper version 😅).

It's false that the A1 license is a real motorcycle license with a theory test, a closed-circuit exam, and a road test. You need a minimum of 20 hours of training, just like the A license. You can take the A1 license without having the B license.

Hello,

That’s correct, and it can then be transcribed onto the international driving permit. However, in reality, this mainly applies to young people who don’t yet have the 2 years of B license experience. After that, you only need the attestation already mentioned, which doesn’t allow transcription onto the international permit since it’s considered valid only in France and possibly Europe (to be confirmed on the latter point).

Lulu56 stated in her original post that she "doesn’t want to get a motorcycle license," but as the saying goes—only fools never change their minds—so if she decides to, she can absolutely go for it, including the theory test, closed-circuit exam, and road test.

For additional info, here are the figures from the French Road Safety Authority for A1 licenses issued after the exam in 2023, broken down by age group (with A2 license numbers in parentheses):

16 years: 4,954 – 17 years: 2,529 – 18 years: 186 (4,813) – 19 years: 25 (6,322) – 20-24 years: 34 (29,157) – 25-29 years: 15 (19,587) – 30-39 years: 14 (25,135) – 40-49 years: 7 (15,222) – 50-59 years: 1 (7,281) – 60+ years: 0 (1,282) – Total: 7,765 (99,694). This represents 7.79% of all A licenses issued, with a pass rate of 72.1% for A1 and 86.3% for A2.

Best regards,

Partirdeloin

Get your A1 license—it shouldn’t cost much. You’ll still be ticketable, though. With a bit of smooth talk and a nice smile, you *might* get some leniency from the cop🙂.

I don’t think the legislation will change anytime soon. Before COVID, the government had considered creating a second motorcycle license for bikes with an engine size of 400 cc or more. They also talked about introducing a points-based license system. Neither project ever went anywhere.

Actually, it's not so much the price that puts me off (even though that's part of my criteria), it's mostly that I hate motorcycles—this type of vehicle scares me, and I feel deeply uncomfortable on them, that's just how it is. I can handle being on a scooter, and that’s my absolute limit! So no, there’s no way I’m getting a category A, A1, A2, or A357 license in the next 10 years! But I’m thinking about looking into it so I’ll be ready if the day ever comes. As @partirdeloin says, only fools never change their minds!

A nice smile: that *might* work, but I won’t rely on it... I’ve already rented scooters often in Thailand, and my approach was to find out what I needed to do to be completely legal. Because we all know, even when you’re in the right, a *farang* involved in an accident can still run into trouble. So, it’s best to be as legal as possible! And it’s also a matter of principle—if it’s the Thai rule, then we respect it!

In any case, thanks for sharing all your opinions and experiences here—I read them all, even if I don’t always reply to everyone!

Happy New Year’s Eve to you all! !

You can take the A1 license on an automatic scooter—it’ll be the same type of vehicle as in Thailand.

To be legal here as a two-wheeler owner: - Have your Thai driver’s license - Have your **POR LOR BOR** valid: this means having third-party liability insurance that covers up to 30,000–40,000 baht for the driver and 60,000–80,000 baht for the passenger. Repairs to the bike(s) aren’t included. This’ll let you pay the tax. On top of that, you can take out **PREMIUM** or **FIVE STARS** (comprehensive) insurance. If there’s a problem, you call them and they’ll send an expert to sort everything out.

All over Thailand, you’ll find French or French-speaking insurance brokers. The cost for comprehensive insurance for a Honda PCX 150 or 160 is around 5,000–7,000 baht/year.

Keep a copy of your passport, visa, a copy of the Green Book, and optionally a copy of your second insurance under the seat in case of a police check.