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Home » Reader question » Reader question: No motorcycle license, still rent a scooter in Thailand?
Dear readers,
I'm Marco and I like to go to Thailand. This year (early May) I'm going again and for the first time alone. No organized trip, so more time to look around and my idea is to rent a scooter now and then.
I don't have a motorcycle license. You hear and read so many horror stories what is allowed or not, I don't know anymore.
Does anybody have experience with this?
Greetings,
Marco
Rent a scooter no problem. I also only have a driving license b + moped (automatic).
Even when arrested by the police, I point to automatic on my driver's license and am allowed to continue driving.
I always ride neatly with a helmet and keep to the speed. But all that does not alter the fact that if I have an accident, no matter how serious, upon further investigation, I will be the Sjaak driver's license etc. Remember that any travel insurance will not help you.
Do you go on the road with a motorcycle in the Netherlands if you do not have a motorcycle license? No? Then you shouldn't do that in Thailand either. Just a matter of using your brain I guess….
go to the ANWB
there you get an international driver's license costs 17,50
have it put on for Moped then you are covered
Wear a helmet or you will get a ticket
ask for a shipping most rent without shipping
wallt they see us whites as rich farang is white
that's my advice
what you write is not possible at all.
You must be able to demonstrate, by means of your own driver's license, whether you are allowed to drive a motorcycle in Thailand
The 125 cc scooter in Thailand can only be driven with a motorcycle license and NOT with a moped license.
If you do not have a motorcycle license, let yourself be driven. In the event of an accident, insurance will never pay out.
As Daniel says, it is no problem at all to drive around Thailand without a driver's license. Rent no problem. The police are no problem either.
The real problem comes when you get into a collision or something. Traffic is not the same as in the Netherlands and certainly not the behavior of Thai road users. So don't do it!!!!!!
My friend has been stopped by the police several times this week, and the police show a photo of International Driver's License, to show what they want to see, but my friend has a Thai driver's license so no problem. So no driver's license DO NOT DRIVE!
I can only make 1 comment.
Totally irresponsible.
In the event of an accident, you are not insured, neither for material nor for physical damage, you are completely on your own. And in Thailand you cannot and may not leave the hospital before the bill has been paid, moreover, if they are not sure that you are solvent, they will only provide the most necessary life-saving care. They will not help you further until they are 110% sure that they will be paid.
Some private hospitals will even refuse to admit you, and send you to a public hospital, which in the smaller towns are often pure horror.
Do not.
Is punishable in itself.
And if something happens nothing will cover you, even if you have taken out insurance with the landlord.
Do you still have a Dutch driver's license, not enough either: you need an international driver's license, tesazmen with your Dutch driver's license to present in case of any check or worse.
In the past year, I inquired with the ANWB (when collecting the international driving license) and with my travel insurance agent. Both the ANWB and the travel insurance say that you can rent a scooter in Thailand with an international (car) driver's license and that any damage would be reimbursed. The ANWB has even made a note in pen on my international driving license that it also applies to scooters. It was stated as an argument that Thailand has higher CCs for scooters compared to the Netherlands, but because there are no lower CCs (comparable to the Netherlands) and because you reside in that country, the rules of that country also apply. I do think that a distinction is made between a motorbike (max. 125CC) and a motorcycle (+125CC). I can imagine that if you get into an accident with a motorcycle of +125CC on all roads, including the highway, you will have a big problem if you don't have a motorcycle license. Despite the information from the ANWB and the insurance, I am still cautious about renting a scooter.
Then you are misinformed. Makes no sense. Travel insurance is completely separate from driving a vehicle because that is never covered on a travel insurance policy. To drive a motorcycle in Thailand you need a Thai motorcycle license or International motorcycle license. Nothing more and nothing less.
This story is wrong! You are driving a motorcycle without a valid driver's license and therefore you are in violation. You are officially not allowed to rent a jet set without a license!
And in the event of a violation, no insurance will pay…. after all, you do not have the right papers to drive the vehicle.
Since when is someone at the ANWB who does nothing but transfer data for far too much money legally trained? The same goes for an insurance salesperson.
I am still amazed at the petty comments that sometimes fly by on this site.
No driver's license…no driving. That is the same in every country.
An international driver's license also makes no sense, the police there, nowadays also understand what should be written on it and that should be an A. They will no longer be misled by that moped license sign.
So don't act or take all fines, scooter at the lock and waiting in the police station for granted..
A scooter in Thailand falls under the motorcycle category, so you need a motorcycle license to ride it. Of course you can manage to rent a scooter in Thailand without a motorcycle license, but if you are involved in an accident, you cannot claim any insurance.
Now you are never insured for the motorcycle in Thailand or you already have to rent a motorcycle with insurance and we have never succeeded in that. But we think the risk of damage to the motorcycle is a responsible risk that we can also pay ourselves. But if your WA does not pay out in the event of damage / injury (or even worse) to third parties, it can become financially expensive. Or when you get injured yourself and travel or health insurance refuses to pay…..
So use your Dutch common sense and don't rent a scooter!
Enjoy your holiday!
NEVER do it, rent a scooter without a valid driver's license, with a collision with body damage it's not too bad, but if you drive a Thai and yourself into the hospital, then you have VERY big problems. Prison is no exception and the farang still gets the debt.
ladies and gentlemen,
It's all so simple. 1st you need an international driver's license, although the average police officer with a Dutch driver's license will also be satisfied. 2nd most scooters / motorcycles are not insured here.
3rd in nl you can drive a moped under 50cc with your driver's license, so here too. Since they don't have that kind of mopeds / scooters here, this is already a problem. Most scooters etc here are 100cc and more and therefore motorcycles, for which you do not have a driver's license. Just think for a moment. I can't drive a motorcycle in NL with my Thai driver's license. So only if you are in possession of a motorcycle driver's license can you drive a motorcycle here. Otherwise, really not.
As mentioned above, normally you will not have many problems, but in the event of an accident where something has to be paid or much worse, you will run into huge problems. I would also like to point out the completely different wrong situation here, and on the price of the moped rental. A normal price is 200 baht per day. However, here in chiang mai you can also rent enough for 100 baht. In this case, cheap is expensive. The money is earned when you return the moped after the rental period. Then suddenly there are scratches and dents that were not there before. Additional payments of 1000 to 10000 baht are no exception.
Finally, for the smart ones who are never at fault for an accident.
Wrong or not out we are white so we have money so we are guilty very simple Thai logic and their are thai and thai are always right.
My urgent advice is therefore, don't be wise, unless you like Russian roulette of course.
Carlo
Carlo is not well informed, my friend bought a beautiful little moped here a few weeks ago 35.000 THB 49cc no driver's license required, no tax to pay, you can take out insurance yourself, best with the public authority, right "Bangkok Bank" then you are especially for what you pay.
Not surprising if Carlo is not well informed. I also did not know that these small mopeds existed in Thailand. Good news for people with a Dutch moped license (+ international driving license). Other than that, it doesn't change the discussion. With a moped license you cannot drive as soon as more than 50 cc is involved.
oh, really never seen it, and I live here.
But of course it is possible.
But you will agree with me that 99.9% of the mopeds/scooters you see here
100 cc and more.
These are the same ones that are also offered for rent.
But thanks for the addition.
Carlo
unfortunately, not a handy Thai has started renting mopeds yet. Then all tourists are insured again and fewer risks need to be taken out. Hole in the market you would say. Are there trikes for rent? I read very good advice here, but many farangs just start riding a motorcycle. I think we all know the risks but we do it anyway.
I hope for your friend's sake that he never has an accident with his moped. The insurance you mention is the minimum minumorum insurance, here called Porobo. Well, in fact it covers nothing, and is virtually worthless.
It only insures the damage of third parties and passengers, not its own material and physical damage. but what do you want for a few hundred baht.
You can take out insurance onium, have a friend here who is also insured against theft 1st year you get 80% back 2nd year 60%
Thanks for all the responses, that's exactly what I mean by horror stories, on the one hand it makes sense
that you are not allowed to ride a motorcycle without a driver's license, on the other hand, nobody knows exactly,
all those 100000 tourists who rent a scooter ( and maybe even more ) don't all have one
a motorcycle driver's license i think it is less than 5%.
I'm not taking any chances so I'm just looking for a 50 cc scooter.
I recently contacted my travel insurance about this issue.
I have a Thai driver's license. I wondered how I was insured for my travel insurance with this driver's license.
Here are some excerpts from their response:
1:
Motor vehicles are an exclusion from the permanent travel insurance
In article 3.1 of the Special conditions you can read that damage to motor vehicles is excluded from the travel insurance.
2:
You cannot claim damage that you cause to others with a motorcycle under a travel insurance policy. This damage is covered by the liability insurance of the motorcycle. If there is no liability insurance on the motorcycle, you cannot claim the costs anywhere.
As most of you know, many rented motorcycles have no insurance at all or only for a few thousand baht maximum. So in case of an accident I have a legal driver's license but no insurance.
I think a lot of people don't realize this.
My answer to your question is very simple.
Before you go on holiday to Thailand , get your large motorcycle license in the Netherlands .
I believe that is class A.
Do you have that .
Then you come here on holiday and you can even rent a Harley or Ducati.
If you do not or do not want to , simply rent a bicycle .
That's it.
Jan Beute
Hello Marco
So as so many have said if you don't have an international motorcycle license and you get stopped or have an accident you're just screwed.
Just one more tip if you have travel insurance take a good look at your policy to see if you also have accident insurance.
Because if you have suffered a physical injury due to an accident, the insurance does not cover it, nor does the health insurance.
They then ask if it was an accident.
Have fun here
Hans van Mourik
Such a minimum insurance only covers the physical damage of the other party and then up to a maximum of 50.000 baht, so nothing
I would take into account that as a farang you do NOT come up the mountain with a moped less than 100 cc.
So stay on the flat road.
Now I'm starting to get confused.
I live in Thailand and have a Thai driving license for a “Motorcycle”.
Mind you….cycle….
With that I can still ride on any moped that looks like a moped.
An engine looks different.
Are there any catches in the grass?
Hello
Hi marco wnn are you going to thailand and where?
I am leaving April 30th
can you meet up?
I always rent a moped, never a problem, but if you want to be a fool, you have to bear the consequences
Never got fines do have driver's license but never drive drunk or like crazy
It is true that you are always at fault as a falang in the event of an accident
I rent my moped from a Belgian
never any problems or discussion about any damage
you can email me marco
[email protected]
Do not!!!!!!!!!! You can only legally drive with an international driver's license. As a foreigner, you will be hit in the event of a collision anyway. Rent a bicycle or a car.
First of all, I don't understand why everyone thinks that mopeds or scooters exist abroad. A very simple answer to this only exists in the Netherlands. In Thailand there are only motorcycles for which you need an A driving license. Different categories such as in blue for A driving license or AM driving license do not exist. Your Dutch driving license applies in the EU and the local law can be looked at per country.
In Thailand you can only drive with an international driver's license with category A stamped. In addition, you must also be able to show the NL driver's license, otherwise it is not yet valid.
Police in Thailand may be aware differently per place, but in Pattaya, Phuket and other tourist places they are very well informed. Risk is not too bad a few hundred baht and you can continue.
Accident unilateral: can be better than expected Motorbike max 2250 euros and in addition if your health / travel insurance does not reimburse your physical problems, these bills.
Accident with another foreigner: some more costs considering also the other party, but in principle it can add up considerably.
Accident with Thai: then the counter starts to run, especially with physical complaints.
Rent a moped? Almost never insured, despite the fact that even the landlord says so. Then they mean Parabol: nice insurance average tourist has more cash in their pocket than this insurance covers. Always ask for proof First Class insurance costs more than 5000 baht per year only not valid for Motorbike rental!
Honestly Renting a Motorbike is fun as long as nothing happens.
Be wise and think about the risks before you start. Thai disabled quickly costs 1 or 2 million baht and the police let you sit until you pay! There are people who shake 50k out of the mouth, but if you can't do this, think carefully about your risk.
Heard enough stories with not too bad, it will be fine!
I'm afraid the questioner hasn't gotten any wiser yet!!
No response is really clear and complete.
“A driver's license, a motorcycle, a scooter, a moped, an insurance policy, an international driver's license, etc., nothing is first defined or clearly explained step by step.
I think this is the correct answer, but I admit I'm not sure (but clear):
* For the elderly among us with a CAR driver's license: they can drive a motorcycle in Thailand (so more than 50), just like in Flanders, but their driver's license must be internationally acted by our government (does not cost that much).
* For the young people among us: they must have a Flemish or Dutch motorcycle license if they want to drive a scooter of more than 50CC in Thailand, or a Flemish or Dutch moped license if they want to drive a scooter of less than 50CC.
* Check insurance for a scooter at the rental service, but it is better to take care of it yourself in Flanders or the Netherlands + have it translated.
Like I said, I'm not 100% sure, but it's clear.
I'll respond to this for what it's worth. I drive a motorcycle here, that's what it is and not a scooter, without a driver's license for more than 40 years. I've never been asked for a driver's license for traffic violations, I did get the fines. No one in my family, wife, son and daughter has a driver's license for many years. We use these engines every day. Here's something for the enthusiasts, my daughter already drove such a thing when she was 10 years old. As far as insurance is concerned, if it is indeed the case that it does not pay out, they do not do it using all kinds of excuses. BUT it is true that the person who causes the accident has to compensate the other party, if you can't get out, everyone goes to the police station and you can sort it out there without the police interfering. Once you have agreed, the guilty party pays and you can go home. It simply works differently here in Thailand than in the Netherlands. I do not recommend renting. Better to buy and sell again when you leave.
I am half Thai and let me tell you that an international driver's license simply prevents you from getting a fine of 200 baht there. in the event of an accident or collision, you should not show your international driving license because it makes no sense, then they will come up with an excuse that you must have a Thai driving license. and if you do have a Thai driver's license then it is something else, if you have an accident in Thailand it will cost you money anyway because you are white whether you are at fault or not. as long as you don't have a thai identity card you will never have the same rights as the locals.
If I want to go out for a day, I just rent a Baht van, or if we are going to make a lot of kilometers a taxi.
The costs of such a taxi are of course higher than a motobike, but it is actually not too bad. If you charge 6 Baht per kilometer and 2 Baht per minute, you will arrive at 6 plus 200 = 720 Baht for, for example, 1200 hours and 1920 km. If you go as a couple, that is less than 28 euros per person.
Then that driver has a good day and you have a nice one.
If you think that's too expensive, every trifle on an uninsured motorized two-wheeler probably results in permanent trauma.