Driving information — Thailand

Reviewed summary

A visitor holding a qualifying and valid domestic driving licence issued by another ASEAN Member State may drive the authorised class of car in Thailand while temporarily permitted to stay in Thailand, subject to the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework and Thai law.

Legal basis

1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries; Thailand Instrument of Ratification; Thailand Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522, particularly sections 42 and 42 bis; Thailand Land Traffic Act B.E. 2522, including section 123; and the 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements.

Licence conditions

The domestic driving licence must be valid and unexpired. Temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded under the ASEAN Agreement. The licence must authorise the class or type of car being driven. If the licence is not in English, ASEAN Agreement Article 3 requires a certified English translation. The driver must comply with Thai law and applicable requirements for presenting the recognised licence and documents required under the relevant agreement.

Other destination-country information

The driver may drive only the vehicle type or class authorised by the recognised licence. Applicable Thai road-traffic requirements, including seat-belt requirements under Land Traffic Act section 123, continue to apply.

Thailand Motor Vehicle Act section 42 bis applies to a foreigner temporarily permitted to stay in Thailand. The reviewed provision does not state a separate fixed 30-day, 60-day or 90-day ASEAN-licence limit. Recognition remains subject to the applicable ASEAN agreement and Thai law.

For an ASEAN visitor relying on a valid ASEAN domestic driving licence, do not present an International Driving Permit as a general additional requirement. A certified English translation is required under the ASEAN Agreement where the domestic licence is not in English. Rules governing foreign-registered vehicles, vehicle-import permits, residence, conversion to a Thai licence, or domestic licence applications are separate matters and should not be presented as general visitor requirements.

Reviewed summary

A visitor holding a qualifying and valid domestic driving licence issued by another ASEAN Member State may ride the authorised class of motorcycle in Thailand while temporarily permitted to stay in Thailand, subject to the ASEAN driving-licence recognition framework and Thai law.

Legal basis

1985 ASEAN Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences Issued by ASEAN Countries; Thailand Instrument of Ratification; Thailand Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522, particularly sections 42 and 42 bis; Thailand Land Traffic Act B.E. 2522, particularly section 122; and the 1997 Protocol to Amend ASEAN Agreements.

Licence conditions

The domestic driving licence must be valid and unexpired. Temporary, provisional and learner licences are excluded under the ASEAN Agreement. The licence must authorise the relevant motorcycle class or type. If the licence is not in English, ASEAN Agreement Article 3 requires a certified English translation. The driver must comply with Thai law and applicable requirements for presenting the recognised licence and documents required under the relevant agreement.

Other destination-country information

The rider may operate only the motorcycle type or class authorised by the recognised licence. Under Land Traffic Act section 122, the motorcycle rider and passenger must wear protective helmets, and the rider must not carry a passenger who is not wearing one.

Thailand Motor Vehicle Act section 42 bis applies to a foreigner temporarily permitted to stay in Thailand. The reviewed provision does not state a separate fixed 30-day, 60-day or 90-day ASEAN-licence limit. Recognition remains subject to the applicable ASEAN agreement and Thai law.

For an ASEAN visitor relying on a valid ASEAN domestic driving licence, do not present an International Driving Permit as a general additional requirement. A certified English translation is required under the ASEAN Agreement where the domestic licence is not in English. Helmet requirements apply to both the rider and passenger. Rules governing foreign-registered vehicles, vehicle-import permits, residence, conversion to a Thai licence, or domestic licence applications are separate matters and should not be presented as general visitor requirements.