If you are on vacation in a wonderful place like Thailand, where you can live unforgettable experiences from all points of view, you will surely have heard about the advantages of traveling by scooter: the benefits, in fact, mainly concern time and money savings, but also the freedom to move and go wherever you want, without time limits and constraints dictated by public transport.
However, even if renting a motorbike is a sensible and attractive choice to move around these areas, it is still very important to know that there are aspects concerning safety and safety that must not be overshadowed: in fact, the benefit the freedom of movement and autonomy that you have when traveling is important, but this aspect must always be associated with the awareness of the risks that can be taken if the rules are not respected.
Mistakenly, many people think that it is enough to take it from a rental shop to have luck on their side, and just as many people are unaware of the consequences and risks that can exist when they do not follow and respect the rules of the road. If you are on vacation, you are not authorized to forget the rules of common sense, civic sense and the highway code: in fact, if you commit a crime, even a small one, you will certainly face penalties, and it does not matter that you are a tourist. On the contrary: although you may think that the police are softer with you because they justify your ignorance in terms of behavioral rules on the road, in reality any tourist is treated exactly like a citizen who breaks the rules, and this certainly translates into economic consequences. and penalties.
If you want to drive in total safety, therefore, you must know that there are fundamental rules that also concern insurance and licenses: from all over the world there are tourists who come to Thailand to live a wonderful holiday experience, and many of them do. stop here for a long time.
As for the driving license, it is necessary to have a driving license that allows you to drive safely (and in full compliance with the laws) if you are in Thailand: the license issued in your country of origin must be recognized and also valid here, and therefore must be officially translated into English or Thai. To be sure that your driving license is among those recognized and authorized in Thailand, it is convenient that you inform yourself at the embassy or consulate: some countries, in fact, have a special agreement with the Thai government in which mutual acceptance is required. of licenses to drive.
In any case, it is mandatory to have a license or an international driving permit valid also in Thailand: this license is recognized and accepted by both the police and officials, and it is important that you obtain it by contacting the automotive department of the government, avoiding falling into the traps of the numerous websites offering fake international driving licenses.
The consequences of not being in possession of a legal driving license are many: first of all, if you are involved in an accident without a permit, you could be fined and possibly forced to pay the medical costs for the treatment out of your own pocket (in this case, in fact, the insurance would not cover you).
If you want to get a Thai driver’s license, you need to know the following rules:
- Minimum age of 18, and good physical and mental health.
- Residence or work in the country. In fact, you have to prove that you live or otherwise be here for work.
You can obtain this specific license at an office of the Department of Land Transportation in Thailand located in Phuket Town. The required documents are:
- Valid passport with visa;
- Photocopies of the first page of the passport;
- Work permit with the address entered or proof of residence (in this case the proof cannot be older than 30 days);
- Health certificate;
- Valid driving license issued in your country and attached photocopy;
- Color photo no older than six months.
As for the insurance, the rules may vary depending on the engine capacity and the maximum limit: in any case, it is always good to inquire with the rental company and in any case it is important to read the contract (so as to have all the answers to the doubts).