If you look at the date of the post you responded to, you will see it is 2 years old

Your best bet is to start a brand new thread with the specific questions you need answered

Cheers from Laos

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www.travellingstrom.com

Hi all

Due to several reasons i cannot take my full motorbike test before i travel out to Vietnam on 8th January. I have a standard car driving license and international driving license and can take a CBT test if need be. I had planned to travel by motorbike down Vietnam from Hanoi, across to the rest of SE Asia. My main query is about safety but also on border crossings and whether a lack of full motorbike license will be a problem and without these, what a typical fine would be if stopped by the police?

I've traveled and hired some motorbikes in SE Asia before but never with insurance or a license and only had one crash which was my fault but i just want to put the question out there on how many others have done the same thing and what you recommend? I am a very safe and cautious driver, intend to wear some good clothing and a UK helmet if i do this trip in full, or just rent and do partial trips in each country but i really want to do some motorbike journeys and so would appreciate any advice, tips, stories and help.

wix

Hi Wix,

If you rent a small bike [125] in Thailand they will not ask to see your licence, if the police stop you the fine will be about 200 Baht [4 pounds]. It is very easy to get a bike licence in Thailand, but you will need a tourist or O visa [both obtained in advance in your own country], then a bit of running around to get a medical and a proof of address [hotel is OK] from immigration. You then turn up at the transport office with photocopies of everything, no appointment neccesary, sit through a few hours of a guy talking Thai, do a few turns around a car park [you can rent a bike on the day] and hey presto they take your photo and issue the licence on the spot, pass rate is about 99%. This should help you in Cambodia, Laos etc.
An alternative is get a International Driving Licence [if you are British] from the Post Office and hope that the person serving you does not know what they are doing [it's happened three times for us] we had all the grades of vehicles stamped, instead of just the car and bike. With an International Licence it is even easier to get a Thai bike or car licence, takes about 30 mins. When you get back to your own country you can drive/ride for 12 months on your Thai licence, but you obvioulsy have to inform your insurers, the AA did not increase our premium.

Enjoy your travels.
Jay

Hi Wix,

Better I think to start your own thread.
This one runs back to 2010, and a lot has happened, and a lot of people have been there since then.

Close this, and copy your question to a "New Topic"

vette

Many thanks JdeJong.NormalPeople, i took your advice and bought a helmet in the UK, only 80 pounds and so glad i did as the helmets here are terrible. Also bought some jeans to wear and currently in Hanoi trying to buy a thick jacket as it is freezing here right now and also trying to buy a motorbike and plan my route through Vietnam and across to Laos or Cambodia then Laos. I'll put a post back up with progress...