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

riding in SE Asia without a full license or UK insurance
 

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...

vietnam
 

Robertos did you enter Vietnam on your 650?

Fingers Crossed
 

I have been in touch with Rider's Corner Bar & Restaurant - Chiang Mai Bikers Hotel Thailand and they say they can rent me a bike to go over the border in to Laos. Hope it happens, will save cash on flights etc

Wayne

Hi its much easyer to rent different 125cc bikes in each country for 5 dollars per day. This id how i did thailand laos and kambodia:

Ａｄｖｅｎｔ&# xff55;ｒｅ motorcycle tour around the mae hong son loopr