ルール
プーケットでバイクに乗るには免許が必要ですか?
By the Phuket Motorbike editorial team · Updated 2026-10-23 · 5 min read
Quick answer
Yes, you need a valid motorcycle license to ride legally in Thailand. Police run regular checkpoints in Phuket, and an unlicensed rider can be fined and may find that travel insurance will not pay out after an accident. Here is what you need.
Which license is accepted
Tourists need either a Thai motorcycle license or their home motorcycle license together with an International Driving Permit (IDP) that includes the motorcycle category. A car-only IDP does not cover scooters.
- Carry the original IDP and your home license, not copies
- Check that the motorcycle (A) category is stamped on the permit
- Long-term residents should convert to a Thai license at the Phuket transport office
Helmet and traffic rules
Helmets are mandatory for the rider and passenger. Traffic drives on the left. Police regularly check helmets, licenses and plates around Patong, Chalong and Phuket Town.
- Fines for no helmet or no license typically run from a few hundred up to about a thousand baht
- Do not ride after drinking: penalties are severe and insurance will not cover you
- Children should wear properly fitting helmets and should not ride in front of the rider
Insurance and your license
Many travel insurance policies exclude accidents when you ride without a valid license for that vehicle class. Read the policy wording for scooters and motorbikes before your trip, and confirm whether engine size limits apply.
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FAQ
Can I ride in Phuket with only a car license?
Not legally. You need motorcycle entitlement on your home license plus an IDP, or a Thai motorcycle license.
Are helmets compulsory in Phuket?
Yes, for both the rider and any passenger.