As promised in my Car Driving Test in Thailand article, here is the follow up on the Motorbike Test in Thailand. The Motorbike test is very nearly the same as the car driving test and both can be completed on the same day at the same driving centre in most cases.
Thai Motorbike Test for Ex-Pats
Although I was shocked when I discovered how easy it is for an expat to get a driving licence for a car, it was nothing compared to how I felt when I found out how easy is was to get a motorbike licence. When I lived in the UK I had a full driving licence for a car and HGV but I never brought my licence to Thailand, nor did I apply for an International Driving Licence. I had never ridden on a motorbike before, other than as a pillion passenger on the back, so when I went to the driving test centre I was expecting to take the same test that a Thai would have to take - how wrong I was.
It appears that if you say you have driven a car for several years, it is assumed that you can ride a motorbike safely too and following the successful completion of a multiple choice test, you will be handed a licence to ride a motorbike. The emphasis is more on understanding the rules of the road than your ability to drive safely on two wheels. So having completed the test I can now ride any motorbike I can afford to buy. To me, that is more than a little scary!
It appears that if you say you have driven a car for several years, it is assumed that you can ride a motorbike safely too and following the successful completion of a multiple choice test, you will be handed a licence to ride a motorbike. The emphasis is more on understanding the rules of the road than your ability to drive safely on two wheels. So having completed the test I can now ride any motorbike I can afford to buy. To me, that is more than a little scary!
Thai Motorbike Test for Thai's
The motorbike test for Thai's requires a little more but very little. They undergo the very same multiple choice test before moving outside to take their motorbike around the same test circuit used for the car test. The only difference in the test is that you need to demonstrate that you can ride the bike in a straight line for about 5 or 6m. I have seen two different ways that this is done with one being a recessed metal strip in the road, the other a slightly raised ramp on the road. These small section of straight riding forms the first part of the test following a short run up to it. It is not exactly difficult to do for such a short distance and nearly pointless to my mind.
As with the car test, there is not normally any other traffic on the test circuit at the same time, or if there is they will not be anywhere near each other.
As with the car test, there is not normally any other traffic on the test circuit at the same time, or if there is they will not be anywhere near each other.
Helmets and Driving Standards
When you take a look at both the car test and motorbike test it becomes very easy to identify why the accident rate, and indeed the death rate on the roads, is so high in Thailand. Most people, when they take to the road for the first time once they have their licence are ill equipped to use the roads, even if they have demonstrated that they understand the rules. The accident rate though is not only down to the inadequate test as many people simply ignore the rules, especially when riding a motorbike. They will cut corners at junctions or on 90 degree bends, drive on the wrong side of the road and basically go wherever they want to go (as do the Tuk Tuk drivers.
Thankfully most Thai's in the Issan region do not have the money to buy anything over 125CC so most bikes are no more than mopeds that do not go much over 50kmh, but that is still fast enough when you are hit by another vehicle. Another ridiculous aspect of riding a bike in Thailand is the rule about crash helmets. There is a rule, and that is everyone should wear a helmet, rider and passengers, at all times but many just ignore this. If the police stop you and fine you for not wearing a helmet, the fine is just 200 Baht, not much of a deterrent, even for the poorest of Thai people.
The really crazy thing about this is that you can buy a cheap helmet for 400 baht, often less, yet the locals (and visitors) don't want to wear one. I am not suggesting that these cheap helmets are actually any good as I am sure they are next to useless should you have an accident with a car, truck or bus but it would be more cost effective if the police regularly catch and fine you. It appears that the police do not record such road offences either as you could be pulled over every week and never have your driving licence taken from you.
Thankfully most Thai's in the Issan region do not have the money to buy anything over 125CC so most bikes are no more than mopeds that do not go much over 50kmh, but that is still fast enough when you are hit by another vehicle. Another ridiculous aspect of riding a bike in Thailand is the rule about crash helmets. There is a rule, and that is everyone should wear a helmet, rider and passengers, at all times but many just ignore this. If the police stop you and fine you for not wearing a helmet, the fine is just 200 Baht, not much of a deterrent, even for the poorest of Thai people.
The really crazy thing about this is that you can buy a cheap helmet for 400 baht, often less, yet the locals (and visitors) don't want to wear one. I am not suggesting that these cheap helmets are actually any good as I am sure they are next to useless should you have an accident with a car, truck or bus but it would be more cost effective if the police regularly catch and fine you. It appears that the police do not record such road offences either as you could be pulled over every week and never have your driving licence taken from you.