Big Bike Licence in Thailand: Do You Need One? Rules, CC, Age and Steps

If you are about to get a big bike and you are unsure which licence you need, the short answer is this: right now you can ride a big bike on a standard personal motorcycle licence. A separate "big bike licence" is written into the rules — the ministerial regulation already says anyone riding a machine of 400cc or more must pass special training and testing — but the Department of Land Transport has never issued the announcement that sets out the course and the test, so there is no such licence to apply for. That gap is where most of the confusion comes from. This guide pulls together the CC and power threshold, the age and document rules, the steps involved, and the current legal status in one place. And once you are road-legal and ready to buy, Talata gathers used big bike listings in one spot so you can compare them side by side.

Do You Need a Special Big Bike Licence, or Is a Regular One Enough?

This is the question riders ask most, and it is where online information tends to disagree. Plenty of people find an old news story about a "big bike licence" and assume they must rush off to sit a new test, when in practice it has not reached that point.

Under the law currently in effect, anyone riding a motorcycle on public roads needs a personal motorcycle driving licence, and that same licence covers ordinary motorcycles and big bikes alike. Put simply, if you already hold a valid motorcycle licence, you can legally ride a big bike. What is actually illegal is riding with no licence at all — not riding a big bike on a standard motorcycle licence.

Personal Motorcycle Licence vs a Dedicated Big Bike Licence

The personal motorcycle licence is the one most riders already carry. You can apply from age 15, but a licence issued between 15 and 18 is limited to machines of 110cc or less; from 18 it covers motorcycles of any size under current rules, big bikes included. For a side-by-side view of how licences are categorised in Thailand, see our guide to Thai driving licence types. The "big bike licence" that keeps appearing in the news is a separate set of conditions for high-powered machines, adding stricter rules on age, experience, training and testing to cut down on accidents involving bikes that are harder to control.

The core difference is how strict the requirements are. A standard licence tests the basics. The proposed big bike licence would add dedicated training and a riding test built around high-powered machines, plus a requirement that applicants have held a regular motorcycle licence for some time first.

Where the Law Stands in 2026 — Is It Enforced Yet?

The paper trail is clear. The Cabinet approved the draft on 18 August 2020, and the Ministerial Regulation on Applying for, Issuing and Renewing Driving Licences B.E. 2563 was published in the Royal Gazette on 23 October 2020, taking effect on 19 February 2021. It states that anyone applying to ride a motorcycle with a combined cylinder capacity of 400 cubic centimetres or more must pass special training and a riding test under criteria to be announced by the Director-General of the Department of Land Transport.

What is still missing is that announcement — the document that would set the syllabus and the test. Without it, the big bike condition has no practical effect. As of September 2026 there is still no separate big bike licence to apply for, and riders continue to use their personal motorcycle licence for big bikes. This can change, so check the current position with your local transport office before you rely on it, since older news stories mislead easily.

What Counts as a Big Bike? The CC and Power Threshold

By the threshold the Department of Land Transport uses as its reference, a big bike is a motorcycle with a power output of 35 kilowatts (around 47 horsepower) or more, or a combined cylinder capacity of 400cc or more. That line marks which machines count as high-powered and warrant extra care.

In everyday terms, bikes like the Kawasaki Ninja 400, the Honda CB500 range, the Yamaha MT-07, the Ducati Monster and anything larger sit inside the big bike group. Mid-capacity machines in the 150cc to 300cc range are often called big bikes because of their sporty looks, but by the CC threshold they fall short of the 400cc line and are not part of what the proposed dedicated licence covers. If you are shopping for a bike and want to know whether it qualifies, look at engine size and power output first.

Age and Eligibility for a Big Bike Licence

For the personal motorcycle licence that currently covers big bikes, applicants must be at least 18 years old for machines over 110cc, be in sound health with no condition that impairs riding, and pass a basic physical assessment covering eyesight, colour recognition and reaction time.

The draft criteria for a dedicated big bike licence go considerably further, and split applicants into three groups. Riders who have held a motorcycle licence for at least two years and owned a big bike for at least two years would be exempt from the training and test. Riders who have held a motorcycle licence for at least two years would have to complete the course and pass both the theory and riding tests. Anyone who has never held a licence would need to be at least 24 years old. The same draft sets the course at 12 hours — 2 hours of theory and 10 hours of riding — with a practical test of 11 manoeuvres. None of this has been enacted, so the figures are not fixed. In the meantime, building up riding hours on a smaller bike first is a sound foundation either way.

Documents You Need

If you do not yet hold a motorcycle licence and are starting from scratch, the basics are few. Getting them ready in advance saves repeat trips to the transport office.

• Your original national ID card, or passport and relevant permit for foreign residents, still valid
• A medical certificate issued within one month of your application date, stating no condition that bars riding
• For a dedicated big bike licence under the draft criteria, your existing motorcycle licence held for at least two years, plus proof of completing an approved training course

If you have a specific situation — a foreign licence, or a work-permit condition — check with your local transport office before you go, as extra documents may apply.

How to Get a Big Bike Licence, Step by Step

The main steps do not differ much from getting a standard motorcycle licence. The addition, if the dedicated licence applies, is stricter training and testing. Broadly, you book a slot, prepare documents, attend training, take the tests, then pay the fee and receive your licence.

Where to Apply, Training and the Riding Test

You can apply at the Bangkok Area Transport Offices 1 to 5 or at any provincial transport office, booking a slot in advance through the process the Department of Land Transport sets out. Some riders choose a driving school accredited by the Department, which offers more flexible scheduling. Testing covers both theory — traffic law and road signs — and practical riding through a course with exercises such as balance, braking and control. For a big bike, which is a high-powered machine, drilling balance and precise braking beforehand pays off.

Costs and How Long It Takes

A temporary personal motorcycle licence, valid for two years, costs 105 baht: a 5-baht application fee plus 100 baht for the licence itself. Once you have held it for a year you can convert it to a five-year licence, which comes to 255 baht. There is no published rate for dedicated big bike training, because the course itself has not been announced. If you train with an accredited private driving school, the cost depends on the provider. On timing, if your documents are in order and you have booked ahead, most people finish within a day or a few days, depending on the queue and training rounds at each office.

Why Buy or Sell a Big Bike on Talata

Once the licence side is sorted and you want a bike, Talata gathers big bike listings — both used machines and gear — in one place, where you can search and filter by model, engine size or price range. That makes it easier to compare several bikes before deciding, and to contact sellers directly to ask about a bike's history and arrange a viewing.

For anyone looking to move on their current big bike, listing it is straightforward. Fill in the full details — model, year, mileage and condition — and you are more likely to reach buyers genuinely looking for that kind of bike. If you have never handled a private sale before, our walkthrough on how to sell a used motorbike is a useful starting point. When you find the right bike or the right buyer, you can start the conversation through Talata.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a specific big bike licence, or can I use my existing motorcycle licence?

Right now you can ride a big bike on the personal motorcycle licence you already hold, legally. The special training and testing condition is written into the ministerial regulation, but no announcement setting the course has been issued, so there is no separate licence to apply for. Confirm the latest status with the Department of Land Transport before you decide.

From how many CC does a motorcycle count as a big bike?

By the threshold the Department of Land Transport references, it is a machine with an engine of 400cc or more, or a power output of 35 kilowatts (around 47 horsepower) or more. Bikes below that line are not classed as big bikes even if they look sporty.

Is it illegal to ride a big bike with no licence at all?

Yes. Riding any motorcycle on public roads without a licence is an offence under the Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522, section 64, punishable by up to one month in jail, a fine of up to 1,000 baht, or both. Always get a proper licence before you ride.

How old do I have to be to get a licence for a big bike?

The personal motorcycle licence for machines over 110cc requires you to be 18 or older. The draft criteria for a dedicated big bike licence would require applicants with no previous licence to be at least 24, and riders who already hold a motorcycle licence to have held it for at least two years — but that draft is not in force.

Where can I apply for a licence?

At the Bangkok Area Transport Offices 1 to 5, at provincial transport offices, or through a driving school accredited by the Department of Land Transport. Book a slot and get your documents ready before you go.

Can I buy a big bike before I have a licence?

You can buy one and keep it — you just need a valid licence before you take it out on the road. Many riders browse and compare prices on Talata while they sort out their licence.

I want to sell my used big bike — what documents should I prepare?

Have the vehicle registration book, the owner's ID and the transfer paperwork ready. Photograph the bike from several angles to show its real condition and fill in the full details — that makes a Talata listing more credible and helps it sell faster.