Thai Driving Licence Types Explained: A Guide for Foreigners

Thailand issues driving licences under two separate laws, so the number of “types” depends on which law you mean. The Motor Vehicle Act covers about 11 kinds, including the temporary licence, the private car and motorcycle licences, and public licences for taxis and motorcycle taxis. The Land Transport Act groups licences into categories 1 to 4, each in a private (บ.) and an all-types (ท.) form. Most private drivers only ever need a car or motorcycle licence. Once you are ready to buy a vehicle, Talata gathers car and motorbike listings from many sellers in one place so you can compare and contact owners directly.

If you are a foreigner, two extra questions usually matter: whether your home licence or an International Driving Permit lets you drive here, and how to get a Thai licence. Both are covered below, after the type breakdown.

How many driving licence types are there in Thailand?

The answer is “it depends on the law,” which is why search results disagree. Thai driving licences sit under two acts that count differently.

The Motor Vehicle Act B.E. 2522 (1979) counts licences as “kinds” based on the vehicle and how it is used, roughly 11 in total. This is the system ordinary private drivers deal with, covering everything from the first temporary licence to public licences for taxi and motorcycle-taxi drivers.

The Land Transport Act B.E. 2522 (1979) counts licences as categories 1 to 4 based on vehicle size and weight, then splits each into private (บ.1–บ.4) and all-types (ท.1–ท.4). This system applies to large or commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, and trailers.

In short: to drive your own car or motorbike, only the first system matters. The category 1–4 system applies once you move into heavy or for-hire vehicles.

Private (บ.) vs public/all-types (ท.) licences

Two Thai letters unlock every licence name. “บ.” (bor) marks a private licence for personal use, on vehicles with white plates and black text, such as a family car, pickup, or SUV. Most people who hold a licence are in this group.

“ท.” (tor) marks an all-types licence for hire or public transport, on yellow-plate vehicles such as taxis, public vans, and trucks for hire. Anyone driving for a living needs this group, and applying usually requires an extra criminal-record check.

A “ท.” licence can drive the vehicles a “บ.” licence of the same category covers, but not the other way around. Holding a private licence does not let you drive a yellow-plate vehicle for hire, and a smaller category cannot stand in for a larger one.

Licence kinds under the Motor Vehicle Act (all 11)

This is the system most people meet. The Department of Land Transport groups these 11 kinds, which are easiest to remember by validity period.

The temporary licence is the first licence for new drivers, valid 2 years, with a 100-baht fee, for applicants aged 18 and over. It comes in car, three-wheeler, and motorcycle versions. After 2 years with no serious traffic offences, you upgrade to a 5-year private licence with a short training session and no full retest if you renew on time.

The private car and motorcycle licences are the most common, both valid 5 years. The private car licence costs 500 baht, the private motorcycle licence 250 baht, and the private three-wheeler licence 250 baht.

The public licences cover driving for hire, all valid 3 years: the public car licence (taxi) at 300 baht, the public three-wheeler licence (tuk-tuk) at 150 baht, and the public motorcycle licence (the motorcycle taxis known locally as “win”) at 150 baht.

The specialised kinds round out the list: a road-roller licence and a tractor licence, both valid 5 years at 250 baht, plus an “other vehicles” licence valid 5 years at 100 baht. Finally, the international driving permit issued in Thailand is valid 1 year at 500 baht, and requires you to already hold a 5-year private car licence.

Transport licence categories 1–4 (บ.1–บ.4 and ท.1–ท.4)

Once you move to large or commercial vehicles, you enter the Land Transport Act system, numbered 1 to 4 by vehicle size and load.

Category 1 covers vehicles with a combined weight up to 3,500 kg, or carrying up to 20 passengers, such as cars, vans, and pickups. Category 2 covers vehicles over 3,500 kg or carrying more than 20 passengers, such as six-wheel trucks and buses (not articulated). Category 3 covers tractor units and trailers. Category 4 covers vehicles carrying dangerous goods such as fuel, chemicals, and gas, and requires applicants to be at least 25.

A higher category can drive the vehicles in the categories below it, so a บ.4 or ท.4 holder can also drive categories 1 to 3. Motorcycles are the exception and always need a separate licence.

Car vs motorcycle licence: are they the same?

No. The car licence and the motorcycle licence are separate, with separate tests. Anyone who legally rides and drives holds two licences, not one that covers both.

The private car licence covers sedans, pickups, SUVs, and other four-wheel cars. The private motorcycle licence covers motorcycles only and does not allow you to drive a car. Both are valid 5 years in their private form; the fees differ, at 500 baht for the car licence and 250 baht for the motorcycle licence.

A common mistake is riding a motorcycle on a car licence, which counts as the wrong type and can be fined. If you use both in daily life, getting both licences is the cheaper peace of mind.

Licence validity by type (including category 2)

Validity varies by licence, so here is the quick reference.

For the common question “how long is a category 2 licence valid,” the answer is 3 years, for both the private (บ.2) and all-types (ท.2) forms, because it covers heavy vehicles over 3,500 kg that renew more often than an ordinary private car licence. The confusion comes from mixing it up with the 5-year private car licence under the Motor Vehicle Act, which is a different licence.

Driving in Thailand as a foreigner: IDP and converting a licence

Short-term visitors can usually drive in Thailand on a valid International Driving Permit together with their home-country licence, as long as the IDP covers the vehicle they want to drive. Carry both documents whenever you drive, since police checks ask for the licence that matches the vehicle.

Foreigners staying longer can apply for a Thai driving licence at a Department of Land Transport office. Holding a valid foreign licence or IDP can exempt you from parts of the test, but you still complete the physical-ability checks, the rules session, and the paperwork, which typically includes a passport, a long-stay visa or proof of residence, and a medical certificate.

Either way, the type you apply for follows the same system above: a private car or motorcycle licence for personal driving, and a public or “ท.” licence only if you plan to drive for hire.

Choosing the right licence and basic requirements

Choose by how you actually drive. For everyday personal driving, a private (บ.) licence is enough: a car licence to drive, a motorcycle licence to ride. Driving for income, such as taxi, win, or trucking, is when you move up to a public or “ท.” licence.

Minimum ages are the main eligibility rule. Private car and motorcycle licences start at 18 (small motorcycles can start at 15 to 18 under conditions). Public licences start at roughly 20 to 22 depending on the type, for example 20 for a win motorcycle and 22 for a taxi, and the category 4 dangerous-goods licence starts at 25. Every type involves training, a physical-ability test, and written and practical exams set by the Department of Land Transport.

To apply or renew, book a slot in advance through the DLT Smart Queue app, and bring your ID or passport and the required medical certificate so you can finish in one visit.

Got your licence? Find your first car or motorbike on Talata

Once your licence is sorted, the next step for many drivers is choosing that first vehicle to match a budget and daily use. Talata gathers new and used car and motorbike listings from many sellers in one place, so you can filter by budget, model, year, or location, compare prices side by side, and contact the seller directly without a middleman.

If you already own a car or motorbike and want to pass it on, listing it is straightforward: add clear photos and details, set a fair price, and wait for interested buyers to reach out. For anyone moving from “just got my licence” to “ready to drive my own,” browsing the options on Talata is an easy place to start.

Before you commit, check the vehicle’s condition, confirm the transfer paperwork, and compare a few options carefully. Once you find one that fits, message the owner through Talata to ask questions and arrange a viewing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many types of driving licence are there in Thailand?

Around 11 kinds under the Motor Vehicle Act, including the temporary, private car, private motorcycle, public, and international licences, plus categories 1 to 4 (in บ. and ท. forms) under the Land Transport Act. Ordinary private drivers only need a private licence.

Can I use one licence for both a car and a motorcycle?

No. They are separate licences with separate tests. A car licence does not cover motorcycles, and a motorcycle licence does not cover cars. If you use both, you need both licences.

How long is the temporary licence valid?

Two years. It is the first licence for new drivers, costs 100 baht, and upgrades to a 5-year private licence afterwards, with no full retest if you renew on time and have no serious offences.

How long is a category 2 licence valid?

Three years, for both บ.2 and ท.2. It covers vehicles over 3,500 kg or carrying more than 20 passengers, such as six-wheel trucks and buses.

Can foreigners drive in Thailand on a foreign licence?

Short-term visitors can usually drive on a valid International Driving Permit alongside their home licence. Foreigners staying longer can apply for a Thai licence at a Department of Land Transport office, often with parts of the test waived if they already hold a valid licence.

Do I need a licence before buying a car?

You can buy and own a vehicle without a licence, but you must hold the correct licence type to drive it on public roads. If you are buying your first car, sort the licence first, then compare options on Talata.