What driving license is needed in Thailand in 2026 to rent a car or scooter?

Since May 1, 2021, Thailand has ratified the Vienna Convention, so theoretically, in 2026, ordinary national Russian driving licenses are sufficient to drive a car or motorcycle. However, in practice, police and some rental agencies may still require an International Driving Permit (IDP). To avoid problems, we strongly recommend having both documents: your national license and IDP.

To drive any two-wheeled vehicle (scooter, moped, motorcycle), your license must have category "A" or "A1" (for engine capacity up to 125 cc) open. Category "M" does not exist in Thailand, so a license for a moped up to 50 cc is not valid here.

For more details on how to avoid fines and which documents to prepare in advance, read our article: What driving license is needed in Thailand.

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