Answered2 years ago
Do I need to register a motorcycle when buying it in Thailand?
The more people I ask, the more contradictory information I receive. Many people say that when buying a motorcycle in Thailand, you do not need to register it. In my country I didn't register my cars either, even though it was theoretically necessary and the police never caused a problem. How is it here? One guy has a nice motorcycle at a good price but only has a copy of the green book. He says that all I need to bring is the purchase contract, bill, driving license and tax. Is it true?
Answer summary
When buying a motorcycle in Thailand, registration is legally required. Many users in the discussion emphasize that you must register the motorcycle in your name within 30 days of purchase to avoid fines and legal issues. It's also mentioned that without registration, you will not have insurance coverage, which poses significant financial risks in case of an accident. Some respondents warn against buying a motorcycle without a 'green book' (the essential ownership document), as it may indicate the bike is pawned or stolen, leading to potential loss of the vehicle. Overall, while there are anecdotal claims that some Thais ride unregistered motorcycles, the consensus among expats is that following legal protocols is crucial for safety and accountability.
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Otto *********
Simple answer: Register it or loose it, when police gets you. They are only waiting for foreigners like that...
Michael ********
OP@Otto ********
no need to registerOtto *********
Sorry, you NEED to register, because withg that comes the tax and insurance every year. You can drive without, but then the police will let you pay dearly...
Michael ********
OP@Otto ********
no need to register. Most of Thai never register his mbikes. You can pay tax without green book.Dan ********
@Michael *******
but if you can't show the greenbook, police will seize/confiscate the bike. See the rows of dusty old bikes in a compound next to any police station, they will mostly be without greenbooks.Michael ********
OP@Dan *******
i know many Thais with motorcycles and they never registered it. That how it works here.Dan ********
@Michael *******
and a lot of thai's with no greenbook because (a) bike is stolen. (b) bike was pawned with/without greenbook (c) it's a rental that was never returned (d) bike was taken without greenbook, to pay a debt. These bikes are bought/sold at 25-50% of full value, its all some can afford. Its not that they chose to not register or chose to not have greenbook. It is an inconvenience.
Dan ********
@Michael *******
that's my first hand experience. That's what I've seen with my own eyes. You've not owned a bike without greenbook, so you can't be so certain. Anyways, upto you of course. I have offered my experience concerning police and greenbooks, that I am certain of. I hope all goes well 🙏🏻Michael ********
OP@Dan *******
almost 5y, a lot of Thai don't have green book. no one will take your property if you have a purchase agreement. Don't believe for fairy tales.Dan ********
@Michael *******
it's happened twice with me in 5 years. So I maybe would have got away with it for 2-3 years, but then, once after an accident, 2 years ago, they removed my bike from the scene, back to police compound, and I could only get it back by showing greenbook. And only 1 month ago, a thai friend using my second bike, was stopped in a police checkpoint outside a police station, they asked to see greenbook, he didn't have and couldn't contact me, so they seize the bike. He had to come to me to get greenbook to show to them. I know other thai's have lost bikes to the police when they can't prove ownership with greenbook, one a bike I was considering to buy. Not sure why you think this doesn't happen ? Do you mind if I ask how long you have lived in Thailand ? And what country you are from originally ? Maybe I can understand where your coming from ...Michael ********
OP@Dan *******
who told you that 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Bill *********
You should register it. It is the law. You also get some insurance included in the fee so it's a good deal. You cannot register it, many do, but why tempt fate. Also, it's not expensive. And ask yourself, do you really want to break the law in a foreign country. This was really a stupid question. You already knew the correct answer. You just wanted to be a lazy, cheap Charlie.
Lee ***********
The EU has some of the strictest laws, every country requires registration of vehicles otherwise your illegal. If these are your morals just buy the bike and run all the risks and fines in Thailand as you would in the EU.
Michael ********
OP@Lee **********
no. Stop talking bullshit if you don't know, please.
Ricky ********
Stolen.
David **********
No rego means no insurance and as a foreigner not a good idea. Same with driving/riding license. Almost none of my thai friends have one and my wife has never had one but, as a falang, it is essential to have license and rego. Laws are enforced 100 times more on foreigners.
David **********
Without registration, you will be fined by police every time they pull you over. It must be displayed on the vehicle.
Michael ********
OP@David *********
no, you will not if you have sell contractDan ********
to be honest, I've had my Nmax over 4 years, but I have the greenbook in my possession, but still in the name of the seller, a local bike rental guy, and I have photocopy of his ID required to change ownership. And my Xmax now 2 years, the greenbook is still with the local bike shop, a reputable repair/service/sales shop, simply as I was waiting for a long term visa to be able to proceed with registration, and that visa took almost 2 years, and I and the seller were happy to wait, just about to re-register it soon. So the risk of encountering problems maybe less than people think, in my 5 years of driving. BUT would I BUY A BIKE WITH NO GREENBOOK ? No, not for my primary vehicle, and I wouldn't risk more than 6-10K baht to do so.
Michael ********
OP@David *********
you can buy insurance without registration. And without driving license you can buy insurance also.Dan ********
Hello sir, I recognise your name from other posts, sometimes quite rightly questioning things. I also question everything, and I try to avoid following the norm if I think I can get around things a different, easier and cheaper way. Sometimes it works out, more often though I get burnt a little, and I must go back, deal with whatever in the correct manner, and pay the price, all of which I was told in the first place. So the bike - copy of green book is worthless, doesn't matter if you have it or don't. The price is attractive, because it can't be registered again without greenbook. Usually bikes/cars without greenbooks sell around 25-50% of their true value. If you have one, and try to sell, you see buyers lose interest on hearing this, and you'll be lucky to sell it at 25-50%. I'm quite sure that any insurance you buy will not payout without seeing the greenbook, even if not in your name (if you genuinely borrow/use the bike of a friend and wanted your own insurance, for example). So in the event of an accident, your costs won't be covered, damage to bike and you, neither will the third party be covered, and you will be responsible. In such event of having no insurance, the police become aware if not already, and they will come to take your passport as a little guarantee you won't do a runner. I read a European girl in koh pha ngan had a minor collision, but the other rider broke a toe, and the hospitals are taking them both for a ride, and looking at a 300,000 baht bill, and uninsured. Police took her passport (maybe requested by hospital) The police will also not release your bike, until you show the greenbook. I have had this three times now. I didn't register the bike in my name, I left it in the name of the seller, a bike rental guy. But I have the greenbook, and the photocopy of the sellers ID/Passport needed to re-register. As i rented the bike initially, the date of sale is not defined. Once after an accident, where the police had to lift my bike off the road and put it in their compound, they were satisfied with greenbook and that bike was a rental. Another time a thai friend was using it, he was stopped and couldn't produce the greenbook, they seized the bike until he got the greenbook from me to show. Both these instances, we would have lost the bike for ever, and whatever we paid for it. I've contemplated a bike without greenbook, but just a motocross bike for driving through jungle and mountains. But I wouldn't consider it to drive on main roads also I'm on koh samui, so traffic police maybe more chilled. Where are you ? And what bike and what price ?
Michael ********
OP@Dan *******
car has blue book. Yes we did.Dan ********
@Michael *******
a van without greenbook is it then ? Or you decide the no greenbook situation is not worth the hassle/risk. I'd say not, on your primary vehicle. You got some money. Can I ask out of genuine interest, how did you get on with the registering of yourself/child at the family courts. You were asking about alternatives to paying a lawyer to submit the paperwork. Did you manage ?Michael ********
OP@Dan *******
I decided not to buy a motorcycle and I'm looking for a vanDan ********
@Michael *******
they will sell you insurance with no licence and no registration AND will payout in the event of an accident ? please show me where ......Giorgio ******
don't you understand yet , that asking this kind of question you'll get all kind of answers ???
you want a real answer ? you ask the competent admistration . then you are " almost " sure .
*****
//you want a real answer ? you ask the competent admistration . then you are " almost " sure .
*****
5.Jason *****
@Giorgio *****
We can never understand someone from another planet. And I don't think we can go down to their level of "intelligence"Michael ********
OP@Jason ****
rather to rise. This is the life. If you're a complete idiot, you won't understand itJason *****
@Michael *******
I forgive you 🙏Michael ********
OP@Giorgio *****
you know, official requirements are one thing and life is anotherGiorgio ******
@Michael *******
you are so.e thing and something else at the same time you love wasting people's time .you are atreal
PITA
Bernard *****
No! You must change it to your name!
Michael ********
OP@Bernard ****
they call it lending and a lot of people do itBernard *****
@Michael *******
up to you 😊😊Michael ********
OP@Bernard ****
official requirements are one thing and life is anotherMichael ********
OP@Bernard ****
no, you don't.
Kent ********
Not sure how to phrase this without sounding snarky, and I really don’t mean to be
The have registration plates
They have registration stickers
Both of these come from the DLT I think
If you see someone without a registration plate it hasn’t been registered or they’ve fallen off. If you see someone without a current sticker it hasn’t been renewed
Some European countries don’t have the stickers anymore - but registration needs renewing nonetheless
The have registration plates
They have registration stickers
Both of these come from the DLT I think
If you see someone without a registration plate it hasn’t been registered or they’ve fallen off. If you see someone without a current sticker it hasn’t been renewed
Some European countries don’t have the stickers anymore - but registration needs renewing nonetheless
Mika ********
So in your own country you drove unregistered cars/ bikes
Presumably that means they were also not insured 🤔
And you wish to do similar here 🙄
Another quality one it seems
Presumably that means they were also not insured 🤔
And you wish to do similar here 🙄
Another quality one it seems
Michael ********
OP@Mika *******
always insured of course because this is necessary. But no need to register.And here is similar. Confirmed.
Mika ********
@Michael *******
what country allows such a rule ?Mika ********
@Michael *******
whisht !Michael ********
OP@Mika *******
ah it's you, ok. For you everything is hard.Mika ********
@Michael *******
I was replying to your comment about Europe - do try and keep up You are talking nonsense in most of your other comments
Drive illegally here by all means🙄 - karma can be a rightful bitch sometimes
Michael ********
OP@Mika *******
lol no, absolutely not. Ask anyone on the road. I promise you, you still find 5 people every 10 you asked with no registered mbike. Don't spread fairy tale.Mika ********
@Michael *******
that’s absolutely BS - cars need to be registered to be driven legally Sure you can insure it - and sit looking at it parked outside your house - but you can’t legally Drive the damm thing on the roads if it’s not registered
Michael ********
OP@Mika *******
whole EuropeGiorgio ******
@Michael *******
not registered but insured ????? 5555is that on the moon or on mercury or which planet ??? keep us informed it's really interexting ???5555/
Michael ********
OP@Giorgio *****
yes, she is the best woman on the world and does everything for me. Are you jealous? Or just moron?Giorgio ******
@Michael *******
what else does your mother does for you ? does she cook for your of wash your laundry is she the one who teached you these insults or did you learn them from. bAr girls ?
Michael ********
OP@Giorgio *****
why you fkn moron answer if you know nothing?Giorgio ******
@Michael *******
great .then do it . why ask ?Michael ********
OP@Giorgio *****
by the way, one of my cars is insured by my mother because she has bigger discounts. It's probably magic for you.Michael ********
OP@Giorgio *****
you're fool or what? You can even insure your neighbor's car if you want. insurance has nothing to do with whether the car is registered.
Ally ************
It's simple.. unless you have a green book with your name on it then you do not legally own it.. you have paid to borrow it until the rightful owner (who has the green book) comes along to claim it!
Jimlim *******
Many motorcycles are not registered and many drivers are not licensed, but they are Thais. If you look Thai, you probably could get away with it for awhile until you get into an accident. That's when you will pay even if its not your fault. Seeing how the Thais drive, do you want to take that chance?
Bob **********
You’ll never register it without the green book and probably not sell it
Gary *****
Why not making make an enquiry with the police they will put you straight !
It needs to be registered and insured for your peace of mind or any accidents you might have will cost you a lot of money in repairs and compensation.
It needs to be registered and insured for your peace of mind or any accidents you might have will cost you a lot of money in repairs and compensation.
Tony *********
Of course you will get contradictory answers if you come on to a group and ask what you are able to get away with if you don't follow the law. Everyone will have an opinion on that.
Michael ********
OP@Tony ********
i know a lot of Thai people who never register their motorbikes.Tony *********
@Michael *******
yes that's because a lot of Thai people don't follow the law so it's not surprising.Jason *****
I see you are asking everywhere just to get the answer you want, the law is there for a reason, but if you want to break it, nobody can stop you.
Michael ********
OP@Jason ****
lot of answers are from people who don't know anything or sitting in the chair on second half of world 🤣Jason *****
@Michael *******
Oh, definitely! Because we all know that geographical location and chair position are the ultimate indicators of knowledge. Anyone sitting on the "second half of the world" must be completely clueless.Michael ********
OP@Jason ****
usually
Brian ********
You didn't like the answers you got at the other group, and you won't like the ones you get here either.
Michael ********
OP@Brian *******
no, I'm just don't like bullshit and fairy tales.
Jon *****
@Michael *******
And yet you're posting BS. How is that ?Michael ********
OP@Jon ****
what is it?
Frank **********
What country are you from. I would think most countries require a vehicle to be registered. It is required in Thailand but whether people do it is up to them. You never know when you will caught by a police checkpoint.
Michael ********
OP@Frank *********
no need to register but you have to have contract with you.
Ling *****
In Thailand it must be registered. No one in their right mind wouldn't do it. Putting the law aside, what about accidents? No registration means no insurance, are you up for paying huge hospital bills for both the other person and yourself? Just register and insure it.
Michael ********
OP@Ling ****
no need to register and insurance no force you to register, even you no need driver license.Jon *****
@Michael *******
Stop joking !Ling *****
@Michael *******
you are wrong, you need all of the above.
Jeffrey **********
Exact law is you need to change it into your name within 30 days. They're now even starting to fine you if it's over 30 days.
The person who's trying to sell you the bike with only a copy of the book, has a pawned bike. Someone at some point traded the bike for a cash loan and couldn't pay it back. So you're in the position where the original owner, or the finance company that has the book for that bike, will be looking for it, and at some point maybe take it back. Is it worth the risk not having proper title to the bike and possibly losing your investment? Only you can answer that
The person who's trying to sell you the bike with only a copy of the book, has a pawned bike. Someone at some point traded the bike for a cash loan and couldn't pay it back. So you're in the position where the original owner, or the finance company that has the book for that bike, will be looking for it, and at some point maybe take it back. Is it worth the risk not having proper title to the bike and possibly losing your investment? Only you can answer that
Michael ********
OP@Jeffrey *********
no. Officially yes but unofficially no.
Phil ******
@Michael *******
no not true. Must be registered. Your home country you drove unregistered vehicles too? What country? Number plates not required?Michael ********
OP@Phil *****
no need. Plenty of cars and moto are not.Phil ******
Jason *****
@Michael *******
A man suffering from brain disease badly need a brain transplant. He walk into a shop and ask if there is any brain for sales, the shop owner took out an old deformed brain with a price tag of 1 million dollar and said this from Thomas Edison and his brain is very good because he is a great inventor, The man said he cant afford and wanted something cheaper, and the shop pointed to a display showing a bloody but well preserved one saying this is from Franz Schubert a talent composer and it is worth $800K but yet the man said it is too expensive and wanted something cheapest.
Then the shop owner pointed to one corner on the floor and say, you can take that and pay me anything you want.
The man look at the brain, it look brand new without damage and deformation. Out of curiosity he asked the owner, why the brain is so clean, nice but worth nothing in which the owner replied, "It has never been used before" So the man happily took the brain, pay nothing and left.
I am glad that I finally found who is the buyer. Nice to know you Michael.
Michael ********
OP@Marcin ******
doesn't matter
Marcin *******
@Michael *******
that's great but you still haven't answered the question, which country.Michael ********
OP@Peter *********
I have 6 cars in my country in Europe and only 1 is registered. And motorbike too. How do you feel about being stupid? 😜
Peter **********
@Michael *******
Coming from you I take that as a compliment. ;) Have a great day!Michael ********
OP@Peter *********
no, I'm not. But I'm sure you're troll.Peter **********
@Michael *******
You’re dead wrong. Having studied law at university in my country (NL) I can assure you that every vehicle must be registered and there is definitely law enforcement. Funny man.How does it feel to be trolling? Do you need to deal with frustration because the little girl next door gave you a beating? 🤣🤣🤣
Michael ********
OP@Jason ****
let's go and try to find your brain 🧠Michael ********
OP@Peter *********
whole European Union. According to the regulations, the vehicle must be registered, but there are no enforcement regulations. This is lawyer talk, I won't bore you with it.Jason *****
@Peter *********
He can't answer you because he did not register himself at birth too. 😅Peter **********
@Michael *******
Which European country is that? Why don’t you answer this repeatedly asked question?Michael ********
OP@Manas **********
Insurance companies have no idea whether the car is registered and they don't care. The same goes for diagnostic stations. With us, you only need a driving license and third party liability insurance.Michael ********
OP@Manas **********
no, they don't. If you don't have an idea why you arguing with me?
Manas ***********
@Michael *******
in which European country??? 😂If you get controled by the police for sure they will enforce the law.
If you get into an accident insurance will not cover and 100% liabilities and consequences fall upon you.
In most of the European country you have to pass a vehicule safety inspection. How do you manage it with an unregistered vehicule?
Phil ******
@Michael *******
post your proof as I don't believe you. Here there is enforcementMichael ********
OP@Phil *****
Registration is required by law in the European Union. But if you don't do it, you won't be in danger because there are no enforcement regulations.Phil ******
@Michael *******
yeh but what country has no registration transportMichael ********
OP@Phil *****
I'm in Thailand. You
Roger *******
He's gone very quiet! 🙄
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