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Do I need to register my purchased scooter and get insurance in Thailand?

Scooter OwnershipVehicle RegistrationThailand DMVInsurance RequirementsExpat TipsBuying Used ScootersMotorbike Registration
Apr 16, 2024
7 months ago
Lay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Used Scooter Buying: Am I supposed to go to the DMV and register it and change the ownership to my own name? Seems like most expats just buy it and don't register or change the ownership to their name. Also, is buying insurance for it necessary?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When buying a used scooter in Thailand, it's important to register the scooter in your name at the Department of Land Transport (DLT) and obtain a residence certificate to complete the registration process. While some expats choose not to register their scooters, doing so is recommended to avoid potential problems, especially if planning to resell it later. Mandatory insurance is required when registering; basic insurance comes with road tax, but purchasing additional coverage is advisable as the minimum insurance typically only covers third parties.
Pygo ********
Farangs will get pulled, have a Thai woman drive you.
7 months ago
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Terary **********
When I bought mine, I bought from a company/person that rented motorcycles short time and long term. I paid them a couple of baht to change the paperwork to my name. You never know when you will need to prove it's your motorcycle.
7 months ago
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Lay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
 good point
7 months ago
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Lay *******
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Jae *******
If you don't put it in your own name then obviously the previous owners will still receive the paperwork etc. 🤷
7 months ago
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Giorgio ******
so many stupid questions in one post .
*****
7 months ago
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Bob **********
Yes you need to get the resident certificate from immigration and have it changed to your name you’ll get insurance when you change name and register it hope you got what you need from the owner but if you really don’t care if you resell it then you just need the green to register and tax
7 months ago
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Lay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *********
 I'm probably going to resell in about 6-8 months. I've never seen a tag on any scooters here. Like a month/year expiration tag.
7 months ago
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Bob **********
@Lay ******
 you’ll have a tough time if the green book isn’t in your name maybe just give it away
7 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Lay ******
 it's a little tube usually attached somewhere on the bike with a colored piece of paper in it. Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it's not there.
7 months ago
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Lay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 ok thanks
7 months ago
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Lay *******
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Phil ******
Register in your name or a Thai name or cannot buy. Insurance is important here
@Lay ******
7 months ago
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Don-Laura *******
For additional motorbike insurance, these guys are the way to go. Super easy and not expensive.
*******************************************
7 months ago
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Kevin ********
Nothing is necessary until it is. No accidents no checkpoint stops no problems I drove my honda dream everywhere for 125,000km. But one frickin accident and buhn ha makmak
7 months ago
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Lay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin *******
 thanks, that's what I keep hearing.
7 months ago
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Andy ********
@Lay ******
 Same in the USA you dont need to register your bike in your name unless you get caught 🙄
7 months ago
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Andy ********
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Neil ******
It’s called DLT. You are supposed to do that. Following a transfer, it should be transferred for the registration and tax purposes.
7 months ago
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John **********
Yes but you will need a residence certificate to do so, you won't be able to tax it unless you do. You get a basic insurance that comes with road tax but I'd suggest getting something a bit better, the basic insurance won't cover you it's for 3rd parties
7 months ago
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Jeffrey **********
@John *********
 the basic insurance is a medical based insurance. Accident insurance. It does cover driver passenger and others
7 months ago
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Garrett ***********
@John *********
 What? Anyone can pay the tax on any bike.
7 months ago
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Stephan ***********
@John *********
 Nope... the basic insurance doesn't come with the tax, you need to buy it before you can pay the tax. Everyone can pay tax/insurance, it doesn't matter what name is in the greenbook... nobody ever ask who you are at DLT and/or insurance shop. For change the ownership you also need a copy of ID/Passport from the seller, if the seller is a foreigner you also need a copy of a valid(!) visa stamp. The official timeframe for change ownership is 14 days... but hey... TiT... 😁
7 months ago
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Carsten ************
@Stephan **********
 wrong, basic insurance is paid in one step with the tax
7 months ago
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Stephan ***********
@Carsten ***********
 Nope... it's not. You pay the tax at DLT (100 Baht) and before you need to buy an basic insurance somewhere... 324 Baht up to 150cc. There are insurance seller at the DLT but they don't belong to the government.
7 months ago
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Carsten ************
@Stephan **********
 I never went to the DLT for that. Every Motorbike Shop offers that service as well as all Test Center, where you need to go anyway. For me it was a one-step job for the past 12 years.
7 months ago
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Stephan ***********
@Carsten ***********
 So you actually don't know how it really works (without an agent/service) but tell me that I am wrong? Never mind... 😁
7 months ago
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Carsten ************
@Stephan **********
 no agent, no service. You have to pass a test with your vehicle every year. At those test centres you drop your green book, get the bike tested and pick up the book the next day. It's taxed and insured and tested in one step. You may do it at the DLT, but why driving there if you find branches all over the city?
7 months ago
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Stephan ***********
@Carsten ***********
 Oh my... and again you spread wrong information...

The yearly technical check is only needed for bikes older than 5 years, not before. Talking about private bikes, of course.

These test centres do the check, they also sell the insurance to you and then they go for you to the DLT. And for that you pay them some extra money... that's what I call a "service". And because they collect some books before they go to Phuket you have to wait some days / about one week before you get your book back, right?

Example for a scooter up to 150cc... 100 Baht Tax, 60 Baht check, 323,14 Baht (basic) insurance... makes 483,14 Baht. How much do you pay?
7 months ago
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Carsten ************
You're right about the age of the bike and it's 1st check only. The "certified service center" at the DLT and those spread all over the City are the same and the processing fee as well. You can bring your bike/ car to any Center with this sign and get Tax and insurance updated in one step. Drop today, pick-up tomorrow. In Phuket the DLT might be located central. here in Pattaya nobody goes to the DLT as it's fkn far outside the city.
7 months ago
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Carsten ************
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Garrett ***********
Personally, I always either leave my motorbikes in the Thai person's name I bought it from, or put it in a thai person's name. Have the seller sign the greenbook, sign a copy of their ID card with phone number, and fill out the sellers side of the transfer of ownership form. Leave the buyer side blank.

- you have to buy the mandatory minimum insurance when you pay your yearly tax. Other than that, most motorbikes does have 2nd or 1st class insurance.
7 months ago
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Jeffrey **********
@Garrett **********
 lots of misinformation here. You never physically sign the green book. There are two forms that need to be filled out as well as a copy of the seller's ID and if they're a foreigner they will need copies of their passport as well as their visa and their TM 30. Under the new rules if you do not change the name within 30 days they are starting to fine you start at 200 baht
7 months ago
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Garrett ***********
@Jef****
 Only one putting misinformation here is you. The DLT doesn't take tm30s, only immigration does. If you're a foreigner you need a certificate of residency, buyer or seller.

- Yes, you do physically sign the greenbook. Mines signed.

-whats the 2nd form you say needs to be filled out?
7 months ago
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Jeffrey **********
@Garrett **********
 well maybe your land traffic office is different than ours in Chiang mai, but no out of the 102 bikes I own, none have the book signed and our land transport office does require four different copies from your passport,

your name page

your Visa

your current stamp

and the TM 30

I've done nine so far this month all of them the same
7 months ago
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Jeffrey **********
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Lay *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 I've seen some scooters for sale with tax paid until 2025. Does that mean I just have to get the seller to sign the green book, get their phone number, a signed copy of their id and have the ownership form with the seller's side filled out?
7 months ago
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Jacob ********
@Garrett **********
 Insurance 1st class is how much a year?
7 months ago
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Garrett ***********
@Jacob *******
 Depends on the vehicle. Only a few companies will insure motorbikes, and normally only big bikes. My buddy has a cbr650 I think he pays 12k baht a year for 1st class.
7 months ago
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Garrett ***********
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